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Anyone want to help plan a FL trip?
DH and I are looking to go to FL the first week in October. We could leave 9/29 or 9/30 but we have to be back by 10/5.
Wants
beach access (could be within driving distance)
pool (at the hotel)
plenty of local activities (shops, restaurants, movies but not necessarily swimming
with the sharks, jet skiing,etc.)
We're pretty open to suggestions. DH wants to go to Harry Potter World for a day but we don't have to stay in that area.
We will rent a car (unless we're in an area that we don't need one...but where?) because we also plan to visit DH's brother in Ft. Myers.
Where are the "good" areas of FL and where are areas to avoid? I have heard that Ft. Myers beach is not a nice area but the hotels that I've been viewing online all look so nice there.
Also, are there any travel sites you recommend? Kayak? Travelocity? Etc.?
So any suggestions would be very much appreciated! Please and thanks! 
Re: Anyone want to help plan a FL trip?
what about Cocoa Beach or Daytona? I think those are both about 1-2 hours from Orlando/Harry Potter
We're going to Marco Island near Naples on the Gulf Coast - they are both nice w/ lovely beaches. I think they're about 4 hours to Orlando though. I haven't stayed in Ft. Myers, but I thought it was supposed to be nice too.
Thanks Kathryn. Marco Island was suggested to us but I think you're right...it's going to be too far from Orlando. Possibly looking into Sanibel Island.
I'll look at Cocoa Beach and Daytona tonight. My head spins when I go to sit down and look because it's not like Maryland where people really only come here for Baltimore or Annapolis or OC...too many tourist areas in FL!
Clearwater/St. Pete would be my suggestion. That (and Naples) are my favorite areas of FL. I have been to Naples a ton but always stayed with family who lives there. Its a very ritzy town, very quiet, good for shopping, eating, strolling around etc.
Clearwater/St Pete has more to do though, I forget the hotel we stayed at in Clearwater but it was on the main strip and on the beach and we could walk to the restaurants, pier, etc. I really want to go back! the sunsets there are amazing and every night on the big pier all these vendors come out and set up and its really nice to just walk around and check things out.
ETA: Maybe things have changed (?) but when I saw Daytona Beach I found it kind of dumpy. But I am partial to the gulf coast anyway.
I live in Daytona if there's anything you need to know specifically.
Before I moved to Florida I stayed in Clearwater, Cocoa Beach, Daytona and also Melbourne Beach.
In general: If you just want quiet...lay on the beach & watch the water then Clearwater is the place for you. If you want activities nearby & places to see in addition to the beach then I'd suggest Daytona. Parts of Daytona allow you to take your vehicle on the beach. If you don't like that then there are also parts where vehicles are prohibited. My personal favorite place to go is the lighthouse near the beach in Ponce Inlet (tiny town just south of Daytona Beach). The view from the top is spectacular.
I used to live in Jacksonville! I love the whole NFL coast. I hope to be back there one day!