Florida - Any Recommendations?
Discussion
The wife and I are thinking about going to Florida at the beginning of July for between 7-10 days; we can't get two weeks off at the same time so would struggle to stretch it out.
We want to make the most of our trip and unlike when we went to the West Coast and drove around for a couple of weeks I'm stuck on what's essential to see/do, bits to avoid, best places to stay etc.
We'd like to visit Miami, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens, perhaps take in the Everglades and also maybe visit the Keys - not in seven days mind!
I quite like the idea of hiring an interesting car too - this is PH after all!
So anyone who's been there/done that - any recommendations on the best use of our time, routes etc?
P.S. I did a search but it was not fruitful!
Virtual beers in advance
We want to make the most of our trip and unlike when we went to the West Coast and drove around for a couple of weeks I'm stuck on what's essential to see/do, bits to avoid, best places to stay etc.
We'd like to visit Miami, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens, perhaps take in the Everglades and also maybe visit the Keys - not in seven days mind!
I quite like the idea of hiring an interesting car too - this is PH after all!
So anyone who's been there/done that - any recommendations on the best use of our time, routes etc?
P.S. I did a search but it was not fruitful!
Virtual beers in advance
Definitely do Busch Gardens, best park in Florida IMHO.
Several really good roller coasters, shows, lovely landscaping and great animal exhibits including a fantastic Tiger enclosure which opened a couple of years ago.
They also have a new Cheetah exhibit and roller coaster which opened last year.
Several really good roller coasters, shows, lovely landscaping and great animal exhibits including a fantastic Tiger enclosure which opened a couple of years ago.
They also have a new Cheetah exhibit and roller coaster which opened last year.
LuS1fer said:
Discovery Cove was disappointing for the money.
Wow. We thought Discovery Cove was fantastic....but it was the most expensive day out in the history of the planet.The Everglades is huge. I'd plump for a trip to Gatorland just outside Orlando. They have an elevated walkway that's like a walk thru the everglades, but in a smaller space. Reasonable prices too.
I wanted to answer this as we've been to Florida many times, but I'm not sure where to start.
To be honest, I wouldn't dream of going for 7-10 days. We usually go for 17/18 days and we don't change locations more than once. It takes 2-3 nights after arriving from the UK before you start to sleep normally again.
If your dates really mean the beginning of July then bear in mind you'll hit the 4th. Everywhere will be insanely busy. The theme parks will be full. It'll be very hot and humid.
To be honest, I wouldn't dream of going for 7-10 days. We usually go for 17/18 days and we don't change locations more than once. It takes 2-3 nights after arriving from the UK before you start to sleep normally again.
If your dates really mean the beginning of July then bear in mind you'll hit the 4th. Everywhere will be insanely busy. The theme parks will be full. It'll be very hot and humid.
I visited the Keys for the first time a couple of weeks back. Key West really is lovely but bear in mind that it's a good 3 and a half hour drive from Miami which in itself is over 3 hours from Orlando. I didn't enjoy Miami too much but it was completely down to our bad timing as we our trip coincided with the Memorial Day Weekend R'n'B festival which was... interesting. We will go back to Miami and try it again though!
Disney is great but it's so vast that I doubt you'd have enough time to see it all. Universal is also great and fantastic for thrill seekers but nowhere near as big or as diverse as Disney.
I've not really seen the everglades as such but I have been to Gatorland which was okay. We went out on an airboat to see gators at a place called Boggy Creek which was far better than I thought it would be and should you have the time to do it I'd thoroughly recommend it.
As for the cars, well, there's no way I can go out to the states without hiring some US Muscle
. My last few trips I've rented everything from the Hertz Adrenaline range and I'd seriously recommend you hire something interesting too. The base models (Chrysler 300s, Dodge Chargers, Ford Mustangs) are now much better than their older counter-parts from 2-3 years ago but they just haven't got a patch on the Muscle cars. It's worth noting that Hertz no longer hire the Corvette ZHZ but instead just basic Corvettes but Avis now rent the Corvettes with head-up displays, built in satnav and the dual-exhaust (which can be made permanently if you pull out the correct fuse).
Disney is great but it's so vast that I doubt you'd have enough time to see it all. Universal is also great and fantastic for thrill seekers but nowhere near as big or as diverse as Disney.
I've not really seen the everglades as such but I have been to Gatorland which was okay. We went out on an airboat to see gators at a place called Boggy Creek which was far better than I thought it would be and should you have the time to do it I'd thoroughly recommend it.
