Myself, husband and 2 year old daughter would like to take a vacation to Florida this October and would love to hear your comments on the two above options. We are looking for daytime activities, pool/beach and some sightseeing.

Your comments are appreciated.

Used to take our young kids(the youngest one we took was less than a year) every spring to Sanibel and they loved it. You can rent bikes and take her along, there are lots of small pools at all the condos and a beautiful beach with shells and sometimes frisbee retreiving dogs racing into the water. Almost all the restaurants are toddler friendly. Buy or bring a kite for flying on the beach. Just remember she'll need sunscreen. Sanibel is a great family place. Orlando to me focuses on Disney World and is for older children.

Just got back from a week in Florida...sounds like Sanibel is exactly what you would like. October is a great time of year to go, and it's just beautiful. If you go to Orlando, go to Disney and stay there...I found Orlando itself to be tacky, touristy and trafficky. Not my idea of fun with a 2 year old! She will love Disney though. There is a great Disney message board at www.wdwinfo.com if you would like any question answered. Have a great time in Florida...wish I were there!

My youngest child went to Florida at age 4. My kids LOVE animals & the water, and we are going back to orlando in late August, and have reservations at Discovery Cove, a new Anheuser-busch park. To go and NOT swim with dolphins is only $89 per person, children under 3 are free, AND it includes 7-day pass to Sea World. There is no age restriction on visitors, you just must be at least 6 to do the dolphin swim. Check out their website www.discoverycove.com for info. The personnel at Sea World are wonderful with little kids, talking to them about the animals. I am REALLY EXCITED about going here, & will post trip report when we get back.

A friend of ours went to WDW in the spring with their 2 year old. Other than liking the characters running around their child did not get much out of Disney. I really think WDW is for older children. Sea World would be a good alternative as far as theme parks go. We took our daughter, 2 down to the Keys in April. She was content to swim in the pool with us and play in the sand, what little sand there was in Marathon satisfied her. Remember at 2, kids don't like their routine disrupted very much and are prone to meltdowns! That is one reason we bypassed Orlando for a more laid back vacation! Good luck!

I really tend to agree with those advicing for Sanibel vs. Orlando.
We use to take our two children to Florida to visit Grandparents (mine live in Palm Beach)
And really when they are that young, beach/water, ice cream is all they need.
Too little to get bored.
When our children were 7 and 10 we did the Sea World/ Busch Garden trip with them.
They enjoyed it very much and were old enough to get through a day without meltdowns.
*But* I did see and hear plenty of sad, tired younger children and their stressed out parents, who were *not* having fun.
I don't know what Sanibel has to offer, but if anyone goes to the Palm Beach area, there is an *exceptional* zoo there, Dreher Park Zoo in West Palm Beach, that is really worth a visit.
We have always enjoyed it more than even the Washington D.C zoo.
And next door is a planetarium.
Have a fun trip with your daughter!
Nancy

Since water and sand are so endlessly fascinating for children, I cast another vote for Sanibel. Throw in all of the seashells and it's a dream come true. Plus, it's easy to find condominium lodging in Sanibel, and you can eat some or all of your meals in. It makes it so much easier to work around your toddler's nap schedule, and a well-rested child makes for a happy restful vacation.