Miami, Key West, Clearwater, Orlando & Beyond...
|
|
Kissimmee and Orlando are perfectly positioned in central Florida with the Gulf and Atlantic coasts
60 - 90 minutes
drive in either direction. Also, as the vacation capital, there is an endless list of attractions
and Florida will always have something to offer.
From the white sandy beaches in the west of St Petersburg and Clearwater, Kennedy Space Centre and Cocoa beach in the
east and the hot cosmopolitan Miami nightlife and diverse Florida Keys in the south.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
Clearwater beach |
|
|
|
|
Cocoa beach |
|
|
|
|
Lively Ocean Drive in Miami |
|
|
|
|
|
If you are looking for a guide book on
Florida and Orlando, there are two that we find extremely useful - even for regular visitors.
The first is 'Top 10 Orlando', published by Dorling Kindersley and priced at approximately £6.
As the name suggests, this lists the 'top 10' of virtually everything e.g. thrill rides, places to shop, dinner shows etc... The second is 'A Brit's Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World',
published by Foulsham and priced at approximately £11. This is a very easy book to read, aimed primarily at British tourists and covering all
aspects from driving in the area through to the attractions. |
|
Florida Map of Cities and Places to Visit (top of page)
|
|
Although satellite navigation is an option for the rental
car, worthwhile up-to-date maps are available from WalMart. When purchasing a map, consider plastic backed e.g.
Rand McNally EasyFinder, as these will take a lot more wear and tear than the paper maps. If you are looking to travel
during your visit, there are voucher booklets available at many supermarkets and diners which offer cheap motels, as well as
money of coupons for restaurants, shops and attractions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click on the markers alongside on the map for the facts and figures about the city, as well as the approximate distances, route and driving time from Indian
Wells.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Monthly Temperatures (top of page) |
|
Click for the
current and forecasted weather in Lake Buena Vista. Below are also the average highs for the day and lows for the night. Bear in mind that the
midday temperatures are taken in the shade and it will feel hotter in direct sunlight. Sun block is a must even in the cooler months.
|
|
|
|
Highs |
Lows |
Pool Heating? |
| January |
71ºF / 22ºC |
49ºF / 9ºC |
Recommended |
| February
|
73ºF / 23ºC |
50ºF / 10ºC |
Recommended |
| March
|
78ºF / 26ºC |
55ºF / 13ºC |
Recommended |
| April
|
83ºF / 28ºC |
59ºF / 15ºC |
Optional
|
| May
|
88ºF / 31ºC |
66ºF / 19ºC |
Optional
|
| June
|
90ºF / 32ºC |
72ºF / 22ºC |
|
| July
|
92ºF / 33ºC |
73ºF / 23ºC |
|
| August
|
92ºF / 33ºC |
73ºF / 23ºC |
|
| September
|
90ºF / 32ºC |
72ºF / 22ºC |
|
| October
|
85ºF / 29ºC |
66ºF / 19ºC |
Optional |
| November
|
78ºF / 26ºC |
58ºF / 15ºC |
Recommended |
| December
|
73ºF / 23ºC |
51ºF / 11ºC |
Recommended |
|
|
|
|
Useful Information about Florida (top of page) |
-
Florida is on US Eastern Time (EST) or 5 hours
behind the UK. Clocks are also changed for Daylight Saving Time, so during March/April and November, Florida may be 6 hours behind.
-
The International Direct Dialing (IDD) code for the US is 001 or +1. Once in the US, the telephone number for emergencies (e.g. fire, police, ambulance) is
911. Dialling the UK has the IDD code 0044 or +44. Virtually everyone speaks English in the
US.
-
Mobile cell phones will only operate in the US if they are 'tri-band' or 'quad-band'. Check with your service provider beforehand whether your phone is compatible and what the approximate call costs
are - especially for smartphones and 3G data roaming.
-
The electricity supply in the US is 110V
(the UK is 220-240V) and the plugs are smaller, with 2 prongs instead of 3. By using a plug-in adapter, electric shavers,
phone chargers and other small electrical items should still operate. Mobile phones can still be charged using
an in-car charger.
-
You drive on the right-hand side of the road or the other side of the
road in relation to the UK.
-
The currency is US Dollars (US$) and note that most prices do
not include the state sales tax. This is approximately 7% extra on the price they quote. Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards are welcome almost everywhere - unlike Travellers
Cheques.
|
|
Travelling from the UK - Are You Registered with ESTA?
(top of page) |
|
In 2009, the means to enter the USA was changed to ESTA (Electronic System for
Travel Authorization), requiring details of each visitor to the USA to be registered online
prior to travel. A charge of US$14 is levied against each registration, however, beware of some websites that are charging up to $250 for completion of these details.
All visitors aiming to travel to or transit through the USA under the Visa Waiver
Programme (VWP) are
required to obtain approval under ESTA. The application must be made at least 72 hours in
advance, but should be done at the earliest opportunity. It is also possible to apply for approval
if there are no specific plans for a trip to the USA e.g. where travel is likely at short notice.
ESTA is authorisation to travel under the VWP and as such the usual rules apply as to
who will qualify. To apply for approval, visitors must complete the questions on the ESTA website
(the links are below). Where you require the address of the rental property you have booked,
please contact us. Once you have
registered your details, you will be given a unique Application Number. This should be noted to
check on the status of your request. Approval is often received immediately, but in some cases can
take up to 72 hours. It is advisable to print out the approval to take to the airport. |
|
|
|
|
|
Once approved, the application is valid for two years or until the
applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Other instances in which approval will
cease are: change of name, gender, citizenship or circumstances underlying the applicant’s previous
responses to the questions. In these cases, a new application under ESTA must be made. It
should be noted that approval under ESTA does not guarantee admission to the USA. |
|
|
|
|
« Theme Parks & Buying Tickets
|
|
« Other Orlando Attractions
|
| Rental Car Hire »
|
