Fly with TUI and unlock the fun of the Sunshine State, from rockets to rollercoasters, golden beaches to gator spotting
IS YOUR idea of a great holiday spending long summer days relaxing on the beach with a cocktail in hand?
Or maybe it’s the rush of adrenaline as you hurtle down a 125ft waterslide, the spray hitting you in the face, going too fast to scream?
Luckily, a family trip to Florida offers both extremes – and everything in between.
With 825 miles of beautiful beaches, world-class theme parks, excellent food and the opportunity to get close up with nature, there is something for everyone.
The Sunshine State is the perfect destination for multi-generational families wanting to spend quality time together and create magical memories.
Flying with TUI is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to get to the USA’s most visited state. Arrive in style on TUI’s sleek Dreamliner and touch down at the recently upgraded Melbourne Orlando International Airport, on Florida’s east coast.
Melbourne is the ideal place to start exploring. When you book a fly-drive package with TUI, the car is so easy to collect at the airport.
Then it’s up to you where the road takes you.
Melbourne Airport is in a great location for going to all the key areas of Florida. You’ll be surprised at how soon you can get from your plane to your hotel, so much quicker than some of the other local airports.
Departing is just as efficient, with the car rental return and coach drop-off areas close by and within easy walking distance of the TUI check-in desks.
The airport is calm, with plenty of places to eat, drink and relax. Best of all, the TUI airport reps are always ready with a friendly smile to assist guests with their holiday!
Discover more and book your Florida family getaway at tui.co.uk
Consider starting in Cocoa Beach, a quirky seaside destination with all the trappings of a classic Florida getaway. Think barefoot beach bars and surfers taking on the waves before breakfast.
This is Florida’s Space Coast, so you’ll find Kennedy Space Center, a theme park museum with genuine space shuttles, galactic-themed rides and opportunities to meet a real astronaut.
If you time it right you might even get to watch an actual rocket taking off, ideally from one of the cool bars in Port Canaveral that overlook the launch site.
Further up the coast is New Smyrna Beach, a beautiful town that showcases Florida’s incredible nature. Deep golden sand meets the blue waters of the Atlantic, where there are dolphins, manatees, turtles and more than 400 species of bird to discover.
Family fun Florida has loads to offer for all ages
There are no chain stores or restaurants in this beach community, just locally owned businesses that have been here for generations.
Pick up some picnic supplies from one of the cafés and wander through the long grass that leads to the wide, open beach. Don’t be surprised to see dolphins playing just off the coastline.
Enjoy the tranquillity, because from here it’s an easy drive to Orlando, where the vibe is anything but quiet!
This high-energy city is at the heart of any Florida family trip, and fun for everyone in the family is a sure thing.
Mouse ears at the ready for a few days at Walt Disney World.
From the classic Disney stories we grew up with to attractions based on modern films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, there is magic here for everyone.
One of the best things about going to Disney with a group of different ages is that so many attractions are designed for everyone to ride together.
The must-do ride has to be It’s a Small World. Be dazzled by captivating music and colour for babies and toddlers – and a heavy dose of nostalgia for the grown-ups.
If you have teens in the group, Universal Orlando will also be an instant hit.
With wild rollercoasters and attractions based on Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and Minions, it’s your chance to quite literally step into your favourite movies.
At Universal’s Volcano Bay waterpark, the family challenge is taking on the Ko’okiri Body Plunge – but a 70-degree drop off the side of a volcano is not for the faint-hearted!
Those who would rather stay on dry land can watch from the tiki bar with a fruit punch as the thrill seekers take the plunge.
As well as the major theme parks, there is no end of things to do in Orlando, from alligator-spotting airboat trips at Boggy Creek to picturesque areas like Winter Park and Kissimmee, and a choice of outlet shopping malls to grab yourself more than a few bargains.
Before you squeeze all those new purchases into your suitcase for home, leave yourself a few days at Melbourne Beach to wind down and breathe it all in.
You can enjoy fishing here, and a variety of watersports including jetskiing, paddleboarding and surfing.
But, after a fun-packed few weeks, even the biggest adrenaline seekers will find it hard not to simply slow down and take in the last of those east coast sunsets.
KEYS TO FLORIDA
Follow the sun
Happy place
KEYS TO
FLORIDA
Shore to please Golden sand meets the Atlantic at New Smyrna Beach
Make a splash Dive into Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando
Insider tip
“A 70-degree drop off
the side of a volcano is
not for the faint-hearted!”
Above and beyond Let your imagination take flight at Kennedy Space Center
Thrill a minute Florida is synonymous with theme parks
Snap happy Look out for alligators on an airboat ride
Stephanie
TUI rep