WHO HERE IS FROM FLORIDA?

I know a few of you are but couldn't remember who. The reason I'm asking is that we are thinking of taking the kids there for a vaction, Disney or Universal are a possibility but not the reason we are going. I wanna take the kids somewhere beachy and I'm exploring my options......I want an area that is kid and family oriented.....although my DH would love it my sons would barf if they saw a girl in a thong bikini kwim??? LOL! Anyone from the area family destination suggestions are appreciated!!!

I'm in Sarasota, which includes Lido Key and Siesta Key...
I would not suggest going farther southwest, all the beaches are closed due to contamination this month. Here we are ok.
We have Ringling art and circus museums, Myakka Park with a canopy walk, lots of symphony/opera/stuf and G Wiz Kids Museum.
Ask Sara--she just got back from the East Coast and had a blast doing Kennedy Space Center at Cocoa Beach-Cape Canaveral, and Disney.
Dana and Sara are up on the Panhandle, they can field questions on that area...
I do not recommend Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, that's fer shur.
Can you go as far as the keys? We always camp at Fiesta Key, it's great.

We can go where ever.....my kids have never been to the beach but DH hates water so I wanna go somewhere with water but many other actvities too as we will prob only do beach once. Florida is where I'm thinking, but we may even do Texas???? Still unsure. Just weighing options at this point!

I live in Niceville, about 5 minutes away from Destin, which is in the panhandle on the Gulf side. The beaches are GORGEOUS! That being said, there isn't much to do around here but sit on the beach. There are a ton of tourist traps that are overpriced, so Disney would probably be more enjoyable for you and your family.

I live on the East Coast in Port Saint Lucie. Not much to do here either unless you play golf. We do have a beach in Fort Pierce and Stuart area. Lots of small shellrock last time I went. I am within driving distance to Orlando or Ft Lauderdale though. If you stay in Orlando area, you would be close to the Cape; close enough to drive. Then you can definitely have any of the major parks; Disney, Universal, Sea World, etc. If you decide to go to Disney, stay at a resort and book the meal plan definitely. There are also many dinner theaters and water parks available in the Orlando area. If you wanted to camp, I could recommend many places in the Ocala and north area. It would also depend on when you plan to come down here because it is already heating up again and summers are HOT. If you just want to relax on the beach, find a good condo somewhere and find out the beach conditions. You will get more surf and waves on East coast and plenty of beautiful beaches. The west coast usually has calmer waters, but beautiful beaches for sand dollars etc if your up early. They usually have a longer shallower coastline shelf many places; you can walk a long way off shore and still not be under water. Watch out for hurricane season starting end of May and ask about their refund policy for that; some places do and some dont offer it. Bring lots of sunscreen.

I'm going to Ft. Meyers/Sanibel Island area in few weeks Second year in a row and love it My favorite spot in Florida though, is St. Augustine, absolutely it.

Thanks guys!