Plan ahead

Your destination is already known, which automatically saves you a job. But when you arrive, you want to ensure that you’re making the most of every minute and not unnecessarily spending your time looking through guides and deciding how best to spend your time. When we visited NYC, I planned no itinerary, not even a loose one, and that was a huge mistake. 

In Florida, there’s an array of different places to go and see, and the top most recommended destinations are listed below to help you choose the best place for you:


Walt Disney World Parks

With approximately 40 square miles included across four theme parks, two water parks, five golf courses, a sports complex, and numerous hotel resorts there is bound to be something to meet everyone’s interests.

The four parks include Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Epcot firstly provides you with the opportunity to stroll and take in the scenic world showcase and experience the cultures, architecture, and people from 11 different countries. You can indulge and enjoy sample foods, see musical performances, and throughout the year join in with Epcot’s four different festivals they host.

Magic Kingdom is a one-of-a-kind place that attracts and brings magic to life as you explore and journey across six planes of enchantment. Being the first of the Disney parks, it’s home to the iconic Cinderella’s castle and is bound to bring out the inner child within you. With characters walking around and the opportunity to meet and greet with your childhood favorites, explore shops, a railroad and rides this park will spark enjoyment from those of all and any age.

Animal Kingdom has grown in popularity over the more recent years. With its natural surroundings, streams, meandering paths, and exotic setting it allows you to feel as though you’ve been transported to another land. With its hosting of formal grounds, images of rainforests, real and replica animals it is a unique theme park and vastly different from the others. The park comprises of six ‘lands’ and includes rides, walk-through exhibits, an indoor theater offering regular shows, three amphitheaters, a conservation exhibit, and a children’s playground. 

Hollywood Studios is dedicated to showing all of Disney’s history. Featuring the original plush Mickey Mouse and thrill rides it provides history along with rides.

Like any day out, it is important to plan the finer details, and visiting the Disney parks is no different. With all of the parks boasting a large range of eateries, it is worth considering your dietary preferences and making decisions in advance of where you want to eat and which are the best places to eat at Animal Kingdom. Can you believe I’ve never visited any of these magical parks?


Kennedy Space Center

Visiting the Kenndy Space Center is a great way to get some relief from the blazing Florida sun. Being the home of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, it’s amazing to see both for those who remember the launch and those younger folks who have watched many a space program.

The center has many planned activities and tours available to ensure that all ages are catered for and will enjoy themselves. As part of your trip you will find yourselves absorbed within the sprawling tribute to the nation’s space program, experience a stimulated launch and see rockets blast off. You mayeven have the opportunity to meet a astronaut.


National Parks

Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park are also both situated within the state. Both vastly different, the Everglades National Park is a wonder to visit. Teeming with wildlife, its River of Grass has been deemed one of the wonders of the world with is subtropical wilderness. With numerous trails to follow you will be able to take an adventure and discover all that is to seen. With breathtaking views and the ability to see nature at its best, this national park is a must-see.

To visit Dry Tortugus National Park you will need to take a boat or sea plane. This special isolated park is like stepping into a new world. With the sound of birds overhead and the rustling trees, it easy to really become one with nature. Except from basic necessities such as water fountains, restrooms and a gift shop, the island has had near to no modern changes and it allows you to embrace the experience without all the hustle that comes with modern technology. 

If you’re a fan of blockbuster shows or films, Universal Studios will bring these adventures to life. With their state of the art technology, their rides are designed to bring you into the story and truly bring it to life, with the attractions adding storylines and plots that add to the original TV show or film. The numerous special effects gives the attractions that little something extra and makes this park an excellent day out for families young and old. We visited Universal for our honeymoon and it was truly the most incredible experience. I could talk for days about how much I love Universal Studios, so never hesitate to ask about my experience there



Vehicle hire

With so much to see and do, hiring a vehicle for the duration of your stay allows you the best opportunity to get to all of the must-see destinations. It also provides you with the maximum flexibility to not only enjoy your destination sites but also to visit those other parts of the main tracks and see more to this state than just the tourist attractions.



Book tickets in advance

If you know there are certain attractions you will be going to, it’s worth buying the tickets in advance. Not only will this save you money by pre-booking, but it will also save you time. While others are in a long queue to buy tickets you’ll be able to walk through, show your tickets and enjoy that precious time maximizing your vacation without adding unncessary and timely waits to your visit.

By doing this you will be able to ensure that the tickets you buy are the right ones for your requirements. With Disneyland and Universal Studios, there are more than single day tickets for sale. You will have the options to buy passes that will access to their various parks and access to cover a number of days. In fact, if you buy directly from the park sites, you can get bundle deals including accommodations and even meals.

Pack for the weather

Be prepared that throughout the different times of the year there can be fierce heat, humidity and short thunderstorms. Unless you’re used to these tropical conditions, it can be a little bit of a shock and be exhausting to those of us that are not acclimatized. I recommend planning your Florida trip for the cooler months, typically October to March ish.

 

Take your time

With so much to see and do, it’s important to remember to still live in the moment. Although, it can be easy to jam pack everything into a short stay, that doesn’t always deliver the best outcome. When there are so many lovely days-out to be had, set realistic expectations so you can have the best holiday and not find yourself getting stressed due to trying to cram in everything. That way you’ll be able to take your time, enjoy your surrounds, and make the vacation everything you want it to be.