First time to Florida questions.....

[Greatmom]

My 13 year old daughter and myself will be going to Disney for the first time. (First time even flying for her.) We will be there Feb. 18 - 25 First question is, will we even be able to use the pools or will it be too cool. She wants to go to Discovery Cove also. Will it be too cool for that? Any suggestions on a day trip to the ocean or the gulf? She has never been to either. This will be our once in a life time adventure for Mom and daughter and want it to be something for her always to remember!

 

[The Mom]

Originally posted by Greatmom
My 13 year old daughter and myself will be going to Disney for the first time. (First time even flying for her.) We will be there Feb. 18 - 25 First question is, will we even be able to use the pools or will it be too cool. She wants to go to Discovery Cove also. Will it be too cool for that? Any suggestions on a day trip to the ocean or the gulf? She has never been to either. This will be our once in a life time adventure for Mom and daughter and want it to be something for her always to remember!

Hi from one Mom to another! I'll try to answer your first question. It depends! (not much of an answer) As a Floridian, I would probably find it too cool for swimming, but my New England relatives had no problems. If the pool is heated, and it's a warmish sunny day, you should be able to swim comfortably. Also, many pools have a spa nearby, so you can "warm-up" there. The temperatures can be very variable...cool-cold in the early morning, but 70s -low 80s by afternoon. It could also stay cool all day...you never know. Winter here is more like late spring in New England.

I live near the ocean, but it's too far for you....I'll let one of the members who live closer answer that one.

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Greatmom
My 13 year old daughter and myself will be going to Disney for the first time. (First time even flying for her.) We will be there Feb. 18 - 25 First question is, will we even be able to use the pools or will it be too cool. She wants to go to Discovery Cove also. Will it be too cool for that? Any suggestions on a day trip to the ocean or the gulf? She has never been to either. This will be our once in a life time adventure for Mom and daughter and want it to be something for her always to remember!

Just a quick note on the pools - if you go to Disney, they should all be heated.

From the Orlando area, you pretty much have two choices as far as water. You can go east (about a 45 minute drive) to Cocoa Beach and see the ocean or south/west (about an hour to 75 minute drive) to the Tampa Bay area and see the gulf. The ocean side is closer and may seem like the obvious choice but keep in mind that the ocean will be noticeably colder and the water will be a fair mount rougher (bigger waves – nice if you’re into surfing ). If it is cool/cold at the time you come down, you may not want to get into that water, though. The drive over to the west side is a bit longer but the water in the gulf will be warmer and much calmer which in my opinion, makes it better for swimming and sitting on the beach. I would say that the east side has cooler things for tourists (Ron Jon Surf Shop immediately comes to mind (http://www.ronjons.com/locations/cocoabeach.htm ) but it may not have all that much over the west coast. I just live on the west coast so I might not notice it as much around here.

 

[NowInc]

Re: Re: First time to Florida questions.....

Originally posted by MrPromey


Just a quick note on the pools - if you go to Disney, they should all be heated.

From the Orlando area, you pretty much have two choices as far as water. You can go east (about a 45 minute drive) to Cocoa Beach and see the ocean or south/west (about an hour to 75 minute drive) to the Tampa Bay area and see the gulf. The ocean side is closer and may seem like the obvious choice but keep in mind that the ocean will be noticeably colder and the water will be a fair mount rougher (bigger waves – nice if you’re into surfing ). If it is cool/cold at the time you come down, you may not want to get into that water, though. The drive over to the west side is a bit longer but the water in the gulf will be warmer and much calmer which in my opinion, makes it better for swimming and sitting on the beach. I would say that the east side has cooler things for tourists (Ron Jon Surf Shop immediately comes to mind (http://www.ronjons.com/locations/cocoabeach.htm ) but it may not have all that much over the west coast. I just live on the west coast so I might not notice it as much around here.

Surfing in florida..haha..good one Mr.P...

If you are not from Florida...it will seem warm enough to go swimming...even if the pools arent heated..

 

[Tigggrl]

Happy Vacationing!

