our first time in Florida. What do we have to visit?
 

We are a belgian family an d this is our first trip to the states. We booked 1 week in Pompano Beach, and 1 week in Kissimee. What do we really have to see?

All the Disney parks....(Disneyworld, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, MGM Studios). <BR><BR>Also see Gatorland for the alligator shows, Parrot Jungle/Monkey Jungle if you are interested in the animals, the beach for sunbathing and swimming, definitely check out Sawgrass Mills when you are in Pompano...it's a short drive, but definitely worth it for the shopping. Check out the Jungle Queen boat tour in Fort Lauderdale. You can go drift boat fishing if you want...right near Pompano. You can eat out every night of the week if you want, the choices are endless. Also if you rent a car, you may want to spend 3.5 hours driving south to Key West...it's a nice drive and something you should see if in Florida. <BR><BR>These are just a few things that are suggested when in the State of South Florida...enjoy!

Hi Martine...while you are in the Pompano Beach area you can take the Loxahatchee Everglades Tour, the Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise, and there's also fishing, golfing, harness racing, and scuba diving...it's not too far to the Miami area where you can visit Vizcaya and the South Beach area...while you are in Kississimee I would suggest the theme parks...Disney, Universal, and Sea World...they really are alot of fun...I don't know if you have kitchen facitilies where you're staying, but I just thought I'd mention a restaurant named Shoney's which serves a large hot and cold breakfast buffet at a very reasonable price that keeps you going through the morning hours...Golden Corral is great for lunch and dinner if you have kids and are on a budget because they too serve an enormous buffet...they're not gourmet, but there's something for everyone.

Since you'll be in Pompano Beach, why not drive for about an hour and visit Miami Beach as well as South Beach? Very relaxed atmosphere and beaches are nice. If time allows, go visit Key West for 1-2 nights as well. I think 1-2 nights is more than enough. There are not much to do at night other than dining out and souvenir shop. But during the day time, you can try snorkeling and other watersports.<BR><BR>In Kissimee, make sure to visit Orlando and the theme parks. I would first suggest Disney World (Magic Kingdom), Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios theme park, and Epcot. Those were fun. I was not too thrilled about MGM Studios and Seaworld. But if you have little kids, they might enjoy the Seaworld. Or better yet, you can bring them to waterparks.

The Kennedy Space Center, definitely.

Thanks to you all for the advices. We are of course going to visit the "Disney industry" , the Kennedy Space Center and also Key West.<BR>Thanks to Marilee for the restaurant advices in Kissimee. We will go and see there. And Shay, we will remember the name "Sawgrass mills" when we are in Pompano. I printed it all out to take it with us on the trip.

While you're in visiting the Space Center, take a trip down A1A to RonJon's Surf Shop. Ya gotta see it to believe it! Enjoy Florida!!

The theme parks get very expensive and tiring so you may want to select 2-3 - Magic Kingdom (Mickey), one of the movie ones (Universal or MGM) and a water theme park....intersperse with a trip to Kennedy Space Center. <BR><BR>Do you want to do all tourist things or some nature stuff, shopping, quiet relaxing?<BR><BR>

Hi Ab and Cindy. We also booked a car and a hopper pass for Disney (we are great fans of Disneyland Paris where we have a yearpass, so we already know the system of the parks). But we have also plans to look at other things (I wonder what is Ron Johns surf shop, Cindy)We are fond of America and we want to see if it is really like we see on television here. Here in Europe the say the people in the US is so friendly and open, that they always say "hello how are you", that they call you by your first name like if they knowed you all the time. That is also what we want to experience. Maybe you could tell us if a trip to "Lake Okeechobee" is worth it or if it is realisable to drive from Pompano to Naples and back in one day (or from Kissimee to Clearwater)I want to see the white sand beaches of wich I read in a traveller guide. And what is "Ripleys believe it or not?" <BR>And we also want to see "Davie" (because of the real far west style of the town). There are rodeos on thurdsay (also on the 4 of july?) I could ask so much... and I can't wait to take off. Thank you all for the kindly help (excuse me for my sometimes bad knowledge of English)

While in Kissimmee, I suggest you take a break from the "Disney Industry", as you described it, and visit Bok Tower, which is a serene and beautiful collection of gardens. It will give you another perspective of life in central Florida. By the way, the gardens were founded and named after one of your "neighbors"--Edward Bok, from the Netherlands. He wanted to create a haven of peace and beauty for man and animal alike. The web site for the gardens is www.boktower.org Sadly, too many visitors to central Florida overlook this wonderful, non-commercial site, in their "Disneymania". <BR>By the way, although my parents live in the Orlando area, I live in Brussels. Feel free to email me with any questions.<BR>BTilke (Brussels)<BR>P.S. Hope you have the chance to see the wonderful new terminal A in Brussels airport. Wow!! It's probably the nicest airline terminal in all of Europe.

Hello Antony. All right, fantastic! I'll write all my questions down and than I will e-mail them to you.Can it also in French or Dutch? (We are living in Kapellen above Antwerp)<BR>It is a pitty, but we will not take off in Zaventem but in Schiphol (Holland)because the have direct flights to Miami, and since the whole Sabena affair...

