We are traveling to Jacksonville Christmas morning, picking up a rental car and driving to Ormond Beach (near Daytona) and staying there two nights. Has anybody been to Ormond Beach's Quality Oceanview Resort? Hope it's not too cold. Then we're driving to Orlando for three nights and staying at the Floridian Hotel on International Drive to go to Sea World & Universal Studios. Good hotel? Then we're driving to Clearwater for two nights for the beach and possibly Busch Gardens. Do you think we should skip Ormond Beach/Daytona and try to stay someplace warmer? I like the big waves on the Atlantic. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Our kids are 17, 14, and 11.

Sylvia,

I have lived in Orlando for many years so here are my observations for what its worth. Ormond Beach is much nicer than Daytona, cleaner less crowded, but I do not know the hotel. It can be quite cold during Christmas so watersports may be out of the question. It has been known to get in 30's 40's that time of year. The Floridian hotel seems fairly nice from the outside but have never been inside. It is kind of off the main I-drive drag, which is probably much quieter but still close to everything. It is right behind Wet and Wild but I do not think it will be open during Dec. Clearwater Beach is one of my favorite places in Florida, and is only about an hour drive to Busch Gardens, which is also a great place to visit but water rides may be chilly. E-mail if you have other questions.

Greg, thanks for your input. I'm really confused now and thinking of actually revamping the whole trip (the air fare to JAX was great) and driving further south and also spending more time in Clearwater. Maybe we should just skip the orlando area altogether! What do you think? I hate long lines & crowds. Is the space center worth seeing?

As a Floridian for thirty years I can tell you that the weather that time of year can be very iffy...I live in south east Florida and have had Christmas on the beach or in a fur coat. Jacksonville gets cold in October and the nights are cool most places down through Orlando. Impossible to get rooms for the Christmas season in Orlando because the whole world is there. I suggest you keep what you have. Rooms their are dependant on price and very competitive...The only place you can really we sure of good weather is Key West, which has some great resorts, there and on other Keys or the Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach area or over on the west coast in Naples.

Have a great trip. E-Mail me if you need some more info.

Sounds like you have a good plan. We stay in the St. Augustine area.( near Ormond Beach)..end of Dec. thru March. We love it because there are no crowds to fight and a lot to do. St. Augustine is a great city with many things to see...free, beaches are great in the entire area, great parks, the intrcoastal waterway and the weather can be balmy or cool. Most of the time it is warm. Or at least alot warmer than up north!