Florida - June - First visit, any tips?
Discussion
Busch Gardens is one of the better parks in Florida so a good option if you are in Sarasota and you could realistically spend a couple of days there. Just avoid it at the weekend at all costs though, although the same probably goes for the rest as well.
In Sarasota, St Armands Cirlce is a nice place to spend some time, and just up in Siesta Key there's the Old Salty Dog which is a decent pub restuarant. Their fully loaded Salty Dog is a heart attack on a plate, but you do get a stunning view of the sun setting there.
Be aware that Miami is probably a 5-6 hour drive from there. The two main routes are East-West from Naples (which is worth a visit), and the toll road is one of the most boring drives I've ever done - if you have the time take the other route through the Everglades.
In Sarasota, St Armands Cirlce is a nice place to spend some time, and just up in Siesta Key there's the Old Salty Dog which is a decent pub restuarant. Their fully loaded Salty Dog is a heart attack on a plate, but you do get a stunning view of the sun setting there.
Be aware that Miami is probably a 5-6 hour drive from there. The two main routes are East-West from Naples (which is worth a visit), and the toll road is one of the most boring drives I've ever done - if you have the time take the other route through the Everglades.
24lemons said:
I was in Florida in January and we did a few parks. Universal is quite good with some good rides but whatever you do, don't go to Epcot! It was dreadful.
Epcot's not about the rides - there's really only 3 and even then not everyone can handle Mission Space, people have died on it! It's a very different sort of park to Universal.Here's my 2c worth. I live in a suburb of Orlando FL and have done so for 14+ years - consequently I don't get out to the attractions all that often, but am happy to advise on amenities, attractions, dining/boozing, car-related stuff that tends to be off the conventional tourist radar.
In reality, June is THE wettest month of the year here. It is not a transitional time weather-wise, that tends to be the latter 1/3 of May - but like everywhere that has a maritime climate, things change quickly.
I was at Sebring for the 12 Hour race this weekend. On Saturday/Sunday it was around 92 degrees and full sun. Today, Monday it's 76 and raining/overcast.
What is encouraging about this sub-tropical climate is that after the mid/late afternoon sea-breeze collision, things brighten-up, just as quickly and June evenings can be wonderful, if you can tolerate a bit of humidity and are not allergic to mozzie-bites.
In reality, June is THE wettest month of the year here. It is not a transitional time weather-wise, that tends to be the latter 1/3 of May - but like everywhere that has a maritime climate, things change quickly.
I was at Sebring for the 12 Hour race this weekend. On Saturday/Sunday it was around 92 degrees and full sun. Today, Monday it's 76 and raining/overcast.
What is encouraging about this sub-tropical climate is that after the mid/late afternoon sea-breeze collision, things brighten-up, just as quickly and June evenings can be wonderful, if you can tolerate a bit of humidity and are not allergic to mozzie-bites.
Sheepshanks said:
Epcot's not about the rides - there's really only 3 and even then not everyone can handle Mission Space, people have died on it! It's a very different sort of park to Universal.
Yes, but Test Track is one of the best rides in all of Disney. We went back to Epcot for an afternoon just to do that ride again.Thankyou4calling said:
I what way?
I just felt it was stuck in a time warp. The science aspect felt like it was a 1960's view of the future and nothing particularly informative or profound was on offer.The global showcase was essentially a series of shops selling souvenirs from each respective country.
The rides are all thoroughly underwhelming (as others said, you don't go for the rides) mission space is quite good fun but the flying one (I can't remember its name) is basically an IMAX with the feet of the people in the row above dangling in front of you!
All in my opinion of course, the others I was with loved it!
Matt Harper said:
Here's my 2c worth. I live in a suburb of Orlando FL and have done so for 14+ years - consequently I don't get out to the attractions all that often, but am happy to advise on amenities, attractions, dining/boozing, car-related stuff that tends to be off the conventional tourist radar.
We really fancy a winter break in Florida say between November and March and would probably look towards the Gulf Coast. What month would you recommend for settled temperate weather?24lemons said:
Thankyou4calling said:
I what way?
I just felt it was stuck in a time warp. The science aspect felt like it was a 1960's view of the future and nothing particularly informative or profound was on offer.The global showcase was essentially a series of shops selling souvenirs from each respective country.
The rides are all thoroughly underwhelming (as others said, you don't go for the rides) mission space is quite good fun but the flying one (I can't remember its name) is basically an IMAX with the feet of the people in the row above dangling in front of you!
All in my opinion of course, the others I was with loved it!
t. I didn't mind the driving one but quite frankly Epcot is only good for the fireworks.RammyMP said:
Soaring, it is a bit st. I didn't mind the driving one but quite frankly Epcot is only good for the fireworks.
Just show how we're all different - we think Soarin' is brilliant, bit OTOH Test Track is a bit tame, it's not interesting or exciting.t. I didn't mind the driving one but quite frankly Epcot is only good for the fireworks.There's quite a lot of clever stuff at Epcot but you could easily miss it - if you walked into The Seas and didn't use the "ride", you'd miss the Nemo animation, for example.
It definitely is dated - the Innoventions wings have a lot of empty space and the former Wonders of Live pavilion is only used for special events now.
It's a different pace to many of the other parks and it clearly doesn't suit everyone.
Other than theme parks, you could do a lot worse than visiting the Kennedy space centre. That was a real highlight and the Atlantis exhibition is breathtaking.
While you are over that way, pop over to Daytona international speedway. You can get a guided tour around the place. if you go when the track isn't being used the tour takes you onto the circuit itself. We went to see the roar before the 24 ( practicing for the Daytona 24 hours) and the circuit was obviously closed for that.
We also took a trip to the shark valley nature reserve in the Everglades and saw more alligators then I could count! Definitely worth the long drive to get there!
While you are over that way, pop over to Daytona international speedway. You can get a guided tour around the place. if you go when the track isn't being used the tour takes you onto the circuit itself. We went to see the roar before the 24 ( practicing for the Daytona 24 hours) and the circuit was obviously closed for that.
We also took a trip to the shark valley nature reserve in the Everglades and saw more alligators then I could count! Definitely worth the long drive to get there!
24lemons said:
Other than theme parks, you could do a lot worse than visiting the Kennedy space centre. That was a real highlight and the Atlantis exhibition is breathtaking.
If you can time it for when there's a launch, even better. I was lucky enough to witness shuttle launch the first time I ever went to Florida and it was simply incredible.Sarasota has some great places, I stayed on Lido Key which was a great location.
I wouldn't fancy doing Disney in a day from there. I would suggest booking in a hotel in the Kissamee area for a night or two.
I don't like the humidity in Florida but it wouldn't stop me going at the right time of year
I wouldn't fancy doing Disney in a day from there. I would suggest booking in a hotel in the Kissamee area for a night or two.
I don't like the humidity in Florida but it wouldn't stop me going at the right time of year
This place is definitely worth the effort when in SW Florida - The Revs Institute, in Naples FL.
www.revsinstitute.org
www.revsinstitute.org
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