re: Best beach area near Orlando?

Depends on what ur looking for beachwise? The best beach in the area is siesta key(sarasota)...beautiful white sand beach...but yeah, the whole guld coast side is a little more laid back in general. As far as the parks go: busch gardens in tampa has the most and probably best thrill rides. Sea world and the disney studios have the next best rides for teens in Orlando(after IOA)...