Florida Recommendations

masscrazy

Flying to Florida in a few days. We have a basic itinerary for things to do places to go.

We plan to do the SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens a day at a time, leaving 4 days for other activities, this is where I'd like some help.

We have got a list of things we'd like to do: Airboating in Kissimmee through the swamps for half a day. Possibly Gatorland the same day. Next day Busch Gardens and Tampa bay after that and onto Clearwater beach in the late afternoon/evening.

We will then do SeaWorld one day, Aquatica another day. That leaves 3 more days. Next day we want to drive to Miami (long way I know) roam the city and next day go to Kennedy Space center and Jetty Park. And finally our last day will be bit of shopping.

Hows that sound?

The next question is Disney World and Universal Studios, is any of the above worth replacing with these two places? And is Disney World or Universal studios worth seeing for a day or two?

shaun_from_Africa

The only thing that I wouldn't bother with is the drive to Miami. Depending on the traffic flow it can take quite a while to do and IMO, Miami city isn't worth spending a day in.

If you want to go for a drive and have a look around the area, my suggestion would be to take the 528E to Cocoa and then either the US1 or the A1A South to about the Jupiter or West Palm beach area. You will find plenty of places to stop and look around, and there is no end of touristy bars, restaurants, antique malls etc on the way.
For the return journey, you could take the Turnpike back to Orlando. (this will cost you a few $s in tolls but in my opinion it is a much better and easier drive than going on the I95).

Both the US1 and A1A run right down the east cost with the US1 being on the mainland and the A1A mainly running along the islands (a quick Google with give you plenty of info).

Lorian

Forget driving to Miami for the day - way to far for just a day.


I'm not sure how old you are and what you like, assuming you are not a young family I would still give at least Epcot a visit for the day.

duchy

Miami is far too far for a day and simply not worth it.
The only way I'd do that would be to book the flights as open jaw and fly into Orlando and out of Miami and do the drive one way (one way car hire in Florida isn't subject to surcharge) but I assume you've already booked your flights.

No idea what age you are so a bit hard to say what you'd like or not but personally I'd do a day at EPCOT including prebooking dinner at one of their nicer restaurants for the end of the day.

If you like coasters then Universal is probably a better bet for adults without kids .

For such a short trip I'd forget Tampa personally and do Animal Kingdom and Discovery bay as it sounds like animals are your thing.

Have you discovered https://www.thedibb.co.uk yet ?

masscrazy

Understood, Miami not really worth it, we'll think further on it.

So i'm in my 20s travelling with all ages few kids and elders. @duchy - when you say forget Tampa do you mean Busch Gardens too? Clearwater beach looks pretty awesome....

Regarding the itinerary and removing some things to include Disney or Universal, day or two enough?

pelirocco

duchy wrote: »

Miami is far too far for a day and simply not worth it.
The only way I'd do that would be to book the flights as open jaw and fly into Orlando and out of Miami and do the drive one way (one way car hire in Florida isn't subject to surcharge) but I assume you've already booked your flights.

No idea what age you are so a bit hard to say what you'd like or not but personally I'd do a day at EPCOT including prebooking dinner at one of their nicer restaurants for the end of the day.

If you like coasters then Universal is probably a better bet for adults without kids .

For such a short trip I'd forget Tampa personally and do Animal Kingdom and Discovery bay as it sounds like animals are your thing.

Have you discovered https://www.thedibb.co.uk yet ?

I'd second the dibb , but let me know when you post the question is it worth doing the parks :rotfl:

Seriously you have planned far too much driving for such a short time. I wouldn't bother with Miami , or gatorland and while I prefer the gulf coast I don't think Busch gardens , Tampa and Clearwater is practicle for 1 day (we hated Busch gardens but that's a long story ) space center is good , save shopping for evenings it's a long way to go to waste a day shopping.

