Places on the Beach to Do With Family in Florida
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Table of Contents [Hibernate] [Bear witness]
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Northwest Florida Beaches (Gulf of Mexico Side)+ −
- Panama City Beach
- St. George Isle
- Seaside
- Navarre Beach
- More Family-Friendly Beaches in Northwest Florida
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Primal Due west/Southwest Florida Beaches (Gulf of United mexican states Side)+ −
- Siesta Key
- Clearwater
- Treasure Isle
- Anna Maria Island
- Where to Swallow on Anna Maria Island
- Visiting for the Day
- Palm Island
- Naples
- Sarasota
- Fort De Soto Park
- More Family-Friendly Beaches in Central W/Southwest Florida
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Northeast Florida Beaches (Atlantic Bounding main Side)+ −
- Amelia Isle
- St. Augustine Beach
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Central East Florida Beaches (Atlantic Ocean Side)+ −
- New Smyrna Beach
- Cocoa Beach
- Daytona Embankment
- Vero Beach
- More Family-Friendly Beaches in Central East/Southeast Florida
- Terminal Thought Near the Best Florida Beaches For Families
- More Florida Family Vacation Ideas
Florida is abode to some of the earth'south best beaches, and it's piece of cake to understand why. From soft sand to turquoise waters, calm seas to waves that call to surfers, at that place is much to offering any beach lover in the Sunshine State. Florida beaches are also a favorite amidst families. TravelingMoms have been to many all over the state, and we've nerveless a list of the ones we think are the best Florida beaches for families.
While my family is a huge fan of Florida for its beloved theme parks, nosotros likewise love to visit some of the all-time Florida beaches. Easy to get to on a flight, with international airports in many parts of the state, and beach-worthy weather throughout most of the year, Florida is a great spot for family getaways. Later on spending two relaxing weeks on a Florida beach vacation, and having visited many others over the years during visits with family, I accept my favorites as practice some of my boyfriend TravelingMoms. We institute great beaches in every corner of the country.
Northwest Florida Beaches (Gulf of Mexico Side)
Panama City Beach
Located in the Panhandle of Florida, Panama City Beach is more than a destination for the jump intermission crowd. The 27 miles of beach are amidst the most family-friendly. Equally Floridian Hannah Rinaldi, mom of three, discovered, it is 1 of the most family unit-friendly beaches in all of Florida because there are so many things to do.
That'southward considering PCB (as it's affectionately known) combines entertainment and affordability. Some of Hannah's family's favorite activities included a walk through Pier Park and a visit to Shipwreck Isle park. And don't miss a chance to visit Shell Isle, a 700-acre nature preserve with nothing only white sand—and perchance a few turtle hatching spots.
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Become More Florida Family Vacation Ideas
St. George Island
Another lovely embankment nestled in Florida's panhandle, surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola Bay, is the barrier isle of St. George. This beautiful spot has miles of pristine beaches, uncongested, and full of natural beauty.
TravelingMom Terri Marshall loves visiting St. George's isle with her grandkids because of its family-friendly hotels, villas, old-mode cottages, and stunning holiday homes, offering plenty of accommodations for families.
Terri's family enjoyed fishing with local marinas offer inshore and offshore fishing charters. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and biking rentals also are available to keep everyone busy on the island. If you are interested in eco-adventures, Terri recommends a boat trip to an uninhabited island where yous can spot dolphins and take a snorkeling adventure.
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Seaside
Chances are that if you haven't heard of Seaside as a holiday destination, yous've probably heard most information technology another way. Seaside rose to fame after Jim Carrey moving picture,The Truman Show, was filmed there in 1998. The town is also known for its New Urbanism design; it's one of the start planned pedestrian-friendly communities in the United States.
Hannah Rinaldi says that out of all the beaches she has visited, zippo screams family unit-friendly more Seaside. There are wheel rental shops, neighborhood activities for kids, and family-friendly concerts located in the center of the boondocks.
