OK, so I am from Miami and go to school in Orlando...these are some of my favorite places...
In Miami they MUST go to: 1. Venetian Pool (a Miami staple where they use ocean water in two different pools and there are hidden caves, etc...it makes for a fun day) 2. Depending on when they are there, a Farmer's Market begins in about November, it is called Nosberry Farms and it is run by the Amish in Homestead. They have PHENOMENAL food there and it's fun for an early day outing (and it's free to go there and the food is cheap) 3. In Ft. Lauderdale there is a fun restaurant called Opa. Greek style, you get on tables and dance with the employees, it is a great place for an exciting evening. 4. Of course South Beach! The TJs must experience this famous Miami area. By day the beach is crawling with great looking men and women and by night the clubs are insane.
You need to see the heart of Disney- that which allows the park to operate. It includes tunnels, underground "cities", and the inside scoop on all of Disney WOrld's secrets. P.S. Downtown Disney is a way you can have fun in Disney World, while avoiding the fairy tale element of the Magic Kingdom. It is like a whole different park, for people our age, by offering great restaurants shopping and activities (including nightclubs).
If you are in Orlando in the Winter, drive about 1 hour west to Blue Springs State Park, a warm spring where the manatees like to go to keep warm in the winter. It's amazing to see so many manatees in one place. January/February is the best time of year.
Downtown Disney is a lot of fun and check out Pleasure Island which has seven nightclubs to visit for one entrance fee. The House of Blues is terrific and Cirque du Soleil® La Nouba, while pricey, is well worth it.
To do some interesting "local" shopping, visit Flea World just north of Orlando, one of the country largest indoor/outdoor flea markets.
About 45 minutes east of Orlando, visit Kennedy Space Center, the only place in the world where humankind launched men to the moon. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to visit during a shuttle launch. The Center is located in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge which is a beautiful example of Florida's unique and diverse wildlife and natural habitats.
To come all this way and NOT go to Disney World would be a shame! Yes, it's based on a cartoon mouse. And yes, it's tragic when people eat at the China pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT and say they "ate in China." But when we were in Peru last year, the two little boys who became our temporary "tour guides" wanted to come to the USA for one thing - Walt Disney World. So if you only get one day at Disney, I'd recommend Disney/MGM Studios. Be sure to take the animation tour. other than that, I second Kennedy Space Center - there are a lot of bus tours that go there from Orlando. As far as Miami, we just did a segway tour of SoBe to see the Art Deco hotels. See the beautiful people...
I will repeat what has been said: GO TO DISNEY WORLD IF POSSIBLE. It's loads of fun. I think EPCOT is the best place there. The Innivations both is soooooo cool. My brother actually got to touch a Segway XD. There also the Coca Cola place within EPCOT where you can taste cola from around the world. And the Norwegian buffet there has great all you can eat food. Also in Downtown Disney they have the Circ Du Solei which is supposed to be pretty cool.
Or instead of Disney there's Universal Studios Islands of Adventures if thrills are more of what you want.
Well, I haven't personally gone to Florida myself, but it seems Disney's Animal Kingdom is pretty cool. Lions, Giraffes, Rhinos, and the restaurants and environments, it really seems like Africa. And go to EPCOT... I hear it's the best.
If you visit Florida, you have to visit St. Augustine. It's the U.S.'s oldest city. It has been around since 1565 and it's a time capsule that showcases all of the nearly 500 years it has been around. There a fort there (Castillo De San Marcos), lots of historic sites to choose from, and what I recomend the most are the ghost tours. St. Augustine is a 3 hr. drive from Orlando. I've been there many times and I love it there. This city is a look back in time to what Florida used to look like.
I forgot to mention Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando. It has all of the good roller coasters and rides. (The Hulk is the best.) A great place to go if you get tired of Mickey mouse and want some more adrenoline rushing rides. Plus for the nightlife City Walk is the place. You have to go through City Walk to get to Islands of Adventures. There are night clubs and restarounts like Margaritaville or the Hard Rock Cafe. If you go during October, you can go to Halloween Horror Nights for a real scare. I went last year and I had fun. I hope you have a great time in my home town, Orlando, FL!!!!
Disney World would obviously be awesome! Orlando is actually rated the most unhappiest city in the USA. Hahaha, funny because Disney is there. "Happiest Place on Earth". Universal Studios is fun, another great place to go. If you could get to Tampa somehow, that would be great. You could goto the Salvador Dali museum, take the nature walk at the Grand Hyatt at Tampa Bay. Tons of crabs, lizards, and spikey formations are abundant on the winding boardwalk. It eventually leads out to a small gazebo which you can look out on the bay and watch the seabirds. Also, you can take the gorgeous causeway across Tampa Bay with stunning blue water and a wide open sky. Eventually, you can visit Clearwater Beach which is one of the toprated beaches in the US. It has soft and silky white sand and beautiful clear water. I went during November and the calm Gulf water was so warm. Miami Beach is a must, visiting the art-deco neighborhood with its unique design. With it's shopping district, great boutique hotels, and beautiful people, South beach is great. Also, Miami has a strong Cuban influence, so there would be some great places to check out. That's all I got for now...
They just have to go to the Everglades National Park or any of the national parks and preserves in the area. The area is composed of diverse types of landscape and seascape. They can go canoeing in the mangroves, slogging in the wetlands, visit Native American reserves, taking a buggy ride, and lots more. Besides, it's the only place in the world that has both alligators and crocodiles living in the same area!
Keep in mind the TJs still only get $50 a day average. I just checked the Disney World website and the one-day pass is $67, just for the one park, breaking their budget.
Based on the schedule and being told there are 8 cities in 10 weeks, Orlando/Miami is halfway through, implying a possible vacation break before or after Florida, giving the TJs time to spend their own cash at Disney World, which I imagine some may wish to do. (Side note: I didn't care for Disney World or Land, but really like EPCOT Center.)
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