Florida itinerary- your thought please

Old Jul 21st, 2016, 03:48 AM
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Florida itinerary- your thought please

We are a family of four- two kids in their twenties ( son and daughter) travelling from Sydney australia
Fly out Friday August 12
Arrive in Orlando same evening
Booked in the swan part of swan and dolphin for 6 nights
Kids want to visit typhoon lagoon, Epcot, animal kingdom Magic Kingdom and Harry potter at universal

I've left that to them..but please comment

Then on the Thursday we drive to Naples ..I guess.. We want to see something of the Everglades but I'm confused as to where to stay..Everglades City or Naples...and how many nights do we need in this area
We want to see gators and ive read we can see them along the 41 road..is this a good way to see them in the wild? What airboat would u recommend taking..half day? I'm planning two nights in Naples or Everglades City but I have no idea really..


I have booked the marker hotel in key west For the Saturday and Sunday but can change to the pier house if people recommend it over the marker

Come Monday night we should be in Miami..booked the nautilus for three nights
Husband wants to go see some boats and I guess we will just relax and maybe shop at Lincoln
Should we go to Fort Lauderdale ? Anywhere else? Im thinking Miami is a party beach town..yes?nnit into drinking

We leave Miami on Thursday night to fly to dallas...we will stay somewhere Central I guess to see the major sights ...son wants to see the Kennedy museum and the grassy knoll
I might try to get the embassy suites in grapevine..don't know if we will have a car ..maybe a better location given we only have a day

Any thoughts ?
The naples bit is where I'm stuck
Anything wonderful to see between Orlando and Naples?

Thanks in advance!
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Old Jul 21st, 2016, 06:23 AM
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I have just booked the bellasera hotel in Naples for two nights
I guess we will have the Thursday 18 August as a driving day from Orlando
And arrive late afternoon in Naples, overnight, see something of the Everglades , overnight and then drive to key west

Any suggestions?
I managed to get the condo so at least we will have some space
...location seems good
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Old Jul 21st, 2016, 09:17 AM
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As to what to see between Orlando and Naples, you could either go over to the Tampa Bay area (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs) or drive down US 1 along the east coast to see quite a few interesting ocean side places then cut back west along I75 (aka Alligator Alley). Since you're going to stay at Naples and at Key West on the Gulf Side, I'd vote for the Atlantic shore. Cape Kennedy and the Air and Space Museum is a little bit north of Orlando at Titusville, and that's certainly worth a visit.


Re alligators--yes--US41 is a good way to see alligators but if you choose to drive along the Atlantic and take i75 to Naples, you may see some along there. We drove US41 one year and just stopped at a likely looking spot and walked along a dirt road beside a drainage ditch where dozens of the critters had hauled out and were sunning themselves. That was years ago so there are probably more now.

If you really want to see the Everglades, you might want to drive to Florida City (south of US 41 near Homestead) and take FL 9336 into the Everglades National Park. There are other ways to access the Everglades, but that's pretty nice one.

The next day, take I75 (aka Alligator Alley in that area) back across Florida to US 1 and then down into the Keys.


Have a great trip!
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Old Jul 21st, 2016, 09:23 AM
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You can actually walk from the Swan and Dolphin over to the back entrance to EPCOT or take the boat; the on-property bus system will easily get you to those other attractions.

I have not stayed in The Marker in Key West but I have stayed in the Pier House and more than once. Both are basically in the more or less center of the Old Town action.

I live in Fort Lauderdale and I see no reason for you to drive up here from Miami and there is plenty to see and do IN Miami besides drinking.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2016, 12:39 AM
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Thnx for all that info dwd!
Very helpful!

Dukey...ok that's fine then...simplifies things a bit if we can just stay in Miami


Pier house is more expensive I think...
Mind you, it's not always clear til u start getting the resort fees and parking added to the cost of the room
Sometimes u score a good deal
This holiday we've been unlucky in that way
I'm sure it will all work out



Now I just have to nab a good hotel in dallas..maybe rebook the embassy suites in grapevine
I cancelled cos our dates and itinerary changed dramatically
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Old Jul 22nd, 2016, 05:50 PM
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The Marker is really new but not a water view like the Pier house but a good location so would stay with it.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2016, 06:18 PM
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If you want to stay on the east coast, there are a couple of places just west of Ft. Lauderdale where you could ride an airboat, and see plenty of alligators. That way you could do Orlando to Ft Lauderdale to Key West to Miami.

Please know that August in Florida is hot and humid. Just plan your days accordingly, keeping out of the sun during the middle of the day
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Old Jul 23rd, 2016, 09:07 AM
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"Fly out Friday August 12
Arrive in Orlando same evening"

You will have major jet lag when you arrive in Florida. Do not plan too much for the 13th. You will need at least one day of rest. (I speak from experience.)

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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 06:27 AM
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You've already received some good advice for a nice trip. Just want to add . . . someone mentioned heat/humidity in August so be sure to have plenty sunscreen on hand AND bug repellant. Generally, where you'll find gators is also where mosquitos will find you! Lather/spray up and enjoy Florida's nature.
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