dgarland

We plan to take our 5 year old grandson to Disneyworld for two nights in early June. We're thinking about renting a car upon arrival in Orlando and driving to the beach for one night since he's never seen the ocean. Then drive back to Disney to following evening and spend two nights there. We're staying at the Beach Club Resort on site while at Disney. Any suggestions for a good destination and hotel for our one night at the beach?

birder

You say "ocean" - does that mean you want something on the Atlantic side? My advice was going to be something between Clearwater Beach & St. Pete Beach, but that's on the Gulf side. In my opinion, the Gulf side is much prettier, but if you are looking for an official "ocean," the Gulf does not qualify.

dgarland

I agree, the Gulf side is much prettier. It doesn't matter which side, but drive time is important since the trip will be relatively short anyway. I would prefer 1 1/2 hr drive or less and am not sure if a drive to the Gulf side would work within that time frame. If it would, I love your suggestion. I need to look at a map and check the distance.

Felschurch

Orlando to Clearwater Bch- 107 mi-1hr 56 min. My guess is that's with no traffic issues

ajcolorado

Here's another vote for Clearwater Beach. It is a clean beach with bathrooms, playground equipment, lots of nice sand and a gentle surf. It often gets top marks as a family beach.

A good website to look at is http://www.visitclearwaterflorida.co...nformation.php

They have a free nightly Sunset festival with street performers and vendors. It is a family friendly event - you'll want to bring several $1 bills for tipping the performers. http://www.sunsetsatpier60.com

dgarland

Thanks on the votes for Clearwater. Clearwater it is. Any suggestions for hotels? We typically like the historical hotels and I see the Don Casar Resort is at St. Pete which looks close, but we are open to something like Hyatt/Hiltons if available. Since it's just one night, cost isn't a huge issue, we just want a neat experience for the little one.

granniem

We are also going to Oralando, one other stop then to Melbourne which is supposed to be an hour from Orlando. We are staying at the Double tree ON the Ocean, balcony and full ocean view. Then back to the Orlando Area to come hoome on the autotrain.

thurstonbb

I live just north of downtown Orlando. It can take forever to get to the west coast with traffic and construction. The east coast is closer, with Cocoa Beach our destination. If he hasn't seen the ocean, this would be it for him! There are lots of hotels on the ocean.

stumpworks73

Cocoa Beach is an hour closer than Clearwater and that is without Tampa traffic calculated. If you are going for a one nighter, Cocoa has several acceptable hotels on an OK beach, and on the ocean, not on the Gulf. Consider Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach. I respect that the Gulf beaches are prettier and the water is warmer, but for a brief visit, I'd go to Cocoa.

birder

I really think Clearwater Beach is nice because it is just so beautiful, and you do have the magnificent festival on the pier - a guy who swallows flames, someone doing dog tricks, etc. Here's the website: http://www.sunsetsatpier60.com/

If you are looking for something fun to do the next day, you could always take the boat ride from Honeymoon Island to Caledesi Island. It will give you a little time on the water for like $8 person, and Caledesi is stunning. http://www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland/

Of course, you can always take a boat trip with the pirate ship on Clearwater Beach.

A really fun place for home made ice cream in that area is Strachans, we LOVE their ice cream! http://www.strachansdesserts.com/