Trip suggestions – Miami & Orlando 2025

[LD27]

NorthernLass wrote:

The only time I’ve needed the print out in recent years was ironically at GLA a couple of months ago!

If your rental agreement doesn’t refer to an IDP, you won’t need one for the insurance that comes with that. If for some reason you were driving your own vehicle in the US, there might be a requirement to have one, but again that would depend on who was covering you.

I’ve hired many cars in UK and abroad (including the US) and for the first time ever at Inverness and Newcastle this year I was asked for “my code” to check if I had any penalty points. I explained that if I had any penalty points I wouldn’t have a paper licence! Neither location would accept that and I had to get a code. Never been asked anywhere else.

We’ve owned 3 vehicles in the US, all with different insurance companies, and none of them has required us to have an IDP.

[LD27]

The Savage Squirrel wrote:

If you are adults, have a car, and are interested in space flight even in the slightest, then the absolute best thing to see (sort of) near Orlando is Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Centre.

I second this. We’ve been twice with the kids. Once when the they were young. Then last time we were in Orlando (as adults) they asked if they could go back – they didn’t want to go back to Disney!

[Michael C]

We always add on a short trip to Cocoa Village after the Space Centre – cute for a stroll and a few nice places to eat.

[The real Swiss Tony]

harrysjones21 wrote:

We’ve got some Hilton points to use up so will look to cash them in. With regards tore booking for a lower rate. Does that happen with points redemptions? I cannot say we’ve ever tried that so am slightly unsure. We have done it for cash paying stays.

With dynamic pricing I can’t see why not, but the jumps in points required might not be that dramatic.

I can’t offer any insight as to where else you might want to stay I’m afraid, but am sure the collective wisdom here will throw something back especially if you give a guide price.

[Whatsthepoint]

Plus 1 for the Kennedy Space Centre, especially if you time your visit for one of the very regular rocket launches that you can see from the Saturn 5 centre, included with the entrance fee. We saw a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch 2 weeks ago. Also, Everglades well worth a trip. You can walk or cycle right next to Alligators. Contrary to popular belief, Alligators are not dangerous. Despite 1000s of them, the Everglades National Park has never had an Alligator attack. American Crocodiles however are mean SOBs. Flamingo well worth a visit for the wildlife.

[WoodyYork]

We honeymooned in Miami 14 years ago and loved it. We hired a car during our time and did a few road trips… down to Key West, across the Everglades (stopped for an air boat ride halfway then on to Naples for a sunset on the beach).

We don’t do a lot of travelling due to time and budget constraints, so we just really enjoyed exploring the various areas of the city – Coral Gables, South Beach etc.

Specific things we enjoyed…
– Miami Zoo
– seeing the Miami Dolphins play
– swimming at the Venetian Pool
– eating at food courts in shopping malls(!)

[Scott]

…

[Scott]

LD27 wrote:

NorthernLass wrote:

The only time I’ve needed the print out in recent years was ironically at GLA a couple of months ago!

If your rental agreement doesn’t refer to an IDP, you won’t need one for the insurance that comes with that. If for some reason you were driving your own vehicle in the US, there might be a requirement to have one, but again that would depend on who was covering you.

I’ve hired many cars in UK and abroad (including the US) and for the first time ever at Inverness and Newcastle this year I was asked for “my code” to check if I had any penalty points. I explained that if I had any penalty points I wouldn’t have a paper licence! Neither location would accept that and I had to get a code. Never been asked anywhere else.

We’ve owned 3 vehicles in the US, all with different insurance companies, and none of them has required us to have an IDP.

It’s interesting to hear of hire companies requiring the check-code, as this isn’t something I’ve encountered, so good to be aware in case it’s needed.

Note though that this isn’t the same as the International Driving Permit being discussed here. The IDP shows your entitlement to drive, whereas the check-code enables interested parties to view your endorsements.

Also, with regard to you still using a paper driving licence, endorsements ceased being recorded on these about 10 years ago so although you can continue using the licence until it expires (or you change name or address), the details your endorsements are held only electronically.

[zapato1060]

Been numerous times. I will give you more of a food run down (not fine dining). In Orlando, if nearby and you like wings (like we do) you wont find better anywhere then Gregs Place. Off the beaten path type place, grandma style.
Other eateries on your journey up include tom jenkins bbq, kelly landings new england for mouth watering lobster rolls, juana la cubana, jacks old fashion burgers, la paisita restaurant and bakery (Colombian food). Enjoy. Its not a scenic route MIA-MCO up by any stretch of the imagination. Going in April after not going since before the pandemic and going on a yearly basis since 2009 approx.

[NorthernLass]

@zapato, if it’s your first US trip since the pandemic, brace yourself for the price rises!

[Whatsthepoint]

We’re in Florida now. Groceries have certainly gone up but eati out, not so much in our experience. Just this lunchtime, we had a great shrimp lunch for $11 plus drinks and tip at a great independent restaurant.

