Classic Florida Family Road Trip  

What dreams are made of

Drive from the wonderland of Orlando to the beachside metropolis of Miami

Say hello to Mickey and the thrilling theme parks of Orlando, spending as long as you like in this incredible fantasyland before hitting the road and heading south to Miami. Here, you can slow your pace, unwind on the beaches, and indulge in some excellent dining. Then, you can drop off your hire car and fly home directly from Miami.

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10 nights
Orlando and Miami

Factoring in some much-needed relaxation time after the fun of Orlando.

Recommended itinerary

Orlando

The parks are waiting

You’ll start your trip in Orlando, poised to take on the incredible theme parks. If it’s your first visit, you’ll probably want at least a week, maybe more, to experience the best of what’s on offer at a reasonable pace. Remember, there are four parks and two waterparks comprising Walt Disney World (in an area the size of Manchester), and Universal Orlando Resort currently features two parks and a waterpark.

What to do in Orlando

Full on fun

The attractions in the parks will dazzle you. One moment, you’ll be on a Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge® adventure in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then flying over Pandora from Avatar on the Flight of Passage in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, then meeting Mickey Mouse in the Magic Kingdom, or immersed in a chase through time with the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT.

Where to stay in Orlando

Choose your perfect base

If most of your time will be spent around Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Swan Resort is a great option – you can walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT from here. Or choose a hotel near Universal Studios, deciding between the Hard Rock Hotel, Aventura, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Universal Cabana Bay, or Lowes Sapphire Fall Resorts.

Miami

Drive south

The 240-mile drive from Orlando to Miami will take around four hours without stopping. Make a day of the journey – you could even route past the incredible Kennedy Space Centre. Then, take Route 1 down Florida’s east coast and arrive in Miami via Fort Lauderdale.

What to do in Miami

Time for some R&R

As well as unwinding from your Orlando escapades, you’ll probably want to spend some time splashing about in the pool or trying watersports. When you’re ready for more, head out of the city for an airboat tour of the Everglades or visit the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.

Where to stay in Miami

Stay in a family-friendly resort

The legendary Fontainebleau has a superb family pool with gradual entry, a waterslide and spray canopy, plus plenty of restaurants to suit everyone's whims. It’s a big and busy resort, so if you’d prefer somewhere quieter, consider staying further north up the coast on Sunny Isles Beach and check into Solé Miami, A Noble House Resort – or even in blissful Fort Lauderdale, opting for the B Ocean Resort.

Set sail

Add a cruise to your holiday

Miami is the largest and busiest cruise ports in the USA, with ships leaving for the islands of the Caribbean, the shores of South America and beyond. It's easy to add a voyage to the end of your self-drive; a couple of our cruise partners that feature round-trips from here (or 30 miles up the I-95 in Fort Lauderdale) include luxe line Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International with its facility packed ships that are a real favourite with families.