Orlando + Gulf Coast?
Discussion
I know Florida has probably been done to death on here, but off the back of my recent post about trying to organise a "special" holiday for the family (2 x adults, 3 x kids - 13,13 and 9), I am finding myself warming to the idea of Florida (particularly the beach bit).
However, I have no idea where to start.
Loose idea is April 2025 but I understand this is pretty much peak season so should expect it to be rammed?
- Fly to Tampa as seems to be cheaper flights (although lowest I can currently get on BA is £4,500 for 5 of us)
- Drive to Orlando and stay in a villa near to park attractions - any villa recommendations / areas etc?
We are not a roller-coaster, thrill-seeking family. The kids are more into nature and experiences. So in my head we would prioritise places like Discovery Cove and Disney Animal Kingdom, then maybe go to Universal for a day + KSC. But the tickets seem to be restricted to advance purchase "get 14 days to everywhere", or "pay through the nose and queue all day tickets on the gate" - any advice for people like us who may be a bit more soft-touch on the parks? Or is just a case of accepting it's better to hit them hard.
- Second week drive to somewhere on the Gulf Coast....but which somewhere? I have read the following are lovely - Naples, Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Marco...is there one that is preferable to base from then visit the others? Also heard about "Red Bloom" - is this something that can be predicted? Alternatives on the East Coast if this could ruin our trip?
- Return to Tampa, either after spending the full week on the Gulf, or spending a couple of nights in Clearwater area before flying home.
Budget not too much of a concern, but will be looking for value in what I can.
The whole thing is making a bit nervous and I usually love planning trips! Feel out of my depth on this one and The Dibb hasn't helped much!
However, I have no idea where to start.
Loose idea is April 2025 but I understand this is pretty much peak season so should expect it to be rammed?
- Fly to Tampa as seems to be cheaper flights (although lowest I can currently get on BA is £4,500 for 5 of us)
- Drive to Orlando and stay in a villa near to park attractions - any villa recommendations / areas etc?
We are not a roller-coaster, thrill-seeking family. The kids are more into nature and experiences. So in my head we would prioritise places like Discovery Cove and Disney Animal Kingdom, then maybe go to Universal for a day + KSC. But the tickets seem to be restricted to advance purchase "get 14 days to everywhere", or "pay through the nose and queue all day tickets on the gate" - any advice for people like us who may be a bit more soft-touch on the parks? Or is just a case of accepting it's better to hit them hard.
- Second week drive to somewhere on the Gulf Coast....but which somewhere? I have read the following are lovely - Naples, Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Marco...is there one that is preferable to base from then visit the others? Also heard about "Red Bloom" - is this something that can be predicted? Alternatives on the East Coast if this could ruin our trip?
- Return to Tampa, either after spending the full week on the Gulf, or spending a couple of nights in Clearwater area before flying home.
Budget not too much of a concern, but will be looking for value in what I can.
The whole thing is making a bit nervous and I usually love planning trips! Feel out of my depth on this one and The Dibb hasn't helped much!
We flew to Tampa and stayed at Encantada just off the 192 - seemed far less agro than coming into the Orlando airports. I used to love Gatorland, but didn't do it this time - instead did a few airboat rides, which we loved. Also did a 'non-dangerous animals' safari along with the small attached zoo which was also great
I am Gulf Coast based for a large part of the year and there is so much to do that isn’t about theme parks and Orlando. Crystal River in Citrus County is a great nature reserve where Manatee spend the winter months. Many live there all year round. Cyprus Creek near Tampa is interesting. Pinellas Trail offer a great cycle trail from urban to rural and beachside too. Busch Gardens or the Lowry Zoo have epic wild life programmes and it isn’t too hot in April. Massive air display too each April in Lakeland west of Tampa plus loads of golf, tennis and beaching plus island hopping and gators, bird watching and dolphins etc. Ask away for more details.
On the Gulf Coast, can I suggest Cape Coral - it's the venice of Florida.
We hired a mahoosive house on a canal that came with it's own boat and boatlift.
We spend the week using the boat to explore the intracoastal waterway and visiting Sanibel/Captiva etc. It was brilliant. Spotted Manatees and had dolphins wake surfing our boat.
https://en.intervillas-florida.com/capecoral
We hired a mahoosive house on a canal that came with it's own boat and boatlift.
We spend the week using the boat to explore the intracoastal waterway and visiting Sanibel/Captiva etc. It was brilliant. Spotted Manatees and had dolphins wake surfing our boat.
https://en.intervillas-florida.com/capecoral
juice said:
On the Gulf Coast, can I suggest Cape Coral - it's the venice of Florida.
