Anna Maria Island
Orlando is only about 60 minutes from the ocean.http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Orlando+��See drive time and miles under the maphttp://www.cocoabeach.com/index1.shtmlYou might like to go over and show the kids the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, near Cocoa Beach. If you have a hotel in Orlando, you can go in the morning and come back lateafternoon, with no trouble. I went to Daytona Beach half way thru my Disney trip. Just to get away for a day. It was not a rush for time... to go, have a good time body surfing, and get back etc. Very relaxing day, in fact.On Mapquest, you can click the DIRECTIONS tab and find distance drive times..between cities. (under the map)
saint petersburgits ont he beach, the beach might be cold but st. pete has lots of good shops too. st. petes also near tampa where busch gardens n stuff is too