Floridians I need Advice!!

Thanks, I didn't even think of that... not sure how to "move" my own thread, but I will post it again there. Admin can move if necessary!

Cheers,

Woah woah woah!  Welcome to our state, for sure, but if you tried to do all you are mentioning, you will waaay overexert yourself and your baby.  Especially since Davenport appears to be about 35 minutes from WDW.  You probably will need to rent a car if you are going to do half of what you say.


For the day that is just the adults, I would suggest Epcot, especially if you are a lover of world foods.  I adore the food and ambiance at the restaurant in Morocco.  Lots of eye candy in the international section, but perhaps a little less interesting to a 1 year old.  Definitely take the 1  year old to the Magic Kingdom and bask in the unadulterated wonder you'll see on that 1 yr old face when a parade of characters sings their way past!  In planning your day, know that it takes a good 35 minutes to get parked, tram to the ticket and transportation center, then take a boat or monorail to the park before you even get in. 



Busch Gardens is going to be a little over an hour away from where you are staying.  If you and your partner are really into roller coasters, this would be the place to go sans child.  Even with your babe, there are lots and lots of animals to see at Busch Gardens (I live in Tampa, and IMHO it's better than our local zoo in that regard!) and two dedicated kid-only play areas, although they are heavily water-play related.  Also, they have a "kid exchange" program (Disney does too, just ask a cast member) where one stands in line for the roller coaster, then you switch off and the other person goes basically to the front of the line. It really depends on what you are looking for -- 1 is a good age for the wide eyed wonder of Disney, but a 1 year old would have fun anywhere. 




Miami is Waaaaaaaaaaaay out of your way; I wouldn't try that.  It's like a 4-5 hour drive.  As for Cape Canaveral, it's about 1.5-2 hours from where you will be staying, and it' pretty neat if you are into rockets, but may not be much fun for your 1 year old.  I took a 3 and 6 year old last year and they both thought the best part was the playground that could be had anywhere.  But they also really enjoyed the rockets; your 1 year old won't.  I would personally save that for a later trip unless you or your partner are really into outer space.  I find the place absolutely fascinating!


It will be warmer than Canada, for sure!  By March, you should expect shorts and tees mostly, but bring sweaters/long pants for after dark, as it can sometimes get chilly at night.  You'll especially want layers for the baby.  You will be able to swim if you have access to pools; most hotel pools are heated to boot.  (Though most locals won't hit the pool until at least April!)  There are some of the world's best beaches on the West Coast, but where you are, you will have to travel 1-2 hours in either direction to get to a beach, since Orlando is smack dab in the center of the state (you could do Daytona to the Atlantic, but it will likely be swamped with Spring Breakers, and I personally feel the Gulf beaches, like Ft. DeSoto, are much nicer!). 


  Don't worry about gators.  I wouldn't swim in a random retention pond, but organized races are pretty safe, and gators don't live in the Ocean.  It's more the logisitics of finding a race that works for your dates.   Most races directors can recommend a bike shop that does rentals near the race site, if need be.   Depending on when in March, there is also the Disney Princess Half Marathon (which also has a 5K component if you would rather go shorter).  Disney races are expensive, but lots of fun, good support, pretty medals,etc. 

Have a fun and safe trip!


Edited by dinabean 2010-01-29 12:08 PM

For Epcot, I have a couple suggestions:

If you're going to have dinner there at any of the international places, BYPASS the Future exhibit and go in behind it and make your reservations right away. Then go back and see what you want to see. Also, the Italian place is AWESOME!

Don't try to do ALL of Epcot on one day. Break it up with some time in Magic Kingdom. If you try to do it all at once, it just gets into overload.

The water park is a lot of fun too.

If you are interested in planes or history, I went to a pretty cool place called Fantasy of Flight. It is about 30 minutes from Davenport.

Don't worry about the gators, you don't have to be faster than the gator you just have to be faster than the last guy. 

I wouldn't listen to any of these native Floridians telling you not to wory about the gators. They just want to go through your luggage for valuables after you are torn to shreds. Gators are everywhere in Florida, retention ponds, drainage ditches, swimming pools, bathtubs, water rides, and often hide underneath rental cars, pouncing when they see tourists.

Ok... honestly wasn't too stressed about the gators... I just know there are tons of threads about sharks so I thought I would throw it in there.

This is great food for thought... even Mr. Dog is now tracking the thread!!

We will be renting a car for sure... but you have all convinced me that Miami is out. We were planning one Adult day where Calla stays with Grandpa and his Snowbird Cronies. However, since we are travelling with a one year old... I don't really care how amused she is the whole time. I am definitely ready to geek out on space stuff... so whether she is thrilled or not is a moot point.

I have been to Disney and FL... but the last time was in 1988 and the trip truly ended in tragedy (my Aunt was hit by a car and killed)... so I am looking forward to creating new memories of Florida. I am also pretty sure that Disney has quite expanded since those days... so there is much to see and do.

I would LOVE to do Sea World... but the cost for all these places seem to be adding up. Maybe a few lower price events would be good. That is why I was thinking of beaches... or anything else.

Grandpa has a house rented and it has a pool... so that should be a blast. The baby likes water... but she really is still just a baby, so water venues are still going to be based on how long she stays warm in the water.

The locals or the gators?

Both

I live in NH but have a vacation home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.  New Smyrna is approx. 1 hour and 15 min from Orlando.  New Smyrna is a wonderful treasure in my eyes. If you would like an adult day on the beach this is the place to go.  15 miles of white sandy beach.  You can rent bikes and ride on the beach stopping along the way for lunch or drinks at Chases on the Beach or The Breakers.  If you want to bring the baby for fun in the sun and sand that would work too.  You can enter the beach in your car or if you would prefer a no drive zone you can do that too.  Bring your running shoes, rent a bike and guess what you can do your very own triathlon!  I would recommend a day at the beach for sure, you won't regret it. And coming from Canada, in March, you will love Florida.  All the natives will look at you like you are nuts when you are enjoying the ocean water, but to us true northern s, it is a treat!  NSB is north of Coca Beach and just 20  min south of Daytona.  A real family beach.  Let me know if you would like more information.