Navarre Beach
Embankment lover Breeze Leonard, who spends as much fourth dimension at the embankment with her three girls equally she can, calls Navarre Beach the best subconscious gem of Florida. In fact, she says her family doesn't want anyone to know about it because it is THAT special. What Breeze's family knows that others don't is that unlike other typical beach towns, there is very little to practice in Navarre Embankment other than spend time together as a family.
With few touristy restaurants, high-adrenaline beach activities, or flashy boutiques, it is where you desire to get for a simple, relaxing family beach vacation. That means Navarre Embankment is a great place to unplug and just relax with all sorts of former fashioned family unit fun like beach volleyball, playing frisbee on the beach, game nights, and hardcore stargazing. If yous just must practise something more than, head to the Navarre Embankment Body of water Turtle Conservation Eye, the Panhandle Butterfly House, or the Gulf Breeze Zoo.
TravelingMom Tip: Ane of our favorite things to do when taking a beach holiday is to rent a photographer for family photos. This is a special souvenir and souvenir that nosotros cherish. We use Flytographer to book a local photographer located in the area that we're traveling to. Use this link and you lot will become $25 off your photograph session.
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Read More: What to Do When It Rains on Your Family Beach Vacation
More than Family unit-Friendly Beaches in Northwest Florida
Here are a few more favorite beaches in Northwest Florida you might want to check out:
- Destin
- Fort Walton Beach
- Pensacola
Central West/Southwest Florida Beaches (Gulf of Mexico Side)
Siesta Central
Consistently rated one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Siesta Key was recognized for having the whitest and finest sand in the earth at the Great International White Sand Beach Challenge. Imagine the sandcastles you can build!
What makes it so? Unlike most beaches, Siesta Primal's sand is made of 99% quartz. Bonus: That means information technology stays cooler even nether the intense Florida lord's day.
It's non but the sand that makes this stunning embankment popular with families. The shallow water almost the shore makes it ideal for immature children. It'southward far less worrisome to watch kids play in these tide pools, knowing they are in shallow h2o.
Siesta Key Beach has a pavilion where y'all can buy beach accessories from sunscreen to sand toys, a cafe where yous can purchase food, drinks and ice cream, picnic areas and a good sized playground for the kids. Now that'due south kid-friendly!
Siesta Key Beach is perfect for strolling and collecting shells. For more agile pursuits you can rent a catamaran or kayak from one of the many beach concessionaires.
An abundance of rental properties, land and water activities, and family-friendly restaurants add to the amuse of this stunning isle and one of the all-time Florida beaches for families.
TravelingMom Tip: While parking here is complimentary, information technology can be hard to get a spot, especially on the weekends or holidays. Arrive early or afterward in the afternoon (after 2pm or so) when people are beginning to leave.
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Clearwater
If your thought of a family beach vacation includes sitting on the beach all solar day and walking around town, so Clearwater beach is the all-time beach for you. Not only is information technology gorgeous, with wide beaches, soft sand and cute Gulf Shores ideal for families, just it is also a quintessential beach experience. With family unit-friendly beach hotels, restaurants, and shops across the street, as well as public restrooms and lifeguards, this is the active, family feel for those who want a vibrant vacation experience.
Clearwater Beach is very pedestrian-friendly, with loads of family-friendly activities located in a hub near the Pier threescore. The pier hosts sunset festivals 364 days a year and is home to the Sugar Sand Festival each spring where sand sculpture artists create elaborate sand art. Don't be surprised if you bump into a pirate during the nightly dusk festivals at Pier sixty!
Clearwater as well made our list of the best beaches close to Disney World.
Wintertime, the Dolphin!
Accept your kids seen theDolphin Tale movie? If so they may exist familiar with Winter the Dolphin. Unfortunately she passed abroad but her friend Promise, star ofDolphin Tale 2, still lives at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Check out these fun things to do in Clearwater.
