Floridian Holiday?

Xeorix

So my girlfriend has finally agreed to go to Flordia

Anyway, she's not a fan of the heat so going in Summer is out of the question. March - May time or Autumn time would suffice.

We'd like to go for 2 weeks though, so Orlando for 7-8 days so we can go to Disney and Kennedy Space Centre and then the rest down near Naples/Everglades.
I was thinking about renting out a car for all or part of the holiday, however I am current 24, turning 25 in May. I did speak to a friend who recently drove and he said it was an extra $10 a day. Not a huge problem but don't want to be renting a car for 2 weeks at that rate.

Has anyone got an itinerary or any suggestions. Not really sure how long we would need in each place. I've only been with my parents in the past and they did all the planning

We're not a beach couple so would only go to the beach to have a walk down it, get a drink, watch the sunset etc.

Any suggestions?

Miss_Havisham

There is a brilliant forum called The Dibb which is populated by a bunch of (UK) Florida holidays fanatics. They will be very willing to help you !

Xeorix

Thanks, will have a look.
Just did a quick tally up.

Flights, Car, 2 hotels with at least 4/5 on TA and Disney Tickets came to about £1000 each. Personally don't think thats too bad considering NYC cost the same for 1 week.

Could probably get that down a bit, however still need to take into consideration food, fuel and spending money

paddyposh

Xeorix wrote: »

So my girlfriend has finally agreed to go to Flordia

Anyway, she's not a fan of the heat so going in Summer is out of the question. March - May time or Autumn time would suffice.

Let me tell you, we went end of march this year for 2 weeks and it was extremely hot. Each day was around 33-35c. Got scorched one day in the pool lol. Seriously, very hot even March/April.

Xeorix wrote: »

We'd like to go for 2 weeks though, so Orlando for 7-8 days so we can go to Disney and Kennedy Space Centre and then the rest down near Naples/Everglades.
I was thinking about renting out a car for all or part of the holiday, however I am current 24, turning 25 in May. I did speak to a friend who recently drove and he said it was an extra $10 a day. Not a huge problem but don't want to be renting a car for 2 weeks at that rate.

We went with Virgin, and the insurance package we got covered "young drivers". KSC is amazing. We only did Magic Kingdom @ Disney World but it was brilliant! Don't know if you have been before but driving is a lot easier in the states IMO.

Xeorix wrote: »

Has anyone got an itinerary or any suggestions. Not really sure how long we would need in each place. I've only been with my parents in the past and they did all the planning

We're not a beach couple so would only go to the beach to have a walk down it, get a drink, watch the sunset etc.

Any suggestions?

We done 2 weeks, with 3 of those days in Miami. If you want to do Universal, you will need 1 day for each park there IMO. We went to Studios 3 times and IoA twice lol.

Space Centre is a day on its own as well, although you can probably do it all by mid afternoon if you really wanted to. There is the Hall of Fame too just down the road from it, worth a look.

Daytona beach very nice to just go and see, also another one about an hour away can't remember the name though but very nice.

If you like animals and rides, going to Tampa for the day to see Busch Gardens is a must.

A word on the water parks, Aquatica is brilliant and right next to Seaworld (also amazing, live shows out of this world). Wet n Wild though is my fav water park, older but the rides are better.

Black Angus steakhouse on I-Drive is a must visit place to eat too

paddyposh

oh and fuel is dirt cheap if you are used to UK prices lol

Idiophreak

We did three weeks in Florida as part of our honeymoon last year...Did a few days at Cocoa Beach, chilling out, doing KSC and the space coast (saw a rocket launch from KSC, fantastic experience...check the launch schedule to see if you could see one)

Then we did 2 weeks in Orlando...between universals, disneys, sea worlds and the rest, didn't have much in the way of down time. Did swimming with dolphins at discovery cove and swimming with manatees in crystal river (a bit of a drive), a trip to celebration, the Florida mall and did a few of the evening bits and bobs, too - Cirque Du Soleil, Blue Man Group, Medieval Times etc - You can spend as long as you want in Orlando, you'll never get bored...you just need to decide how much of the stuff you want to do.

We rounded off our trip with a few days in clearwater, just splashing around and catching our breath before we flew to NYC....

Like others have said, driving over there's really easy and makes getting from place to place much easier - although you get stung for parking each day at some of the park. Food's good and cheap, though, which makes up for it a little

Bennifred

If your girlfriend is very heat averse be really careful about when you choose to go. We got back a week ago and the temperature was in the high eighties (I know! In October!) - which is fine if you are indoors in the air-conditioning, but hot if you are queueing for rides.

Miss_Havisham

I usually go to Orlando for the last 2 weeks of Nov especially for the weather. High 70's/rarely low 80's with low humidity (it's the humidity that gets me, can't deal with it). Maybe the odd shower of rain. I always get a light tan with SPF30 (you still need sun cream). Only thing is the days are shorter than in summer, dark by 6pm and then you might need a hoodie if you go out.