A good beach near Disney?

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doctor tigger

New Member
Dear WDWMagic-ers,

I have a rather unfortunate question, but I hope that some of you will bear with me and realize that it's not "my" question. We're going to WDW in late June and taking a 16=year old girl who has never been to WDW before. Basically, the only reason she wants to go is because she wants to go to the beach one day (she has yet to discover why some of us go back over and over again to WDW). Here's the question---where would you suggest that we go to take her to the beach? (and be nice, please!) We will have a car, so driving is not a problem, but I don't want to spend all day in the car getting there. Does anybody have any advice?

Thanks and have a brilliant day!
Doc Tig
 
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BigAL

New Member
Beach

You could drive over to Clearwater Beach in Tampa. I can not remember how long of a drive it is, but it is not too far. There is a publice beach right when you drive in to Clearwater from the Tampa area
 
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Nut4Disney

Nut4Disney

New Member
I too would suggest Clearwater Beach, although Daytona and Cocoa Beach are the closest (45 min), I think Clearwater(90 min) is much nicer and worth the drive. No offense to anyone who lives on the Atlantic side, but on the gulf side it's clearer and bluer, and the sand is whiter, and the waves are smaller.
 
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WigglyWiggins

WigglyWiggins

New Member
I know she wants a beach, but try her on Typhoon Lagoon....but if she want a beach..she wants a beach!!
(but typhoons good enough (better) for me anyday....aaaaa non-disneyites....we have to symapthise with them those poor disney muggles, hey ho)
 
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JoeZerboy

JoeZerboy

New Member
For ease of drive, Daytona Beach and/or Cocoa Beach. But growing up on the Gulf Coast I agree that Clearwater Beach would be a good selection as well.

For Clearwater Beach, just need to pay attention to where I-4 [the highway in Orlando] meets I-275 [the I-75 bypass that runs along the coast while I-75 stays inland in Florida near Tampa].

And the times mentioned in the above posts are pretty much on the money [depending on day/time you choose to go].

My personal faves, though, are a bit south of Clearwater on Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key.

Enjoy your trip!

Joe
 
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mkt

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
The closest beach to WDW would be Cocoa Beach, which is about 45-60 mins on toll road 528 (from WDW, take I-4 towards orlando, and get off on the 528. It's like $5 or so in tolls. Take it straight to Cocoa)

but for niceness, I'd go to clearwater.. it's just a WEE bit far
 
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The Mom

The Mom

Moderator
Premium Member
Originally posted by Nut4Disney
. No offense to anyone who lives on the Atlantic side, but on the gulf side the waves are smaller.
Click to expand...

You don't want waves???!!! Might as well be in a pool! ;) (just kidding!) Since I spend most of my time at the beach Boogie Boarding (I'm too old to surf) whenever the waves are big enough, I would DEFINITELY prefer the East Coast beaches.
 
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s25843

s25843

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by doctor tigger
Dear WDWMagic-ers,

I have a rather unfortunate question, but I hope that some of you will bear with me and realize that it's not "my" question. We're going to WDW in late June and taking a 16=year old girl who has never been to WDW before. Basically, the only reason she wants to go is because she wants to go to the beach one day (she has yet to discover why some of us go back over and over again to WDW). Here's the question---where would you suggest that we go to take her to the beach? (and be nice, please!) We will have a car, so driving is not a problem, but I don't want to spend all day in the car getting there. Does anybody have any advice?

Thanks and have a brilliant day!
Doc Tig
Click to expand...
Well if you dont mind driving about 3 hours, you could go to South Beach in Miami.
 
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FanofDinsey1981

FanofDinsey1981

Active Member
if you dont mind going another hour from cocoa beach, I suggest going to Vero Beach. Disney has a resort there (which is both beautiful and tastefully done) with a private beach. I first went there when I was 16 (ah the days) and I loved every minute ofit. and vero beach is a very nice town, complete with a mall.

and of course she will love disney! :cool:
 
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D

doctor tigger

New Member
Original Poster
Hey!
Thanks everybody for the great advice! I'm not sure yet what we will end up doing, but I'll be sure to let everybody know when we get back the first week of July. Here's hoping that we turn our 16-year old into a WDW groupie just like me! (That way, she can take me when she becomes old and independently wealthy!)

Hope that everybody had a great weekend!

Doc Tig
 
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Coronado

Coronado

Member
BUT before you decide on Clearwater Beach....try our Honeymoon Island Beach located north of clearwater beach.....no T-shirt shops....no Jiro Sandwiches......no Buffalo Wing places....Just the third highest rated beach in the WORLD.... they have showers, restrooms, but no game rooms..... To get there stop before you go across the causeway bridge....park and pay the 10 bucks for a two way ticket to the Island..... it is so nice you will probably want to keep it a secret from all of your friends.......
 
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Maria

Maria

New Member
Coronado, I wish I had known about it when I was there!
I would also suggest Clearwater Beach for a 16 year old girl who I am sure will be interested in guy watching and a little bit of shopping.. :rolleyes: been there, done that... still doing it! :D

JoeZerboy, I also loooooooved Anna Maria Beach! More secluded though for a 16 year old, but the place is beautiful! You can have dinner at this restaurant that has like a terrace or veranda where you can watch the sunset from! Very nice! :)
 
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Herbie53

Herbie53

Premium Member
Has anybody ever been to Howard Park in Tarpon Springs? It's the best beach I've come across. It seems to be much more low key than the other beaches.
 
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