Help with Florida trip

[Mister Brenton]

I'm setting up a Disney vacation in early July, the last place on earth I really want to be at that time of year, but nonetheless... I'll stay in Orlando for the first week doing the park scene, but we'll have another 4 days to do something else. We were thinking of going over to the gulf, since nobody in my family has ever seen the Fla west coast from the ground. Keeping in mind that we'll need to drive back to Orlando for the flight home, what would you suggest? I was thinking of trying to mooch a free meal at Electromethod's restaurant, but aside from that, I'm wide open. Ideally, I'd be looking for a 2-bedroom suite to handle the 4 of us, so if anyone can recommend a property, appreciate it. Also, since it's been about 7 years since the last ill-fated Disney adventure, anything new worth seeing there?

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[NdnMbLova]

When we drove down to Orlando from NJ we stayed at some time-share place. Had a kitchen and living room and everything. It was outside of Disney, forget how long the drive to disney was, as I refused to go Disney or universal.

[MG]

Rick, you taking my children with you? I can drive them over and drop them off.

[Mister Brenton]

I am getting 4 first-class plane tickets for free, a 2-bedroom suite at the marriott for the first week for free, and 4 5-day park hopper passes for free, plus a free car rental.

Maybe a timeshare for the coast leg?

[electromethod]

Originally Posted by RBrenton

I'm setting up a Disney vacation in early July, the last place on earth I really want to be at that time of year, but nonetheless...

I'll stay in Orlando for the first week doing the park scene, but we'll have another 4 days to do something else. We were thinking of going over to the gulf, since nobody in my family has ever seen the Fla west coast from the ground. Keeping in mind that we'll need to drive back to Orlando for the flight home, what would you suggest? I was thinking of trying to mooch a free meal at Electromethod's restaurant, but aside from that, I'm wide open.

Ideally, I'd be looking for a 2-bedroom suite to handle the 4 of us, so if anyone can recommend a property, appreciate it.

Also, since it's been about 7 years since the last ill-fated Disney adventure, anything new worth seeing there?

I am up by Gainesville, so my place would be on the way if you decide to go up to the pan handle. With a slight detour, there is some great Tarpon fishing out in Homosassa..... the best in the world, and I am not making that up. Charters can be had CHEAP with this tanked economy. In pan handle, Grayton beach is gorgeous.... we actually went last year to the national park there, absolutely gorgeous. Pensacola has a lot of historic stuff like Pensacola Village..... I guess it all depends what you and your family are looking to do .

Orlando wise, if your family likes botanical gardens, etc, then check out Harry Leu Botanical Gardens.. gorgeous place It's also worth it to take a short drive and spend 1/2 a day @ Cypress Gardens just South West of Orlando, after all, it is Florida's first theme park... great place to take the family. Also, I don't know if you have ever been to St. Augustine, but it's a great sight seeing town, especially if you are into lighthouses like my g/f is Only problem is that it's on East coast of FL north of Jacksonville, so it wouldn't be on the way to anything else.

P.S. Don't eat at the tourist dives in Orlando. If you don't end up going up to pan handle, at least pm me so zee blonde and I can take you and your family out to dinner in Orlando

[electromethod]

Originally Posted by RBrenton

I am getting 4 first-class plane tickets for free, a 2-bedroom suite at the marriott for the first week for free, and 4 5-day park hopper passes for free, plus a free car rental.

Maybe a timeshare for the coast leg?

Some great resorts up by Grayton....... which means there are local properties on the beach for rent Zee blonde and I went camping up there at the state park... got a cabin and had a great time.

[brianhn1]

Originally Posted by electromethod

Also, I don't know if you have ever been to St. Augustine, but it's a great sight seeing town, especially if you are into lighthouses like my g/f is Only problem is that it's on East coast of FL north of Jacksonville, so it wouldn't be on the way to anything else.

I'm preeeety sure St. Augustine is south of Jacksonville.

[LRM1]

Originally Posted by RBrenton

I'm setting up a Disney vacation in early July, the last place on earth I really want to be at that time of year, but nonetheless...

I'll stay in Orlando for the first week doing the park scene, but we'll have another 4 days to do something else. We were thinking of going over to the gulf, since nobody in my family has ever seen the Fla west coast from the ground. Keeping in mind that we'll need to drive back to Orlando for the flight home, what would you suggest? I was thinking of trying to mooch a free meal at Electromethod's restaurant, but aside from that, I'm wide open.

Ideally, I'd be looking for a 2-bedroom suite to handle the 4 of us, so if anyone can recommend a property, appreciate it.

Also, since it's been about 7 years since the last ill-fated Disney adventure, anything new worth seeing there?

The Expedition Everest (Animal Kindgom) is worth the wait most definately. Are you staying in the parks? In terms of rides I prefer Universal, but if you don't have a rental car you're stuck. There's also some new dinosaur restaurant that just opened in Downtown Disney.-kids liked it.