As for the cars, well, there's no way I can go out to the states without hiring some US Muscle
. My last few trips I've rented everything from the Hertz Adrenaline range and I'd seriously recommend you hire something interesting too. The base models (Chrysler 300s, Dodge Chargers, Ford Mustangs) are now much better than their older counter-parts from 2-3 years ago but they just haven't got a patch on the Muscle cars. It's worth noting that Hertz no longer hire the Corvette ZHZ but instead just basic Corvettes but Avis now rent the Corvettes with head-up displays, built in satnav and the dual-exhaust (which can be made permanently if you pull out the correct fuse).I was fortunate enough to go twice last year - once to Orlando and once to Miami + Keys + Naples. Orlando was simply tiring - we literally didn't stop and other than theme parks, shopping and eating I found little else to do there. You can do Alligator parks and air boat rides which are fairly decent. Most trips there we try and get over to St Pete's and take in a concert - last one was Aerosmith - I always take a look at Ticketmaster and see if I can spot something decent. Anyway I came back knackered - kids in tow - and decided to go back out in September. We stayed 2 nights in South Beach, 4 nights in the keys (great resort www.hawkscay.com) - 6 nights in Naples and then 2 nights in Fort Lauderdale. Even though we trekked around it was still significantly more relaxing. I've seen some amazing prices going to Orlando recently - 4 people with flights and budget hotel from East Midlands with Thomson for £1000 going last weekend - wow! Couldn't face the driving this year and constantly arranging meals or cooking so were off to Mexico instead. Will be back next year. BTW I thought Busch Gardens was awful - would never go back but then I'm aware I could be in the minority with that.
Me and Mrs Yellowtr have literally just got back from there as we went on our honeymoon.
We did 2 weeks there and fitted loads in. Its a HUGE place, but you can do loads in the time you have.
We done 6 days on Orlando, 2 days were at Universal, we bought a 14 day pass from www.floridatix.com as it worked out cheaper than a two day pass, it was about £85 each I think. One thing to bear in mind you do have to pay fro parkign regardless and this is $15, but you can return later that day if you retain the reciept. Disney is proper expensive per day, more than the Universal pass, so we didn't bother and IMO I think Universal is better for adults. I did however did the NASCAR Rookie Experience at Disney and that was fantastic, even if you do "follow the leader" when they let you loose in the car.
Shopping wise, make full use of the Orlando Premium Mall (there are two there) and also Florida Mall which is fantastic. You can save an absolutle fortune on designer gear and also suitcases (we bought two Samsonite suitcases at over 50% saving to the UK).
We then headed down to Delray Beach. Stunning town with an amazing beach and vibe. After that headed to the Keys and stayed in Islamorada and then headed to Key West. The drive to the keys can be very long as its single lanes most of the way.
After that headed back to Cococa Beach, again stunning.
Drop us a PM if you want any details of places to stay.
We did 2 weeks there and fitted loads in. Its a HUGE place, but you can do loads in the time you have.
We done 6 days on Orlando, 2 days were at Universal, we bought a 14 day pass from www.floridatix.com as it worked out cheaper than a two day pass, it was about £85 each I think. One thing to bear in mind you do have to pay fro parkign regardless and this is $15, but you can return later that day if you retain the reciept. Disney is proper expensive per day, more than the Universal pass, so we didn't bother and IMO I think Universal is better for adults. I did however did the NASCAR Rookie Experience at Disney and that was fantastic, even if you do "follow the leader" when they let you loose in the car.
Shopping wise, make full use of the Orlando Premium Mall (there are two there) and also Florida Mall which is fantastic. You can save an absolutle fortune on designer gear and also suitcases (we bought two Samsonite suitcases at over 50% saving to the UK).
We then headed down to Delray Beach. Stunning town with an amazing beach and vibe. After that headed to the Keys and stayed in Islamorada and then headed to Key West. The drive to the keys can be very long as its single lanes most of the way.
After that headed back to Cococa Beach, again stunning.
Drop us a PM if you want any details of places to stay.
Trustmeimadoctor said:
why was discovery cove diapointing ?
When we went in 2005, it was £175 each so for those poor at "math" £350. The whole set-up is very "fake" with fake pools and beaches. You get to "swim with dolphins" very briefly in that you stand round in freezing water for half an hour and you get to touch the dolphins at close quarters (which you can practically do at Seaworld when you pay to feed them) and then you hold a find while the dolphin drags you round a short distance but it is short as in the group you'll have about 10-15 people.OK so great if you're obsessed by dolphins but I'm not.
