School me on Florida

[killramos]

Waited too long for Maui to really be in the cards as anywhere I would want to stay is mostly sold out, so thinking of other options.

What do people think of Florida? I’ve never been and figure it could be nice?

Where do you go? What is important?

Looking for somewhere to go sit in the sun for a week over Christmas, pools /
Beach for the kiddo would be nice. Overall just want something low key.

No I don’t want to go to Mexico.

[ExtraSlow]

FL is further than CA, and fewer direct flight options, but still quite a few. Don't fly with your kid anything indirect.

No other comments,

[vengie]

Just google Florida Man and that's all you need to know.


South Beach in Miami is nice, lots of hustle and bustle. Would not be relaxing.
The Florida Keys were neat, a little more laid back.
Try to get on an airboat tour through the Everglades.

Eat alligator and frog legs.

[killramos]

I like California, but it was already bordering on a bit too cool for me when I was there a few weeks ago. Florida seems materially warmer?

[Ca_Silvia13]

I went to Tampa a few years back. The air travel was miserable. Nothing direct and all the stops made it a 12 hour airport day.

[ExtraSlow]

Westjet is Daily to Orlando, and 3 times per week to Fort Lauderdale from YYC. Non-direct flights are the wrong choice.

[killramos]

Is Orlando a good spot?

Theme parks aside, we just did that vacation and I think it will be some time until we repeat it.

Mostly looking for straight up opinions right down to resort/hotel recommendations if people have them.

It’s a huge fucking state and I have barely dove into this at all.

[jutes]

Key West is really nice if you want to just relax, hit up beaches and good restaurants. Very little driving around since the island itself is relatively small but has everything you need. You can rent a vehicle and just drive up the island chain and there are beaches and spots to stop everywhere. Stayed at 24 North Hotel and Doubletree, good options depending on your price range.

[BavarianBeast]

Florida is trash, all of it.

Maybe Boca Ratan is decent but it’s still Florida

[killramos]

The whole thing wow. That sucks.

I’m getting a sense as to why I go to Hawaii…

[ThePenIsMightier]

I've only been to Orlando and Disney. It's true that Floridians* are vile and should be predominantly drowned or eaten.
*But the ones working in the Tourism sector seemed excellent.

[roopi]

If you are willing to travel that far then go to Bahamas. Westjet direct on Saturdays. Fly into Nassau and stay on Paradise Island. You like spending Maui money you will feel right at home.

[nismodrifter]

Florida too far.

Went to Callifornia a few years ago at Xmas time. It was glorious. Stayed at a beach front hotel in Laguna Beach with waves literally crashing at the base of the building. Temps were 17-20c. Everyone (literally everyone) was wearing winter clothes. I was in shorts, flip flops, and a light sweater as it got to evening time.
Pool was nice. Beach was cold but kids were playing in the sand etc.

Wanted to go back last year, had everything booked, and on day before our departure our flights got cancelled because of the great Vancouver snowstorm of 2022. RIP.

[blueToy]

Spent three weeks there this past spring. Stayed in Miami mostly. Rented a car for the weekends and drove as far south as Key West and as far north as Palm Beach. Took lots of transit, trains or walked. This is just my opinion. Like everything in America, the more money you have and can spend, the safer you'll be. Be prepared to spend lots to distance yourself or your family from mental illness. Florida, or maybe the nicer weather states, attracts lots of it. There are nice beaches and lots of good food choices in the Keys, which has a more relaxed way of life. Palm Beach and area seems to have been more sanitized as the Ex presidente spends/spent most of his time there. Cleanliness and good food comes at a premium cost there though. Miami has some very nice pockets of beaches and entertainment, but I would never need to see it again. LOTS of unstable, angry and sketchy folks around. Our friends have a vacation home in St. Pete's. Weather is great and its clean, but again, very expensive and you need not venture too far to find trouble or for trouble to find you. We never got to Orlando, but several thousands were let go from Disney while we were there, and I can't imagine what its like now after several months. Be prepared to spend more to live better. Life is such. Been there, and more then likely, never going back unless I have to.

If its weather you're after, Fiji, Cook islands or the south Pacific are great options too.

[killramos]

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If you are willing to travel that far then go to Bahamas. Westjet direct on Saturdays. Fly into Nassau and stay on Paradise Island. You like spending Maui money you will feel right at home.

I didn’t think direct to Nassau was an option, will look into that

[ganesh]

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If you are willing to travel that far then go to Bahamas. Westjet direct on Saturdays. Fly into Nassau and stay on Paradise Island. You like spending Maui money you will feel right at home.

We were there in July and Stayed at Atlantis. IMO It is more expensive than Maui.

[Xtrema]

Only Key West is chill.

Orlando is no chill and you don't want to be there unless you are doing Disney/Universal/NASA/Nascar.

St Petersburg looks pretty chill but never stayed there to find out.

EDIT: Daytona Ride Along made me respect the kind of G force they felt in that ring.

[bjstare]

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Florida is trash, all of it.

Maybe Boca Ratan is decent but it’s still Florida

Says the guy that always goes to Mexico!

[killramos]

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We were there in July and Stayed at Atlantis. IMO It is more expensive than Maui.

I think that’s highly dependent on where you stay in Maui lol

[ganesh]

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I think that’s highly dependent on where you stay in Maui lol

Yes. I am comparing the prices to staying in Wailea area. Not Fairmont