So who has driven to Miami from Disney?

[arielrocks]

On our next trip we are planning on doing a mini trip to Miami. Who else has done this? How long did it take you? Any hints or tips? Any hotel recommendations?

 

[Miffy2003]

It took us under four hours, but it is a pretty boring road. It's very straightforward. The roads around Miami were a bit of a culture shock after the boring highway - very busy and lots of lanes!

We didn't stay in Miami itself (we were in Fort Lauderdale), but we really liked the vibe of South Beach. The art deco district is just beautiful.

 

[jjk]

we did this last year, it took about 3-4 hours and was a very boring journey,we didnt stay in Miami so cant recommend any hotels

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have done this a few times, straight forward drive down the Florida Turnpike, just over 3 hours it took last time.

Actually prefer staying slightly further up the coast either at Boca Raton, Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale. Not too far to Miami from these and you can use the A1A coastal road which is a very pleasant drive.

Can highly recommend the Pelican Beach hotel at FL:
http://www.pelicanbeach.com/

Have also stayed at the Sheraton Yankee Trader at FL which is also a good hotel.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3328

For Miami I can recommend these, they are all on or close to south beach, Miami Beach itself is a seperate city from Downtown Miami.

http://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/miami-south-beach-villas.php
http://www.theparkcentral.com/
http://www.thebentleyhotel.com/

What you will find is some of these hotels can be expensive, bearing in mind they are close to or on the beach, also car parking is at a premium therefore if the hotel does have car parking it can be pricey too.

Personally would prefer to stay at quieter Fort Lauderdale and make the short journey to Miami whenever necessary, but naturally that's your choice.

 

[mikki.young]

I did it but it took me rather longer as the day I went it was raining so hard I couldn't see the road much past the front of the car! It was a good job it was a nice boring straight road!

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Wow, I'm liking the Pelican Beach hotel - think we might book the last two nights of our trip there as we are flying Heathrow to Miami this time!

 

[Babyboo]

We have started to fly into Miami - nicer Virgin flights and as they go from Heathrow knocks 1 1/2hr off our drive to and from the airport at home.

We usually spend our first night in Miami and drive up to Orlando the next day. I take the DVD player for the car to keep the kids happy.

Don't particualry like Miami airport or the fact that the car hire is all off site. But the courtesy buses seem to be pretty much continuous and has never been a problem for us. Can be a bit of the pain with a lot of luggage but doable.

We have stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Coconut Grove and also Palm Beach usually get a very good rate (for a higher end hotel) booking direct.

 

[igk]

We always fly to Miami too so have done the drive often.
The drive is fine, except the traffic can be very busy in the Miami area on the interstates/turnpikes, so if you get stressed with busy traffic it's worth bearing in mind.
I'm not sure I'd recommend a mini-trip from Orlando to Miami specifically - as others have suggested a bit further up the coast might be more relaxing.

A quick traffic avoiding tip for MIA airport - last time heading back down the Fl Turnpike we kept on the Turnpike looping west instead of taking the I95, and then took the 836 east. It was slightly further but we have had stressful journeys back to the airport while getting stuck down the I95.

 

[PhilUK]

If you've got time I would have a few nights at Keys too !!

Phil