Our family plant pubic parking available right near Clearwater beach, or if you prefer, there is an area trolley for getting effectually. It is a convenient embankment experience for families, calculation to why it is one of the best Florida beaches for families. Clearwater Beach as well has a broad diversity of accommodations for just nigh any family vacation budget.
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TravelingMom Tip: Check out these Florida resorts. We think they're worth the splurge!
Treasure Island
Non far from Clearwater is Treasure Island beach. If you want to enjoy the soft sand and turquoise waters of Clearwater but have a quieter experience, Treasure Island is the place to exist. The area is still home to many budget-friendly beach hotels and motels, but it isn't every bit crowded as Clearwater beach.
If you lot want to visit Treasure Island just for the day, we institute several access points to Treasure Isle and small parking areas right off of Gulf Boulevard, the main road. For a real seashore experience, you can enjoy ane of the beachfront backdrop for easy and convenient access to the beach.
Plenty of embankment shops and restaurants line Gulf Boulevard. Though the beach itself is quieter, you tin can still find plenty to do apres-embankment in this area, and information technology is a brusque drive to Clearwater embankment for access to the activities and restaurants there.
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Anna Maria Island
Almost an hour south of Tampa is Anna Maria Island, home to one of the best Florida beaches for families. Anna Maria Island is quite large and includes the well-known Bradenton Embankment and Holmes Beach, both busier but still gorgeous beaches.
For a quieter family feel, head to the boondocks of Anna Maria, on the northern finish of the island, near Bean Bespeak. On a calm solar day, the crystal clear teal water and biscuit sand is reminiscent of the Caribbean. Our family spent hours floating around on a noodle and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters looking for fish. Information technology is a great way to spend the day.
On windier days, the surf produces surf-worthy waves. My 3 kids loved bodysurfing and jumping the waves as my husband and I watched while floating on our noodles.
On our contempo visit, we spotted a variety of sea life close to shore. A manatee swam past while we were floating in the water. From shore, we saw a stingray leap from the h2o. And, while dining at the Rod and Reel Pier, a dolphin swam through the area fairly close to the nearby swimmers.
We didn't get to scuba dive on this trip, but how I would dearest to with these creatures and then close by in this crystal clear water. It is a great spot for shelling and hunting for sand dollars. We found countless seashells for our daughter to make necklaces and save for her mermaid-themed room. Though we never found a total sand dollar, we saw many hanging from a nearby shell tree where people hung them and wrote hopeful messages.
The beach closer to Edible bean Point is significantly less crowded, so it is a fantastic place for our family to gear up our rental awning and park ourselves for the twenty-four hour period. We were far enough from other visitors to spread out and enjoy the embankment.
Where to Eat on Anna Maria Island
The boondocks of Anna Maria is mostly made up of rental home accommodations, restaurants, ice cream stands, and boutiques – including the delightful Ginny and Jane East's at the IGA café and shop – that are perfect for families. At that place are several restaurants that cater to locally made, high-quality nutrient ingredients, smoothies, and healthier bites.
Just if you lot want a existent indulgence, check out the giant cinnamon roll at Ginny and Jane'southward or brand your own donut at the Donut Experience. For the best tacos with the freshest ingredients, attempt the Poppos Eating house. The Rod and Reel Pier and the Sandbar are beachside/oceanfront restaurants for your seafood fix.
Bike rides, watersports, fishing, and mini-golf not far make it an ideal spot for a family beach holiday. While we had every intention to rent bikes, we were in that location during the month of July then we were feeling more than like a lazy embankment vacation. But if you love more than activity, in that location are plenty of things to do to get in entertaining.
Didn't bring your beach chairs? Not to worry. There are enough of beach rental shops where you can infringe everything from sand toys to beach chairs, canopies, and wagons. This was a lifesaver for us, equally information technology enabled us to set up on the beach day under the shade of a canopy and savor full days on rental chairs at the beach.
