International travel to the US

[DBML]

Trump is looking at international travel. The US is considering testing for coronavirus on the plane.
He’s acknowledged much of Florida’s business comes from international travel, particularly from South America.
Theme parks and attractions looking to open in phases, with some restrictions initially.
America are clearly keen to get their economy up and running at whatever cost.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

Thank you so much! You too! Plenty of time to plan for a big one now!

Last time we went we walked to a restaurant about 20 minutes away as it was such a nice evening (we'd driven most evenings as DH was enjoying the Mustang!). When we came out it was hammering down. By the time we got back to the hotel I was soaked through.

I agree about the lizards, they are so cute and look as though they are doing press ups!

We were meant to be visiting family in California in July but shall now go next year loss a little money and desperately want to be with family

Having used my health insurance in the states before I would be concerned should I need to at this point in time it was by no means easy

Also my dad is in his 70’s as much as I want to see him im at high risk at work this isn’t suddenly going to change by July

Another one here who has experienced Florida storms!

I find the main problem with ponchos as that by the time you realise you need it on, you already getting soaked trying to get it up the right way.

Did a big Florida trip a few years back, my family and another family who we went away with when all of us children were actually children, for old times sake, we love disneyworld!

Well down came the rain - it was August, so so so hot in the day so I got one was in shirts and vest top - the sky turned grey in a matter of seconds, my sister said “I think we need to go inside” - too late! Soaked through whilst running for shelter with everyone else!

And of course the air con in all buildings is at full max so we were standing there soaked through and the air con felt like ice!

Trainers were so wet they became so uncomfortable, half our group ended up buying Mickey Mouse crocs! One of my most treasured photos, all of us in our sexy crocs.....

I for one was in shorts and vest top, god I can’t write

@bananaskinsnomnom

I don’t know why but your post brought tears to my eyes! It reminds me of so many similar experiences...and we ended up buying DS some teeny tiny Mickey Crocs too! Navy and red and the sling back sanded style. It sounds like such a special memory.

And that air-con! For gods sake, if anyone here is going to Florida, even in the height of summer, take a cardigan for the restaurants 🥶

Brolly lasted all of about ten seconds

As long as that??

Agree about the anole's lizards too - there are just so many you hardly notice them in the end - but my real favourite's the iguanas. There's a motel in Marathon on the Keys which has a whole load of them out back and they're suckers for a grape

Oh and the gators, with the lovely Florida saying "if there's a patch of water there'll be a gator in it". My American pals play relaxed rounds of golf while the creatures lumber from one waterhole to another, but it all falls apart if they have a British friend along ... CHAOS!!

@Puzzledandpissedoff

Florida golf courses are great for wildlife aren’t they. And covered in deer as well! Beautiful (but my dad told us he ‘ran for his life’ when a 4ft (small) gator decided on a pool swap - I wish I’d seen that).

We go to Lake Apopka nature drive for our alligator fix. If you’ve never been there it’s relaxing and you see a lot of wildlife!

I’ve seen coyote at Fort Wilderness as well if anyone stays there!

It’s lovely to share experiences with people who know EXACTLY what you’re talking about.

My friends think WDW is a theme park. And that it’s near the beach. They have no idea.

My friends think WDW is a theme park. And that it’s near the beach. They have no idea

It's actually even worse than that when folk think Disney's all Florida is. Personally I've never wanted to go, but I guess it leaves more room elsewhere for the rest of us ... all that glory and so many see practically none of it

Loved the image of your dad running from the gators; good job he didn't see 20ft Charlie who hangs around Battleship North Carolina, but at least that one stays mainly in the water!!

Fantastic birdlife too, including the egrets on everyone's lawns which I first thought were ornaments , the weird anhingas and best of all the huge sandhill cranes which the locals just shrug about

How can you shrug over a ruddy great 4ft bird on your yard??!!

@DBML send your dad this ... it was actually in the town where I stay, but unfortunately I don't know the people

@Puzzledandpissedoff

Lol! He just wanted a swim!
Great video!!

Florida is the most incredible place I’ve ever been. I miss it so much when I’m not there.

You can imagine that alligator thinking “ah finally a nice clear empty place to swim where I can’t be disturbed”

“Damn those bloody humans!”

