Our itinerary for Christmas in Florida

Old Jul 19th, 2006, 12:38 AM
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Our itinerary for Christmas in Florida

As all you people on Fodors have been so very helpful in helping us plan our trip, I thought I'd let you know how our final itinerary looks.
We will now be with you for almost 5 weeks as follows:

Arrive Miami - crash out after 20 hours flying!
Everglades - 1 day driving from Florida City to Flamingo then on to the keys for 4 nights - snorkelling and exploring

Fort lauderdale - arrive late afternoon and stay 3 nights.

Taking a cruise for 7 nights then over to Naples. Any suggestions for New years eve in Naples?

3 nights in the Naples area then up to St Pete for 3 nights, then Orlando for 8 nights. Do the Disney thing and also explore the springs and a few off the beaten path places.

I know there are loads of things we have missed off but you have to draw the line somewhere and besides we'll just have to come back to do the east coast and the panhandle!
We can't wait to get there and if anybody can add anything, please do. Restaurants? We obviously have the things to see lists but perhaps there are some we should not miss or not bother with?

Many thanks to you all and we will no doubt have more questions as we go along
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Old Jul 19th, 2006, 07:48 AM
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Please let us know what you want to see and do in the greater Orlando area. Anything else beside the "Mouse House"?

Please elaborate on "beaten path places".
Do you mean scenic, natural attractions?
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Old Jul 19th, 2006, 12:51 PM
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New Years Eve in Naples:

Nearly all restaurants require a reservation and a seating time. If you want a late seating, be prepared to pay through the nose for their specially priced menu. Most do not offer their regular menu then.

There is a concert at the Philharmoic that night -- usually a Pops type thing.

Special evening at the Naples Dinner Theatre (if it is still running this next season).

There are fireworks on the beach about 9 PM or so -- you wouldnt believe the crowds on the beach to see them.
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 04:37 AM
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Sounds like a great trip. I want to comment on the idea of driving all the way to Flamingo. I think the Everglades are amazing and often go there. HOWEVER, I would not drive all the way to Flamingo unless you have a plan to do something there. I see on the website that the canoe rentals and some boating activity is back in operation. They were closed down for a while after some recent hurricanes. If you are just planning to drive thru, you will be disappointed. The Everglades can't be experienced from a car. Also, there are no food concessions in the park so be sure you pack a picnic lunch. Just about any grocery store in Miami will have a cooler and make sandwiches. If you are travelling with kids, think about having them read Freedom River by Marjorie Stoneman Douglas (the "mother of the Everglades") or Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George. Both novels are set in the Everglades.
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 06:38 AM
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During your 8 days in Orlando, you could do a day trip to the east coast and visit the Cape Canavaral area and Kennedy Space Center!
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 06:43 AM
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Thanks for replying guys -

Orlando Vic: not researched the Orlando bit yet really, but i believe there are springs north of Disney? Also want to spend some time at the Florida mall. So I guess we like everything from scenic to commercial. Will no doubt have more questions for you soon.

Neopolitan: Naples sounds very like Cape Town for New Year - often best avoided. I like the idea of the Naples Dinner Theatre - got a web link? and think I will avoid the restaurants - probably not too great to be in a restaurant with and 11 and 15 yr old on New year anyway. The fireworks on the beach could be fun as could the philharmonic. Web link?

Keymom: we have the same concern about the drive to Flamingo - perhaps we should drive part way and get out and do some of the walking trails - i would like to see some of the differnet eco systmes but am aware that we will experience some of them at Key Largo - planned to ask the guides for advice at Royal palm. Have planned to take a picnic of sorts. Very grateful for the book info - I will track them down here and read before we get there.
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 06:45 AM
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buffalogirl: planning on sending the familiy to Cape Canavaral - hear they have a special on a trip to Mars - but its only the one way!
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 06:51 AM
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ADD THIS - NO MATTER WHAT!
Someone else did and it was the highlight of their trip to Florida -

http://www.canoewekiva.com/
http://www.floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings/

Wekiva Springs is not far north of Orlando - but a world apart. It is like going back to "Old Florida". Take a guided canoe trip or rent your own and take a self-guided trip.

I'll bet you a Mickey Dollar that your kids will enjoy it as much or more than the park. Old fashioned fun.

I also agree that a day trip to the east coast would be a great idea. If you want more beaches, drive over an hour to Daytona Beach's huge wide beach. If you want history drive a bit further to St. Augustine.
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:06 AM
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Based on the amount of time you have I would likely include St. Augustine & Amelia Island. In addition, I believe you are short-changing Miami & the Keys a bit. Particularly when you're spending 3 nights each in FLL, Naples & St. Pete, + 8 in Orlando (?).
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:08 AM
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Wekiva Springs - thats the name - heard its great.
St Augustine is a good idea - will look at that. How long would it take to drive there from Orlando?
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:10 AM
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SAnParis: I know the 8 nights in orlando seems a bit long - but got a to a point where i needed to stop and this was the place - thought I could explore around from there
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:12 AM
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It's probably about 100 miles, maybe an hour & a half. Amelia Island is another hour north, but there is an old plantation in between + both places have very interesting, & well preserved Forts. (If that type of stuff interests you). I believe if you go up the Coast rather than the freeway (I-95) there is a little Ferry out that way as well as I recall.
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:13 AM
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ctf, if you haven't discovered www.mapquest.com yet, you are going to love it. Just enter your beginning and ending points and get driving directions, approximate drive time and mileage.
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:14 AM
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Are you flying out of Orlando ? or where ?
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:16 AM
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lol, Capetown. Good advice from keysmom. We've stayed at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo a few times and it is really lovely. Wonderful snorkeling in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It's beautiful--
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:17 AM
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Be sure to spend a few hours in the little town of Winter Park. Beautiful. Good shopping.

Stop at the Morse Museum and see the largest collection of Tiffany glassware in the world.

http://www.theculturedtraveler.com/M...rse_Museum.htm
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:21 AM
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Also consider a few hours in Mt. Dora -
http://www.heronfla.com/communityPage.cfm?var=mtdora
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:30 AM
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I second the St. Augustine suggestion but am not sure Amelia Island would be a "must see" unless you were planning several days in that area. Not that it isn't charming and interesting, we were just at the Ritz in April. But it's not drastically different from anything you'd see elsewhere in that area of Fla.

That said, I think you may be spending too much time in Ft. Lauderdale unless your intention is to stay on the beach for that time. In Miami, I know that everyone now heads for the south beach area but we still prefer coconut grove. You may want to stay there while in Miami. There's a great regional theater there, and many boutiques, restaurants, nightlife, etc.
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 07:48 AM
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You are all amazing - thank you. Please keep the suggestions coming.
Am definatley trying the map queat site.
Believe it or not, we like everything - outdoors, water stuff, the arts, history, shopping so just throw those ideas at us.

Its nearly 6pm here and a cold Cape winters evening is setting in, so I'm off to cook some baby soles and sit by the fire. Will check in again later
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Old Jul 20th, 2006, 08:27 AM
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Doing the Disney thing -

Christams time is an extremely busy time at Walt Disney World. If you can go after Thanksgiving but before the kids get out for Christmas vacation, you'll have much smaller crowds but all the pretty decorations. Crowds go down again after new years.

Have a touring plan - it just makes it so much easier. www.buildabettermousetrip.com will do a custom plan for you and will even call in your dining reservations. www.tourguidemike.com is a subscription site that helps you build your own plan. www.disneyworldlinks.com has lots of good WDW related links.

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