You really need to do some researching and planning

masscrazy

pelirocco wrote: »

I'd second the dibb , but let me know when you post the question is it worth doing the parks :rotfl:

Seriously you have planned far too much driving for such a short time. I wouldn't bother with Miami , or gatorland and while I prefer the gulf coast I don't think Busch gardens , Tampa and Clearwater is practicle for 1 day (we hated Busch gardens but that's a long story ) space center is good , save shopping for evenings it's a long way to go to waste a day shopping.

You really need to do some researching and planning

Thought about skipping Busch Gardens, seems very similar to Longleat and been there a few times, why did you hate it?

Would you say skip Busch gardens for a day in Disney or Universal?

vivatifosi

Masscrazy, the question I'd ask is what the top class attractions are that you can't see in the UK.

Clearwater is beautiful and nothing like the UK. There is nothing like Kennedy anywhere else in the world, let alone the UK. I would certainly add those to my list.

However Busch Gardens is just a theme park and not even the best in Central Florida. Disney wins on that, with Universal IOA arguably winning on the thrill rides.

Gatorland is a bit of a filler, something to do for an hour or so, not a bad idea to double up with an airboat ride (tip... sit at the back or you get hit by the grass and end up smelling like a swamp). You could fit your shopping in the same day if necessary.

Flying to Orlando, I'd at least want to go to Magic Kingdom. It's the mothership of the Disney empire and quite unlike any other theme park.

The golden rule with any theme park is get there at least half an hour before it opens as it will be quieter and you will wait in line less time. Also find out about fast passes for the relevant park as that will also save time.

masscrazy

@vivatifosi - Brilliant, thank you, I like your thinking. I am leaning towards spending time at Disney rather than Miami/Busch Gardens too now, after doing some reading and your advice.

I am now thinking two days at Magic Kingdom and single day in Universal in place of Busch Gardens and Miami. The second day at Magic Kingdom will be for those who want the second day and for those that dont can go to Kennedy Space Center. I think that is a much better plan. Would you agree?

lottie3000

Been to Florida a couple of times and have done an airboat ride on both trips. They're so much fun, we did gatorland on the way to the airport as we were leaving and that's actually quite fun too, not an all day attraction though, a nice walk around, I would recommend that.

I've done both sides of Universal and they are a whole day for each side, you really need to consider the rides if you're only going to do one side. Simpsons is by far my favourite and there's more interactive attractions this side which possibly attract a wider range of people. But...Harry Potter is the other side and that was fab too. I would highly recommend doing both of these on two days. We went in Februaury when there weren't really any ques but it might be worth paying the extra for the prority que?? Not sure how busy it is now but may be worth giving some thought.

The Space Centre is very good, we didn't do any of the parts on the buses but still enjoyed the experience.

We had aquatica free with some of the tickets that we bought and that was very enjoyeable too, bit chilly in Feb though!!

[Deleted User]

masscrazy wrote: »

Flying to Florida in a few days. We have a basic itinerary for things to do places to go.

We plan to do the SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens a day at a time, leaving 4 days for other activities, this is where I'd like some help.

We have got a list of things we'd like to do: Airboating in Kissimmee through the swamps for half a day. Possibly Gatorland the same day. Next day Busch Gardens and Tampa bay after that and onto Clearwater beach in the late afternoon/evening.

We will then do SeaWorld one day, Aquatica another day. That leaves 3 more days. Next day we want to drive to Miami (long way I know) roam the city and next day go to Kennedy Space center and Jetty Park. And finally our last day will be bit of shopping.

Hows that sound?

The next question is Disney World and Universal Studios, is any of the above worth replacing with these two places? And is Disney World or Universal studios worth seeing for a day or two?

I'm not exactly sure from this how long you will be going for but it seems to me you're making a common mistake by trying to pack in far too much and do far too much travelling.

If you're flying into Orlando then spend a few days doing a couple of theme parks and then factor in some r and r on the coast.

The Gulf beaches are among the best in the world and easily worth a few days chilling.

The Atlantic beaches are livelier with the added bonus of the Space Centre which is unique.

But remember with so much to do and see in Florida less is more, otherwise you're going to schlepping along freeways and queuing for rides for most of your holiday.