Reply To: Trip suggestions – Miami & Orlando 2025

[davefl]

@harrysjones21 If you mean shopping for groceries then avoid Whole Foods. They may be good quality but the prices are insane. Trader Joes are similar but slightly cheaper.

Publix supermarket are the dominant chain in Florida, Aldi are widely spread too. Walmart are ubiquitous across the US, go for the experience and the lower prices but the fresh food is often very poor. If you can find a branch of Sprouts they’re the best combination.

As for long haul, just think of it as two short haul flights punctuated by lunch/dinner. It’s boring, take your own device with whatever content keeps you amused just in case the in flight entertainment is broken or you can’t find anything to watch.

If you want cheap but reasonably good food look for a buffet chain such as Golden Corral. Go for the experience of all you can eat for around $20. (no alcohol served but unlimited soft drinks). Fantastic people watching opportunities at no extra charge.

As for tipping it’s been covered here in the past but I cant google the thread.

1. You’ll be asked for tips everywhere, even at a gas station where you’ve pumped your own gas if you go in and pay at the desk (Try to use supermarket stations where possible or major chains where pay at pump with chip in pin works almost everywhere now). Even self service tills at supermarkets ask for a tip.

Typical tip is 18-20% but feel free to reduce that to zero if the service has been bad. I never tip at self service breakfasts in hotels, I also won’t be bullied into tipping when I’ve just paid for something I’ve selected and paid for by taking it to a till. If yuo’re buying coffee at a starbucks or the like, feel free to decline the 20% tip on the screen when you tap your card and put a dollar or two in the tip jar.

Cash is always preferred when tipping as it goes to the server directly. Generally when I’ve asked for the bill in a restaurant, they’ve pre-filled in the amount when they bring the card machine. If I write the tip on the bill it’s rarely added to the total later. If you’re returning to a place more than once tip well and they’ll remember you… works all over the world 🙂

Payment by card is erratic in terms of process – Sometimes it’s tap, sometimes it’s tap and sign, sometimes it’s tap and pin, sometimes it’s swipe and nothing more. All very inconsistent.

If this is your first time in the USA don’t forget that both you and your OH should carry your driving licenses everywhere as proof of ID to drink alcohol. Doesn’t matter if you’re 80, a lot of places will still ask for ID.