My family will be flying to Orlando this June going to Disney and SeaWorld. At the end of our trip we would like to drive to a beach to stay for a few days. Maximum drive should be about 3 hours. A little bit father is ok as long as there is a nearby airport to fly out of, so we are not trying to drive back several hours to fly out of Orlando. Our kids are 3 and 6 year old girls.
I included Tampa in the topic because I thought it might be nice to go to Busch Gardens one day and we can fly home from Tampa.
Our main criteria: kid-friendly, directly on the beach, has a kitchen.
Budget: $200-300/night
Lodging on beach near Orlando or Tampa with kids
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Friends of mine stay at the Alden Beach Resort quite often and like it:
http://www.aldenbeachresort.com
It's right on St. Pete Beach, rooms have kitchenettes. Easy access to Tampa and TIA.
Actually, I think we are looking at Vero Beach now. I can't decide between the Vero Beach Hotel and Disney Vero Beach. The rooms are about the same price fir a kitchen but VBH's rooms look a little nicer. However, the pool at Disney looks fabulous for the kids. Has anyone ever stayed at both properties?
I don't know a thing about the East Coast, so I hope others come to help with that. Keep in mind that the Gulf side has calmer--much-calmer--water for the little ones...
The East coast beaches around Vero will likely be less crowded than those West of Tampa (clearwater, st pete and all those in between). The West coast beaches around Tampa are much prettier though than those on the East coast unless you get down to the Ft Lauderdale/Miami area. Your budget is doable in either location. You will have better flight options out of Tampa than on the East side of the state where you'd have to go back to Orlando or down to Ft Lauderdale to have much choice with fewer connecting flights. For Busch Gardens, you'll drive at least an hour each way from wherever you are staying on the beach. Honestly, after Disney and Sea World, I'd skip Busch Gardens and spend your time on the beach instead.
I would also suggest Clearwater. The waves are much bigger on the East Coast and with small children the Gulf would probably be better.