Orlando - Closest Beach area
 

Hi,
What is the closest beach area to the Orlando theme parks?
What I'd like to do is visit Orlando theme park for like two/three days tops, but after that I don't want to stay in the Orlando area and would like to stay at a beach resort for the remainder of the week. I'm hoping there is something close that not more than an hour or two away.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I'd suggest Cocoa Beach - I think it's close to an hour if not less.

Physically the closest would probably be Cocoa Beach or New Smyrna area on the East Coast...you can go Southwest to St. Pete/Clearwater but it's a bit longer...check out mapquest for the perspective of the area and directions from your hotel so you can get an idea...

Atlantic beaches in the Cocoa Beach area are pretty rough, with some fairly good wave action. Gulf beaches in the other direction (Clearwater, St Pete, etc) are much calmer, flatter, and easier for casual swimming. Either side of Florida is usually good for long beach walks.

When are you planning to come down? The Gulf side (west) has been plagued by red tide this summer, and the water temp was 93 degrees last week when I was there. So if you are planning short-term, maybe Cocoa Beach area (east)

Do you want Atlantic or Gulf coast? We've stayed in Coco Beach and at St. Augustine. St. A is a farther drive but alot of fun. We enjoyed the Castilla San Marco fort (nps.gov) and the Spanish Quarter living history museaum - see historicstaugustine.com. Anastasia Island State park has a nice wide beach and a light house, although I don't think they allow 6 year olds to climb to the top.

Clearwater Beach often wins "Best Family Beach" awards. We were there in June and the surf was quite calm. There were also enough little shells to keep your daughter happy. Sunset at Pier 60 is fun. Our girls enjoyed the ambiance and the parrot show. See sunsetsatpier60.com. We enjoyed the Clearwater Aquarium. Be forwarned - it isn't Sea World. There focus is restoring injured sea animals to health and re-releasing them. It is a small fascility but we loved watching the sealions and touching the rays.