Nice family friendly beach near Orlando? (parking, park, places)

[beckycat]

New Smyrna.

[AONE]

Lori Wilson just South of A1A and 520 next to the Hilton. it has some showers to rinse off at as well. and decent parking.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by beckycat

New Smyrna.

I would not recommend it.

19 Shark Attacks in 2008 at New Smyrna Beach, Florida | surftherenow.com

[blueridgerider]

Flagler Beach is very family friendly. It to the north of I-4 off I-95.

New Smyrna is a gorgeous beach but do agree about the sharks.

[johnatl]

^Well, there have been Great White sightings all weekend off of Cape Cod, so New Smyrna doesn't "own" the shark danger title.

Another vote for lovely New Smyrna Beach.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by blueridgerider

New Smyrna is a gorgeous beach but do agree about the sharks.

This Beach is the Shark Attack Capital of the World

[mk9191]

It's an hour and 45 minutes away, but we love Crescent Beach (near St. Augustine). There are tide pools and sand bars which make for more fun for smaller children. Definitely not the best for surfers but the boogie-boarding is great. You can drive your car right on the beach and the sand is a beautiful sugary white (almost as good as the panhandle!). My children are ages 9-14 and that is there favorite "local" beach. We've done the Cocoa Beach thing because it is closer and my kids love shopping at Ron Jon but really it is VERY dirty (sand is littered with cigarette butts, etc.) and the beach is crowded.

[SoyBigHead]

Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas Co.

[beckycat]

I never had a problem at New Smyrna. I've been going there for 10 years.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by DailyJournalist

This Beach is the Shark Attack Capital of the World

It is true that there are more shark bites off New Smyrna than any where in the USA. but they aren't really at the beaches in New Smyrna. Most are at the inlet and most are surfers that get bitten.

I agree with the poster who said Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.
And to the poster who said the sand was filled with garbage-----it is anywhere tourists don't pick up after themselves and most do these days.
The East coast beaches don't have the white sands like the gulf, but the surf is better for boogie boarding. If it rains there is Ron Jons surf shop and the surf shop next to it to visit. Lots to look at-usually a band playing, etc. It is also close to the cape to see the cruise ships and not far from Kennedy Space Center.

It is close enough to come over for the day but if you want to spend some time don't be afraid to bid low on 3 or4 star hotels on the beach. In June my nephew got DoubleTree in Melbourne for $45 a night for his family of 5. They loved it there. We spent some time there, but took them to Ron Jon's and Lori Wilson for a day, too. They also spent a day at Sebastian Inlet but the littler ones were a little put off by the bigger waves, there.