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Itineraries/Americas/Florida

10 Days in Florida

Space shuttle launches from Kennedy Space Center, Magic Kingdom fireworks, Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the Florida Keys' impossibly turquoise water. Ten nights through Florida's ultimate family corridor — the world's theme park capital plus a road trip to America's southernmost point.

10 nights
Family of 4
~A$17,270
3 stops
Orlando4n
Kennedy Space Center & Cocoa Beach2n
Florida Keys & Key West4n
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Your stop-by-stop itinerary

3 stops across 10 nights. Each one chosen so you experience a different side of Florida.

1

Orlando

4 nights
Fly into Orlando (MCO) from Sydney via Los Angeles, Dallas, or San Francisco (20-24h total). Uber/Lyft from airport to hotel ($25-35, 30 min). Rent a car for the full trip ($50-60/day) — essential for Kennedy Space Center and the Keys road trip.

Highlights

  • Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom — Cinderella Castle, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, evening fireworks spectacular. The original and still the best ($109-189/adult depending on date, $104-184/child 3-9). 2-day tickets are better value
  • Universal Studios + Islands of Adventure — Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Diagon Alley + Hogsmeade connected by Hogwarts Express), Jurassic World VelociCoaster. ($109-164/adult, $104-159/child per park, 2-park ticket recommended)
  • EPCOT — World Showcase (11 countries, food and culture), Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster, Test Track. More adult-oriented but the World Showcase food stands keep kids engaged ($109-189/adult)
  • Disney Springs — free-entry shopping and dining complex. LEGO store, Rainforest Café, Cirque du Soleil, bowling. Good evening activity after a park day
  • Gatorland — the ''Alligator Capital of the World''. Zip-line over alligators, splash park, breeding marsh boardwalk ($34/adult, $24/child 3-12). A local antidote to theme park fatigue
  • International Drive — ICON Park (Orlando Eye observation wheel $28, Madame Tussauds $30, Sea Life Aquarium $27), discount outlet malls, family restaurants. Budget evening entertainment

Local tips

  • 💡Buy multi-day park tickets online 2-3 months ahead — a 3-day Disney ticket is 40% cheaper per day than a 1-day ticket. Budget 2 days Disney (Magic Kingdom + EPCOT or Animal Kingdom) + 1 day Universal (2-park ticket for Harry Potter).
  • 💡Rent a vacation home or family suite with a kitchen — Orlando has thousands of family vacation rentals near Disney for $120-180/night with pools, kitchens, and laundry. Self-catering breakfasts and lunches saves $50-80/day vs eating in parks.
  • 💡Theme park food is expensive ($15-20/person per meal) and mediocre. Eat a big breakfast at the hotel, bring snacks and water bottles into the parks (allowed!), and save restaurant spend for Disney Springs or Universal CityWalk evenings.
Suggested stay: Family suite or vacation home near Walt Disney World or International Drive
2

Kennedy Space Center & Cocoa Beach

2 nights
Drive Orlando → Cocoa Beach/Kennedy Space Center (1h east on FL-528). Cocoa Beach is a small beach town — everything is within 10 min drive.

Highlights

  • Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex — Space Shuttle Atlantis (walk around the actual shuttle), Saturn V rocket hall, Rocket Garden, IMAX films, simulated launch experience ($80/adult, $68/child 3-11). Plan a full day
  • Astronaut encounter — meet a real NASA astronaut, hear their space stories, get photos ($30/person add-on, book ahead). The highlight for space-obsessed kids
  • Launch viewing (if timing aligns) — SpaceX and NASA launch from KSC regularly. Check launch schedule at nasaspaceflight.com. Viewing from the Visitor Complex or nearby beaches is free and unforgettable
  • Cocoa Beach — the beach NASA astronauts trained near. Wide sandy beach, gentle waves, surfing lessons ($60/person for 1h group lesson). Ron Jon Surf Shop is the world''s largest
  • Canaveral National Seashore — undeveloped barrier island beach, sea turtle nesting (Jun-Oct), birdwatching, manatee sightings. Free entry, pristine
  • Cocoa Beach Pier — 800-foot fishing pier, restaurants, live music, sunset views ($2 entry for pedestrians)

Local tips

  • 💡Kennedy Space Center needs a FULL day (open 10am-5pm) — don''t try to squeeze it into a half day. The bus tour to Launch Complex 39 and the Saturn V Centre takes 2-3 hours alone. Arrive at opening.
  • 💡Check the launch schedule before booking dates — if a SpaceX or NASA launch falls during your trip, it''s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Launches are visible from Cocoa Beach (8 miles away) even without KSC tickets.
  • 💡Cocoa Beach is a genuine rest stop between Orlando theme parks and the Keys drive. The beach is calm, the town is laid-back, and the kids need the decompression after 4 days of theme parks.
Suggested stay: Family hotel or beachfront condo in Cocoa Beach
3

Florida Keys & Key West

4 nights
Drive Cocoa Beach → Key Largo (4h south via the Turnpike). Then the Overseas Highway (US-1) through the Keys to Key West (3.5h, 113 miles, 42 bridges). The drive IS the attraction. Fly out Key West (EYW) or drive back to Miami (MIA) for Sydney connection.

Highlights

  • Overseas Highway road trip — the 113-mile drive from Key Largo to Key West across 42 bridges over turquoise water. Seven Mile Bridge is the centrepiece. Stop at every roadside attraction that catches your eye
  • John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo) — glass-bottom boat tour ($38/adult, $27/child) or snorkelling trip to the Christ of the Abyss underwater statue ($40/adult, $35/child). The only living coral reef in the continental US
  • Dolphin Research Center (Marathon) — swim or wade with dolphins in a natural lagoon ($215-230/person for swim, or $15 general admission to watch). Educational, ethical, unforgettable for kids
  • Key West Mallory Square sunset celebration — nightly street performer festival at sunset. Fire eaters, tightrope walkers, musicians, food vendors. Free. The best free family show in Florida
  • Bahia Honda State Park — consistently rated Florida''s #1 beach. White sand, turquoise water, snorkelling off the old bridge pilings ($8/car entry). Camp or day-trip from Marathon
  • Key West — Hemingway House + polydactyl cats ($18/adult, $7/child), Southernmost Point buoy photo, Fort Zachary Taylor beach, Duval Street ice cream crawl. Small enough to walk or rent bikes ($15/day)

Local tips

  • 💡Split the Keys drive over 2 days — Key Largo to Marathon (Day 1, 1.5h with stops), Marathon to Key West (Day 2, 1.5h). Rushing the Overseas Highway defeats the purpose. Stop at every bridge, fish shack, and kayak rental that looks good.
  • 💡Key West is expensive but Key Largo and Marathon are reasonable. Stay 2 nights in Marathon (central, Bahia Honda access, Dolphin Research Center) + 2 nights in Key West for the town and sunset celebrations.
  • 💡Snorkelling gear rental is cheaper in Key Largo ($15/set/day) than on organised tours. Rent a set for the whole Keys leg and use it at Bahia Honda, John Pennekamp, and Key West''s Fort Zachary Taylor beach.
Suggested stay: Family hotel or vacation rental in Islamorada, Marathon, or Key West

Good to know

Estimated cost

The ~A$17,270 estimate covers accommodation across all 3 stops. Flights, daily spending, activities, and transport are additional — use SaveToRoam’s savings planner to track it all.

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