Best Places to Stay in Florida for UK Holidaymakers
Trying to pick where to stay in Florida? That’s a big one. Especially if you’re coming from the UK and want to make sure you get it right first time. ...
Read Article
Taking the whole family to Florida? Brilliant. Also — a bit of a mission. Between theme parks, the heat, the flights, and the general “are we there yet” energy, it can be magical and mildly chaotic all at once.
Here’s some advice that actually helps — based on what UK families tend to wish they’d known before boarding that plane.
Don’t Try to Do It All
Seriously. You can’t see everything. Not in one trip, probably not even in two. So pick your top parks, plan a couple of quieter days, and let go of the idea that you need to squeeze in every single attraction. You’ll enjoy the holiday more — and so will your kids.
Theme park burnout is real. And no one wants to queue for hours in 35-degree heat on day seven of ten.
Break Up the Park Days
It’s tempting to go all-in on Disney or Universal, back-to-back days with a carefully plotted schedule. But spacing things out helps. One day at a park, one day chilling by the pool. Maybe a bit of shopping, or just wandering around Disney Springs.
Your feet (and your kids) will thank you.
Take a Pushchair — Even for Older Kids
If your child is under seven — bring one. Florida parks involve a ridiculous amount of walking. Even if your child “never uses a buggy at home”, this isn’t home. It’s hot, it’s crowded, and you’ll end up carrying them otherwise. Park rentals are available, but they’re not cheap, and they’re not particularly comfy either.
Pack Light for the Parks — But Smart
Every family seems to bring a rucksack big enough to survive a week in the jungle. Don’t. You’ll just end up lugging it around, sweating and swearing. What you actually need:
Book Restaurants in Advance (When You Can)
If you’re planning to eat at any of the big-name restaurants — particularly inside Disney — you’ll need to book. In fact, you can book 60 days ahead if you’re staying at a Disney hotel. Sounds excessive, but those character breakfasts go fast.
That said, not every meal needs to be planned. Sometimes the best dinners are just a spur-of-the-moment burger with your feet in the sand.
Choose Your Hotel Carefully
It doesn’t have to be expensive — but location and facilities matter. Somewhere with a pool is essential. Somewhere with free breakfast? Even better. If you’re going to the parks every day, check whether there’s a free shuttle, or at least easy access to transport.
Villas work well for larger families or anyone who wants a bit of space and downtime. Just remember: you’ll probably need a car.
Use UK-Based Ticket Providers
Buying park tickets before you go almost always works out cheaper. And the UK-based deals tend to include bonuses — things like park hopping, extra days, or water park access. Plus, you won’t have to faff with it once you’re there.
Look out for bundled passes too. Sometimes it’s cheaper to get a 14-day Disney ticket than a 7-day one. Odd, but true.
Snacks Are Everything
Theme park food is expensive. And kids seem to get hungry every ten minutes. Bring cereal bars, fruit snacks, and things that don’t melt in the heat. A few sweets to bribe them through the longer queues? No judgement.
Also, Walmart is your new best friend. Stock up early, stash it in the hotel room, and save yourself a fortune.
Leave Room for Spontaneity
It’s easy to over-plan. You’ve got spreadsheets, apps, colour-coded itineraries. But sometimes the best bits happen when you don’t plan at all. Like stumbling across a street performer at Disney Springs, or catching a beach sunset because dinner ran late.
So yeah — make a rough plan. But don’t be afraid to ditch it if something better comes along.
Prep for the Flight — Hard
The flight’s long, especially with younger kids. So bring everything. Tablets, headphones, snacks, games, colouring, spare clothes (for them and you — trust me), and something soft to snuggle into.
Try to keep the mood light. It’s not always fun, but it’s part of the adventure. And once you land? It’s all worth it.
