Don’ts of Visiting Florida: Tips for A Successful Vacation
Greetings from Clearwater Beach, Florida, voted the #1 beach inthe U.S. Florida has a lot of great stuff you should do, but there are alsosome things you should not do in Florida. There are many American touristsvisiting Florida, as well as International travelers who visit Florida. Foranyone planning a Florida vacation, these “don’ts” will make your Florida tripeasier and more enjoyable.
Florida Tip #1 Don’t Mess With the Critters
There are some wild and exotic animals in Florida, including alligators and sharks. They aren’t just a tourist attraction; they are wild animals and can be dangerous. If you see signs at the beach with shark warnings, heed them. Follow any signs and instructions to stay safe from the wildlife in Florida.
Florida Tip #2 Don’t Expect to See All of Florida in One Trip
There are so many things to do in Florida, and it’s actually a really long state, over 500 miles from north to south. There is way too much to cover in one vacation, so travelers to Florida really need to focus in on one or two areas to visit, otherwise expect to burn out trying to see everything. This is especially true for visiting Florida with kids. Be realistic about how much ground can be covered each day.
Florida Tip #3 Don’t Sleep In
Early risers in Florida are treated to quiet, serene beaches before all of the tourists show up. This also applies for the theme parks; early in the day, the crowds are smaller, so it pays to get up early and get going. Go to bed earlier if you need to, but take advantage of early mornings and getting ahead of the crowds.
Florida Tip #4 Don’t Be Afraid to Stay “On Property” at the Amusement Parks
For days at Disney or Universal, it pays to stay at the on-site hotels. Often there are perks associated with staying on property, such as early access or free entertainment tickets. Plus, you’re already there, so when you get up early in the morning, you’ll be two steps ahead of everyone else.
Florida Tip #5 Don’t Break the Bank
Prices in Florida can be really high, as it’s a very popular tourist destination. It’s very easy to spend $1000 in one day for a family of four visiting the Florida theme parks. It’s possible to find cheap flights, and there are affordable options in Florida for those willing to do some research. The beaches are free, and there are National Parks, State Parks and nature preserves in Florida. There are even cultural sights in Florida, like St. Augustine and Tarpon Springs.
Florida Tip #6 Don’t Forget the History, Nature, Architecture and Wildlife
There are so many things to do in Florida outside of the theme parks. Florida has really cool sights and destinations away from Orlando. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S. Miami has incredible and interesting architecture, plus it’s a cultural melting pot with great Cuban cuisine. Fort Meyers has the Edison & Ford Estates and St. Petersburg has the Dali Museum, with the largest collection of Dali art outside of Europe. Gainesville has an excellent Natural History Museum, with dinosaurs. And although we said “don’t mess with the wildlife,” there are ways to see the wildlife safely, at national parks, aquariums and alligator parks.
Florida Tip #7 Don’t Forget Sunscreen & Hydration
Even in February, the sun in Florida is strong, and it can get hot. Everyone should bring sunscreen, but especially the pale northerners who haven’t seen sun in a few months. Many a Florida vacation has been ruined by sunburned; don’t let that happen to you. It’s also really important to stay hydrated, which requires drinking more water than beer and daiquiris. Drink lots of water, and the tap water is safe to drink.
Florida Tip #8 Don’t Use Your Mobile Phone While Driving
Talking on your mobile phone while driving is illegal in Florida, so the police can issue tickets for this. Have your co-pilot make any phone calls, or do the navigating on GPS. Florida is already expensive, don’t add an expensive ticket to your tab.
Florida Tip #9 Don’t Buy a Timeshare
Florida has a lot of timeshare buildings, and they use high pressure sales tactics to convince travelers to buy in. They offer free trips and tours to watch their presentations; don’t do it! (If you do buy into a timeshare, you have ten days to change your mind and cancel.)
Florida Tip #10 Don’t Forget the Seasons
Florida is prime hurricane territory, and the season typically runs July through November. Early fall is the most likely time to encounter hurricanes in Florida. It’s a good idea to have a Plan B for bad weather if you are visiting during hurricane season. Even in other times of the year, Florida can get rain, so it’s always good to have a backup plan. As far as high tourist season, the busiest week at Disney is the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Try to avoid that week if Disney is part of your Florida vacation itinerary. (July and August are really busy, too!)
Florida Tip #11 Don’t Mess with the Snowbirds
Snowbirds are the retirees who spend their summers up north, and come south for the winter. There are many retirement communities in Florida, and as the weather turns cold up north, they descend upon Florida. What this means for other travelers is that certain areas can be crowded in the winter and you might need to make restaurant reservations.
Florida Tip #12 Don’t Forget Reservations
Don’t forget to make reservations for your hotels, restaurants and even your Disney princesses. Disney princess meet and greets need to be reserved up to five or six months in advance, for the high season or for very popular princesses. Non-Disney Restaurants only need to be reserved a week or so in advance.
Florida Tip #13 Don’t Freak Out While Driving
Between tourists and snowbirds, traffic along I-95 or I-75 in Florida can be crazy. There are many people not familiar with the roads, some driving super slow, others zooming around, plus people who have driven 12+ hours from up north and are getting tired. It’s really important to pay attention when driving. Some drivers think they can skip the freeways and take side roads instead, but a lot of the little towns in Florida set speed traps, so be careful to avoid speeding tickets when driving the smaller roads.
Florida is a fabulous family vacation destination! The weather isgreat, and there are so many things to do. For more travel tip about Floridaand US travel, check out some of our other videos and blog posts.