Hi Martine,<BR>Yes, you can email them in French...

Check out Ron Jon's website: www.ronjons.com<BR>It's a tourist trap, but they do have neat clothing and is HUGE! It's fun to just wander around shopping and they're open 24 hours a day so it's easy to fit in.

We are an English family who have visited Kissimmee several times.<BR>I strongly recommend Discovery Cove where you and your children can swim with Dolphins. You also snorkel and laze on a sandy beach - all in the middle of Orlando! It is pricey and you have to book up in advance (check their website) and I must admit I was cautious - but it was fabulous! They only allow a certain amount of people in (you get your tickets in advance) so it isn't overcrowded and you are treated like kings. It is a day you wil never forget. If you go to Discovery Cove you get free entry to Seaworld for 7 days and we often used to go there in the evenings when it was cooler and much, much quieter.<BR>For an evening out we enjoyed a place called Old Town in Kissimmee which comes alive in the evenings. It's full of old style shops, entertainment etc and worth a look. You will see it signed along the main route next to a huge ferris wheel.<BR>I agree with The Golden Corrall - huge choice of food and you just pay one amount and eat all you wish. We also liked Sizzlers for huge breakfasts to set you up for the day. Most restaurants have books of vouchers in the entrance and you can often get 10% or more off your meals - worth saving.<BR>A tip for the theme parks - take your own drinks (worth carrying them round in a rucksack) and drink loads of water. Fill the bottles up from the drinking fountains. The prices for drinks in the parks are high and you will need plenty as it is very humid. Also go to the parks early, as soon as they open, and do the "big" rides first. We often do this, go back to our villa for a swim and rest early afternoon, and then return again in the evenings. In mid-summer it frequently rains mid-afternoon - and these are tropical and VERY heavy! <BR>Have a wonderful time - we are returning again this year!<BR>Penny

Thanks to all. Morgana, is it far (in time) driving from Kissimee to the Disney parks? Is there a long waiting in line to park the car and at the entrances? Can you also use the transportation facilities between the parks with only a hopper pass? We also booked a villa.<BR>Are there lockers in the park or are they closed against terrorism just as in Disneyland Paris?

There is an extremely active discussion about all aspects of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios at: <BR><BR>www.disboards.com

In Orlando, Islands of Adventure at Universal is great. Easier and less crowded than Disney. I'd go to the space center also.

Martine<BR>I don't know the answer to all your questions but here is some info I DO know.<BR>From Kissimmee to the parks allow an hour. The roads are very busy mornings and late afternoon/evenings but very quiet mid-day. There is a very efficient method of getting you into the park quickly by car, we have never had to queue for more than a few minutes. The car parks are huge as you might imagine - make a note of where you leave your car or you may never find it again! However, please note there is often quite a walk between the car park and the main entrance to the parks. Some places have moving pavements but it can still be quite a walk if you have young children. Allow some time for this when setting off (bearing in mind it is very hot as well) - that's why I said give yourself an hour even though it isn't too far to travel.<BR>My children are teenagers and last year they loved MGM Studios - in fact we all did although I think it is better for older children. <BR>Sorry I can't help about the other things you ask but I am sure the Disney websites might have the answer about the lockers, and hopper passes.<BR>Maybe I ought to mention shopping as well! My kids love all the Nike/Ralph Lauren/Gap stuff and it is so much cheaper than in England. Trainers are very good value too. Look out for the signs to the Factory Outlets (Beltz is good, as is Orlando Premium Outlets). I have got beautiful Timberland walking boots for a fraction of the price I would normally pay. It really is worth putting aside a few hours to shop and it is all air-conditioned.<BR>Have a wonderful break.<BR>P

This travel talk forum is really fantastic. We will be well prepared to our journey. Many thanks.

Davie? It's considered the old west but it's all suburban, expept for a small area. I don't think it's a place you should take time from your precious vacation time. I think you'll be disappointed if you're expecting an 'ole west". <BR><BR>Pompano and Naples are both in southern Florida but opposite sides of the state. It's a 2 hour drive across Alligator Alley (no gator - just a long major road that gets you across the state). Naples beaches are very different from Pompano. Naples is more upscale, relaxed atmosphere with lots of seashells on the beach. It used to be a retirement community for the rich and famous. A place young folks always made fun. Now that we're growing up we realize that most of us can't afford Naples and it's become attractive. There has been a tremendous growth and development in the past few years so it will soon be like most cities in America. Typical stores, chain restaurants, etc... It's still a nice resort area and worth the trip.<BR><BR>The other suggestion is to do a day trip to South Beach, if you want to see a wilder, funky area. <BR><BR>The keys will take longer and will require you take a boat out to go snorkeling, fishing, boating etc...there's not much to do from land.<BR><BR>Orlando is more central. There are major highways to get you down and up from Pompano. The other option is take one coast each way and check out some of thelittle towns along the way. If you have the time and like to explore non-tourist areas. St.Augustine, Cape Kennedy...