Florida itinerary- thoughts?

[indiesearcher]

Hello all,

I'm looking for advice on the rough schedule below before I plan it any further!

Travelling in early-mid February next year with DH and 2 DC (7, 9):

6/7 days Orlando - 2 days Disney, 1 Universal, 1 Kennedy. 2 rest days, maybe a water park.

Drive to Sanibel island.

3 nights Sanibel. Is there much to do except beach bum?

2 nights Miami

Fly home from Miami.

If we were to squeeze in an extra day or two where would you do it?

TIA!!

[HermioneWeasley]

Why do you need rest days if you’re going to a beach resort afterwards - make the most of the parks in Orlando

[indiesearcher]

Fair enough @HermioneWeasley - I don't mean 'rest' rest, I mean shopping malls, swimming pool etc.

[ljc111985]

I would add extra days in Orlando I would maybe give the parks some extra time! We did three days at Disney parks and then 2 for universal .

[IAmSantaOhYesIAm]

Don’t do rest days as pp said!
There’s the parade to see at magic kingdom and the fireworks / light show, Epcot took us 2 days, animal kingdom and Hollywood studios. If you can fit in any extra days I’d add a couple of days in Florida so you make sure you fit in everything at the parks and choose one waterpark.

[ljc111985]

@indiesearcher

Fair enough *@HermioneWeasley* - I don't mean 'rest' rest, I mean shopping malls, swimming pool etc.

Also leave plenty of time for mini golf :)

I recommend Disney Springs during the day! Lots going on

[indiesearcher]

We aren't massive park people and I genuinely think the kids will be overwhelmed by it all so planning on keeping Disney to a day at each Animal Kingston and Magic Kingdom, then one water park.

Then one day at Universal (which park best for 9 & 7??) - they love Harry Potter but note there are two HP lands across both Universal parks!

[PPCD]

There is a really nice wildlife place near Sanibel called Ding Darling. You can drive round it and get out and look at the wildlife. Loads to see if you are patient and take your time.

[Quartz2208]

I would check out thedibb and Its Orlando time

I would add in another day at Universal and do park to park personally. Also Volcano Bay is the best Water Park. Focusing more here is going to say money

Disney like that is going to be expensive and I would say Animal Kingdom is really only worth a visit if you have 14 day tickets. It is certainly not worth a one day price. Busch Gardens has some fabulous animals (though it is in Tampa).

Where are you staying in Orlando - Villa or hotel. If you focus on Universal they have some lovely reasonably priced hotels.

I would say 7 nights Orlando - 3 days Universal (including Water Park) 1 day Kennedy/Magic Kingdom and then malls etc

Maybe 2 nights around St Petersburg taking in Busch Gardens and the beach

Then 3 nights Sanibel and 2 nights Miami

For 2 weeks

[indiesearcher]

@Quartz2208 that sounds great. To be honest I'd thought about just one day Disney too - can you do an on the day ticket? Online only seem to offer 7/14 day passes.

[Quartz2208]

From the UK yes - Undercover Tourist sells one day tickets in dollars. I know of people who have bought from there and it shows you how to link and set it all up. You will need to pick a date though when you buy.

www.undercovertourist.com/orlando/walt-disney-world-resort/

I love Disney but you do need to immerse in order to get the most out of it - especially moneywise for the UK so a minimum of 5 days I think to make it good value. Otherwise a day at Magic Kingdom should be enough.

Are you hotel or villa in Orlando? I love Sapphire Falls at Universal as my hotel - such a nice relaxed place. Cabana Bay right by is also great.

[Jagsy]

Hi there, I would suggest no rest days in Orlando, you are paying a lot for tickets and want to get your money’s worth. Having taken my 2 at various ages, I would say your 2 are at perfect age to really enjoy Disney and Universal especially if they are Harry Potter fans. They don’t have to be into fast rides, there is plenty going on at the Disney parks and the day will fly by. As other posters have said, use your time at Sanibel as your downtime/ rest days.

