Florida: Universal, and where for second part of holiday?

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Just starting to plan a Florida holiday for next year for DH, myself and our young adult DC.

We have decided on staying in Universal for 4/5 nights and blitzing the park, then moving onto somewhere else for a week.

Not sure where to spend the second part though and would love to hear people’s experiences.

Not the Keys because the DH and two of the DC not keen on sand. 🙄 There doesn’t look to be other stuff to do there apart from sea/sand things.

Am thinking of Clearwater as is beachey (for me!) but not exclusively beach and can do other things such as go to Tampa.

We spent two weeks doing all the theme parks/water parks about 10 years ago, and also spent a couple of nights in Miami. Want to limit the park days this time as I got sick if it all by the end.

Any advice for the second bit?

Why not fly up to and return from Washington DC?

Funnily enough we were originally going to Washington DC, just DH and I, but have changed it to Florida as our kids have kind of hijacked the holiday. They love theme parks.

For the Washington trip I was planning on combining it with a road trip around Virginia.

What about a day at Cape Canaveral?
Another day at Busch Gardens near Tampa?

How about a week long cruise around the Caribbean from Port Canaveral?

That’s different Done, not something I’ve thought of. Shall have a google.

Just came on to suggest a cruise . We did one after our Universal trip to recuperate! We went out of Orlando but you could look at Fort Lauderdale, Miami or Tampa.

I’d suggest a cruise too. Lots go from Port Canaveral which is about an hour from Orlando. Or drive to Miami or Fort Lauderdale.