10 Reasons why the beach is better than Disney
There’s a reason why central Florida is the vacation hot spot of the world. It’s all about the mouse ears. But, what if I told you that Disney World isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? Here are 10 reasons why Fort Walton Beach might be the better vacation destination of choice:
No six hour queues. The only line you may wait in is a line for the bathrooms or for something sweet and frozen. And even then, it’s not a two-hour wait time and there are absolutely no FastPasses necessary.
No $40 Parking fee. (Yes, it’s that much just to park, this doesn't include valet parking.) And while most beaches offer free parking, the one’s that do charge are usually no more than $15. We say $15 because we know that's the average fee for Destin Harborwalk, but they don't always charge.
Enjoy your own tunes. You can change the theme anytime you like. Or, just soak in the sounds of the steady waves as they roll up onto the beach. It’s like your own piece of zen. No screaming kids, and if one is nearby you can easily pick up your items and move down the beach to a less crowded or calmer children.
You can bring your own food. No bag checks or $10 hot dogs. Just hit up a Publix and pack a few chicken tender subs (a.k.a. Pub-Subs), and sweet tea, maybe some fruit, and if you like a cold one, throw some of those in there too. Just remember, no glass at the beach.
There is plenty of room! The Emerald Coast offers an array of little parks and scenic spots to lay your towel or beach chair, so you’ll never feel crowded. If the beaches are still too busy, you can always play a few rounds of golf, pamper yourself at the spa, or hit up the local putt-putt!
No shirt or shoes required at the beach! And no one will judge you for it. Just remember you do have to have at least a bathing suit on. Nobody actually cares if you have a beach body or not, but law enforcement might care if you are not wearing a swimsuite. Just enjoy yourself!
No desperate search for air conditioning so you can cool down. There’s always a refreshing breeze at the beach or a soothing sea spray. And, if you get a little warm, just take a dip in the Emerald clear waters.
You don’t have to walk for five miles unless you actually want to because you are on the hunt for the perfect sea shells. The coastline is vast, and worth strolling along. It’s always changing - you’ll never know what you’ll find. At Disney, walking around all day is an inescapable necessity. When you get warm at Disney you search for a restaurant to cool off in or a splashing ride. Getting warm at the beach? Just go for a dip where there's no wait.
You don’t need to search everywhere for a bench. At the beach, seating is everywhere!
No months of planning required, and no need to meticulously plan every step of your vacation for fear of not seeing everything. There’s plenty of beach to go around. For those traveling from out of state, there are plenty of places to stay. Fort Walton Beach, of course, has its busy seasons, so be sure to call ahead of time.
So, while everyone else is miserably waiting in long lines for two minutes worth of fun at Walt Disney World, you can revel in your own piece of paradise without the massive crowds, the large price tag or the hassles that comes with overcrowded amusement parks. Whether it’s during the hot summer months or for the holidays, Fort Walton Beach makes for the perfect, quiet and affordable family getaway.
