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Complete Guide to the Closest Beaches to Disney World and Universal Orlando 2024

This article is your complete guide to the closest beach to Disney World and Universal Orlando 2024! When you think of Walt Disney World, your mind doesn’t necessarily go to beaches. However If you’re looking to get away from the theme parks and enjoy a day (or few) at the beach, we’ve got you covered. We’ve put together a guide of the best beaches near Disney World, complete with tips on what to bring, when to go, and how to get there. So pack your swimsuit and sunscreen and get ready for some fun in the sun! 

So if you’re ready to learn all about the best beaches near Disney World read on!

How Far is Disney World from the Beach?

One of the most common questions we receive regarding this topic is, how far is Disney World from the beach? And as a general rule of thumb Disney World is about 70 miles away from the Atlantic Ocean. However since Disney World is in Orlando, and Orlando is in the inland of Florida, the distance to the beach varies depending on where you want to visit. Below are the most common ways to measure the distance from Disney World to the beach.

Disney World distance from the beach

• By car: When you measure the distance from Orlando International Airport, it’s about an hour and a half away. Add about 30 minutes for the drive to Disney World.

• By air: The closest airport is Tampa International Airport. It’s about an hour and a half away from the parks.

• By hotel: You can drive to the World, then check into a hotel. But you will be spending extra on a room, so you can also just stay at a hotel right by the beach.

In my opinion, the best thing to do is to stay at a hotel right on the beach. It’s got the best of both worlds.

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What is the Closest Beach to Disney World?

Another one of the most common questions we receive is, what is the closest beach to Disney World in Florida? As a general rule of thumb Cocoa Beach, Florida, is considered the closest beach to Disney World, and it is about 70 minutes away by car. However, there are also many other free beaches in Florida, further from Disney World, that are just 2 hours away, which you might enjoy visiting including Clearwater Beach.

 Cocoa Beach is a part of the Cape Canaveral National Seashore and is one of the best beaches on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. It is also home to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center which can make for another great stop if you do decide to stay on the coast for a night or two. Cocoa Beach is also home to the Cocoa Beach Pier which is full of amazing restaurants, bars, and gift shops as well as the Ron Jon Surf Shop. In fact Cocoa Beach is considered the east coast surfing capital.

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How Far is Cocoa Beach from Disney?

Cocoa Beach to Disney is approximately 60 to 65 miles away, making the trip about an hour drive.

Cocoa Beach to Disney World is the closest beach to Disney in Florida, and is guaranteed to make you feel as if you’re on vacation on the side of your Disney vacation. Being a city, Cocoa Beach offers “tubular” surfing along with the Surf Museum and the Cocoa Beach Pier with eateries and shops/

How Far is Clearwater Beach From Disney World?

beach-near-disney

Clearwater Beach to Disney World turns out to be about an hour and forty minute drive, or 92 miles away.

As one of the best beaches near Disney, Clearwater Beach is known for its namesake stretch of soft, white sand. Here you can do many activities like jet-ski, parasail, and standup paddleboarding all on the calm waters. A promenade allows guests to enjoy seafood and cafes. Come sunset, Pier 60 hosts a nightly festival.

And since clear water beach is a little under 2 hours away from Walt Disney World, we feel it is a spectacular choice for a family beach day! Since it is the closed gulf-side beach to Disney World Clearwater Beach is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike! With a long, beautiful stretch of soft sand flanked by a large barrier island, Clearwater Beach is both a breathtakingly beautiful and a relaxing beach. The beach is also very family-friendly, with a large expanse of deep, clear water that is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and jet skiing.

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How Far is Daytona Beach from Disney?

Daytona Beach to Disney is just shy of an hour and a half trip, making it about 71.5 miles away from the Resort.

Another one of the best beaches near Walt Disney World, with a population of just under 100,000, Daytona Beach is the largest city in Volusia County, Florida, and is the gateway to the rest of Florida, especially the beaches and the theme parks! It’s actually the ninth-largest city in Florida, and is home to the Daytona International Speedway, which is actually the fastest racetrack in the world! Daytona Beach is just a gorgeous place, with gorgeous beaches. The waves here are incredible! You can get a great view of the ocean from the Daytona Beach Pier, which is one of the most popular spots to watch the sunset in Florida. The gorgeous sands here are usually packed with people, though, and you’ll definitely want to book a spot on the sand, if you’re looking for some solitude! You can also find some great seafood and local cuisine at some of the nearby restaurants. There’s a lot to do in Daytona Beach, too.

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How Far is Disney World from Vero Beach?

Vero Beach is definitely not the closest beach to Disney, and is actually the furthest out of the ones we’re mentioning. Vero Beach is about a 110-mile drive, making it almost an hour and forty-five minutes away.

The furthest of the bunch, with over a two hours drive from Walt Disney World, Vero Beach is one of our favorite beach day locations! With its mild climate, beautiful waters, and soft sand, Vero Beach is a great choice for a peaceful beach day. The most popular beach on Vero is St. Lucie West, but if you’re looking for a quieter alternative, head to the more secluded St. Lucie East Beach. The beach is still pretty close to the St. Lucie Inlet, though, which has plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting! Whether you simply want to relax and bask on the sand or you want to take some time to explore, Vero Beach is a great choice for a family beach day.

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Is There a Disney World Beach?

If you’re looking for the best beach to visit near Disney World that still encompasses the Disney magic, visit Vero Beach. Although further out, Vero Beach is home to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, making it the best place to have both a Disney World and beach vacation.

This resort still offers the same amenities Disney hotels have to offer, plus the inclusion of luxury beach access steps away from your hotel room. As an added bonus, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort has the most dense sea turtle nesting spots in the Western Hemisphere, making it one of the most unique beaches near Disney World.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

If you’re looking for the best family beaches in Orlando, you can visit Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Although not technically a beach, this still gives off the same beachy vibes if you don’t want to travel to a beach near Walt Disney World Florida.

Technically making it one of the best beaches near Disney Orlando, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a deluxe resort in the Epcot resort area that has a New-England style. The pools, lagoons, and spas of Stormalong Bay create a beach-themed environment in Orlando. Other activities include sailing around Crescent Lake on a rented mini-powerboat and sharing activities with its formal sister resort, Disney’s Yacht Club. Even though it’s not technically one of the beaches near Walt Disney World Florida, it’s great for family fun and the convenience of not leaving Disney World.