Hi! I hope I can help you some too, but Marcia and Mr.P have it pretty well summed up! I had a friend and her daughter from Utah come to Orlando last January. The pool was heated, and the hot tub was great! Her daughter had no problem at all swimming at night in the pool, so during the day should be great! I also live on the Gulf, and Sarasota is about 2 hours from the parks, a bit far I am sure, but we have some great beaches, and St. Pete beach s beautiful too. IF you are driving, it should not be a problem, and there are usually shells to pick up if you go early. Siesta Key beach in Sarasota is where I have found some awesome shells and Sand Dollars, and Busch Gardens is in Tampa, so that is also another option for spending the day!
Have a great Visit!
Tig

 

[MrPromey]

Re: Re: Re: First time to Florida questions.....

Originally posted by NowInc


Surfing in florida..haha..good one Mr.P...

If you are not from Florida...it will seem warm enough to go swimming...even if the pools arent heated..

Don't look at me. It's where Ron Jon put their second surf shop (and I remember when it was a little shack and not a tourist destination). I don't surf but I've seen people out there doing it. Mind you, they don’t' get waves over there like they do in other places.... We used to have a surf shop over here on this side along one of the beaches but the ONLY time the waves on this side ever get large enough for something like that is when we have a hurricane or tornado and they are trying to evacuate the beaches.... Let me tell you, when it gets that bad those surfers come out of the wood work

 

[Tigggrl]

Do they ever! I used to live on the beach, and when they would be calling for evacuations, those silly fools would be out there surfing away! They did not care! Windsurfers are just as bad!
Tig

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Tigggrl
Windsurfers are just as bad!
Tig

Yep! I know exactly what you mean! I have some neighbors that windsurf and they have to be the only people in the neighborhood that actually look forward to the bad weather!

 

[The Mom]

Re: Re: Re: First time to Florida questions.....

Originally posted by NowInc


Surfing in florida..haha..good one Mr.P...

There may not be surfing down in the swamp where you guys live, but there is some up here! I'm not saying it's consistant, but there are some good days from time to time. I only Boogie Board, myself, and there have been some challenging days, even in the summer. (right before a storm is great, but you've got to be REALLY careful!) I've been "pile-driven" from time to time...damn near broke my nose once! So yes, it does get rough, and people do surf.

Sorry, I messed up this post...I'm replying to Now's post!

 

[NowInc]

Re: Re: Re: Re: First time to Florida questions.....

Originally posted by marciahahn
Sorry, I messed up this post...I'm replying to Now's post!

LoL...well...Florida isnt really known for its waves...I dont know up in jax tho...but from when I was in south florida..it was a joke...

I bodysurf (when the mood hits me) and the waters down here are GREAT for it...

 

[Pan]

We once did a day trip out to Clearwater Beach in the Tampa area. It was great. What's the temp suppose to be here tomorrow,7 deg?! If it's above 70 when you're there(and it should be for at least a day or two of your trip) I'm sure the pools and beaches will feel very comfortable.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

i've been to both the ocean and the gulf at Florida. personally i like the gulf better. mainly because i'm a sunset type person, over sunrise...i think sunsets are prettier. anyway, the gulf had some of the most gorgeous sunsets i've ever seen! we stayed at St. Pete's Beach in June, and it was so peaceful. the main reason we stayed there is so we could go to the Salvidor Dali Muesem in St. Petersberg (what a strange artist he was!) there was also another muesem we saw, but i forgot what it was called. it was really very nice though! so personally, i would choose gulf over ocean....plus, i think it's closer to Disney, isn't it? it may not be....i guess it depends on where you go to see either one.

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Dizknee_Phreek
i've been to both the ocean and the gulf at Florida. personally i like the gulf better. mainly because i'm a sunset type person, over sunrise...i think sunsets are prettier. anyway, the gulf had some of the most gorgeous sunsets i've ever seen! we stayed at St. Pete's Beach in June, and it was so peaceful. the main reason we stayed there is so we could go to the Salvidor Dali Muesem in St. Petersberg (what a strange artist he was!) there was also another muesem we saw, but i forgot what it was called. it was really very nice though! so personally, i would choose gulf over ocean....plus, i think it's closer to Disney, isn't it? it may not be....i guess it depends on where you go to see either one.

