[GoofysMyFav]

We are planning to go to a beach after WDW. We are leaning toward Clearwater Beach. Does anyone know of a great inexpensive hotel? or maybe good shopping? or even good restaurants near by?
Thanks in advance.

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Sept.2007, All Star Music Resort(1st trip to WDW)
Sept.2008, All Star Movies Resort
Aug.-Sept.2009, Port Orleans Riverside (1st Moderate)

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[G00fyDad]

We go to Clearwater Beach each time we go to WDW. We love it. No, unfortunately there are no cheap hotels that I can recall. It's the beach though so everything is going to cost more.

As for shopping, they have tons of little souvinir shops down Mandalay Ave. That's the road that runs right by Pier 60 there. You can park your car in the lot all day for $10, go shopping down Mandalay Ave (Surf Style is the best!) , then there is a "okay" place to eat at the end of the pier but you may want to try Frenchy's Rockaway Grill http://www.frenchysonline.com/rock_index.html. Whatever you do, don't forget to stop in the Walgreens on Mandalay Ave and buy a beach umbrella and a sand wedge/screw that the umbrella sits in. They're cheap and will save you from getting burned in the sun.

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[WaltDisWiz]

Clearwater is nice but it can be very crowded and hard to get around. Most locals head slightly south to Indian Rocks or Maderia beach if they are going to spend the night. Also at the end of Maderia beach is St. Johns Pass which has alot of shopping and food. Plus if you have free time you should check out the candy kitchen. It is on Indian Rocks Beach. It is fun./

[G00fyDad]

Speaking of Clearwater Beach, I have a question for those of you that have been to Caladesi Island State Park (about 3 miles North of Clearwater) .... Can you keep the shells you find on the beach as long as they are not "live"? I mean, no living tissue inside them.

[GoofysMyFav]

Thanks everybody! This really helps!

We will be at the beach Thurs. night Friday and leaving Sat. of Labor Day weekend. I would assume that the beaches will be crowded. Would a smaller beach be better? I don't get out much. Just to WDW!!! I want our trip to the beach to be as relaxing as it can be.

Thanks Again.

[WaltDisWiz]

Caladesi is nice and you can keep the shells. But it will cost you an extra ten dollars a person to get over there unless you have a boat rental.

I would honestly not recoomend Clearwater on Labor day weekend. It is a mad house primarily becuase of the way it is designed. I would suggest that you look at the beaches further south that weekend.

Also I will let you in on a little secret..... Fort Desoto State Park. There are no hotels so you have to stay out of the park but it is where most of the locals go during the busy season. The beach is one of the best in the country.... but dont tell anyone.... they will kick me out of Florida for telling a non Floridian lol.

[GoofysMyFav]

LOL! Thanks! Your secret is safe with me!

[G00fyDad]

Originally Posted by WaltDisWiz

Caladesi is nice and you can keep the shells. But it will cost you an extra ten dollars a person to get over there unless you have a boat rental.

Thanks. You just made my kids day. They are always wanting to collect seashells but all they can find near Pier 60 is the small white ones. We're willing to pay to pay the extra $10 per adult and $6 per kid. The place looks beautiful.

[WaltDisWiz]

Originally Posted by G00fyDad

Thanks. You just made my kids day. They are always wanting to collect seashells but all they can find near Pier 60 is the small white ones. We're willing to pay to pay the extra $10 per adult and $6 per kid. The place looks beautiful.

My wife loves collecting them too. It is one of the best places to go in Florida. I am glad I could help.

Honeymoon Island (Where you leave from for Caladesi) Is also a good place for shelling. It is not as pretty but they have alot of diffrent shells.

[G00fyDad]

Originally Posted by WaltDisWiz

Honeymoon Island (Where you leave from for Caladesi) Is also a good place for shelling. It is not as pretty but they have alot of diffrent shells.

Interesting. The shells are I am worried about. The kids always want to collect some each time we go but they can never find any good ones. If I can get to some shells without having to pay the ferry boat fees then that's what I want. Thanks.

[friendofigment]

Originally Posted by WaltDisWiz

Caladesi is nice and you can keep the shells. But it will cost you an extra ten dollars a person to get over there unless you have a boat rental.

I would honestly not recoomend Clearwater on Labor day weekend. It is a mad house primarily becuase of the way it is designed. I would suggest that you look at the beaches further south that weekend.

Also I will let you in on a little secret..... Fort Desoto State Park. There are no hotels so you have to stay out of the park but it is where most of the locals go during the busy season. The beach is one of the best in the country.... but dont tell anyone.... they will kick me out of Florida for telling a non Floridian lol.

i am tracking you down right now, you are gone! . I know its over now but for anyone who wants to know for the future, clearwater is a nice beach but for my money Madera is my favorite (mostly b/c it is 6 miles from the house). C'water can become a logistics nightmare geting around b/c of the traffic and it's terrible design.
but as for the beaches they are all nice and if you ever have the time downtown st. pete is worth the drive: good food, museum's and shoping.

[WaltDisWiz]

I am hiding under my beach umbrella lol