[Yarikoff]

I would recommend Marco Island. Easily the coolest part of Florida I've seen, esp. if you can swing a condo deal. But it's further from Disney than Tampa.

I hate the Orlando area.

My Dad lived in Venice Beach (also Gulf Coast side, which was really nice), and Tampa/St Pete has some nice attractions (Dali Museum, aquarium), though the beaches aren't the greatest. Don't know the Atlantic side of the state very well...