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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Is it worth going to Florida for a week?

55 replies

Callingyounique · 03/02/2020 10:46

We have been looking at Florida but I honestly don’t think I could cope with the heat and humidity in August. We couldn’t go in May for the next few years due to alternating gcse and a levels.

Would going for a week in October be okay? Obviously we wouldn’t try and do everything in that time as not possible but the weather looks more manageable. We have 4 children 9-16 so cost an issue too.

OP posts:

ShesGotBetteDavisEyes · 03/02/2020 16:33

I’d say yes because when we went 1 week was enough! I’d never go in the summer again though (ended up in hospital with dehydration!)

FreckledLeopard · 03/02/2020 16:38

I've done August before and been really lucky - barely any rain and queues were fine. But then my cousin did the same and had two weeks of hurricanes.

I wouldn't go for a week the first time. 10 days maybe at a push, but there's so much to do and a pretty long way to go just for a week, you'd miss out a lot.

pauapaua · 03/02/2020 16:46

I wouldn't go for a week and I wouldn't go in October as it's hurricane season. I'd go at Easter instead if you can, we did that and spent the morning at a theme park or somewhere else and then afternoon relaxing by the pool.

RetreatingWeasels · 03/02/2020 17:30

Ignore everyone telling you that you can't go for a week. We've been 5 times with various combinations of children and only stayed longer than a week once. Better to only have a week and actually get to go. In our case we had 4 children and limited time off from work.

We have been over Easter, January, Feb half term (it was freezing cold!!) and last time in August. The thunder was a nuisance because they close all the water parks, but the heat was nowhere near as bad as we expected.

We also only do parks - no rest days. We have done Disney and Universal in a week but I wouldn't recommend it. Works out really expensive, because you lose out on the multi day discounts. Best to stick to one or the other.

We found Universal best for teens, but our then 10yo didn't like Universal. She doesn't do thrill rides or simulators and it was too cold to be outside. She wanted Princesses.

Original poster

Callingyounique · 03/02/2020 18:31

Reatreating that’s good to hear but you are pretty much a lone voice! I have boys and 3 in high school so they aren’t interested in princesses!

OP posts:

zafferana · 03/02/2020 18:58

I think your boys will really like Universal OP. Our boys were 8 and 11 when we went and apart from DS2 not wanting to go on the 'scary' HP rides they really enjoyed it. There are Minions, Spiderman, Transformers, The Simpsons, Jurassic World, some very wet water rides, superb roller coasters, and the HP bits are brilliant. With three high school age boys you'll all have a great time, but a week IS enough IMO and we actually did it exactly when you'd be going, so I'm speaking for experience.

Original poster

Callingyounique · 03/02/2020 18:59

Fabulous thanks off to look at prices.

OP posts:

MakeLemonade · 03/02/2020 19:07

If it’s a once in a lifetime trip, a week isn’t enough. If you think you’ll return then you can do a week and just do whatever you miss next time.

We did a week and it flew by and we didn’t do everything but it didn’t matter as we’d been the year before and were going back the year after next.

bringbackspanishflu · 03/02/2020 19:13

October is great for Florida.
If you want to do the Disney and universal parks then you have to plan and be prepared to be exhausted to make the most of it.
Touring plans website will help you maximise your time

HannyLove · 03/02/2020 19:17

In short, no not really. The travel is so long and if you're like me I lose 2 days in jet lag every time. You don't do all of the amazing places justice if you go for a week, especially if you go in half term, you will lose most of your park time in queues.

Bananaman123 · 03/02/2020 19:19

If its your only option then go for it. The jet lag is crap but you will be so excited you will push through it. There is plenty of info online and you tube to plan exactly what you are going to do when you are there.

I dont do well in heat but last year i went 2 weeks in July, it was ok actually as lots of air conditioning. Ive been at various times of the gear, normally Sept and Oct and it is still very hot then.

ChippyMinton · 03/02/2020 19:20

We went for a week in February half-term intending to do the Disney parks as a one-off. I planned meticulously and we had a busy but fantastic week, with decent weather.

We enjoyed it so much that we went back for 2 weeks in late August, and took in Universal and Disney. It was hot, humid, rained a fair bit and thunderstorms spoiled our plans a few times, but we were more relaxed as we had more time to re-plan. I would do either trip again.

Your DC are a good age - with teenagers we could get up and out in the mornings, relax, nap and swim after lunch then be ready to go out again for dinner and evenings in the parks ,which was my favourite time.

fairgroundsnack · 03/02/2020 19:22

Yes, definitely. We have done it a few times. Key thing is to pick what you want to do and not try to do it all in a week. Last time we went we did just Universal and one day at Kennedy Space Center. No Disney. Was amazing!!

