Need Florida Holiday Tips

[J Curling]

Hey.
I am spending about a week in Florida on our "National Lampoon's Vacation trip" to the US this summer. We're travelling the whole family, me, wife + two youngsters.

We're going to be in Florida from June 30 to July 8. All our other hotels (Vegas, LA, SF) are booked but I haven't nailed FL yet.

I am thinking of staying in Hollywood Fl as we will have a rental car and will be able to drive around. Ideal would be to stay at the beach.

Any suggestionts, hints or tips?

Thanks fellow Van Haleners

J Curling
Sweden

[Nitro Express]

If you want to do the family thing at Disneyworld you might want to stay in the Orlando area where you have all the Disney stuff and other attractions. Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach are just a short drive to the east. Cocoa Beach is a nice beach and is open to the public.

Hollywood is farther south by Miami. Miami has the whole South Beach scene happening but it's really geared more for adults. A great place if you like hitting clubs and stuff but your kids won't have much to do.

I like the Ft. Meyers area. My family used to have a place on Sanabel Island. You can find lots of cool sea shells there and Vanderbuilt Beach is also cool. You can drive through the Everglades from the Miami area to Ft. Meyers. Those are worth seeing if you haven't been before. Take a airboat ride out and see some alligators.

Florida has had a lot of development. Beaches that were wide open are now all covered in condominiums.

I would suggest driving through the Everglades, doing some beach time in the Ft. Meyers area, going up to Orlando and do the Disney thing and then check out Kennedy Space Center and do some more beach time in Cocoa Beach and then you can do the Miami thing to if you want.

[DrMaddVibe]

If you're staying in Hollywood...

Head on down to the Keys.
Take an airboat ride
Miami for South Beach
Take in a concert
Visit Siesta Key...prolly one of the most beautiful beaches outside of Diamond Head HI or The Baths on Virgin Gorda.

If you have to visit an amusement park, I'd head to Universal Studios.

Most important thing is to remember its a vacation and take it easy. Don't forget the film, suntan lotion and stay hydrated. Stop at a grocery store and stock up on bottled water and smaller bags of potato chips. June/July can be pretty damned hot for someone coming from Sweden.

[SparkieD]

Tiki, Sparkie Jr. and I spend a week in the Orlando area in February with my sister's family. We always rent a house on the outskirts of Orlando. You can get a nice 4BR/3Bath with its own enclosed pool for less than a grand, which beats the shit out of a hotel. You can be within an hour of the beach, and 15 minutes of Disney.

It's impossible to cram everything in in one week, but be sure to go to the Magic Kingdom. And Busch Gardens in Tampa is waaayyy better than Disney's Animal Kingdom. If you go there, ride every roller coaster they've got, but save Sheikra for last-it makes all the others seem like kid stuff.

Oh, and make reservations for the character breakfast at Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Resort. Lilo and Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto are there and go to every table. They have a parade that the kids can join in with the characters. Plus, the Polynesian is gorgeous!

[Douglas T.]

And don't forget to invite Douglas T. and Mrs. T along when ya go to Universal or Islands of Adventure! We had a great time dispite the rain last month with the Tiki's!

AirSparkie!



If you don't go with Sparkies idea book a hotel near the International Drive area in Orlando! There you can hop skip and jump to just about anywhere!

[SparkieD]

^^^ Oh my, lol.

Yes, be sure to contact DougieT and his chickadee. Fun folks, those two. Hangin' with them at IoA was one of the best parts of our vacation.

[Douglas T.]

She was hanging alright .... literally! From a terridactles claws and a dragons claws!
Here's a memory for ya!<br><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y95qHqPU23Y&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y95qHqPU23Y&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Douglas T.]

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/acTOmqb4xh4&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/acTOmqb4xh4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[J Curling]

Thanks for all tips guys. So basically what you're sayin' is stay closer to Orlando...

Well the only more thing to wish for is Van Halen shows in July then.... Guess that'll be the day...

Any more things pop up please post em, it's great help for us!

[Douglas T.]

Jurrasic Park @ Islands of Adventure! Not my videos! I'll have to upload mine with Tiki Tom gettin' spit on by the dino!
<br><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rfKCDUydCyk&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rfKCDUydCyk&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Douglas T.]

Cat in the Hat ride @ IoA!<br><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zCfTfWLrsiQ&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zCfTfWLrsiQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

And my personal favorite! <br>
SPIDERMAN!<br>
3D don't work so well on camcorder!
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RIAnwDTB_ws&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RIAnwDTB_ws&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Douglas T.]

Nothing like seeing Florida by airboat!<br>
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8cx3UOg3fwY&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8cx3UOg3fwY&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Douglas T.]

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Oc89ugdVo0&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Oc89ugdVo0&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Douglas T.]

bring CHIPS!<br><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B4Z0f5T2Knk&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B4Z0f5T2Knk&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Douglas T.]

Oh shit a Hagar song!<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l3kEa-67SUM&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l3kEa-67SUM&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Douglas T.]

Nah there's nothin' happening in FLA!<br><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/toprWgDNLK4&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/toprWgDNLK4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[Douglas T.]

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[SparkieD]

Don't forget Sea World! As much as I hate to see marine mammals in captivity, it really is a neat place. The kids can feed dolphins and of course, there's Shamu. Plus, riding Kraken is a MUST!!! They have a brand new water park called Aquatica. It looks better than any water park I've seen, with tubes sliding through a live dolphin pool.

