What To Do In Florida?

[stu40]

Hi
thinking of going to Florida next year, for 2 weeks.Me, OH & 2 children, 8 & 5 years old.
Yes i know there's loads there, but which Parks have to be done, and where else should we consider. i.e. beaches.
i/we like rollercoasters & beaches.Win, win

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I liked the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum when I was a kid, I think it's proably pretty tacky now that I look back on it as an adult lol.

Daytona Motor Speedway? You can ride around it on a golf cart lol....

Oh and try to go to a Joe's Crab Shack..it's very touristy but fun for kids and the food is good

 

[stu40]

Ta.

 

[coldcazzie]

Why not ask LLJ? She's in Miami so can probably give you a better idea than UK peeps

 

[stu40]

Why not ask LLJ? She's in Miami so can probably give you a better idea than UK peeps

Thanks Caz, i thought she was off line for awhile.We're not going till next year, so no hurry.
Do you visit all the stuff near you? I always think that because it's close by i can visit whenever i want, but never actually do.
eg i've been half way around the world,from Jakarta to the Yemen desert, to Hawaii, but never to the Lake District (and i know i'll love it when i get around to it)
Lastly, who said this question was only open to UK

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I'm from 'Merica!

 

[coldcazzie]

point taken

 

[andspenka]

It really depends on what you like,

You say you like rollercoasters, then Busch Gardens is a definate.

There's also great rollercoasters at Universal Islands of Adventure, great rides (not necessarily rollercoasters, more themed rides) at Universal Studios. Seaworld also has great rollercoasters as well as all the shows etc.

If you like water parks there are loads, Wet n Wild, Disney has 2 waterparks, Seaworld has Aquatica etc.

Then you have all the Disney parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot & Hollywood Studios.

Other things to do, they have loads of Mini-Golf at different locations. Air boat rides, Gatorland, Shopping? Loads of Malls and Outlets.

If you're looking to go to the parks then you're probably looking at staying in Kissimmee, if you are then you're going to have a drive if you want a beach, although the Disney water parks have artificial ones.

If it's your first time and it's a one off kind of holiday then you're going to want to do as much as you can in case you don't go back, having said that I've been 4 times and done just about everything everytime lol.

My parents have a Villa out there so I'm kind of lucky

 

[stu40]

It really depends on what you like,

You say you like rollercoasters, then Busch Gardens is a definate.

There's also great rollercoasters at Universal Islands of Adventure, great rides (not necessarily rollercoasters, more themed rides) at Universal Studios. Seaworld also has great rollercoasters as well as all the shows etc.

If you like water parks there are loads, Wet n Wild, Disney has 2 waterparks, Seaworld has Aquatica etc.

Then you have all the Disney parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot & Hollywood Studios.

Other things to do, they have loads of Mini-Golf at different locations. Air boat rides, Gatorland, Shopping? Loads of Malls and Outlets.

If you're looking to go to the parks then you're probably looking at staying in Kissimmee, if you are then you're going to have a drive if you want a beach, although the Disney water parks have artificial ones.

If it's your first time and it's a one off kind of holiday then you're going to want to do as much as you can in case you don't go back, having said that I've been 4 times and done just about everything everytime lol.

My parents have a Villa out there so I'm kind of lucky

Thanks.Busch gardens,Disney &Universal are def on the list
Which Water park was best ? went to Sea World in San Diego but that was awhile ago.
Shopping not so much, though the mrs might have something to say about that.
Best beaches? driving doesn't bother me, been to the States several times, and always drove.

 

[andspenka]

The 2 beaches that spring to mind are Daytona which is around 80 miles away and Coccoa Beach which is about 60 miles.

I'll be honest, I'm not a water park person but I've heard good things about Seaworld Aquatica. I know it's going to be dependant on the time of year you go but in August when we went the queues for the slides at Wet n Wild are huge.

Trust me, you'll end up shopping!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I second Daytona for nice beaches. Daytona as a city is a little tacky IMO, but the beach is fantastic! I second Busch Gardens it was EPIC! And they keep the Budweiser Clydesdales there, when I was there they had babies! Awwwwww

 

[Man of fish]

I've been to all these parks hundreds of times since I live 1 hour away until I was 7 so we had season tickets to most.

Theme parks:
Bush gardens- tons of mild rides for your kids and some more 'high thrills' for you, or if they like that.
Islands of adventure- my favorite, but some of the rides were a little scarier than I would've liked if I was 5.
Universal studios- very fun and most of the rides, IMO, would be perfect for your kids.
Disney parks:
Magic kingdom: I'd say the best park for people of all ages. (at Disney that is) Was just there 3 weeks ago. there is a mix of rides for different people.
Animal kingdom- I'm sure your kids would have a vicarious time here especially on the safari ride.
Epcot- I thought it was boring but I guess it depends what you like. Take a look at their website and make sure it's somewhere you wanna go before you do.
Hollywood studios- there's not really too many attractions here. The ones that are there I thought were fun as a kid.
Blizzard beach- been here 3 times. Rides are great the parks really clean, and they've got a neat chairlift that takes you up a "mountain" to 3 of the slides (1 which I think your kids wouldn't be tall enough for )
Typhoon lagoon- what's cool about this place is they've got a coral reef you can snorkel in.
Seaworld:
Seaworld- they've got a few roller coasters, maybe 3 now (kraken, manta, and 1 more?) but the shows are really what you go for.
Aquatica- you'd be better off going to the Disney water parks IMO. I wasn't really a fan of this water park. The slides were kinda crappy IMO.

Wet n' wild- never been here, but when we went in April the lines didn't look too long from outside. The slides looked great too.
Also lots of tours, etc to do too. And shopping.

 

[stu40]

@ andspenka & Alm0st
sounds like Daytona is a good bet ta.
@MoF nice little synopsis, thanks

at least i can start to whittle through the dozens of possible places.There's even a Legoland apparently !
Shopping is not a leisure activity

(unless it's for fish stuff)

 

[minnnt]

Do what the Floridians do...

 

[Juggler75]

Do what the Floridians do...

whats that? move there to retire, turn orange and vote for weirdos?