Thinking about going to florida next year,?

Question

i have kids 12 and 14 where would the best places be to visit? i am so confused with it all, we cant possibly visit everywhere in two weeks. however, would like to swim with dolphins and visit a beach... please advise

there is only one of us that loves roller coasters!

Answer 1

Well, if I were you I would start off with Walt Disney World (skip out on the Universal theme parks because there only good point is there selection of massive, terrifying roller coasters.) You're right, you simply can't do everything there is to do in Florida in two weeks, so don't stress out over all the different options. Walt Disney World would be perfect for your family. First of all, it's the number one vacation destination in the world, so you know you're going to have a wonderful time. It's definitely my favorite place to vacation - went there once and now I'm hooked. You could actually spend your entire two weeks on Walt Disney World property and not do everything there is to do. Maybe spend a week at Walt Disney World (I personally go for a minimum of 10 days.) There's four different theme parks on property, as well as two water parks, Downtown Disney, 25 different resort/hotel options, over 150 wonderful dining options, and a nearly infinite selection of recreation. And there's still a few great roller coasters for that one roller coaster fan. Also, at EPCOT (one of the WDW theme parks) you can take a tour called Dolphins in Depth. You don't get to swim with the dolphins, but you get to stand in the water with them, play with them, and direct them to do tricks. There's also this really cool tour where you get to go swimming in the huge aquarium with the sharks, sting rays, sea turtles, and other big fish. They give you SCUBA gear in both tours. I took the Seas Aqua Tour where you swim with the sharks, stingrays, etc., and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

Here's a link for the Walt Disney World website...

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index

Take one day to go to Discovery Cove for some swimming with dolphins. It's a resort that was especially created to provide dolphin swims. With admission you get access to a selection of pools that are home to different fish and sea creatures. There's the dolphin pool, there's the ray lagoon, and there's even an aviary with hundreds of tropical birds. Meals, SCUBA gear, sunscreen, etc. are included with admission. Admission is about $280 per adult during peak season (summer months) but they also include admission tickets to either of the other two Busch Entertainment theme parks, Sea World or Busch Gardens. I think it's definitely worth the cost. So, going to Discovery Cove and either Sea World across the street or Busch Gardens over in Tampa (if you choose to use the free tickets) will take two days.

Here's a link for the Discovery Cove website...

http://discoverycove.com/default2.aspx

For a beach, I'm not sure. I'f you're planning on visiting the Orlando area, it's pretty much in the middle of the state, so you can find a great beach to the east or west.

Here's a link for Florida's Top Beaches of 2006...

http://goflorida.about.com/od/beache1/a/beach_top2006.htm

Hope I could help! Have a great vacation!
(Email me if you'd like anymore information about Walt Disney World.)

Answer 2

Not sure if you have already booked it? but Cocoa Beach is lovely bit different the people who take there Hols there are other Americans and Canadians. Sea world is a must as are The original universal studios, Too many roller coaster at the other. Disney world of course, Cape Canaveral (very Interesting) and Gatorland is worth a visit, and if you get a chance book up to go out on one of the air-boats into the everglades to see the gators. Hope this gives you some ideas.

Answer 3

7 days in orlando
* Disney Parks for a couple of days
* Discovery Cove (Swim with Dolphins)
* Sea World - preschedule dinner with Shamu

7 days in either Clearwater or Ft. Lauderdale
Clearwater has better beaches, but Ft. Lauderdale has a hopping night life and lots more to do. Try the Marriott Vacation Club property for a 2 bedroom high-rise right on Ft. Lauderdale beach near Los Olas.

Answer 4

We went a couple of years ago, and went swimming with the dolphins.
We are also looking to visit again in 2008

Discovery cove is the best place for an organised swim with dolphins, though it's not cheap.

http://www.discoverycove.com/default2.aspx

for older children, I would say universal studios is the best theme park to visit.

You must try the all you can eat deals at The Ponderosa - amazingly cheap

Also check out this site for more advice
http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida_guide/

Answer 5

Universal Studios is pretty neat and Sea World has a 'swimming with dolphins' thing. You have to make arrangements way in advance for the dolphins so do it now. Disney is cool too.
I have 2 girls 14 and 16 and took them 2 years ago and they loved it.
Plus, they're all near each other.

Answer 6

Take time to go to Blue Springs State Park and the St John's river - about 40mins drive out of Orlando. It's beautiful. There are wild manatees there that come within 3 ft of you, loads of huge fish in crystal clear water. You can hire canoes or slow motor boat and see real gators close up.

We did the whole theme park stuff with the kids when they were similar ages to theirs but they both still say that that was by far the best day out we had.

Answer 7

Sanibel Island is a great great place. It's 60% preserved as a nature reserve, Wild dolphins all over the place. Tons of shells and the beaches are awesome. No high-rises ANYwhere on the Island. Lots and lots of bike riders, they encourage bike riding. Rent a condo for a week, that way you get your own kitchen, separate rooms, etc.

Answer 8

Orlando, and then drive up to Daytona beach. You can do anything you want in Orlando. You could keep a 12 year old and a 14 year old busy for 6 months there, but you want to hit a beach also.

Answer 9

orlando is as central as you can get ...

here you have Sea World for the dolphin swimming, an hour to a number of world reknowned beaches as well as other points of interest including lighthouse tours, day trips on cruise ships for very reasonable prices and countless theme parks and ride attractions.

Answer 10

Sea World (who cares about the attack?)
Disney world

I haven`t seen a place where you can swim with dolphins but maybe try looking up places in Miami, and places near the ocean not in the middle of FL.