We hired a mahoosive house on a canal that came with it's own boat and boatlift.
We spend the week using the boat to explore the intracoastal waterway and visiting Sanibel/Captiva etc. It was brilliant. Spotted Manatees and had dolphins wake surfing our boat.
https://en.intervillas-florida.com/capecoral
Wow that looks fantastic, thanks for the link! Did you find it was busy or more relaxed? We will definitely be looking for a bit of calm after week one in Orlando.We hired a mahoosive house on a canal that came with it's own boat and boatlift.
We spend the week using the boat to explore the intracoastal waterway and visiting Sanibel/Captiva etc. It was brilliant. Spotted Manatees and had dolphins wake surfing our boat.
https://en.intervillas-florida.com/capecoral
Edited by Legend83 on Friday 5th July 17:14
Legend83 said:
Wow that looks fantastic, thanks for the link! Did you find it was busy or more relaxed? We will definitely be looking for a bit of calm after week one in Orlando.
Much more relaxed tbh. It's a nice contrast holiday to have the madness of Orlando and the peace of Cape Coral and the ability to get out on a boat and exploreEdited by Legend83 on Friday 5th July 17:14
Thank you.
Most of the listings come with the option to rent a boat - do you mind me asking how much it was for the duration you were there?
Anyone any further thoughts on:
- is £4,500 a good price for flights for 5 in peak season? (I can get this down a bit more as my BIL is a BA captain)
- is it still worth buying the multi tickets for parks over turning up on the day to just the ones we really want?
- any other recommended villa areas in Orlando?
Most of the listings come with the option to rent a boat - do you mind me asking how much it was for the duration you were there?
Anyone any further thoughts on:
- is £4,500 a good price for flights for 5 in peak season? (I can get this down a bit more as my BIL is a BA captain)
- is it still worth buying the multi tickets for parks over turning up on the day to just the ones we really want?
- any other recommended villa areas in Orlando?
Vr360 for Orlando rentals we stayed at windsor hills this year and it's ok decent location but can be a total b
h to get out onto old lake Wilson in 2 weeks there was 3 serious crashes(that we got to see) at the turning into Windsor hills
Gulf coast we are doing Sarasota and Naples this year neither are cheap but Naples is a "posh" area
h to get out onto old lake Wilson in 2 weeks there was 3 serious crashes(that we got to see) at the turning into Windsor hills Gulf coast we are doing Sarasota and Naples this year neither are cheap but Naples is a "posh" area
Legend83 said:
Thank you.
Most of the listings come with the option to rent a boat - do you mind me asking how much it was for the duration you were there?
It was included in the price of the Villa so I'm not sure what the breakdown was. There are companies that do Villa with boat included.Most of the listings come with the option to rent a boat - do you mind me asking how much it was for the duration you were there?
https://watersidevillaswithboats.com/waterside-vil...
We stayed in Siesta Key a couple of months back for a week after doing Disney for a week, Condo overlooking the intercoastal and a walkway the other side of the street to the beach.
It's far more relaxed than the Orlando area and a great way to wind down.
If your gamily like nature then they'll likely appreciate the Ospreys nesting area, regular dolphin sightings and other bird life.
We did a dolphin boat tour at St John's pass and as well as many dolphins swimming right up to the boat throughout saw a manatee.
We also went to Myakka state park to see a few gators and saw a rat snake, deer, hawk, kites and plenty of water birds. A guy we were chatting to said a couple of hours earlier he saw a Cougar!
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails...
It's far more relaxed than the Orlando area and a great way to wind down.
If your gamily like nature then they'll likely appreciate the Ospreys nesting area, regular dolphin sightings and other bird life.
We did a dolphin boat tour at St John's pass and as well as many dolphins swimming right up to the boat throughout saw a manatee.
We also went to Myakka state park to see a few gators and saw a rat snake, deer, hawk, kites and plenty of water birds. A guy we were chatting to said a couple of hours earlier he saw a Cougar!
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails...
SunsetZed said:
We stayed in Siesta Key a couple of months back for a week after doing Disney for a week, Condo overlooking the intercoastal and a walkway the other side of the street to the beach.
It's far more relaxed than the Orlando area and a great way to wind down.
If your gamily like nature then they'll likely appreciate the Ospreys nesting area, regular dolphin sightings and other bird life.
We did a dolphin boat tour at St John's pass and as well as many dolphins swimming right up to the boat throughout saw a manatee.
