to think that Orlando is the new Benidorm?

[newfavouritething]

I've been trawling around the internet researching an upcoming trip to Florida and have come to the conclusion that it is. There's an awful lot of families travelling with their parents/grandparents scared to leave the confines of the Disney bubble. There's much talk of what to take with you - teabags, Weetabix, chocolate, peanut butter (yes really, apparently the US version is 'oily') and wanting to keep up with 'the soaps' while they are there. AIBU to think that they really shouldn't bother visiting a new country unless they're going to experience new things?

Save for Miami, Florida does veer towards Benidorm in general.

What's the matter with Benidorm anyway? Parts of it are beautiful......

Florida is FAR worse than Benidorm. It is a very strange place.

North Florida isn't at all like Benidorm. If you want everything "like it is in England" stay in England. I've lived here for many years am I'm sick of hearing "but in England" ya da ya da. Just go home!

Have the British invaded N. Florida Sue? I have seen quite a few of them on that show... what is it...?

A Place in the Sun.

Tbh if I wanted to experience culture Florida would not be my choice of US destination. Florida was for themes parks.

Is Florida not a state? I am sure there is so much more to Florida than theme parks, they are probably just a very small portion.

There should be little expectation of culture when one sets foot in Florida, and no expectation of culture in Orlando.

Orlando is a sunnier version of Chessington.

Bigger and better, of course, but theme parks is its raison d'etre.

St. Augustine is the oldest continually occupied city in the United States. It was 50 years old before Jamestown was founded! Don't judge our whole state (which is bigger in area than England) than the 50 square miles around Orlando.

I have never been to Benidorm, but understand the comparison. I have lived in Florida for many years, in different areas, currently in the northeastern part of the state. There is much more than theme parks to Florida. We have a rich cultural and literary history; we have a diverse population, living in many different settings. Much of Florida is rural, for example. There are interesting small towns dotted all over the state, many with their own cultural or agricultural festivals each year. I am happy that we are able to welcome so many foreign visitors each year, but I do wish that they could see more of what we are really about here.

We Americans are often accused of being provinical and insular. It seems that some who come to our state from other countires could be accused of the same.

I agree with Scone. Orlando itself may be synonomous with theme parks but I think they are far superior to any I have been to in the UK.

It's funny too, that for many of us who live here, the theme parks hardly register at all. I visit friends and family in Orlando or go there for business at least three times a year, but I have not been to Disney since 1996 (that will change, though, now that my grandchildren are approaching an age to enjoy it.)

I agree. Chavvy as fuck

I think it may be the new Benidorm OP.

There was a programme on last year about an English family who had moved to Florida seeking their fortune, it was so depressing. They'd lost all their money on a business venture and could barely afford American medical costs.

Florida Keys are amazing. Can't wait to return with DS. He's 2 and so far has had no Disney exposure.

Florida has sink holes. Benidorm is a sink hole.

FoxesRevenge

people go to orlando for the theme parks nothing more or golf I think yabu and snooty if folk want to take their tea bags they can people go to a nice campsite in france to soak in the culture while sipping t heir tetley and having bacon butties and HP sauce that they take with them,

I love orlando I never take anything with me but it is a great place to holiday it is like blackpool on speed

It's absolutely a great place for a holiday. I was just there in December and Disney is the final authority on theme parks.

Well, it is hard to get British back bacon in Florida. I would not blame anyone for bringing that, as long as you brought me some. If only Scottish morning rolls traveled well.

I wouldn't fancy going tbh

If I was thinking of going to the US, there are far nicer places for a holiday there, California and New York are fantastic imo

oh they would be a bit iffy scone

when we visited Florida, we got a hire car and drove around, visiting lots of interesting places like Kennedy Space Centre etc...none of my Florida visiting friends have hired a car, they've just used hotel shuttle buses to travel from theme park to theme park. A bit depressing.