The best disney / florida itinerary

[Sim75]

We're looking at taking my 15 year old to Disney next year, but have no clue what the best itinerary is any more.
Last time I went was 1988, I did a week in International Drive (Stayed opposite Wet & Wild) and then did a week in the Bahamas.
Did Disney, Epcot, Sea World and Kennedy.

What would y'all reccomend now? I'd like decent hotels, although I don't have the eye watering sums required for the Four Seasons... we've previously done IKOS etc, and have just had a cracking week in Navarino Bay in Greece.

10 days disney? that enough... then Caribbean? Miami? Keys...

[Challo]

My mate is currently out in Florida. They did 3 weeks in total. Week at the parks (Universal / Water Parks) and stayed on the resort. Then did a week down at the Florida Keys with beach days and then finished off with a cruise.

[The G Kid]

We did a week in Orlando then a week in Clearwater with similar aged kids. Did a theme park every day in Orlando with the exception of a day at the space centre. Universal was better than Disney, in our opinion, and we stayed at the Lowes Portofino, which gave a fast past for the Universal Parks which was brilliant. And we got a boat each time from the hotel to the Universal Parks.

I wouldn't hurry back to Clearwater, and I am glad I never have to go back to Orlando as my kids are too old now, but we did have a fun time.

[ikarl]

worth considering a week in Mexico as it's only 2hrs away and incredibly cheap flights

over summer, we spent two weeks in Florida and then a week in Mexico - the flight to Mexico felt more like an internal flight tbh as it was so quick

only found out this morning that there is a piece of the Berlin Wall hidden behind the Hard Rock cafe at Universal.... wish I'd known a few weeks ago as it would've been worth the walk to see it!

[Sim75]

Mexico. There's a thought...

PS: When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?

Edited by Sim75 on Monday 10th August 15:02

[ComStrike]

Currently building our itinerary for our trip next July with our 12 year old.
We've booked one week at Universal & one week at Animal Kingdom.

[v8notbrave]

Orlando tickets are a proper cartel, they want you to stay for ages. We bought thru UK co. That buys in US and resells here, allows single days and flexibility. We did one day Disney and 1 day in the Disney rollercoaster place (great after a hurricane it was deserted) which was enough for our 3

Flew into Miami as cheaper for us, drove to Orlando, had good rate on adv purchase Drury Inn which was perfect

Then drove back south for a few days, key largo, key west, epic driving and boat tours etc

Finished off at Betsy Rosa Miami beach for a few days, wonderful hotel

Was the perfect 10 days for our family

[Alorotom]

Both the Conrad and Signia resorts are very nice

Personally I would say a couple of days for Universal (IOA / US / Epic) maybe a break / pool / shopping day and then a few days doing the various Disney parks would be a good balance.

Depends if you want to do Seaward / Busch Gardens too and also if you want to do any waterparks.

There are some really good itinerary suggestions on the many FB groups for Orlando

[DMC2]

The G Kid said:

We did a week in Orlando then a week in Clearwater with similar aged kids. Did a theme park every day in Orlando with the exception of a day at the space centre. Universal was better than Disney, in our opinion, and we stayed at the Lowes Portofino, which gave a fast past for the Universal Parks which was brilliant. And we got a boat each time from the hotel to the Universal Parks.

I wouldn't hurry back to Clearwater, and I am glad I never have to go back to Orlando as my kids are too old now, but we did have a fun time.

I think you did an almost identical holiday to me. I thought Disney was awful, crowded, long queues, average rides, horrendous food. Nice to look at though. Too many Universal rides were those stupid inside fake 3d rides, terrible. Best bit of the holiday was Busch Gardens. About a fifth of the price of Universal and a proper park.

I wouldn't go back. And I wouldn't advise anybody else to go.