Anyone familiar with Ft. Lauderdale

[katallo]

Thought disboard friends may help with this. We have a trip planned to Ft. Lauderdale in 10 days. Can anyone give us advice on what to do? This is a planned vacation, but it can be changed. How are things progressing since the hurricane?

 

[Melynny]

We were there several years ago and planning a trip this january. One thing that we are doing again is a dinner cruise on the Jungle Queen. Also, in Miami is a house tour of Vizcaya, it's a summer home of James Deering, he started International Harvester Tractors. It's quite impressive. I loved Parrot Jungle, although dh hated it!

 

[Ellester]

Well, my family lives in Lake Worth (40 miles north of Ft. Lauderdale) and they still do not have power and may not for another 3 weeks. Schools are closed at least through the weekend. It still seems to be a major mess down there. Broward County (where Ft. L. is) was NOT prepared for a storm of Wilma's magnitude. I would be very hesitant to go in 10 days, especially if you won't be out any money by cancelling. It seems to be very slow going in the recovery process down there. I would wonder if your hotel is even going to be open. Where are you supposed to stay?

 

[spiceycat]

call the hotel.

some of south florida won't get their power back on until Nov 15.

I think you would be fine - otherwise the hotel would have called you.

but call them to be on the safe side.

 

[katallo]

I've tried to contact the Westin but they still do not have power.

 

[Rex Rules]

Are you staying at the Westin Diplomat? That is one of the most fabulous hotels I have ever seen - LOVE it. I do know many in that immediate area are still without power. Hopefully you will be able to get in touch with them soon and find out. I would think they would be up and running surely by then.

 

[spiceycat]

here is what Westin is saying about it

http://starwoodhotels.com/info/landing.html?category=WILMA&IM=WI_HP_TL_WILMA

 

[momadis66]

I live about 30 min from the area...they still have no power..beaches are a mess..that is putting it mildly..and any major attractions may not be open...we are slowly getting power back in all areas and some still don't have water..now miami did much better than broward in the storm..there is storm debree literally all over the place...traffic lights are not working and kids are still not back in school...if you are coming to sit on a beach you may still be okay but if it were me I would reconsider. This is just my honest opinion..anything else I can help out with let me know.Like I said I live about 25 miles from the beaches...in Weston..so anything I can help out with just give a hollar.

 

[katallo]

I live about 30 min from the area...they still have no power..beaches are a mess..that is putting it mildly..and any major attractions may not be open...we are slowly getting power back in all areas and some still don't have water..now miami did much better than broward in the storm..there is storm debree literally all over the place...traffic lights are not working and kids are still not back in school...if you are coming to sit on a beach you may still be okay but if it were me I would reconsider. This is just my honest opinion..anything else I can help out with let me know.Like I said I live about 25 miles from the beaches...in Weston..so anything I can help out with just give a hollar.

Thanks so much. While we would love to visit, I think the area may need time to recover. The hotels keep adjusting their reopening dates so it's hard to determine what two weeks will bring.

 

[Diabolicdesire]

If you have kids you gotta check out WANNADO CITY. It's in sunrise, heres the link http://www.wannadocity.com


It is great, My DD 8 has such a great time there, and actually so did I.

(I'm from S Florida and have relocated to SC, but I still consider it home)

 

[JandD Mom]

Thought disboard friends may help with this. We have a trip planned to Ft. Lauderdale in 10 days. Can anyone give us advice on what to do? This is a planned vacation, but it can be changed. How are things progressing since the hurricane?

Katallo,

DH and I go there all the time because his mother lives there. If you send me a PM with what you like to do or the sorts of places you like to eat, I can help you out. I love FLL. I also agree that if you have kids Wannado City is a MUST.

However, I want you to know DH was there yesterday taking care of some family business and he says it is BAD there. He came home last night. Whether there is power or not is just one problem. Everything is a mess. He said driving from the airport, road signs are bent in half or missing. Traffic signals may not work or may have blown right off their poles. There is debris everywhere although in many places they have made neat piles which are awaiting pickup.

Also some places must still boil water, or may not have cable TV. ANother problem is workers. Some of them just can't come to work because they are taking care of their own problems. So some places are still not opened.

Bottom line is since you said you can change it, you may want to consider doing just that. DH said restaurants are also very spotty now too.

 

[ufgator]

Thought disboard friends may help with this. We have a trip planned to Ft. Lauderdale in 10 days. Can anyone give us advice on what to do? This is a planned vacation, but it can be changed. How are things progressing since the hurricane?

I live in Boca Raton (just north of Ft. Laud) and lived in Ft. Laud my whole life until I moved to Boca a year and a half ago. Most people I know in FLL have power, but I know some who still don't. Which Westin are you staying at? The boil water alert in FLL was lifted at the end of last week. There are still intersections without stoplights though many of the main ones are up. Street signs are missing so it might be hard to get around if you don't know the area. Many trees are gone and most of the leaves are gone. It's pretty bare and DH said it looks like up north in winter. Cable is out. You might want to reschedule your trip if you can and come back when things are more normal. If you're still going, you can pm me and I'll help you as best as I can.

 

[katallo]

Thanks, I sent you a pm.

 

[momadis66]

When are you planning to come?? I answered you on your first post...I live about 20 minutes from FLL. and things are not good here...not for a vacation anyway...there are still no traffic lights up...and the beaches are still recovering..of course I think you will find things to do..but if you want to PM me go right ahead with anything I can help out with..Are you traveling with kids???..Good Luck!!

 

[katallo]

Thanks to everyone. We just returned and had a great time. Driving was a challenge but all in all they are recovering. We went to Naples and they are in much better shape than Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood.