Anna maria Island day trip

[wreckitralph15]

Is this doable?

We are in a villa near champions gate and would love to check Anna maria Island out but we don't want to book more accommodation as we already have night booked in Disney resorts and universal.

We know if would be an early start and late night but we don't mind as long as it's under a 2.5 hour drive.
Any thoughts

[Guest]

We’ve done it in a day trip before, and Siesta Key.

[babybear11]

Afternoon, me and the wife stayed at AMI for a week back in 2015.
then the remainder of the 2 weeks in a villa at champions gate. it is a good 1hr 45mins.

So a good early start would be wise.
If you do go, dont forget to check out the Donut expeirment place..

[mick]

We've done AMI as a day trip from Highgate Park (just a few miles north of you) about four times over the years. Between 2 and 2.25 hours but depending on the time of day you can be delayed a little in Bradenton (City not Beach )

If you go straight ahead at these lights when you hit Manatee Beach you can park free. There's a shop, café and showers there. Also a bus stop for the free AMI trolley that tours the island.

Mick

[wreckitralph15]

Thanks Guys.

Not sure if we should make a night of it and travel up to St pete's and stay over there or just to drive back to the villa.
We are used to travelling as we have a holiday home which is a good 2hrs away from our home and we've flown into Miami a couple of times and driven straight up to Orlando.

[discostu]

We land in Orlando pick up a car and drive to Bradenton, we are about 20 minutes from the beaches, the drive is fine I4 West then I75 South a bit boring but good roads.If it was me and I don't know if you have small kids, I'd make it an adventure, up earlish, leave around 8.30 a nice brunch on any of the nice restaurants, then on to the beaches (remember the sun cream) depending on how long you want to stay you or your interests you can head to Ellenton or UTC for some serious shopping. There are also some nice casual dining places just off the Island and there are also all the chains, Longhorn Texas Steakhouse, Olive Garden etc,. Then a relatively leisurely drive back... On thing check the forecast first its normally lovely but depending on the beach you might have some choppy waves, we love these others find them rough and also the actual weather. No point going on a day that might be really wet, these are rare but check out the forecast for Bradenton /Anna Maria in advance

[RickT]

Originally Posted by mick

We've done AMI as a day trip from Highgate Park (just a few miles north of you) about four times over the years. Between 2 and 2.25 hours but depending on the time of day you can be delayed a little in Bradenton (City not Beach )

If you go straight ahead at these lights when you hit Manatee Beach you can park free. There's a shop, café and showers there. Also a bus stop for the free AMI trolley that tours the island.

Mick

See more...

Is this the car park you are referring to ?

goo.gl/maps/jt5ngcGKSwMZYmXP9

Thank you

[mick]

Originally Posted by RickT

Is this the car park you are referring to ?

goo.gl/maps/jt5ngcGKSwMZYmXP9

Thank you

See more...

It is indeed. In the top left corner you can see a couple of buses which I believe are near the trolley stop.

From memory you can choose to catch one going north or one going south but they are on a loop round the island anyway so you'll get back to there. If you pick north stay on until you get back and then it goes south and eventually back to that car park

Mick

[RickT]

Originally Posted by mick

It is indeed. In the top left corner you can see a couple of buses which I believe are near the trolley stop.

From memory you can choose to catch one going north or one going south but they are on a loop round the island anyway so you'll get back to there. If you pick north stay on until you get back and then it goes south and eventually back to that car park

Mick

See more...

Thank you .

[Simon & Suzann]

I know its not AMI but we always go to Fort de Soto as find it much easier to get to as just under 2 hours from where we normally stay in the Champions gate(ish) area (been to loads of beaches over the years and now stick to this one). We find AMI, clearwater etc the traffic grinds to a halt once you get close to them - just personal experience

We stop off en route about half way to 3/4 of the way in either Golden Corral or IHOP so it breaks up the drive and fills you for most of the day. Then just before Fort de Soto we get a subway (you pass 2 on the way in and 2 just up the road) for a bit later in the day.
We take a cheap cooler box for drinks etc which is easy to carry to beach as you are literally steps away.

At Fort de Soto it is $5 for the car to get in as its classed as a state park. Loads of easy parking and beaches to choose from with showers and toilets scattered everywhere. There are also shops selling food, ice creams, drinks etc.

You also have the sunshine skyway bridge which is a must if you have never been down that way. Thinks its a dollar or 2 to go over and really is great to experience

You can also hire bikes and kayaks there. And you have the bonus of the old fort to explore with the cannons! There is also a pier which is lovely and can often see dolphins there.

We normally drive home then again breaking the journey with a stop dependent on how hungry everyone is.