[harrysjones21]

@Whatsthepoint where are you guys staying?

I’m curious as to how the flight went. This will be the OH’s first long haul flight, OH usually prefers shorter journeys so am wondering how they’ll find it. (If they like this we have two more long hauls planned for 2025).

I expect like most places prices have gone up. Can you share any tips that may be of use to us for when we travel there?

Concerning the tipping culture. Do they prefer tips in cash (not a problem) or can you also tip by card? Trying to work out how many dollars we need to take in cash.

[NorthernLass]

The norm now is to choose whatever tip you want to leave and pay it with the bill, whether that’s by card or cash. I think 18% is the lowest option they offer (and work out different options out for you with your bill!) Of course you’re not required to leave the “suggested” amount, especially if the service has been poor.

Don’t be surprised to see a request for a tip when you’re at a self-serve place or even the supermarket! Or at a buffet breakfast for the person who has literally picked up a pot of coffee and poured some into your cup.

I’m sure there’s a separate thread on here somewhere about US tipping culture since the pandemic 😂

[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.

[Whatsthepoint]

Just to add to what @davefl says. I compared a Publix bill with Sainsbury’s. Publix was at least 50% more expensive than Sainsbury’s which explains a little why Ameticans eat out a lot. Also the quality is generally worse. It’s common to take food away from a restaurant, we often get 2 meals out of one meal out. We would never go to Golden Corrall, it’s grim, both food and clientele in our opinion. We’re fortunate in St Augustine to have lots of great value, excellent quality independent restaurants. Chains we’d go to include the Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, Carrabbas, Cracker Barrell is an experience, Columbia (especially Tampa one), Salt Life, Hurricane Grill and Wings and Harry’s (more upmarket). Look out for Metro diners and Texas Roadhouse too. Lunch menus are often better value. IHOP can be great for cheap eats but also can be bad. Denny’s are ‘meh’. Check reviews carefully.

[harrysjones21]

Does anyone know if you can purchase the theme park tickets on a day by day basis?

At the moment I can only see tickets that can be purchased 14 days out, nothing less.

I only require tickets for 5 days.

Any advice? Thanks for your advice in advance.

[NorthernLass]

You could definitely book 1 or 2-day tickets at one time, but it was very expensive.

I remember when we went to Orlando we got 14 days’ access for the price of 7.

But I’m not totally sure what you mean here – is it the number of days at the parks you’re asking about, or how far in advance you can book?

[harrysjones21]

@NorthernLass yes the number of days.

We only require 5 days, yet every ticket website we have looked at so far shows a bundle of tickets for a minimum of 14 days.

We don’t require 14 days worth of access.

Do you recall where you got your tickets from?

[NorthernLass]

I can’t now, but there is a forum for fans of Orlando called The Dibb, where they have loads of information on stuff like this (I’m not signed up to it, someone suggested it for research on Virgin flights and I had a read of a few threads!)

Try starting here:

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/Tickets-c-72.html

And now I’ve seen it, I think we got our tickets from Attractiontickets.com

[Andrew.]

harrysjones21 wrote:

Does anyone know if you can purchase the theme park tickets on a day by day basis?

At the moment I can only see tickets that can be purchased 14 days out, nothing less.

I only require tickets for 5 days.

Any advice? Thanks for your advice in advance.

Which theme park for 5 days?

If you are buying Disnae, just go to the usual Disney page, scroll down to the bottom and look for “International Sites” and choose Europe rather than UK.
If you are buying for Universal, Groupon and other frequently do buy 2, get X free off-season.

I wouldn’t recommend Seaworld, even with deeply discounted tickets it felt like a real opportunity cost. My niece loved the Sesame Street parade though.

[Olly]

Yep buying from the UK they seem to only want to sell you 14 day packages (with 7 nights ‘free’). When we went a couple of years ago I bought our 2 day tickets from Kissimmee Guest Services https://kgstickets.com/wdw-buy-now/

Also worth checking out Mousehacking for other tips suggestions (for the parks generally as well as tickets) https://www.mousehacking.com/blog/walt-disney-world-planning-guide#tickets

[The real Swiss Tony]

For whatever reason, Disney markets to the UK and Ireland traveller that you want to spend your entire fortnight in WDW. However those 14 day tickets can provide best value depending what you want to do even over a 5 day stay, to the extent I’ve heard reports that some US travellers will buy them.

We used Undercover Tourist last year to buy a Disney 4 park, 4 day ticket that was I think $399. It generated an e-ticket that we then uploaded into the Disney app so it’s all seamless. As always do be careful when it comes to buying deals online – if it sounds too good to be true etc etc.

[Michael C]

A one-day ticket to one park in Orlando for 2 adults and 1 eleven-year old is now $600.
Looking forward to our trip to Shanghai Disneyland, where the same tickets (but giving access to all areas of the park) will cost $215.