Florida - advice please (but not Disney)

[jenkel]

Thinking of going on holiday Sept/Oct time with a 18 month old and a 3 year old. Was thinking of Florida but not Disney and all the theme parks, will do that when the 18 month old is a bit older. Have no clue on Florida, but is there another part that we could go to, main priority is good beaches and a few things to entertain the kids but realise that most is probably centrered around Orlando, also what is the weather like in Sept/October. We would probably like to stay in a Villa, any advice will be gratefully received. If not Florida, any other places on the East coast of the US that would fit the bill.

Pre-kids we stayed at Southseas Plantation on Captiva Island off the West coast, accessible from the mainland by causeway. Selection of accommodation from beach side villas to apartments in low rise blocks. The beaches were great, famous for shell collecting and there were nature reserves and boat trips nearby. Very quiet and seemed family orientated with lots of different types of pools dotted throughout the complex. Watch out for bugs at that time of year.

Not sure how well that area has stood up to the hurricanes of the past few years though. We went early October and for the most part the weather was great but occasionally stormy and it is towards hurricane season.

Gulf Coast has fabulous beaches. We've stayed on Sanibel where there's not much to do other than beaches really. DSs enjoyed it though (4.5 and 2.5 at the time) when we stayed for a week. Naples is nice too - we've taken the boys there twice in fact. Again, lovely beaches but with a bit more in the way of stuff to do and places to see.

We've been in Sept/Oct and the weather was lovely. We have seen storms but generally the rain was over and done with fairly quickly.

Another vote for Sanibel/captiva.
Also down the keys is nice, very caribbean feel and plenty for kids-beaches/aquariums/museums etc

Hi jenkel, we have a villa in Florida which appears under the Small business ads. section As soupdragon says the Gulf coast is fab if you're looking for lovely beaches and a quiet, family friendly type resort (we have DS of 4 and DD of 2). October is better than September (hurricanes hit really hard last year in August and September) though bext weather is usually November - May, then starts to get really hot. if you'd like more details would be happy to sent to you. CAT me if you'd like more info....we're off there ourselves on 20th April (bliss !) for two weeks of indulgent relaxation

Sanibel or Captiva - I second or third - recommended to us by a native Floridian and outstood all recommendations we were given - Fort Myers if you cannot afford San/Cap - just go over the causeway to either from it

I vote for the Gulf Coast of Florida as well. Having said that, remember that Aug/Sept/Oct are the busiest months of the hurricane season. Highly unusual as it was, Florida had 4 powerful hurricanes in Aug and Sept last yr. Temper that with the knowledge that the Caribbean, Western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico is a huge place so you are mor likely to get there and only get refreshing afternoon thunderstorms.

I would still go.

We stayed on Anna Maria island (just down from Tampa) in December with 2 yr old and 10 month old.

They liked going to the beach everyday and collecting shells. There was a small park near the house too for our 2 yr old.

The house had a pool too but it was too cold in December to use. 10 month old went swimming in the sea though!

Really quiet but great for dining out (early evening and lunch), pushing the buggy, investigating new areas, etc. Felt like a proper family holiday!

www.manateevilla.com on the Gulf coast of Florida now up and running !:0

We too spent a blissful 8 nights on Anna Maria Island last Oct, the weather was fantastic. We loved the island, very friendly, very laid back, beautiful beaches, good restaurants, etc. We loved the trolley which trundles around the island day and night for free!We would love to return!

We stayed hawks cay resort on the Florida Keys.

It was absolutely blissful with the most fantastic facilities for children.

There was a childrens pool which was very shallow with a pirate boat in it which shot water out of cannons and had waterslides and lots of other fun things in it. Fabulous playgrounds and a great sandy shored lagoon.

There were hotel rooms, but also little town houses with or without hot tubs on the verandas. We stayed in a two bed house which was lovely.

You can read the reviews on tripadvisor I never book a holiday without checking tripadvisor for reviews!