ADR dilemna - trip cut short

[Mickey_Man]

So DW & I planned our annual 11 day summer trip to celebrate our anniversary, but this year we have to cut out on day 8. This is for a great reason though - my little cousin is getting married in Key West!!!!

So, while we still have to figure out the logistics like getting to KW from Orlando (i hear it is like a 6-7 hour drive and the flights are $350 each!), my immediate need is trying to fit all my dining wants into 7 days!! We will be staying at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge and here is what we have planned:


7/3

Lunch - Plaza
Dinner - Narcoossee's

7/4

Breakfast - The Wave
Dinner - Artist Point

7/5
Lunch - Le Cellier
Dinner - Boma

7/6
Lunch TBD (flame tree or other counter service)
Dinner - Paradiso 37

7/7 (anniversary!)
Breakfast - Crystal Palace
Dinner - California Grill

7/8 - wide open. we are considering a day trip to Kennedy Space Center or a day at Universal (never been), but I doubt we will now.

7/9
Breakfast - Whispering Canyon
Lunch - CHH
Dinner - ????

7/10
Breakfast - Kona

Hit the road!!!

We are now needing to cancel/reschedule:

Le Chef De France Lunch, Sanaa dinner, Tusker House lunch, Il Mulino dinner, Wolfgang Puck Express lunch, Yachtsman's dinner.

I don't think we'd cancel Narcoossee, California Grill, Le Cellier, or Boma. Anything else is reschedulable, and I think we'd like to fit in Le Chef, Sanaa, and Il Muliino for sure. Any suggestions?

 

[luvpooh]

personally I would get rid of Tusker House lunch and probably sub Il Mulino for Artist Point (or Sanaa, sounds interesting)

Have you looked into flying to MIA or FLL and then driving the rest of the way? The drive to Key West is something everyone should experience once, preferably in a convertible! Or if you do drive the whole way, make sure you stop in Yeehaw Junction on the way down - even it if is just to take a picture in front of the sign that says Yeehaw Junction - come on, you have to love it!
Oh and be sure to have a Dark and Stormy at Schooner Wharf Bar for me!!

 

[Mickey_Man]

personally I would get rid of Tusker House lunch and probably sub Il Mulino for Artist Point (or Sanaa, sounds interesting)

Have you looked into flying to MIA or FLL and then driving the rest of the way? The drive to Key West is something everyone should experience once, preferably in a convertible! Or if you do drive the whole way, make sure you stop in Yeehaw Junction on the way down - even it if is just to take a picture in front of the sign that says Yeehaw Junction - come on, you have to love it!
Oh and be sure to have a Dark and Stormy at Schooner Wharf Bar for me!!

Thanks for the tips - we will have to look into that. Any other tips on Key West? I've never been there. Any idea how long the drive is from Orlando? Google maps seems to think the 393 miles will take 7 hours and 5 minutes. I never know how accurate those are. Where is Yeehaw Junction?

 

[Hootch]

hours is probably a good estimate. Depending on how you're timing meshes with the general moves to and from Key West, Thursdays and Fridays to KW and Sundays from KW are generally busier, it could be a little longer or shorter. BK my wife and I would fly in to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale at least once a year and spend a long weekend down there. The drive is really nice. The convertible is a bonus but the drive can be enjoyable without one.

If you're staying near Duvall St in KW, you won;t really need to drive much of anywhere. There is plenty of shopping, restaurants and other entertainment within walking distance. There are pedicabs driving up and down the streets if you don't want to walk. Mallory Square can usually be fun around sun set. There are street performers and people selling crafts as people watch the sunset. Louie's Backyard is one of my favorite places to eat there. Alice's on Duvall was good, but I'm not sure if it's still there.

 

[disnut8]

Thanks for the tips - we will have to look into that. Any other tips on Key West? I've never been there. Any idea how long the drive is from Orlando? Google maps seems to think the 393 miles will take 7 hours and 5 minutes. I never know how accurate those are. Where is Yeehaw Junction?

I took my in-laws to Key West from the Atlanta area. It was a total of 15-16 hours and Disney World was the halfway point for an overnight stop. So your estimate of 7 hours is at the minimum. I say that because once you get south of Miami, the only road into the Keys is Route 1. A two lane, very limited passing road. That last hour will feel like five. However, the scenery is great.

My father and stepmother lived on the Keys for over ten years. I can ask them more specific questions for you if you want to PM me. I visited them twice and remember Yeehaw Junction but don't know why. My dad and stepmother know the drive from Key Largo to Key West quite well. I can ask them whatever you want to know. I do know this - once you get on Route 1, make sure your bladder is empty. Not a lot of places to stop for that kind of thing.

 

[luvpooh]

I've never done the drive from Orlando to KW, just Orlando to Boca, then another time Miami to KW. Yeehaw Junction was off the turnpike, it's a little town that I think used to have a brothel? They have a website, check it out! Then you take this road that looks like the scary guy from Jeeper's Creepers is going to jump out at you at any moment!

If you do drive to KW, I would take Card Sound Road instead of US 1 for the stretch right after Florida City. The Trip Advisor Key West forum is great, lots of info, lots of advice, and very friendly people. Definitely hit Mallory Square for a sunset celebration, do a Duval Crawl, and have a great breakfast or some great Cuban food (lots of recs on the TA board).

Hope this helps - PM me if you would like more info!

 

[meggymouse]

If you can get to Tampa you can fly from there to the keys or around 50$

 

[Mickey_Man]

If you can get to Tampa you can fly from there to the keys or around 50$

Any idea which airline to search? Travelocity had nothing cheaper than $280/person.