Renting a beach house in Florida for Spring Break

[jobob]

Darn, and here I thought you were extending an invite to your TE friends.

[maillotpois]

Darn, and here I thought you were extending an invite to your TE friends.

I'll bring the beer! (Well, some of it.)

[channlluv]

If you have young kids, I second the suggestion of staying on Disney grounds. I and my now-10-year-old daughter have stayed at the All Star Movies Resort, All Star Sports, and the Coronado Springs Resort. Of all of them, we liked the All Star Movies the best.

Coronado Springs is a bit more expensive, but the grounds are really sprawling and you'll have to walk a lot. The zigurrat/pyramid at the pool has a water slide, but doesn't open until 10am - you might as well skip going to the park that day because you'll never get your money's worth.

All Star Movies is all decorated with classic Disney animation and live action films. The pool is huge and has a Sorcerer Mickey that shoots water out from behind him, just like in Fantasia.

The Toy Story wing has four-story Woody and Buzz Lightyear dolls, and a checker board your kids can climb on. The Dalmations has this little TV set that they can play in. There are Disney movies playing non-stop in the lobby, so even if there's a line at check-in, the kids can go watch those.

They allow pizza delivery to the room, but don't have room service. In the morning, you can get Mickey-shaped waffles at the commissary. My daughter really liked that. The breakfast buffet at Coronado Springs was okay - basic buffet food - and was expensive, and she, at 9, was charged as an adult. Too much.

I'd stay at the All Star Movies again, though. And they have on-site transporation that will take you anywhere you want to go on Disney property.

Also, if you haven't been to their water parks, those are fun, too. Typhoon Lagoon and - what's the other one, Ski Beach? One is tropical-themed and one is winter-themed.

And there's the Richard Petty Experience, if they've still got that going, where you can ride shotgun in a real Nascar car at top speed. The joke is that a woman got into the car and the driver was giving her instructions:

"Once we get our helmets on and I get the engine running, I won't be able to hear you, so if you want me to slow down, do this (makes a signal with his hand)."

"Okay," she says, "What if I want you to go faster?"

He laughs. "You won't."

My favorite beach in central Florida is Flagler Beach. It's coquina (a pinkish-orange shell) and the town is this funkly little Old Florida beach town. Very laid back, but there are condos, houses, and B&Bs. Not many, though. If you go, try to hit the farmer's market in the town square near the pier on Friday mornings.

Cedar Key used to be really nice, too, on the Gulf Coast. Also a funky little beach town, at least the last time I was there, which has been years ago. Pretty rustic as I recall, and more funky than fashionable, but I liked it.

St. Augustine is full of historic sites - it's the nation's oldest European city - and you can go on some really fun ghost walks there, and climb the lighthouse (219 steps - did it!), and there are some great restaurants, but it's a good three hours north of Disney.

I ditto the St. Petersburg suggestion, too. Beautiful beaches there, and if you go, check out the Salvador Dali museum, assuming it didn't get washed away in the hurricanes. It's magnificent.

Have a great trip!

Roxy

[Mr. Bloom]

Darn, and here I thought you were extending an invite to your TE friends.

It would be fun! SR & Mr.SR are wonderful people!

[Mr. SR500]

Thanks all, we go back and forth on what to do. We are still leaning toward 2 days at the parks and the rest at the beach. There are 4 kids ages 6-9, but none are really into disney. It's more the parents saying we need to take the kids to disney at least once. I think staying at the park is the lowest cost option (at least for rent and tickets), but the adults are not very excited about going to parks for 5/6 days. We've also found some houses close to disney that look great. Pool is a requirement. Kids would like to take the bikes, and I'm hoping to sneak a road bike in the car :-).

So still torn between staying on the beach or walking distance in a house were we could all relax and spend a couple days going to disney, or bitting the bullet and going to the park for the week. I think the kids would be fine either way, but the parents need a little R&R as well.

I think we've nailed disney down to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Safari for our 2 days (maybe get park hopper passes the second day?) I know there is a lot more to see.

Once I nail down our place, and if the bike makes the trip, I would love to ride with any local TE members.

Mr. S, we've found a couple very nice places that sleep 12 - you in?

[Mr. Bloom]

Mr. S, we've found a couple very nice places that sleep 12 - you in?

Alas, we'll be at the Redneck Riviera (Gulf Shores) instead...Out spring break is the last full week of March...is that yours as well?

BTW, from what I hear, with the state of the market down there, you could probably buy a house for less than the rent...

check out the Salvador Dali museum, assuming it didn't get washed away in the hurricanes. It's magnificent.

Now, that's my speed right there...

[Tuckervill]

If you do end up staying on the grounds and getting a park-hopper, I suggest the meal plan, too. There is NO WAY you can eat as much food as that includes. An appetizer, entree and desert for everyone for every meal, plus snacks. We took along an extra kid who lives in the area and fed him, too, on what we paid for.

Karen

[bmccasland]

The things that drive the economy get rebuit rather quickly, especially if they're backed by corporate money (ie Disney, casinos, etc). Places for the workings stiffs to live, not so fast. Yes, we're still rebuilding. As me again in 5 more years. Yes, I'm getting tired of living in a banana republic. Can I come on vacation too?

But to save my sanity it's MARDI GRAS season (Carnival Season) once again.