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Visiting for the Day
You can come up to the boondocks of Anna Maria and access the beach for the day. Parking is either on a side street or for a busy time, like July 4th weekend, the Sandbar Restaurant offers paid parking in its lot. Believe me, information technology is well worth the fee to spend the day at this glorious beach.
Palm Island
Located on Florida's Southwest Gulf Coast approximately l miles north of Fort Myers, Palm Island is 7 miles of paradise. This niggling jewel has long been a favorite of i of Terri Marshall's family.
1 of the things Terri, a Florida native, loves most is that information technology is accessible only by boat or car ferry, making information technology a quieter family holiday. Golf carts, scooters, and bicycles are your transportation once on the island. And no thing what the flavour, Palm Island's beaches are never crowded. Terri, her kids and grandkids spend hours on the beach looking for shark teeth, sand dollars, and starfish.
The primary lodging and recreation middle for the island is Palm Island Resort. Built in the old Florida style architecture, the resort has one-, two-, and three-bedroom fully equipped villas for rent, perfect for families. Clusters of four to 8 villas are arranged around heated swimming pools, Hydra Spas, and lawn tennis courts. The recreation centre rents golf game carts, kayaks, jet skis, tennis equipment, snorkel gear, and fishing poles.
Give the kids a pirate care for. Cerise Beard the Pirate and his parrot, Bones, were fortunate enough to be shipwrecked on Palm Island where he teaches little pirates swashbuckling crafts aboard his shipwrecked vessel.
Naples
For decades, Naples has been considered a sleepy old retirement boondocks. However, Naples is now incredibly family-friendly. What has changed is the attitude towards young families, who have in contempo years taken up residency and fabricated upward more of the tourist population.
Hannah Rinaldi lives in Naples, and so she knows a few things about what makes Naples family unit-friendly
The bang-up thing about Naples, she says, is it has continued to thrive equally a tourist destination without becoming a tourist trap. Naples however has protected beaches that aren't crowded with resorts and condos. The beaches all are public with like shooting fish in a barrel access and parking. Many of the beaches fifty-fifty have long boardwalks through protected wildlife areas, something you won't find at more developed Florida beaches.
There is so much to exercise in Naples for families. Hannah's family's favorites include a day trip to the Everglades to ride an airboat and a trip to the Children's Museum of Naples. For more ideas of what to exercise in Naples, read this post.
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Sarasota
If you love eco-tours and learning nigh marine biology, Sarasota is the best family unit-friendly embankment destination for you. Sarasota is on the Gulf of Mexico, but also on Sarasota Bay. The bay is an estuary that serves as a plant nursery for infant fish, ocean horses, sea stars, dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, and more. It's such an exhilarating experience to run across these body of water creatures up close and personal in the wild!
TravelingMom Maria Smith, mom of four, has peachy ideas of the family activities to do in Sarasota that are not only geared to kids but can entertain adults too. The Ringing Museum of Art and Mote Marine are nifty for all ages. Her family unit enjoyed embankment days at Lido Key, where in that location are 3 beaches, a self-guided canoe trail, a multi-purpose field, and a volleyball courtroom. At present that'south a family unit-friendly beach! She also recommends great family unit-eateries, like First Scout restaurant and Cha Cha Coconuts.
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Fort De Soto Park
With soft sugary sands, the warm clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and bright sunsets, Fort De Soto Park makes a fantastic Florida beaches getaway. It is a favorite embankment of TravelingMom Terri Marshall. Protected by a sandbar, the North Beach's big lagoon doesn't get above three feet deep. That'southward where she takes the picayune ones to swim.
Fort De Soto Park as well get kudos for cleanliness, shady patches, and clear h2o. There's a snack bar offering nuts like hot dogs and soda, picnic areas, and clean public restrooms with showers.
When yous need some time away from the beach (I hear that's a thing for some people!) Fort De Soto Park has a seven-mile paved nature trail ideal for a bike ride. Or you can paddle a kayak through lush mangroves and spot pelicans, heron, and egrets. Await for dolphins from the Gulf fishing pier and sea turtles that nest along the embankment in summer.