We also went to Myakka state park to see a few gators and saw a rat snake, deer, hawk, kites and plenty of water birds. A guy we were chatting to said a couple of hours earlier he saw a Cougar!
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails...
Siesta Key looks fantastic.It's far more relaxed than the Orlando area and a great way to wind down.
If your gamily like nature then they'll likely appreciate the Ospreys nesting area, regular dolphin sightings and other bird life.
We did a dolphin boat tour at St John's pass and as well as many dolphins swimming right up to the boat throughout saw a manatee.
We also went to Myakka state park to see a few gators and saw a rat snake, deer, hawk, kites and plenty of water birds. A guy we were chatting to said a couple of hours earlier he saw a Cougar!
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails...
How did you get on with Disney?
Legend83 said:
SunsetZed said:
We stayed in Siesta Key a couple of months back for a week after doing Disney for a week, Condo overlooking the intercoastal and a walkway the other side of the street to the beach.
It's far more relaxed than the Orlando area and a great way to wind down.
If your gamily like nature then they'll likely appreciate the Ospreys nesting area, regular dolphin sightings and other bird life.
We did a dolphin boat tour at St John's pass and as well as many dolphins swimming right up to the boat throughout saw a manatee.
We also went to Myakka state park to see a few gators and saw a rat snake, deer, hawk, kites and plenty of water birds. A guy we were chatting to said a couple of hours earlier he saw a Cougar!
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails...
Siesta Key looks fantastic.It's far more relaxed than the Orlando area and a great way to wind down.
If your gamily like nature then they'll likely appreciate the Ospreys nesting area, regular dolphin sightings and other bird life.
We did a dolphin boat tour at St John's pass and as well as many dolphins swimming right up to the boat throughout saw a manatee.
We also went to Myakka state park to see a few gators and saw a rat snake, deer, hawk, kites and plenty of water birds. A guy we were chatting to said a couple of hours earlier he saw a Cougar!
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails...
How did you get on with Disney?
We enjoyed Disney but our kids are 11 and 7 so it was perfect for them. Sure tickets were pricey (and hot, they had a heatwave so it hit 37 and was only dropping to 27 at midnight!) but we took plenty of snacks for the kids and having a villa meant we had plenty of space so left some of the parks for a couple of hours downtime during the day (and ate in external restaurants on the way back or used the BBQ which also saved cash!)
Personally I can't imagine staying in a Disney hotel for 2 weeks, for us 1 week in Disney was the right amount as we could do everything we wanted at the parks and still had a week of downtime afterwards.
We also stopped at KSC on the way back to the airport and really enjoyed that as well (we bought Florida residents tickets, they didn't check and it was far cheaper!).
I'm not sure where you're planning on flying from or what class you're looking at but for economy I would say the flights that you're looking at sound expensive. For economy from London if booked at this point I'd expect them to be between £500 - £600 per person.
Happy to answer any other questions you may have and share tips!
SunsetZed said:
We liked Siesta Key, good base for driving a bit further North and South.
We enjoyed Disney but our kids are 11 and 7 so it was perfect for them. Sure tickets were pricey (and hot, they had a heatwave so it hit 37 and was only dropping to 27 at midnight!) but we took plenty of snacks for the kids and having a villa meant we had plenty of space so left some of the parks for a couple of hours downtime during the day (and ate in external restaurants on the way back or used the BBQ which also saved cash!)
Personally I can't imagine staying in a Disney hotel for 2 weeks, for us 1 week in Disney was the right amount as we could do everything we wanted at the parks and still had a week of downtime afterwards.
We also stopped at KSC on the way back to the airport and really enjoyed that as well (we bought Florida residents tickets, they didn't check and it was far cheaper!).
I'm not sure where you're planning on flying from or what class you're looking at but for economy I would say the flights that you're looking at sound expensive. For economy from London if booked at this point I'd expect them to be between £500 - £600 per person.
Happy to answer any other questions you may have and share tips!
Thanks for the info it's much appreciated! (and apologies for the continual questions!)We enjoyed Disney but our kids are 11 and 7 so it was perfect for them. Sure tickets were pricey (and hot, they had a heatwave so it hit 37 and was only dropping to 27 at midnight!) but we took plenty of snacks for the kids and having a villa meant we had plenty of space so left some of the parks for a couple of hours downtime during the day (and ate in external restaurants on the way back or used the BBQ which also saved cash!)
Personally I can't imagine staying in a Disney hotel for 2 weeks, for us 1 week in Disney was the right amount as we could do everything we wanted at the parks and still had a week of downtime afterwards.