Last month, we got a nice house in a good neighborhood with a heated pool, jacuzzi, pool table, fooseball, darts, and air hockey, wide-screen TV in the living room, HD TV's in all the bedrooms, PS2, BBQ, washer/dryer, PC w/high-speed internet, free international calling, and even bicycles. It was very, very clean and nicely decorated. All we had to bring was our suitcases and food. All that for 700 bucks. It was great because, even though we ate out quite a bit, we didn't have to at every meal, which saved us a lot of cash. Having laundry there saved us a big hassle, too. I can't say we came home with all the cash we saved, though. I just spent it elsewhere.

We didn't have to go anywhere to see alligators. They were right there in the neighborhood pond, as they are in every Florida neighborhood we've stayed in over the years. There's also a freindly neighborhood racoon just waiting for you to take out the trash in all the neighborhoods there. Armadilloes are there, too. I really wanted to catch one, but those little critters are quite elusive. DT's gonna help me catch one next year, right Doug?

[Seshmeister]

Originally posted by DrMaddVibe
Most important thing is to remember its a vacation and take it easy. Don't forget the film, suntan lotion and stay hydrated.

Do people still use film?

Anyhoo for Mr Curling...

a) You've probably already realised this but since the dollar is worth fuck all these days I would buy stuff like suntan lotion when you get there.

b) If the kids are say 8 or older Universal is maybe more fun for everyone than any of the Disney places.

c) Unless it's changed drastically recently you can safely skip Epcot which is a bit shit compared to other parks. Sea World is cool but from personal experience don't borrow your old mans brand new super duper video $2000 camera to the killer whale show sit 10 rows back ignoring the splash warnings and think fuck it what could possibly go wrong...?

d) At parks don't assume people in electric wheelchairs are disabled and so should be treated with the respect and care you might at home. Most of them are just fat lazy bastards that can't be bothered to fucking walk.

e) I wish I had discovered South Beach when I was younger and more single. I don't think I saw a heterosexual guy in the whole place so there must be some rich pickings to be had... Even so pointing and laughing at self obsessed gay body builder types is a fun way to spend the afternoon.

f) Another top tip from personal experience but possibly not relevant to you or any half sensible person.

Don't hire a Mustang convertable at crazy money to drive down to the Keys if you smoke and are not used to driving with the top down. This may lead you to casually toss a lit cigarette out of what you assume is an open window(because you feel the wind in your hair) and then watch it bounce back onto your lap burning holes in your balls and leather seat of said car and leading to a very near pileup on Interstate 1.

g) It's a long held tradition in Florida that any time you see a manitou everyone in the party has to shout "Sammy Hagar". Florida residents get offended if you do not comply with this local custom.

h) When you visit parks always go in the opposite direction from the obvious when you arrive, from befuddled memory I think this is clockwise rather than anti clockwise, to minimise queues. Don't be a sheep in other words.

i) Taxi's in Orlando can be relatively expensive.

j) Compared to Sweden with the current exchange rate booze will seem to you effectively to be free. If you drink spirits remember to tip like a crazy man at the start to get big measures.

Cheers!

[Terry]

If it's a family vacation, Orlando's pretty much where you want to go.

Disney
Universal Studios
Several water parks
Arabian Nights
Sea World

You could spend 4 days in Disney alone, just going from park to park.

But agreed going around in taxis in Orlando is a waste of money, and public transportation is just a joke, so rent a car. And if you're doing Disney, get a 4-day Park Hopper pass.

[Seshmeister]

Yeah I did the Orlando thing years ago pre kids and didn't rent a car so I could drink. It was insanely expensive getting taxis to those Boardwalk things at night.

It just doesn't make sense to go there without kids, it's just not geared up for that.

Cheers!

[Douglas T.]

Originally posted by SparkieD
Armadilloes are there, too. I really wanted to catch one, but those little critters are quite elusive. DT's gonna help me catch one next year, right Doug?

Did I mention armadillo host spider colonies on their bellies?!? Also! Armadillos are the only known animal host for the bacterium that causes leprosy in human beings. For this reason, armadillos are important in leprosy research.

[notkrap]

Get 2 year passes to Seaworld, then you can go to aquatica, as well as go 90 minutes to Tampa and check out Busch Gardens and their water park, then still have the passes for your local Busch park for another year. All free parking with passes, too.

[J Curling]

haha, those are some entertaining vids and advice. Actually I did rent a Ford Mustang convertible. But none of us smoke :-)

The "kids" are 13 & 15 so we might want to angle this more to beach and shopping with some parks and sights..

I am not confused at all now :-)

[col5150]

My biggest piece of advice would be get an orlando flex ticket. This allows you 14 consecutive days unlimited access to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, Wet n' Wild, Aquatica and Busch Gardens. + city walk at universal at night and costs $280 per ticket

also use the fast pass booths in disney and universal, they save you loads of time and let you essentially jump the queues

Im going back in September cant wait. The ten hour flight is a pain though

[DrMaddVibe]

If you stay at one of the hotels at Universal Studios you automatically get the fast pass with your hotel card.

The water taxis are an added bonus too.

[vh rides again]

go fishing for an afternoon, its fun as hell.