Built for the Castilian-American War, historic Fort De Soto has former cannons and jail cells that Terri's kids loved to explore. Park amenities include canoe, kayak and bike rentals, a food concession, picnic areas, and outdoor showers.
More Family-Friendly Beaches in Central W/Southwest Florida
Hither are a few more favorite beaches in Central West/Southwest Florida you might want to bank check out:
- St. Petersburg Embankment
- Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores (right next to each other)
- Venice Beach
Northeast Florida Beaches (Atlantic Ocean Side)
Amelia Island
Florida may be located in the southward, just it isn't considered southern, at least not by southerners. Still, Amelia Island, a barrier island with 13 miles of embankment, is known for its southern hospitality. With a minor-town experience mixed with southern charm, Amelia Isle offers an unforgettable family unit vacation. Go up early on to walk the beach in search of shark's teeth, then swallow your fill of local shrimp for lunch earlier taking the ferry over St. Johns River.
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St. Augustine Beach
Ane of our family'southward favorite places and beaches in all of Florida is St. Augustine Beach. It is a perfect blend of a Florida beach experience, coupled with the history and culture so unique to this very special place.
St. Augustine offers 42 beaches to explore. On height of being beautiful, they are the site where Castilian explorers first set foot hundreds of years agone. If your kids dear exploring as much as mine practise, they volition beloved this location.
The beaches are miles of immaculate coast and watched by lifeguards which made it a perfect day of pond and playing for my kids. Of course, typical beach activities, similar sandcastle edifice, wave body surfing, and snorkeling were my kids' enjoyment.
Beyond the beach is the cultural feel and historical significance of St. Augustine. This is of import for our family, as sharing other cultures with our children is very important to us. My kids loved visiting the Colonial Quarter ,stepping back in fourth dimension and learning about history. From visiting the Fountain of Youth to seeing the earth's oldest schoolhouse, enjoying a kids' pirate walking bout, my kids loved the cultural and historical experience of this unique metropolis.
The Pirate & Treasure Museum is a must-see for any kids who love Pirates of the Caribbean every bit much as mine, and if they are fascinated past lighthouses, the St. Augustine lighthouse is worth a stop. In addition these attractions, there are many gratuitous things to practice in St. Augustine.
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Fundamental East Florida Beaches (Atlantic Bounding main Side)
New Smyrna Beach
Located on Cardinal Florida's east declension, New Smyrna Embankment is another of Terri Marshall'southward favorite beachside communities. Building sandcastles, surfing, kayaking, and bicycling on the embankment are all pop activities. Surf line-fishing is Terri'due south family'due south favorite by fourth dimension for her gang— they just dig upward a few sand fleas for bait and cast away.
At the 73-acre Smyrna Dunes Park at the northern tip of New Smyrna Beach, a two-mile elevated boardwalk winds through the sand dunes. This provides a platform for viewing the unique vegetation, marine life, reptiles, and animals that alive in the park. There are besides picnic areas, pavilions, and an observation tower.
In town, New Smyrna streets are lined with quaint restaurants and shops. There are a number of hotels and many individual rentals available. Nearly take pools and many have tennis courts, shuffleboard, basketball, and other games for family time.
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Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Embankment exudes a kitschy vibe. Located along Florida'southward Space Coast an 60 minutes'due south drive from Orlando, Cocoa Beach is known for its friendly waves and family-friendliness. Designated the east coast surfing majuscule, you'll discover veteran surfers along with beginners riding the waves.
Driving into town along Highway A1A there are enough of beachy gift shops. This is the identify to pick up that pinkish flamingo you know you've always wanted! Don't miss a visit to the massive two-story Ron Jon's Surf Store. This is the place to observe anything you lot could ever want for all your favorite beach activities. Surfboards, swimsuits, sunscreen, and everything in betwixt: it's all hither. Beach rentals including surfboards, boogie boards, embankment umbrellas, and stand-up paddleboards are besides available.
