Sun, Sand, and Mickey: The Closest Beaches Near Disney World for an Easy Day Trip 

While Disney World may be what lures many people to Orlando, there’s more to see beyond the roller coasters and costumed characters. I know many people who come to central Florida think they have to choose between nonstop park hopping or a beach vacation—but you don’t. You can have it all. In fact, I think it’s actually helpful to plan some beach time to unwind after spending days at the theme parks. 

Although you can book a stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort or Caribbean Beach Resort and feel like you’re in a tropical oasis, you won’t really be at the beach. However, there are multiple beaches near Orlando that make it easy to fit in a day trip. I’ve lived in central Florida for almost 20 years and one of the main reasons is because it’s easy for me to be at the beach in about an hour. 

If you decide to add in a visit to the beach during your theme park vacation, here are the ones you’ll want to consider. These are the closest beaches to Disney World, and all offer enticing ways to enjoy Florida’s sun and sand. The closest ones are located on Florida’s east coast, but I’ve also included a couple of my favorites on the Gulf Coast as well, even though they’re a little bit farther. There are even a couple on this list that offer Disney-themed fun in a beachy way. 

Drive time from Walt Disney World: 1 hour, 10 minutes 

This fun stretch of coastline is close to Orlando and has multiple places to access the beach. Lori Wilson Park and the Cocoa Beach Pier are a couple of the most popular spots. Cocoa Beach is also located adjacent to Port Canaveral, and that’s where you can set sail with Mickey and friends. There are Disney cruises that depart from Port Canaveral, and this is a great add-on if you’re visiting Disney World. 

Local Tip: Even if you aren’t cruising the high seas with Mickey, it’s still worth visiting The Cove at Port Canaveral. You can see the massive ships up close and enjoy some of the area’s freshest seafood. Grills, Fishlips, and Rusty’s are some of my favorites that I’ve been visiting for years. 

Drive time from Walt Disney World: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Those in Daytona Beach have staked the claim of “The World’s Most Famous Beach” and showcase their self-proclaimed title with a large arch that leads beachgoers to the coastline. One of the interesting aspects of this beach is that you can actually drive on it. That’s pretty cool to experience, and it’s convenient to have all of your beach toys, towels, and coolers nearby, as opposed to lugging everything down to the beach. 

Local Tip: Daytona Beach hosts many notable events, including Daytona Bike Week and the Daytona 500—one of NASCAR’s most popular races. I’ve been there during those times, and it’s super exciting, just expect bigger crowds. If you’re traveling during those times, I also encourage you to book a hotel room well in advance if you plan to stay overnight. 

Drive time from Walt Disney World: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Since this is located in the same county as Daytona Beach, this one also comes with the perk of being able to drive on the beach. While many people visit New Smyrna Beach simply for beachside fun, you’ll also probably see several people catching waves since this is one of Florida’s best beaches for surfing. I also love that there’s a very charming and walkable area within steps of the beach. If you go, make time to take a walk down Flagler Avenue to check out the local shops and restaurants. 

Local Tip: The Marine Discovery Center is an awesome addition to your trip if you want to learn about the local marine life. They have a nice visitor center and also offer dolphin watching tours. They also have cool volunteer activities—some that just take a couple hours of your time. 

Drive time from Walt Disney World: 1 hour, 20 minutes 

Located within Canaveral National Seashore, this beach is much different than many of the others that you’ll find on Florida’s east coast. This natural, undeveloped stretch of coast doesn’t have any beach bars or shops, so you’ll need to take everything you need for your day at the beach. The trade-off is a chance to enjoy the pure, unspoiled beauty, and the possible opportunity to see a rocket launch. Playalinda Beach in Titusville is the closest spot to watch rocket launches right from the sand.

Local Tip: If your trip doesn’t align with a rocket launch, you can still enjoy some space-themed activities. Plan a trip to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to see space shuttles and rockets up close, and enjoy some fascinating interactive activities. 

Drive time from Walt Disney World: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Located south of Cocoa Beach, this beach offers a more laid-back, local feel. Anglers also love this area, and it’s not uncommon to see people fishing from the beach. Part of the beach is also located within the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge and turtles love this area as much as the nature lovers who flock there. I love taking a morning walk on the beach during sea turtle nesting season, as there are always so many turtle tracks left from the previous night. 

Local Tip: One of the coolest things to do here is to see sea turtles nest under the stars. It is such a surreal experience, and while you shouldn’t go out on your own looking for nesting turtles, you can book a guided tour with a nonprofit group such as Stella Maris Environmental Research on select nights during June and July. 

Drive time from Walt Disney World: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Vero Beach is one of Florida’s best beaches and has a lot to offer beachgoers, but it has an added bonus for Disney enthusiasts. While the Disney resort hotels in Orlando won’t put you directly on the beach, Disney does have a hidden, tucked away resort that will. At Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, you can enjoy the high-quality amenities that come along with the Disney brand, but in a relaxed and unhurried way. 

Local Tip: Vero Beach is a part of a region called Florida’s Treasure Coast. There are several shipwrecks located off the coast in this area, and real treasure still washes up on the shore to this day. To see some of the findings, check out the McLarty Treasure Museum or head to nearby Sebastian and visit the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum. 

Drive time from Walt Disney World: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Unlike the previous beaches, Clearwater Beach is located west of Disney World on Florida’s Gulf coast. This area is known for having some of Florida’s prettiest white sand and the water is typically calmer than what you’ll find on the east coast. Clearwater Beach also prizes their sunsets and celebrates them each night with festive celebrations at Pier 60. 

Local Tip: Watch “Dolphin Tale” before you go, and then plan to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This aquarium and marine rehabilitation facility is where Winter the dolphin lived after receiving her prosthetic tail. There are several exhibits, including one focused on her story. 

Drive time from Walt Disney World: 1 hour, 50 minutes

St. Pete Beach is another enticing spot to visit on Florida’s west coast and is home to one of the state’s iconic hotels—The Don CeSar, also known as the Pink Palace. The property has been around for almost 100 years and offers a chic, luxury experience paired with a fascinating history. St. Pete Beach also has other great resorts such as Tradewinds and Sirata that allow direct access to the beach. There are public beach access points too, and for the most low-key vibes, I suggest the Pass-a-Grille Beach area. 

Local Tip: This is also a jumping-off spot for one of Florida’s coolest islands. Just hop on the Shell Key Shuttle for a 10-minute boat ride and you can visit this undeveloped barrier island. 

Many people coming to Disney World in Florida book a flight to Orlando International Airport (MCO). There are shuttles that will take you directly to Disney World, but you’ll want to rent a car if you plan to include the beach in your travels. If you are planning several days at Disney World though, you may want to wait until the end of your time there to rent a car. The park has a significant transportation network to get you around to all of their amenities during your time at Disney World.

I also really like Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB). This airport is much smaller and services fewer airlines, but you can often find a good deal. Depending on where you’re departing from, if you can book a ticket on Allegiant Airlines, you’ll likely save a lot of money. Another thing that I really love about this airport is that it’s almost directly between Disney World and both Daytona and New Smyrna Beaches. If you’re planning to add on time at either of those beaches, this airport is a really convenient option. Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) and Melbourne International Airport are also ones you can consider if you’re visiting the east coast beaches near Disney World, and Tampa International Airport and St. Pete Clearwater Airport are good options if you’re adding on a visit to the west coast beaches. 

*** All driving times are approximate and can vary based on traffic conditions.