If you have, or know someone who has timeshare properties try Sannibel island (I don't recall seeing many hotels if at all there). Peaceful, quiet, little to no traffic. There's also a great Hyatt resort in Fort Myers - The Hyatt bonita Springs - which is really relaxing.

[electromethod]

Originally Posted by brianhn1

I'm preeeety sure St. Augustine is south of Jacksonville.

Yes you are right. I was thinking South, but typed in North. South of Jax, and North of Daytona.

[Mister Brenton]

Originally Posted by LRM1

The Expedition Everest (Animal Kindgom) is worth the wait most definately. Are you staying in the parks? In terms of rides I prefer Universal, but if you don't have a rental car you're stuck. There's also some new dinosaur restaurant that just opened in Downtown Disney.-kids liked it.

If you have, or know someone who has timeshare properties try Sannibel island (I don't recall seeing many hotels if at all there). Peaceful, quiet, little to no traffic. There's also a great Hyatt resort in Fort Myers - The Hyatt bonita Springs - which is really relaxing.

I will have a car and I'm staying at a Marriott, like I mentioned. Now why would I have timeshare properties at Sannibel if I've never been there?

[Hazy1]

If you want to come up to the panhandle, I can help you out, but it's a pretty good hike (5-7 hr drive depending on where you go). I've got family in the Tampa/St. Pete area and friend's of the family have a quaint little Gulf-front hotel there that I could check on for you. We stayed there for my father-in-law's wedding and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It's definitely just a mom/pop operation with no resort amenities other than a pool, but the rooms were spotless and the beach was good.

Edit- Just saw LRM's recommendation on Sanibel Island and that's where this hotel is, I just couldn't remember the name before.

[Mister Brenton]

Originally Posted by Hazy1

If you want to come up to the panhandle, I can help you out, but it's a pretty good hike (5-7 hr drive depending on where you go). I've got family in the Tampa/St. Pete area and friend's of the family have a quaint little Gulf-front hotel there that I could check on for you. We stayed there for my father-in-law's wedding and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It's definitely just a mom/pop operation with no resort amenities other than a pool, but the rooms were spotless and the beach was good.

That sounds good. Can they handle 4 people? I'll PM you the dates.

[Hazy1]

Originally Posted by RBrenton

That sounds good. Can they handle 4 people? I'll PM you the dates.

If I remember correctly, 4 shouldn't be a problem. The building we were in was across the street from the gulf and I don't think there were any multi-rooms suites. They also have a gulf-front building which may have suites, but I'm not certain.

When we stayed, it was myself, my pregnant wife, and our oldest son who was about 5, so technically we had 4 . Our room had 2 queens or kings, so if your kids don't mind sharing a bed you should be comfy.

[55fanatic]

make sure to get a WHITE car... and wear as much white as possible...

I think thats when the love bugs are there, they hate white

[sf280]

When I was younger we used to go to both Sanibel and Captiva. If I recall this place was pretty nice

http://www.southseas.com/

[Yacht Master]

Originally Posted by sf280

When I was younger we used to go to both Sanibel and Captiva. If I recall this place was pretty nice

http://www.southseas.com/

Was....Wilma put a hurt on Sanibel.

[emrliquidlife]

Originally Posted by electromethod

I am up by Gainesville, so my place would be on the way if you decide to go up to the pan handle. With a slight detour, there is some great Tarpon fishing out in Homosassa..... the best in the world, and I am not making that up. Charters can be had CHEAP with this tanked economy. In pan handle, Grayton beach is gorgeous.... we actually went last year to the national park there, absolutely gorgeous. Pensacola has a lot of historic stuff like Pensacola Village..... I guess it all depends what you and your family are looking to do .

Orlando wise, if your family likes botanical gardens, etc, then check out Harry Leu Botanical Gardens.. gorgeous place It's also worth it to take a short drive and spend 1/2 a day @ Cypress Gardens just South West of Orlando, after all, it is Florida's first theme park... great place to take the family. Also, I don't know if you have ever been to St. Augustine, but it's a great sight seeing town, especially if you are into lighthouses like my g/f is Only problem is that it's on East coast of FL north of Jacksonville, so it wouldn't be on the way to anything else.

P.S. Don't eat at the tourist dives in Orlando. If you don't end up going up to pan handle, at least pm me so zee blonde and I can take you and your family out to dinner in Orlando

Why you jipping the poor boy?

Where is the recommendation for a Gator Park, or a reptile zoo?!

Where is the biggest ball of string? The largest used gum collection.

Shheesh.

E

[Ryanr317]

Originally Posted by LRM1

The Expedition Everest (Animal Kindgom) is worth the wait most definately. Are you staying in the parks? In terms of rides I prefer Universal, but if you don't have a rental car you're stuck. There's also some new dinosaur restaurant that just opened in Downtown Disney.-kids liked it.

If you have, or know someone who has timeshare properties try Sannibel island (I don't recall seeing many hotels if at all there). Peaceful, quiet, little to no traffic. There's also a great Hyatt resort in Fort Myers - The Hyatt bonita Springs - which is really relaxing.