We also stopped at KSC on the way back to the airport and really enjoyed that as well (we bought Florida residents tickets, they didn't check and it was far cheaper!).
I'm not sure where you're planning on flying from or what class you're looking at but for economy I would say the flights that you're looking at sound expensive. For economy from London if booked at this point I'd expect them to be between £500 - £600 per person.
Happy to answer any other questions you may have and share tips!
What did you manage to squeeze into your one week at the parks? We are thinking Discovery Cove, Animal Kingdom and Universal Hollywood studios - the issue being they are obviously across different ownerships so you can't get an effective ticket "deal" outside of just buying on the gate. KSC we definitely would like to do.
Where did you stay villa wise?
Cheapest I can get the flights (direct economy with BA from Gatwick to Tampa) is £3,310 which is £662 each - the problem being this would necessitate taking the kids out of school for the first three days of the summer term...
ETA - Orlando flights seem to be £1,000 more!
Edited by Legend83 on Monday 8th July 13:32
If you're prepared to slum it, I believe Norse Atlantic www.flynorse.com is the most cost efficient way to get from Gatwick to Orlando Int.
www.orlandovillas.com might also be worth looking at - all by owner, so no middle-man mark-ups.
I live in Orlando, so maybe can help with questions/concerns regarding this locality.
www.orlandovillas.com might also be worth looking at - all by owner, so no middle-man mark-ups.
I live in Orlando, so maybe can help with questions/concerns regarding this locality.
Matt Harper said:
If you're prepared to slum it, I believe Norse Atlantic www.flynorse.com is the most cost efficient way to get from Gatwick to Orlando Int.
www.orlandovillas.com might also be worth looking at - all by owner, so no middle-man mark-ups.
I live in Orlando, so maybe can help with questions/concerns regarding this locality.
Thanks Matt, I did look at Norse but BA will likely be worth it because by BIL can definitely a) get a discount by buying the tickets for us; and maybe b) get us an upgrade..www.orlandovillas.com might also be worth looking at - all by owner, so no middle-man mark-ups.
I live in Orlando, so maybe can help with questions/concerns regarding this locality.
Cheers for the link I will take a look and maybe chuck a few locations on here for you to rank!
Honestly I wouldn't bother just doing animal kingdom you would be better off with a safari park in the UK or homosasa state park on the gulf coast, the rest of Disney is better, it's nice but it closes early and there isn't that much there ride wise, expedition Everest is the only good ride imho as dinosaur is closing, the avatar/pandora ones are not worth the wait.
Disney has far better offerings in Hollywood studios and magic kingdom
But animal kingdom just for the animals imho is an expensive waste of cash
Discovery cove for me is a must do on every trip, we do it our first full day as a way to unwind, we dong bother with the dolphin swim as we have done it before. Honestly I'd buy it at black Friday as it's much much cheaper especially if you get it with Busch aquatica and discovery cove tickets.
But if you don't really like thrill rides I wouldn't say Orlando is the destination for you.
We have been many many times now
Disney has far better offerings in Hollywood studios and magic kingdom
But animal kingdom just for the animals imho is an expensive waste of cash
Discovery cove for me is a must do on every trip, we do it our first full day as a way to unwind, we dong bother with the dolphin swim as we have done it before. Honestly I'd buy it at black Friday as it's much much cheaper especially if you get it with Busch aquatica and discovery cove tickets.
But if you don't really like thrill rides I wouldn't say Orlando is the destination for you.
We have been many many times now
Trustmeimadoctor said:
Honestly I wouldn't bother just doing animal kingdom you would be better off with a safari park in the UK or homosasa state park on the gulf coast, the rest of Disney is better, it's nice but it closes early and there isn't that much there ride wise, expedition Everest is the only good ride imho as dinosaur is closing, the avatar/pandora ones are not worth the wait.
Disney has far better offerings in Hollywood studios and magic kingdom
But animal kingdom just for the animals imho is an expensive waste of cash
Discovery cove for me is a must do on every trip, we do it our first full day as a way to unwind, we dong bother with the dolphin swim as we have done it before. Honestly I'd buy it at black Friday as it's much much cheaper especially if you get it with Busch aquatica and discovery cove tickets.
But if you don't really like thrill rides I wouldn't say Orlando is the destination for you.
We have been many many times now
Thanks for the honest opinion, that's a fair point on Animal Kingdom.Disney has far better offerings in Hollywood studios and magic kingdom
But animal kingdom just for the animals imho is an expensive waste of cash
Discovery cove for me is a must do on every trip, we do it our first full day as a way to unwind, we dong bother with the dolphin swim as we have done it before. Honestly I'd buy it at black Friday as it's much much cheaper especially if you get it with Busch aquatica and discovery cove tickets.
