Non Disney Florida- recommendations

[Thethingswedoforlove]

We are off to Florida for October half term with dd1 (17) and dd2 (15). We are doing a water park in Orlando (probably universal but open to other suggestions), cape caniveral and then heading down to Miami. Any recommendations for Everglades trips or stuff to do in Miami or stuff to do in key west where we are also going would be appreciated. We are an active family and enjoy being on the water or generally doing active things together. Many thanks!

We were in Florida last month with our two teens (17 & 19).
The Universal waterpark ‘Volcano Bay’ is good but we all much preferred Aquatica.
Another major hit was the Vineland Premium Outlet shopping centre - they spent a fortune on designer clothes at reduced prices.
We also spent time at Universal and Islands of Adventure.
CityWalk was a big hit for the atmosphere, and restaurants, as was Disney Springs for the food and the shopping (Giddeon’s Bakehouse sell the most AMAZING cookies you will ever eat - there is often a queue to get in)
Have fun!!

@PoptartPoptart thank you very much

We loved Volcano Bay! We also drove from Miami to Orlando via Naples and then Anna Maria Island, both fantastic places to visit, my kids loved AMI. We stayed at Hollywood Beach nr Miami which we really enjoyed too.

Thank you @Marymary987

dont know about volcano bay but typhoon lagoon is the best water park we’ve been to.
the wave machine is like nothing else. The other rides are a good distraction.
didn’t like aquatica much and the slide through the tube in the shark pool is a joke - you can’t see anything due to the spray and optics.

you might need to check what water parks are open as I think Disney will close either TL or Blizzard Beach for a period of maintenance from October onwards.

Blizzard beach is better than TL for slides in imo , both have long lazy rivers.
both have lockers and shower facilities.

personally i wouldn’t bother staying in Key West , though I guess by now you’ve booked your hotels!

We’ve gone to Marathon to stay and relax, with a day trip to KW.

cape canaveral - the option to have lunch with an astronaut ( a buffet for 40 people followed by a talk and q&a with an astronaut ) is a little different and you can sneak some snacks and cans in your bag for later!

Blizzard Beach is still closed - it hasn’t been open all year

Shark Valley tour in the Everglades is fantastic. Also Gatorland in Orlando, great day out.

Busch gardens and sea world

Busch gardens but we've not been for a few years
Kenndy space centre
Tampa Bay, glorious white sands
if you want to see where the brits hang-out lol, kissimee - we steered clear of that other than having a look and often stayed around Orange county gold course - 40 min drive to universal studios less for Disney

John Pennecamp state park in the Keys is fantastic for snorkelling trios. Also for kayaking through mangroves etc. We also liked Bahia Honda beach in the Keys - I think you can hire water sports stuff there.