Fun in Florida

Nigel Scrimshaw on 17 July 2018
Top tips on making the most of fantastic Florida

Most likely to be on many people’s wish lists is Florida, particularly if you have children or you’re a big theme park or rollercoaster fan. I went for ten nights with my wife and our nine-year-old granddaughter in October 2017. There is literally so much to do, and I was really keen to make the most of every single minute of the holiday whilst also getting the best possible value for money.

For some people, booking a trip to Florida can seem complicated – where and when to go, which parks to visit, which tickets to buy, whether to hire a car or not. These are just some of the questions I get asked regularly. My trip allowed me to research how to maximise time in Florida and answer lots of my clients’ questions.

My first tip would be to try and book your trip when USA schools are not on holiday, so the parks will be less busy. If you need help finding out when this is just get in touch with me and I can help. Going before the end of October is an ideal time. Weather-wise the temperature is around 22 degrees Centigrade all year round so it’s likely you’ll see sunshine whenever you go. We stayed on-site at the Disney All Stars Resort and although this was more expensive than staying off-site in a different hotel or a villa, we had full access to the transport system for free which runs all day to every park right through until 2am. We didn’t need to hire a car or worry about parking and there was no chance of us getting lost!

On top of the cost of your flights and accommodation you also need to factor in the price of the tickets to get into all the theme parks. It’s a good idea to buy your tickets before you fly; you can get some really good discounts on tickets if you buy online in the UK rather than waiting until you get there. I can provide advice on getting the best value for money tickets – and how to use the new Disney app if you need a hand!

The parks themselves are massive and the rides are sensational. You’ll need comfy shoes and expect to queue for the most popular rides – however I can promise they are well worth the wait. Every park also has an awe-inspiring firework show every night of the week – as well as many restaurants – so you won’t be left wondering how to spend your evenings or where to eat.

You may need a break from the theme parks every now and again – and that’s where the water parks, Discovery Cove and SeaWorld come in handy. The water parks were a big highlight for my granddaughter and allowed us to rest our feet and soak up the sun. SeaWorld was educational and fun – we got very wet by sitting in the Soak Zone. And the day we spent at Discovery Cove was fantastic – we went swimming with dolphins and manta rays and snorkelled in the tropical lagoon. You can even book yourself a private cabana with your very own butler there if you wish. For those who enjoy some retail therapy on holiday, there are also unique shops at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, and huge malls nearby. The old town of Kissimmee is also well worth a visit.

Our trip to fantastic Florida really was brilliant fun. My main top tip is to do your research and be well prepared before you go – or I can do this for you of course – including helping you with drafting a timetable of what to do and when. Finally, don’t forget you need an Electronic System Travel Authorization for US (ESTA) and I recommend getting this before you confirm your flight.

Like to find out more about Florida and get an idea of the cost? Call me on 01869 868140 and I’ll be happy to help.