Nope,St. Petersburg Beach is almost 50% farther than the east side....
What hotel/motel did you stay in on STPB?..

That museum of Dali's work is the second largest in the world behind the one in his home town back in Spain and it's believed that the St. Pete one has the more valuable selection. There are actually a lot more paintings than there are room for on the walls. They rotate some of them regularly... The other museum - was it in St. Pete or Tampa? What kind of museum was it? In St. Pete there is a historical Museum near the big pier as well as a hands on museum (more for kids) at the end of the pier. There is a traditional art museum and the Florida International Museum. At this point it has a permanent exhibit about President Kennedy and I think one of the traveling ones in for the Cuban Missile Crisis. I'm not sure what the other traveling one is right now but they had a big exhibit on the Titanic back when the movie was breaking records, they've had exhibits on the Alexander the Great and on the Incas and a whole host of other unique things... Tampa has a nice Museum that deals with more contemporary art as well as MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) If you make it down Tigggrl's way there is also the Ringling estate where they have a huge art museum featuring paintings and sculptures hundreds of years old as well as a rather large circus museum.

 

[Coronado]

Not that I am the Chamber of Commerce...
but...beautiful "Sparkling Clearwater Beach" is probably the second best beach in the state.....first place goes to nearby Honeymoon Island State Park....a short $5 ride on a ferry. They have restroom facilities, a general store, and miles of beach... To get there drive West on I-4 to US 275 to SR 60 and stop when you get to the end of the road... The best thing....the sun sets on the Gulf...not the tall buildings. The party beach is south of the pier.....the family (quiet) side is north of the pier.....Have fun...

 

[cm1988]

Go West!

The beaches and sights of the Gulf Coast are indeed worth the extra drive, even with the Tampa traffic. Sorry Ron-Jon, :snore: but a busy gift shop where the t-shirts are so jammed together you can hardly pull them off the rack doesn't do much for me... however it's been a few years since I was 13, and okay, I was never a girl:hammer: Sarasota has great upscale resort shopping at St. Armond's circle. Pricey? Yes!

Somehow the zoning seems to have been handled better in the Western part of the state as well. Even the pelicans seem to prefer the gulf.

Speaking of 13... I've been through 13 Central FLA "winters" and I'd say in 12 of them, daytime highs were averaging around 80 by the second week of February. Watch the jet stream... once in a while it sends a Northern blast our way for a few days, but you should be ok in mid-February.

 

[disneydeb]

I have not been to many beaches in Florida, but I do prefer the Gulf side. My favorite beach of the ones I have visited is Siesta Key near Sarasota. This may be a little far for your stay in Orlando.

 

[fjulie1]

I have never been to the Atlantic Florida coast...but the west coast is beautiful. I have to put my vote in for Clearwater Beach too!! Have fun whatever you decide

 

[Tramp]

Originally posted by fjulie1
I have never been to the Atlantic Florida coast...but the west coast is beautiful. I have to put my vote in for Clearwater Beach too!! Have fun whatever you decide

We own timeshare on St Armand's key....but we LOVE Marco Island....the only drawback is that it's 4.5 - 5 hours from Orlando...but the water is WARM/HOT.....the beach is clean as are most florida beaches...and, if you're lucky, you can get to swim with the dolphins and manatees.

 

[General Grizz]

Last year at Marco...It took us only 3 and a half hours to get there...but it's so lovely...especially the large beachside Marriot.

 

[moonchild]

my 1st time too!

:sohappy: hi everyone! im going for the 1st time on jan 28th, 2002 ( a christmas gift from my boyfriend) i also want to go swimming, so he bought me a mickey bath robe to put on after i swim. whatta great boy friend i have! have a great time Mom! time