Flying down to Florida (Orlando) the first full week of June on a last minute vacation. Family couldn't decide on anything else this year. This will be our 5th or 6th time to DW and etc, over past 15 years, so we are really just looking for the new attractions at DW. Wife and kids (13 and 17) would like to fly into Orlando, get a car and drive to the east coast beaches for a few days before returning to do the Mickey Mouse stuff. Plus this will enable us to avoid the Gay Day stuff at DW. Can the frequent flyers here recommend a nice area where we might find a nice hotel right on the beach. Seem to remember the area around Cocoa was nice in past years. Never spent much time on the east coast. Open jawed flight is out due to FF restrictions.

Have you been to Universal and Islands of Adventure? We like them so much more than Disney. And we prefer the west coast to the ocean side, but we like the Cocoa Beach area. Can't help with hotels as we usually just make it a day trip.

A place that I keep hearing about is the new Ron Jon Resort in Cocoa Beach. It has everything under the sun for kids including a lazy river and a huge water area. They also have studios and multi-bedroom suites for families. I don't know what rates are like at that time but it has become quite a destination.

I live in Orlando and was in Cocoa Beach a week ago and the beach itself was great. If you look at other hotels, ask if they still have construction going on as many have reopened (post-hurricane damage) but have not finished. It's not very relaxing when there's lots of hammering going on. Check reviews on Trip Advisor, too. Good luck.

Inn at Cocoa Beach is nice. Or just north of Daytona, driftwoodmotel.com

Or were you looking for more of an upscale resort type place?

Cocoa Beach is "surfer central" for that part of Florida. Lots of rather shaggy looking characters all around, but no more trouble than any other beach area. If you get a beachfront hotel in Cocoa Beach, you might want to take one day to drive north to the public area of beaches near Cape Canaveral--much nicer beach and much fewer people. Good luck.

What about going to the West Coast instead. The beaches are way nicer and you could always hit the Tampa attractions.