A landmark since 1962, the Cocoa Beach Pier has confined, restaurants and gift shops. Accept the kids to the Dinosaur Store on the Cocoa Beach Causeway to browse among the selection of dinosaur teeth, fake shrunken heads, and arcade games.
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Daytona Beach
Looking for the best embankment to surf in Florida? The rougher waters of the Atlantic make Daytona Embankment the great identify for families who desire to surf while on vacation in Florida.
Once considered the jump intermission capital of Florida, Daytona Beach is surprisingly family-friendly. Depression prices for beachfront hotels make Daytona Beach one of the most affordable family unit vacation destinations in all of Florida. While most Florida beach towns accept torn downwardly older hotels to make room for pricier condos, Daytona Beach is nonetheless dwelling house to family-owned hotels and motels correct on the beach.
In that location is also and then much to exercise for kids in Daytona Beach, much of it gratis. Favorite family activities include a day trip to Ponce Inlet to explore the lighthouse and science center, a walk around the Riverfront Shops with a stop at Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory and a Friday nighttime concert at the Daytona Beach Bandshell.
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Read More: Why Yous Should Take Your Kids to Kennedy Space Center.
Vero Beach
One of our family's favorite beaches in Florida is Vero Beach. The wide sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean get in ane of those old-fashioned beach vacations. Playing in the sand, beach volleyball, looking for shells, and relaxing are our favorite things to practise in Vero Beach. The embankment is habitation to nesting turtles, so in that location are no lights on in the evening so as not to disturb them.
For kids, a treasure museum, a wild animals refuge, airboat run a risk tours, and an environmental learning center are fun and educational. The Peter'southward Grove Nursery is a great place for kids to see mini farm animals and acquire well-nigh the region's farming heritage. My kids loved petting the babe chicks.
Vero Beach is dwelling to Disney Vacation Club Vero Beach Resort. It's our family'due south resort of selection. We have stayed at Disney'south Vacation Club Vero Embankment Resort several times. It blends Vero's placidity, nature-centric vibe with the family entertainment only Disney can provide. Much quieter than i of the theme park resorts, you all the same get the magic and legendary cast member feel, character visits, resort entertainment for the kids, and the beauty of the beach. ("Cast fellow member" is what Disney employees are called.)
Things to Practise at Vero Beach Resort
My kids spent the better function of our final visit playing poolside BINGO, mini-golfing and dancing at the resort'due south dance parties. The resort also offers a kids' guild with crafts and activities, board games and beach toys for rent, character breakfasts, and more than. What could be better!
The resort is a destination in itself and information technology's a keen family vacation if y'all just stay on property. But if you are itching to leave, there are some museums, galleries, and shopping in the surface area, and family-friendly restaurants are plentiful.
For a great family restaurant about a xv-minute drive from Disney's resort, head to Harborcove Bar and Grille. It is a colorful restaurant with great family-manner dining and seafood overlooking the marina. My kids loved eating succulent seafood while overlooking the pier.
The all-time role well-nigh Vero embankment is that it is only virtually an hour's drive from Orlando, meaning you can add information technology on to a Disney vacation.
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More Family-Friendly Beaches in Central East/Southeast Florida
Here are a few more favorite beaches in Primal Eastward/Southeast Florida you might want to check out:
- Hollywood Beach
- South Embankment
- Fort Lauderdale Beach
Last Thought Well-nigh the Best Florida Beaches For Families
Florida is earth-renowned for its incredible beaches, and it is easy to see why. There are many options for every kind of beach feel – from active, to quiet, historic, and nature-centric. It means Florida has a embankment that fits but about every family.
More Florida Family Vacation Ideas
Where to Observe All Inclusive Resorts in Florida
Fun Florida Road Trips with Kids
Not-to-exist-Missed Florida Land Parks
Central Florida Theme Parks: Disney and Beyond
Source: https://www.travelingmom.com/best-florida-beaches/
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