Florida for Easter 2015 - tips pls for beach holiday rather than theme parks

[kittybloom]

Apologies, another Florida thread...

DH and I are thinking of going to Florida for Easter 2015. DS will be 6 and DD 3 and I just don't think that we will get a proper return on the theme parks for the cost involved so I was leaning towards a beach holiday. We are pretty independent as a family and happy to do driving. We like quiet but not too quiet IYKWIM. DS1 obsessed by nature. Clearwater and Sanibel seem to crop up the most as recommendations - any thoughts on these resorts or others?

Also is there a theme park which is a bit smaller so maybe ok just to do for 1/2 nights? Although DS1 loves nature, we wouldn't want to go somewhere where we had any animals welfare concerns so I've never been mad keen in the sea world type places.

I am following this as we are doing the same trip this year in November and still haven't booked anything. Also sort of veering away from theme parks as DD is almost 3yrs and I am pregnant so can't see it being the best choice for the money.

I have heard Tampa bay area is nice with day trips out of there to nearby beaches and attractions.

Although we had older children, when we went to Florida, we only spent half days in the theme parks on the actual days we decided to go to one. The kids found the hotel we stayed there (Hyatt Grand Cypress) much more fun! Normally spent the morning on the hotel complex (loads of swimming, but with free bikes, golf, even it's own little beach) and would wander down to a theme park after lunch. We only bought Universal tickets, again because the DCs aren't big on parks, but I'd suggest maybe going for the Disney tickets as your DCs are younger.

We then spent the final 5 days in Clearwater - all of us felt this part of the holiday was the best! If your kids have seen Dolphin Tale, then Winter the actual dolphin in the film is there! Went on a boat trip to see dolphins, and just had a more chilled out time there.

We had friends who went to Sanibel, again after a stink in Orlando, and they said it was better than the park part of the holiday.

I suppose each to their own. We'd never be those families that spend 9am-9pm in a theme park!

We have been to Sanibel when then DCs were 8 & 10 (after a week in Orlando). The beaches were amazing, the sea was bath water warm and everyone was so friendly. We have also been to Indian Rocks which again had a fabulous beach. Children that age seem to be able to amuse themselves for hours on a beach and in the sea! Both places were fantastic for young children.

IF budget allows, South Seas on Captiva (just across the causeway from Sanibel) is a great choice.

Sanibel / Captiva is a 3 hour drive from Miami so it's worth spending a night in Miami after the flight and doing th drive the next day.