jlub

Hello Fodorites, Looking for travel ideas again! Attending a wedding New Year's eve in Miami, Coral Gables area. Flew threw Miami once, friends lived there and said it was hot except in the winter. That's the sum total of my knowledge.

Thinking of flying Oakland to Orlando on SWA, spending a day or two taking our teen to the Amusement parks, then driving (about 4 hours) to Miami. Usually prefer a VRBO / AirBnb to hotels. Love snorkeling.

Any suggestions? Where to stay, what to do? Drive down to the Keys? Probably part of the time will be family events.

Total trip about 1 week, with or without Orlando.

Thanks for any help.

Ackislander

You need to get on your favorite booking site tonight and find a place to stay. This is a very busy time in Orlando. Once you have done that, book your flights and rental car.

I assume the lodging in Miami is already taken care of. If not, start looking there because the wedding is the reason for the trip.

Driving down to the Keys would be a great idea except for hurricane damage. Some places won't be open yet and others will lie and tell you they are. Some really will be. You will have to spend time sorting out which is which.

In addition to availability, this is prime season, so expect it to be expensive.

Since you only have five days on the ground (2 days of your week are flying), I would stay in Miami the whole time and do day trips to the Everglades, Keys, and up the coast.

There are lots of toll road in Florida, and when you rent a car, male sure you understand how you will deal with them.

jlub

Thanks very much Ackislander, Your point are well taken. We will have to decide very soon whether to go or not and then book ASAP. I've already forgotten that the Keys were hit so bad. I know the people there have not. I'm wondering if VRBO / AirBnB in Miami might have the same issue you mentioned. I also ran into the toll road "debacle" many years ago in Orlando on business. We will definitely have to plan for that.

Ackislander

I would not expect lodging in Greater Miami to be affected except to be busy at that time of year.

Weather permitting, you can dive on Key Largo as a dY trip.

We were planning on Puerto Rico but rather than diverting elsewhere (like Miami, which we love) we are just staying home this year, so we won't be in competition for places to stay!

Dukey1

The only toll roads you have to worry about are sections of Florida's Turnpike (mainly the Extension around Miami, the Seminole Expressway (Orlando) and the Southern Connector Extension (Orlando) which are cashless and only accept SunPass or a toll-by-plate.

Avoid those. The rest you can use cash.

gmoney

If you are planning on being in Orlando between Christmas and New Years you better get booking things now. Busiest time of the year. Parks will be stupid crowded and may even close.

jlub

Thanks for the inputs! Boss approved vac during the period, will make final decision next few days. Already decided, skipping Orlando and the drive. Possibly getting a VRBO with retired big brother, let him investigate. Any problems, I can at least blame big bro.