What to do with an extra three nights?

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We're taking our seven year old to Disney next Easter, for 11 nights. Currently have a week booked in one of the Hiltons at Disney Springs. I thought about three or four nights at a beach resort after this but my friend who used to live in Florida says we'll need longer for Disney than seven nights (obvs could also do Universal etc if time too) so should just do all 11 nights there.

DP fancies Miami but I've read that's not great for young kids. As a child I did Anna Maria Island which was utterly gorgeous but looks far too spenny sadly.

Any advice on whether we should stay at Disney or go elsewhere? Bonus if we stay at a Hilton as we get those free with points but not essential. DP will get grumpy if we have to drive anywhere more than a couple of hours.

Places I've been to for a couple of days and loved while in Florida:

Clearwater
Naples
Key West

You can drive to these.

Been to Miami didn't love it. Also done a cruise after the first week at Disney a couple of times which was fab (Bahamas/Keys). Universal is my favourite so I wouldn't miss that!

We are doing a 3 night Disney cruise at the end of our trip next year (port about an hour away). There are cheaper cruise lines though of course. Miami is a 4 hour drive (but we did love Miami, it’s got some lovely hotels on the beach I’m sure your child would love, but equally you wouldn’t need to go all the way down to Miami for that).

But just to add if this is your first time, I would def allow more than 7 days, 11 days would be the perfect amount. You can intersperse with some water parks to make it a slower paced trip.

If you’re going all that way definitely go to universal too and a day at the Kennedy Space Centre is amazing.

We've got Hilton Sirata beach resort booked on points for a couple of nights on our next visit. It looks good and gets decent reviews.