Orlando at Easter - nearby beaches?

[platy]

Hi all, very infrequent poster here.

We have booked a Disney area villa for 16 nights at Easter, we have flights sorted and are now planning the details. I think we'll be 'Disney'd out' after a while so would like to get away to the coast for a couple of nights. I have heard great things about Anna Maria Island - has anyone got any recommendations for beach front stays there?

And is there anything else 'non Disney' (we're not doing Universal but will be doing Seaworld) that we should try and factor in? The children will be 9,8 and 6

We gave this trip to our kids as their Christmas gift this year (made them a video - it was ace) so now we can properly get excited!

Thanks in advance,

Platy
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Hi, we stayed at Indian Rocks Beach, about an hour or so drive from Disney.

Great hotel, close to the beach, about 30mins drive from Clearwater one way or Sarasota the other.
Lots of lovely beaches there on the Gulf Coast with beautiful sunsets into the sea. Passe a Grille beach was especially enjoyed, sea a bit rough but swimmable and a lovely café bar, the Seahorse for snacks and lunches. Easy drives to Siesta Key where you can dive for Sand Dollars and Conch (local shells) also further down that coast is Marco Island, Venice Beach. There are areas a bit like National Parks where you can swim, canoe etc.

You could also try the Atlantic Space coast, Daytona Beach (car racing on the beaches) or Cocoa Beach, both of these an hour or so drive from Disney. We went to Kennedy Space Centre near here, my DS's 7 & 9 and DD 13 loved it there.

For a non Disney day out, try Gatorland near Kissimmee, lots of alligators you can feed yourself, a Gator Wrestling show and loads of other shows - look online for discount vouchers before you go.

Hope you have a great time!

Hi ruby1234 - thank you so much for all that great information. Am off to go a-googlin' now

Platy
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We went in October with 9, 6 and 3 year old. I think you should think about doing universal - it is a good change from Disney - as is seaworld and the water parks. Mine are into despicable me, marvel superheroes etc and universal was great for that - plus Harry potter world. have they been before? It's a different atnosphete from Disney and worthy doing I think.

We were only there for 13 nights so did all Disney, seaworld and universal parks, including the water parks as it was hot. Only other thing we did was the mini golf. Next time I'd look at Kentucky space centre and at Pete's in Clearwater for days out

Kennedy space centre is a fantastic day out. also don't forget mini golf or going over to universal the despicable me ride is the best one I have ever been on. try and take in a show. downtown Disney is good in the evenings.

Thank you so much flatmum and mummymeister. I'm not sure we can justify another park, so will stick with Disney over Universal (save it for next time????) but I will definitely check out your other suggestions.

Many thanks

Platy

Universal is worth it just for Harry Potter, surely.

Clearwater beach is gorgeous. We went shell collecting, bit of swimming. We went when it was spring break though, so night times were very hectic. This was before we has kids so we didn't mind it but not too great with kids I would imagine.
Kennedy is a great day out. We had lunch with an astronaut, which was well worth the extra. Really fascinating and the DCs loved it.

Discovery Cove was lovely, much more relaxing than the usual theme parks.

I'd also recommend a chill out day by the pool. Back to back theme park is hard work.