My husband and I have a day for a side trip from Disney. I'd like to go someplace different. Either scenic or typically-Floridian in nature.

Does anyone have any ideas?

One of the Gulf Coast beaches?

We are thinking of the Gulf Coast. Has anyone been there. would that be a nice daytrip area?

There are lots of good ideas on this thread:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34806905

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is just over an hours drive from WDW and is unspoiled Florida. http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=41570

St. Augustine would be a nice long day trip, or maybe the Space Center.

Definately go to the gulf. We did a weekend trip between WDW and stayed in St. Pete Beach at Tradewinds Island Grand. Beautiful area to just relax and get away from the Disney hubbub! Kinda boring drive I-4 west, though. TW was a nice place to stay. We were on the 7th floor and could watch pods of dolphins going by early in the morning. Did some fishing at St. Pete Pier and Redington Beach pier.

This is some information that I cut and copied from an earlier post - it is something we definately want to do on our next trip. I cannot remember the name of the person who suggested it - it seems that they had the word "star" in their user ID - I'm sorry I can't give better credit than that.

"Wekiva Springs State Park.

For something you will really enjoy and remember forever, go to Wekiva Springs SP (northern part of Orlando - Altamonte Springs area.

Google for more information but...

Wekiwa Springs State Park comprises approximately 7,000 acres of wild scenery that offers an opportunity to see how areas of central Florida looked when the Timucuan Indians speared fish in the spring-fed creeks and stalked the uplands. They left a number of mounds that are still visible today. The main spring pumps approximately 42 million gallons of water each day.

I'd rent canoes or take a canoe guided trip. It is truly an amazing experience. You feel like you are canoeing through "Old Florida".

There's an official website and here's the website of the canoe company working in the park. www.canoewekiva.com. They also have horseback riding.

For a low key experience that you will remember forever, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a quieter alternative - and much more real."

We side-tripped to St Augustine from Disney and enjoyed not only the town but the beaches.

St. Augusine or the Gulf.

The Space Center is a "special interest" destination, only (in my view).

thanks so much for the replies! wekiva is so close, it might be a nice idea. thanks again!