We're flying into Sanford airport and will be staying a week at Disney - 4 adults and 2 children 2 & 7. We'll have a free day before we have to be at Disney so we thought we'd head to the ocean. The Gulf is a long ways so we thought we'd go to the Atlantic side. Any recommendations for the Daytona Beach to Cocoa Beach area? We don't need anything luxurious, just somewhere the kids can play on the beach and collect some seashells.

If you are looking for an unspoiled seashore you could consider the Canaveral National Seashore. Access from Titusville and the Merritt NWR and you can get a good view of the Space Centers launch pads used for the Shuttle. Several other natural areas are off A1A, one is across from Patrick AFB and one on A1A south of Indialantic, follow US-192 east out of the Disney Area. If not looking for luxury these are the places, pack a small cooler. Parking and toilet facilities are available.

Thanks. Should we look for a hotel in the Titusville area? I think our options are really limited in Sanford.

Cocoa Beach is a good family beach with a wide variety of accommodations available. http://www.cocoabeach.com/lodging.html

Lori Wilson park is right in Cocoa Beach on the beach and has showers, restrooms, playground, concessions, etc. http://www.brevardparks.com/parks/index.htm

Canaveral is beautiful, with far fewer people and fewer facilities. If you go there, be sure you bring everything you need with you. http://www.nbbd.com/godo/cns/brochur...ber/index.html

You can make any of the beaches that have been mentioned in a few hours from the Disney/Orlando area. There are places on A1A that you could stay right on the beach and there are motels that are locted up and down US-1 and I-95. If you leave the Sanford Air Port you could take SR-46 east to the coast and stay where ever you liked in that area.