+1. Sanibel Island is one of the nicest places on the gulf coast. Captiva Island is connected to it and is further out. It is even nicer. There is a nice place out there on Captiva called the South Seas Resort. My family and i stayed there a few years ago and it was great. I heard it's not as nice as it was before hurricane Charlie came through though. Very tranquil place otherwise.

Edit: Didn't see sf280's post before writing, but +1 nonetheless

[LRM1]

Originally Posted by RBrenton

I will have a car and I'm staying at a Marriott, like I mentioned. Now why would I have timeshare properties at Sannibel if I've never been there?

If you own a timeshare you can generally swap for one somewhere else. I'd never been, yet I used one. Duh Yourself

[tuscanraider]

Captiva is a pain in the A55 to get to, that one stinking road all the way along the island, and all the bike riders!!!

Here's my choice.....got married here on the beach.

http://www.doncesar.com/

[LRM1]

Oh, yeah one thing. If you go to Sannibel. Spray yourself against the "No-see-ums" (or whatever they[re called). Aside from the flesh eating insectoids that live in the sand, it's a great place

[PhilipM1]

Originally Posted by RBrenton

That sounds good. Can they handle 4 people? I'll PM you the dates.

I live in Tampa. I have lived in Clearwater. Clearwater beach is where you want to go. Its close enough to Orlando and a pretty nice beach. For the people who live in FL, its too damn cold to go so you wont have much of a crowd. Its about 1 1/2 -2 hours away depending on how fast you drive. There are some nice restaurants around and its a safe area.

You could go to bushgardens with the kids or adventure islands or island of adventure. One of the island ones is a water park. Depends on weather. Anything above 75 you should be good for water park if its sunny. Those parks are in Tampa. You could visit them on your way to clearwater.

They have an animal zoo thing and some fun rides. I dont know how old your kids. here is there site. http://www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens_default.aspx

I can ask about a good local resort or hotel on the beach. They have some nice hotels right on the sand. The Grand Hyatt is about 20 minutes from the water. One of my favorite hotels. PM me your budget and dates if you choose not to stay with any of the other suggestions.

Whomever mentioned gainsville... he wants to visit the gulf, not the Atlantic.

[PhilipM1]

Originally Posted by tuscanraider

Captiva is a pain in the A55 to get to, that one stinking road all the way along the island, and all the bike riders!!!

Here's my choice.....got married here on the beach.

http://www.doncesar.com/

+5

[Mister Brenton]

Originally Posted by PhilipM3

I live in Tampa. I have lived in Clearwater. Clearwater beach is where you want to go. Its close enough to Orlando and a pretty nice beach. For the people who live in FL, its too damn cold to go so you wont have much of a crowd. Its about 1 1/2 -2 hours away depending on how fast you drive. There are some nice restaurants around and its a safe area.

You could go to bushgardens with the kids or adventure islands or island of adventure. One of the island ones is a water park. Depends on weather. Anything above 75 you should be good for water park if its sunny. Those parks are in Tampa. You could visit them on your way to clearwater.

They have an animal zoo thing and some fun rides. I dont know how old your kids. here is there site. http://www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens_default.aspx

I can ask about a good local resort or hotel on the beach. They have some nice hotels right on the sand. The Grand Hyatt is about 20 minutes from the water. One of my favorite hotels. PM me your budget and dates if you choose not to stay with any of the other suggestions.

Whomever mentioned gainsville... he wants to visit the gulf, not the Atlantic.

Thanks Philip. I also ask that you schedule one of your parties the weekend of July 4th. I'll think of something to ditch the family for a night.

[sf280]

Originally Posted by PhilipM3

I live in Tampa. I have lived in Clearwater. Clearwater beach is where you want to go. Its close enough to Orlando and a pretty nice beach. For the people who live in FL, its too damn cold to go so you wont have much of a crowd. Its about 1 1/2 -2 hours away depending on how fast you drive. There are some nice restaurants around and its a safe area.

You could go to bushgardens with the kids or adventure islands or island of adventure. One of the island ones is a water park. Depends on weather. Anything above 75 you should be good for water park if its sunny. Those parks are in Tampa. You could visit them on your way to clearwater.

They have an animal zoo thing and some fun rides. I dont know how old your kids. here is there site. http://www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens_default.aspx

I can ask about a good local resort or hotel on the beach. They have some nice hotels right on the sand. The Grand Hyatt is about 20 minutes from the water. One of my favorite hotels. PM me your budget and dates if you choose not to stay with any of the other suggestions.

Whomever mentioned gainsville... he wants to visit the gulf, not the Atlantic.

Clearwater - "Too Damn Cold" in July? I think not. Spent July- Beginning of October in the Tampa area and Too Damn Cold never came to mind. In fact, only can hardly breathe in a parking lot do to hot asphalt Asphyxiation comes to mind.