[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...

[expomeHattePe]

I don't mind touristy, we will be tourists after all. I just don't want trashy or dirty, which Daytona kind of rings in my head, mainly because of NASCAR. Cocoa beach is a good idea, I think I saw some condos there I can get.

Thanks for the advice. I think J-Rabbit's suggestions will be too far.

[ansarigf]

We were going to drive down to Panama City, FL for a week. However, wifey said to me the other day "when you are done with your MBA you have to take Josie to Disney". Josie is addicted to Disney Princesses, I'm debating getting her professional help for this. Anyway, I said "why don't we just go somewhere close to Disney and go for a couple days." So, now we are looking around Orlando. ...we want to be around 1 hour away from Disney World.

We are looking at Daytona right now, but in my mind it's a biker and car beach. Not sure how it would be for kids. Tampa seems a little far. Any ideas?

We stayed at New Smyrna (just south of Daytona) and found it quite nice. Its a little over an hours drive to Disneyworld (non rush-hour), however getting back we always sat in traffic forever (of course after a day at Disneyworld the kids were in sleep-mode 5 minutes into the trip, so no biggee there).


D

[swoluelvede]

Excellent, thank you. Cocoa it is. And New Smyrna looks nice too.

[Abnorbprootly]

Just thought I'd let you all know that based on your recommendations we have requested a condo in Cocoa for July, hopefully near a rocket launch. We should get it, they pretty much guarantee anything 6 months out.

Thanks for your advice.

[vansVoish]

Don't remember much about Daytona beach. I went there once, but I'm not a beach person. Girls in hot bikinis don't interest me much. But I felt like I should visit the beach once in my time in florida. Orlando was ok. Def see disneyworld. universal studios is pretty cool too.

Wonder if that navy base is still in Winter park. I lived there for over a year.

[Imiweevierm]

That's what I thought. I'm having wifey lookup condos in Orlando area.

[ZesePreodaNed]

Ended up getting a 3 Bed in Kissimme, 5 minutes from the parks. Grandma, Aunt, and 2 cousins will be joining us. Got the place for $500 for the week. Our vacation club owns the condo and we are told it's very nice, we haven't been let down by them yet.

So, we'll probably end up getting 3-4 day passes for park now that we are so close. That's another $800 bucks for wifey, me, and Josie; the don't charge Jace as he's less than a year.

We'll have it all paid for by the time we go... that's a nice thought.

Thanks for insights.

[violetgorman]

Tampa/St. Pete is pretty fun, but Ybor City in Tampa is better sans kids .