ChippyMinton · 03/02/2020 19:22

Also, use the jet lag in your favour - hit the parks very early on the first 2-3 days as you will be up anyway.

Hashtag1 · 05/02/2020 09:35

We went Friday after school for half term, arrived back on the Monday morning (ended up missing 1/2 day of school). So I guess 9 days. It was our first time too. Totally do-able, particularly if you only do Universal. Of course it would be better going for longer but we found it super easy, particularly as I had done my research. I would def go for a half term, but expect to be very tired upon your return.

Original poster

Callingyounique · 05/02/2020 11:20

Having had a quick google of prices I think October may be out but am going to keep looking.

OP posts:

Upoverunder · 09/02/2020 13:13

Of course you can go for a week if that's what you want to do, but the place is massive and you'll only experience a small part of what Orlando has to offer.

Have a read of this which gives some ideas of times of year to visit and what to expect.

orlandoholidays128163419.wordpress.com/2019/11/02/uk-beginners-guide-to-orlando/

underneaththeash · 09/02/2020 22:39

We always go in October, but we go a lot. It's quieter and the weather is good, we've had the occasional rainy day in 7 times visiting at that time, but it's still warm,

It is not a cheap holiday at all though. remember there is 20% tip added to all food, so even if you get a free dining package it costs more. Supermarkets are expensive too and the park tickets are astronomical.

If you do go and the children are into Harry Potter stay in one of the Universal hotels which allows skip the queue access and early entry, you can then easily do both parks entirely in 2 days. However, don't attempt to eat in the hotels - we had one meal last time in the Hard Rock that cost more than our entire 2 night stay!

reluctantbrit · 10/02/2020 12:47

We will be going in May for one week. I can't imagine going to Florida - parks only - for two weeks, I would go mad.

We will only go to Universal, DD is Harry Potter mad, plan is to make HP a priority, everything else is optional and if we miss something, tough. We also go because we like a nice warm holiday with time at the pool. We plan actually 4 days for the park and the rest doing something else. I look more forward to the Space Center than the park.

We are staying at an Universal hotel, it is worth the extra money for the early access if you are short on time.

I have various colleagues who went and most only did a week with either Disney or Universal and then did a week in Clearwater bay or similar, I don't know anyone in real life who did 2 weeks just the parks.

if you see Orlando as a lifetime holiday it may be different, that's not us.

LEELULUMPKIN · 15/02/2020 10:29

I have been going for 3 times a year for 27 yrs and have been in every month.

Of course we have done all the parks but not for many years as the crowds and heat were just too much and as we have got older preferred to spend our time exploring the real Florida, which sadly so many tourists miss out on.

Hell would have to freeze over before I considered doing the parks in August but yes it is doable even on your first visit. Certainly not ideal but doable.

As you say, it would cost less whilst you were there and prices have gone up stupidly over the years, it is NOT a cheap destination with regards to food, groceries etc anymore.

If you have a very specific plan for each day, and stick to it, you would have a great but tiring week in October.

Biscuitsdisappear · 15/02/2020 19:20

We went to Las Vegas for a week so why not Orlando.

Lindtnotlint · 15/02/2020 19:27

A week in October is great! Fab weather, relatively ok crowds. Obviously two weeks even better but it would be crazy not to go because “a week isn’t long enough”. It’s not compulsory to do everything!

joffreyscoffees · 15/02/2020 19:31

I would say if it's your first time then no, a week isn't enough to see what you'd want to see. If you'd been a few times and knew what your highlights are then I'd easily go for a week if that was my only option.

I wouldn't let the heat of August put you off 2 weeks - just plan in plenty of rest time. Do the parks first thing or in an evening and go back to the hotel for the middle part of the day to be by the pool (if you're staying at Disney, the travelling would be too much of a faff if off site), could always go to the water parks though.

Lightline · 17/02/2020 22:03

I’m in Orlando atm, we’re here for ten days. I found a week was enough but we have been before. The weather has been brilliant, the last time I came in July / August and found the heat too much

Lippy1234 · 18/02/2020 20:25

We went for a week, we stayed at universal studio hotel for part of the week and did all the Harry Potter stuff. I’d always wanted to go on an airboat so we did that and also visited the Kennedy Space Centre.
On another holiday we spent a few days in LA before a cruise and visited Disney and California Land. Two weeks of parks would be way to long for me.

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