[Jagsy]

Volcano Bay is the best water park ever, I really like the 2 Disney ones also, but you can’t beat Volcano Bay. I can’t swim but my kids are strong swimmers, I still enjoyed a lot of the rides.

[Quartz2208]

I agree with Volcano Bay.

I think as well any itinerary for me needs to manage tickets as effectively as possible to maximise the value for money - so the 3 park Universal 14 day tickets really offers great value

www.floridatix.com/park-tickets/universal-orlando?gclid=CjwKCAiAprGRBhBgEiwANJEY7PL_QReIY53hIuBcL2d4yvU6jUperEY9EqTbyiy_qN8p411N8gmzlxoCkKwQAvD_BwE

and allows more flexibility for half days over the week. They also only need 3 days to become good value for money I think which is one day each. Also means you could spend a morning shopping, afternoon by the pool and then an evening at the park

[PenguinLove1]

Dont do kennedy centre its not worth it. Do malls in an afternoon/evening after a day at the waterpark- volcano bay is the best.

2 days universal- one at each park

3 days disney - magic kingdom, animal kingdom, then studios

One day in middle to chill with Epcot at night - fireworks are outstanding and its less like a theme park than the rest.

Personally i love seaworld and discovery cove is a fantastic day but it's expensive and I know not everyone agrees with them having the animals. I still love it though

Even if they arent really into theme parks, the scenery, shows and parades, fireworks etc makes each park amazing even if big rides arent their thing.

Its the best place in the world!

[indiesearcher]

These tips are all BRILLIANT! So save the money from Disney tx and get the 3 park universal one?

[AtillatheHun]

Kennedy is amazing! Don’t skip Kennedy! (There again, I’d cut Orlando to the bone and go the the Everglades / keys)

[Nelliephant1]

You won't be able to do Disney in that time and you'll definitely not do both the universal parks which are arguably better than Disney anyway but maybe that's ok if that's what you want. There's so much more to Florida and the Orlando area than the parks anyway, it'd be a shame not to see it.

[Nelliephant1]

Also give Kennedy a miss it's not worth the time, money or effort. If you ever go back, the do Kennedy then. I think you might regret not taking time in the parks, or rather your kids will. We're not big park people but there are experiences there that they will love and shouldn't miss. They're at the perfect age and I don't think they'll be overwhelmed I think they'll just be very excited.

[Sausagis]

I'm similar to Attila:

Kennedy is a MUST, it's awesome. Plus I'd add an air boat ride (eg Wild Bills)

I'd do 2 days Sanibel tops, not bother with Miami, and have more time for Disney/universal (bear in mind parks are HUGE and of course it takes time queuing for the rides).

At universal my favorite was the men in black ride where you have a gun and shoot aliens. At almost the end there is a spot to get 100,000 (?) extra points so you win and beat all your families scores. Not that I'm competitive. But my daughter insisted we went another 3 times until she won, so it's not just me 😂

[indiesearcher]

We HAVE to do Kennedy. I'm a space but, as is DS. I have fond memories of it as a child myself.

I honestly think a day in the Magic Kingdom will do us?? Surely people do just go for a day?!

Then a flexible pass thing for Universal.

Volcano water park thing!

That's 5 days... maybe we could ditch a night in Sanibel or Miami and do an extra in Orlando but then the crucial question, do we just buy another pass on the day for whichever Disney Park we choose? My eyes water at the price of the 7 day pass!!

[indiesearcher]

Space nut.

🤦🏼‍♀️

[Quartz2208]

How about St Petersburg and BUsch Gardens idea - it kind of if you are driving is on the way and BUsch Gardens is IMO better than Animal Kingdom

[Sausagis]

Titanic exhibit was good when I did it many years ago, but I have a titanic-mad child.

Clearwater is nice if rather touristy - you can walk along in the evening and there are stalls and street entertainment (assuming it's still the same, that was pre-Covid).

[indiesearcher]

Oh my son is Tiranic mad too @Sausagis!

[Nannyamc]

Did this many yrs ago. Disney × 4 enough..clearwater × 6. 12 and 8 loved clearwater more. Found Disney tiring.