The "reef" is better with warmer water where you can swim with rays and other large fish but it is a very fake reef and there are as many people. I can't recall if the pool of small rays was there too but I can go to Weston-Super-Mare if I want to play with rays or indeed Seaworld.
The rest is standard water park fayre so of no great note - the moving river carries you round and so forth.
I'm NOT saying I didn't enjoy it but, ultimately, for £175, I had no hesitation in not repeating the experience when we went in 2008. Funnily enough, people we went with complained and they were offered a free day but we'd left by then. Not sure I could be bothered though.
As always, opinions differ but too expensive for what it was is what I mean by disappointing.
I visited Florida in Feb for the Daytona 500 and rented a convertible. I had asked for a Mustang and was very disappointed with the Chrysler I was given!!!
On my return to the airport, the valet rental company guy, told me that the best way to get the best car at the best rate is to book a basic car, the cheaper the better and then to see the guys in the parking lot and discuss upgrades with them and they can do exceptional upgrade deals.
On my return to the airport, the valet rental company guy, told me that the best way to get the best car at the best rate is to book a basic car, the cheaper the better and then to see the guys in the parking lot and discuss upgrades with them and they can do exceptional upgrade deals.
We have been to both the universal parks, and would definitely recommend them both. Magic kingdom is also worth a visit if you have a spare day. Downtown Disney is a good place to go in the evening, lots of famous theme restaurants,
If you want to treat yourself you should find Charleys steakhouse on international drive. It's expensive...but so so worth it. Best steak I've ever had, and it was huge.
We drove up to Daytona for a day, I got to watch a bit of NASCAR testing.....it's free to get in. Managed to persuade the wife as she got to see Daytona beach.
Adam
If you want to treat yourself you should find Charleys steakhouse on international drive. It's expensive...but so so worth it. Best steak I've ever had, and it was huge.
We drove up to Daytona for a day, I got to watch a bit of NASCAR testing.....it's free to get in. Managed to persuade the wife as she got to see Daytona beach.
Adam
LuS1fer said:
When we went in 2005, it was £175 each so for those poor at "math" £350.
That is a bit a bummer if you're paying for everything - as 'Dad', it's not £175 or whatever, it's £700, and that's a lot of money. If you hit the theme parks hard it's a very expensive holiday.We've never been to Discovery Cove as we've done the dolphin thing in the Bahamas but a mate of mine went with his family a few weeks ago and he raved about the place - and he's as tight as they come! His missus wanted to rebook for a second day but it was sold out - they limit the number of people.
If you want standard tourist fair (and cold sea water) then it's East coast for the whole Orlando/West Palm Beach/Fort Lauderdale/Miami/Keys line.
If you want something a whole lot quieter and laid-back (and warm sea water) then hit the West Coast. More or less the whole way up from Naples to Tampa/St Petersburg is quiet little sea-side towns and villages with miles of empty white sand and nature reserves most of the year.
Oh, and if you want to see load of drunk teenagers you want the North West 'pan handle' during spring break. There are few other reasons to visit Panama City, or the pan handle in general (unless you like creapy, twee, unimaginatively-named, manufactured paint-box towns like Seaside.
If you want something a whole lot quieter and laid-back (and warm sea water) then hit the West Coast. More or less the whole way up from Naples to Tampa/St Petersburg is quiet little sea-side towns and villages with miles of empty white sand and nature reserves most of the year.
Oh, and if you want to see load of drunk teenagers you want the North West 'pan handle' during spring break. There are few other reasons to visit Panama City, or the pan handle in general (unless you like creapy, twee, unimaginatively-named, manufactured paint-box towns like Seaside.
Deva Link said:
LuS1fer said:
When we went in 2005, it was £175 each so for those poor at "math" £350.
That is a bit a bummer if you're paying for everything - as 'Dad', it's not £175 or whatever, it's £700, and that's a lot of money. If you hit the theme parks hard it's a very expensive holiday.We've never been to Discovery Cove as we've done the dolphin thing in the Bahamas but a mate of mine went with his family a few weeks ago and he raved about the place - and he's as tight as they come! His missus wanted to rebook for a second day but it was sold out - they limit the number of people.