I looked @ prices for March in case we have to postpone and they were comparable to this years - at the moment anyway.
We tend to fly BA, going from Heathrow rather than Gatwick would be more convenient too.

I’m hoping to get to Florida in December. Not Orlando thank goodness, horrible place, but will book last minute when the situation is clearer

I love Florida too, it’s so much more than the theme parks. I like Disney but Florida is amazing. I hope to retire there, insane rain and all!

We’ve visited many areas of Florida- we really enjoy Orlando and the special memories we have with our DC.

@Schuyler I fantasise about staying there Jan- March once DC are older.

I must admit I've got a hot date booked with the Mouse! We'll probably go out to St Augustine for a couple of nights and my all time favourite, Kennedy Space Centre as well.

We stayed at Daytona Beach last time and DH proudly announced he'd found a little Italian restaurant with white tablecloths, the works. We were shown to our table but the owner who threw the menus down and we then realised the tablecloths were screwed to the table with a wipe clean plastic cover! I sat down and flew backwards as the chair was on wheels - it was an experience!

One of my happiest memories is driving along Daytona Beach in a Mustang with the top down listening to Bruce Springsteen singing Thunder Road.

Here’s my people. Florida has such a wonderful feel about it and it is so much more than the theme parks. Although our own place is Orlando area (3 kids), DH’s parents have a house on Sanibel Island on the Gulf Coast. It is heaven. Unspoiled beaches, shell hunting, kayak and paddle boarding, everyone is a boater and there are so many dolphins and manatees to spot.

This thread has taken a lovely turn. Let’s all keep our hopes up that we’ll be back there soon.

Florida negatives - Floridians are nuts. Just nuts.

Corrected that for you.

... I don't want to put a damper on anyone's holidays.... but I am booked to go away in August with a small specialist travel company. They have cancelled ALL trips departing up to 16th August.... what do they know that others don't??

@Schuyler

I hope one day that DH and I will spend 3 months in Florida, 3 months here, 3 months in Florida and 3 months here...to live our our retirement. The landscaping, the Spanish moss, the signage, the super thick grass, the smell. It just all has so much character. And I dream of owning a Ford-150 Lol! The cars are huge!

@Pomegranatepompom
Yes, prices for next year are fairly comparable...some people have seen higher prices and some lower. I’m going to book early and not look again lol.

@coronabeer23

Aww, we have many happy memories with Ds in Orlando so I do love it...but I know what you mean. It’s busy, crowded, commercial and a bit mad.
We have other places we love more though, Apopka; Anna Maria Island; Sarasota; Vero Beach; the Keys. This year we were also going to discover Sanibel, Venice and we were maybe going to pop to Naples.
We love to see the different places there and rarely stay in Orlando.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

That little Italian sounds very authentic lol.
I’d love to hire a mustang...driving with the top down along the coast sounds divine. What an experience. Too expensive for us at the moment...but one day!!!!

@MotheringShites

Well I’m so jealous! Homes in Florida 🥰 you are so very lucky! And Sanibel to boot! (Even if it is the in-laws). How wonderful is that. We were headed that way this year...for those beaches! And a little north as well to look for shark teeth. Bliss.

@MrsTerryPratchett

Lol! They are a bit bonkers, but they are also some of the friendliest people on the planet. An American family could not leave me alone in the queue when my DH and DS refused to ride Rockin’ Roller Coaster. They insisted I join their party and even insisted on me sitting with them on the ride. They were gorgeous people. So kind.
But I stand by Floridians in cars being positivity crazy...and the I4....😬

@Ylvamoon

I genuinely don’t think they’d know anything more than anyone else. I guess they are making a business decision. I’m sorry your holiday has been cancelled though.

My vacation isn’t a package. It’s a flight. A car rental and all hotels booked directly and individually. It looks like my hotels will be good to go and my car rental...so it’s just getting there and that will depend on BA and the government advisories. Only time will tell where that is concerned.

@DBML Anna Maria and Sarasota are amazing, 2 of my favourite places and we really fell in love with Miami too

@bestbefore did Trailfinders refund your deposit or give you credit, if you don't mind me asking? We're booked for July-Aug too but it's once in a lifetime and we don't want to go if there are restrictions in place.