Entertaining UK visitors in FL - HELP!

[TigH]

OOOOH, I'm desperate for some help!

There is a rumor circulating that some of my cousins from England will be visiting us for two weeks in July. They are from Sheffield (family of three, Mom, Dad, 15 year-old son). We are planning to take them to a Disney water park, two or three of the Disney theme parks, a Universal Park and Kennedy Space Center. Will this be enough theme parking or not enough? They have never been to Florida, to my knowledge. AND I don't think they are prepared for the heat.

They will be staying with my parents. My parents live about 30 minutes from the Daytona Beach area, so we are planning to take them to the beach once or twice (and out for many dinners along the river/ocean)

What non-Disney/non-themepark things do you enjoy doing when you are visiting? Will they be bored to death if we take them to a flea-market? What about just shopping at our local stores (Target and similar department stores).

When we visit England, it's a made-up-as-you-go schedule. I enjoy the VERY simple things like visiting the local shops, riding the bus, hitting a few pubs, and visiting towns in a relatively close area. The culture and change in scenery are enough to amuse me! We really want them to have a great time and not be bored. My Aunt was visiting in January and she said she could never live in America because she'd feel like a prisoner in her own house (she can walk or take the bus anywhere in England but at my parent's house she had to rely on my Dad's car to get around).

Thanks for your help!!! Any and all suggestions are welcome!!!!!! What do you enjoy doing while you are here? What makes it a memorable trip?

 

[Loftus]

I think what you have suggested sounds pretty good - if mum is anything like some of the mods on these boards then 2 weeks will not provide enough time for shopping

 

[Hilary]

Not <b>all</b> of the mods here like a lot of shopping!


Tig, I think your plan sounds just great - I'd be more than happy to experience all of that on a first trip to Florida to stay with family. I think you're right to take a slightly different approach than a 'normal' visitor from the UK on a two week vacation, because they'll want to spend some time with you all and to see the normal day-to-day things outside of the theme parks.

Do you want to adopt some more British 'family'? I think you'll find plenty of volunteers here!

 

[vernon]

For your 15 y old cousin I would think an evening at WetnWild's party night would probably go down well. The rest sounds pretty good, it is likely that your cousin would prefer IOA and their parents prefer US, that might be a good day to split them up and give both of them a break from each other. At 15 most British kids are used to a lot more independance than Americans so trying to work some freedom/apart time in the parks is likely to prove popular. I would also say that it would be a good idea to encourage them to rent a car for at least some of the time and to go explorting on their own. I would say the Space Centre would be a good choice for this, they might enjoy SeaWorld as there isn't really anything in the UK that compares to this park. I would say SW is also a park that would be a good day for them to explore alone.

Walmart is an experience for most UK visitors, as the price for most things is incredably cheap

 

[BevS97]

When we lived in the States (not exciting places like FL, we lived in Minnesota, Nebraska, Pittsburgh and New Jersey) - we frequently had UK visitors. Although we tried to do some fun, touristy things (quite hard in Nebraska) - they really seemed to enjoy 'living the american life' - things like the supermarkets and Walmart are quite different (although are supermarkets aren't quite so different as they were in the early 80's) - my brothers played a lot of sport - Little League and Soccer, and High School football games are all extremely different and my grandparents used to enjoy coming to see things like that.

Bev

 

[LindseyUK]

Your plan sounds great already- and must agree with Vernon and Bev- a trip to Walmart is always a full day out for us, and just as enjoyable as a day at the parks (well...almost! )

 

[caroley]

Oh yes! You must take them to Walmart. I think the cinemas are nicer than what we have here. Perhaps there'll be a new film out that they'll fancy seeing.

 

[coxan]

Hi

I think everything is fine that you are planning is great, I would like to go to a local flea market. I would also like to be part of the american life, and I think they will to, hope you dont worry to much about your visitors, go with the flow and enjoy your time with the family ANNIE

 

[TigH]

I feel so much better now, thanks!!!!

Walmart, eh? I would have never thought of that! The Walmart in our area (Sanford) is not very nice, but I think it is getting a facelift and it is turning into a Super Walmart. When you are visiting the Disney area, do you go to the Super Walmart in Kissimmee (I think it's Kissimmee?) If so, I can see why it's a hit! That place is huge!

All the reassurance that the schedule is ok is very much appreciated! And the suggestions! I'm not even sure if any of them will get on a rollercoaster. They took us to Blackpool once (back in 1990) and my cousin was too little to do any of the big rides.

Thanks so much for your assistance!!!!! Oh, we are also hoping to go on a river cruise in the Daytona area. There is one I've read about that leaves around 1:00 in the afternoon and lasts for 2 1/2 hours. It's a dolphin cruise, so there should be a good chance for us to see some dolphins.

Hilary, where should I send the adoption papers to? Anyone else interested? Maybe we should start running a Sanford B&B.

Thanks again you guys!!!!

If anyone is interested, I took some pictures of our "grand day out" in the Daytona Beach area on Saturday. <a href="http://www.rossandkaren.org/beach.html">Click here</a> to see them. Just testing out our new camera. Only 37 days (or so) until we leave for Sheffield. WOO-HOO!!!!!

 

[UKDEB]

Karen,

I've just finished reading about your day out with your lovely family. You can definitely adopt me if you like! I especially like the photos of the pelican patiently waiting to use the phone, and the arty black and white one of Jennifer.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Tig, I think what you have planned sounds great I don't go along with the visit to Walmarts to be honest, but the 15 year old may well be into visiting the Nike store and other designer label outlets !!!
I think you may need to remind them to keep drinking water - I'd use the advice on the info pages as this cannot be emphasised enough. The heat will probably mean they'll want to take things fairly slowly at first and get accustomed to it.

I think the boat trip sounds really wonderful and I think they'll love it