Friend going to florida for the first time

[ukman]

I have been to florida, numerous times but I have a friend and his young family, 2 adults and two young teenagers, a boy and a girl, going to florida for the first time and would like me to tell them what they should do, to enjoy the best florida has to offer, they would like to try all the park stuff plus more.

Can anyone out there help me put a list for them, thanks.

[Kazzie]

If they are just going for the usual 2 week holiday I would suggest that they dont try to do too much. To do just the main theme parks in 2 weeks is really pushing it so I wouldnt suggest trying to do more. If they are staying in a villa they need to plan to have a few rest days inbetween to make the most of having all the facilities of a home from home environment along with the added bonus of a private pool. I know lots of people who have planned to do all sorts of things and then have a hard time trying to get the kids to go anywhere as they prefer to stay in the villa in the pool. Most visitors to Florida will return once they realise just how much there is to do there.[msnsmile]

As the children are teenagers I think they will love Universal and Busch Gardens for the more thrilling rides and then there are also the waterparks, it is just so hard to fit everything in.

[Nina A]

Why not suggest they look on the forum guides here? They have plenty of ideas on different things to do. Or suggest they buy the excellent 'Brit's Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World' by Simon and Susan Veness? The 2009 guide is in the shops now (or on Amazon) and is full of great ideas, has all the lowdown on all the parks and more, plus loads of money saving tips.

To recommend anything specifically is very difficult when we don't know their tastes or when they are going. Karen is right when she says to advise them not to try to pack too much in, there's always another year!

I would recommend they use the excellent car hire and park ticket services on this forum though. [8D]

[TrishT]

I would recommend Seaworld, Universal and Busch Gardens we visited US, IOA and BG for the first time this year and our teenage boys and girl loved it, DH was not sure whether to include BG but it turned out his favourite park this trip [msnsmile]