The theme parks are do-able if you buy tickets in advance via the discount sites in the UK. You generally have to avoid park hopping (no big deal) and take the 4 Disney park package, 2 Universal package and you can add on Seaworld or Busch Gardens and maybe a water park. We arranged it so we did a different park every day with the odd days off (went for 14 days) and did a fan boat, Gatorland and drove round some car dealers...
Obviously, the Kissimmee Old Town cruise is unmissable every Saturday and its free. Adjacent fairgrounds keep the kids happy. I loved this more than the theme parks if I'm honest.
I recommend the villa hire at Indian Point too - convenient for all the parks and a nearby Walmart and for Kissimmee.
Thanks for all of the responses; so there's plenty to do around Orlando park-wise (and Hertz will rent a Corvette for approx £160/day).
One thing that concerns me is the vastness of the resorts and complexes - if we stay for example at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando and want to find places to eat that aren't in the (a) hotel, then I can only see International Drive which is nearly 11 miles away... Perhaps I'm missing something but it does seem very 'complexy'.
We're no stranger to the States having quite happily planned our own West Coast road trip in 2010 but there's something that almost seems a bit weird about the layout of Orlando...
One thing that concerns me is the vastness of the resorts and complexes - if we stay for example at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando and want to find places to eat that aren't in the (a) hotel, then I can only see International Drive which is nearly 11 miles away... Perhaps I'm missing something but it does seem very 'complexy'.
We're no stranger to the States having quite happily planned our own West Coast road trip in 2010 but there's something that almost seems a bit weird about the layout of Orlando...
mozza42 said:
One thing that concerns me is the vastness of the resorts and complexes - if we stay for example at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando and want to find places to eat that aren't in the (a) hotel, then I can only see International Drive which is nearly 11 miles away... Perhaps I'm missing something but it does seem very 'complexy'.
There are absolutely tons of places. At WA Bonnet Creek you're in the heart of DisneyWorld, but bizarrely not in a Disney hotel which renders staying at the WA a bit pointless to me, but each to their own.There are 'upscale', but probably overpriced, restaurants in most of the Disney hotels nearby and you're also close to DownTownDisney, and Lake Buena Vista.
A little further afield is faux-town of Celebration which has several decent eating places and, similar sort of distance to I Drive is 'restaurant row' at Dr Phillips.
There's also a lot of places to eat along the nearby 192 highway in both directions from Interstate I4.
I suppose the distances perhaps seem great, but it's very easy to get about although anytime you get stuck at traffic lights they seem to take about 5 mins to cycle.
The main drag down to Kissimmee and Kissimmee itself have loads of eating places. If it's one things the Americans are never far from, it's an eating joint.
WE ate at I think they're called Hawaiian Breeze or something like that. We never really used International Drive as it's full of tourists and fast cheap food joints.
Opposite Old Town in Kissimmee we ate at one of the chain pub restaurants - Bennigans - good food and absurdly cheap for kids.
WE ate at I think they're called Hawaiian Breeze or something like that. We never really used International Drive as it's full of tourists and fast cheap food joints.
Opposite Old Town in Kissimmee we ate at one of the chain pub restaurants - Bennigans - good food and absurdly cheap for kids.
Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 8th June 08:55
mozza, we are doing more or less what you are planning, allbeit for two weeks, also in July.
We've rented a house in Cape Coral on the Gulf Coast which is sort of between Miami and Orlando, and have also rented a big car
We're flying into Fort Myers.
Week 1 arrive at the villa, sleep, then 2 days in Miami Grand Beach Hotel, drive back to the villa, sleep. Then drive to orlando and spend 2 nights in a Universal on site hotel and do both the Universal parks (IMO the best of the lot).
Week 2 fart about in the villa, we've also rented a speedboat for this week as the villa has its own mooring. Do Sanibel Island, a spot of fishing on the Gulf of Mexico, visit Naples and the Everglades.
We've rented a house in Cape Coral on the Gulf Coast which is sort of between Miami and Orlando, and have also rented a big car
We're flying into Fort Myers.
Week 1 arrive at the villa, sleep, then 2 days in Miami Grand Beach Hotel, drive back to the villa, sleep. Then drive to orlando and spend 2 nights in a Universal on site hotel and do both the Universal parks (IMO the best of the lot).
Week 2 fart about in the villa, we've also rented a speedboat for this week as the villa has its own mooring. Do Sanibel Island, a spot of fishing on the Gulf of Mexico, visit Naples and the Everglades.
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