But if you don't really like thrill rides I wouldn't say Orlando is the destination for you.
We have been many many times now
Trustmeimadoctor said:
But if you don't really like thrill rides I wouldn't say Orlando is the destination for you.
This was my thinking at the beginning of the research as I stated before we are not a big ride family, but is it really true? Over a week I can think of a fun non-ride-heavy itinerary:- Discovery Cove
- SeaWorld
- KSC
- Gatorland/airboat ride?
Mixed in with a couple of chill days around the villa / pool, someone mentioned on an old thread doing some paddle boarding / kayaking in Kissimmee.
Legend83 said:
Trustmeimadoctor said:
Honestly I wouldn't bother just doing animal kingdom you would be better off with a safari park in the UK or homosasa state park on the gulf coast, the rest of Disney is better, it's nice but it closes early and there isn't that much there ride wise, expedition Everest is the only good ride imho as dinosaur is closing, the avatar/pandora ones are not worth the wait.
Disney has far better offerings in Hollywood studios and magic kingdom
But animal kingdom just for the animals imho is an expensive waste of cash
Discovery cove for me is a must do on every trip, we do it our first full day as a way to unwind, we dong bother with the dolphin swim as we have done it before. Honestly I'd buy it at black Friday as it's much much cheaper especially if you get it with Busch aquatica and discovery cove tickets.
But if you don't really like thrill rides I wouldn't say Orlando is the destination for you.
We have been many many times now
Thanks for the honest opinion, that's a fair point on Animal Kingdom.Disney has far better offerings in Hollywood studios and magic kingdom
But animal kingdom just for the animals imho is an expensive waste of cash
Discovery cove for me is a must do on every trip, we do it our first full day as a way to unwind, we dong bother with the dolphin swim as we have done it before. Honestly I'd buy it at black Friday as it's much much cheaper especially if you get it with Busch aquatica and discovery cove tickets.
But if you don't really like thrill rides I wouldn't say Orlando is the destination for you.
We have been many many times now
Trustmeimadoctor said:
But if you don't really like thrill rides I wouldn't say Orlando is the destination for you.
This was my thinking at the beginning of the research as I stated before we are not a big ride family, but is it really true? Over a week I can think of a fun non-ride-heavy itinerary:- Discovery Cove
- SeaWorld
- KSC
- Gatorland/airboat ride?
Mixed in with a couple of chill days around the villa / pool, someone mentioned on an old thread doing some paddle boarding / kayaking in Kissimmee.
Sea world is about the rides and they are big rides! there isn't much else other than a few manatee and dolphins oh and the orca depending when you go you can do it all in a morning of last 3 visits we have done every single ride there before lunch! It was absolutely empty same with Busch but school holiday likely different but I don't go then
KSC we went once and wouldn't go back we both found it quite boring but make sure you get there early and on the Saturn bus first so it's empty
Gatorland I havent been in 10 years but it was an interesting few hours but it's grown a lot since then
Airbotg ride is good fun we did https://wildwillysairboattours.com/ but go on the first tour!
If you really want animals I suggest https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails... it's a bit of a drive but worth it and https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails... hopefully when you go you can get in the water!
Or depending on time of year swim with the manatees at crystal river
Also a more upclose animal experience https://www.amazinganimalsinc.org/. It's actually someone's back yard but they have a lot of animals and you get much close to them and get to handle snakes, capybara and stroke and feed sloths!
Historically we spend more time away from the parks when we are there doing these other things.
But I also love big coasters
Legend83 said:
Thanks Matt, I did look at Norse but BA will likely be worth it because by BIL can definitely a) get a discount by buying the tickets for us; and maybe b) get us an upgrade..
Can't argue with that logic. I have a bazillion Delta Skymiles, but when they are done, my UK trips will be with Norse or JetBlue, I fear....Let me know if you need any intel on local stuff. I've been here a long time and am very familiar with the less obviously touristy goings-on.
Matt Harper said:
Can't argue with that logic. I have a bazillion Delta Skymiles, but when they are done, my UK trips will be with Norse or JetBlue, I fear....
Let me know if you need any intel on local stuff. I've been here a long time and am very familiar with the less obviously touristy goings-on.
I used to live in Bermuda and absolutely loved Jet Blue, they were streets ahead of any of the other carriers. Esp American 'Service with a sneer'Let me know if you need any intel on local stuff. I've been here a long time and am very familiar with the less obviously touristy goings-on.
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