FLORIDA FOR FAMILIES
The Sunshine State needs little introduction as a family destination. Pitched pretty much at the geographical heart of the matter, Orlando is the spiritual home of the theme park. Disney World is such a giant of the art form that it could take up an entire holiday (see below), although it has sterling competition in the Universal resort (universalorlando.com), whose headline attraction – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – is pure catnip for children. Failing this (and really, a visit to either park won’t fail), those two long coastlines provide enough beaches for a lifetime of sand-and-sea escapes.
MOUSE MATTERS
With four individual theme parks (the “world’s fair with rides” of Epcot, the Animal Kingdom safari zone and the movie-focused Hollywood Studios, as well as the classic Magic Kingdom), plus two water parks, it is no exaggeration to say that Disney World can fill a whole week. Visitors who approach its fairytale castle in the coming months will also find the resort is in party mode. It chalked up its 50th birthday last October, and will continue the celebrations until the end of this year. Innovations include “Harmonious”, a nightly light show at Epcot. But there is still a lot of buzz around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Vader-themed area of Hollywood Studios which, having opened in August 2019, is heading into what should be its first uninterrupted summer.
A seven-night break for a family of four to Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, within the park, flying direct from Manchester on July 30, costs from £7,482 in total, including seven-day “Magic Ticket” passes which cover all of it (0800 028 0778; disneyworld.co.uk)
ZOOM MEETINGS
If you want to plant your children on a Florida beach, not in a theme-park queue, it may be best to head east to that portion of the Atlantic coast where the machines that soar have rather more oomph than a roller coaster. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (kennedyspacecenter. com; adults from £42; children 3-11 from £35), at Cape Canaveral, makes a spectacular show of America’s space heritage. Attractions include a variety of splendidly convincing simulators, the retired shuttle Atlantis, Apollo-era hardware (which went to the moon), and the chance to talk to veteran Nasa astronauts. All of this is served up close to the launchpad where a new generation straps in and blasts off. New Smyrna Beach, 50 miles north of the complex, is a reliable base. A sevennight holiday for a family of four to its three-star Hampton Inn costs from £2,960 in total, with flights, via Ocean Florida (020 8131
5064; ocean-florida.co.uk)
SNAPPY DRESSERS
Located 20 miles south of Orlando, but only 13 miles from Epcot et al, Kissimmee is another option for families intent on visiting central Florida. Accommodation prices tend to be a little lower than in the bigger city, but the area has attractions of its own, which make it much more than a Disney dormitory. Legoland Florida (legoland. com/florida; day passes from £63) has been introducing America to the joys of Danish plastic bricks since 2011 – and, as of last month, has a fellow-European element in Peppa Pig World (peppapigthemepark.com/florida; day passes from £26). Gatorland (gatorland.com; from £24), meanwhile, is just as it sounds: home to hundreds of sharp-toothed alligators. Braver guests can soar above them on a series of zipline rides.
A one-week stay for a family of four to the four-star Grove Resort and Spa, flying from Gatwick on August 2, costs from £4,369 in total, via Tui (020 3451 2688; tui.co.uk)
REACH FOR THE BEACH
Clearwater Beach promises not only miles of white sands complete with shady cabanas (stay at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, balanced between the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway), but a lively sunset setting too, on Pier 60, with street performers, artisans – and pelicans. The Little Toot Sunset Dolphin Cruise is a low-set boat that takes you and the children closer to the dolphin action. (If this isn’t enough, check out the brand new rescued dolphin habitat at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.) Drive to nearby Honeymoon State Park and take the ferry to nature-lovers’ paradise Caladesi Island, where beachcombing and paddle boarding await among the mangroves. A few minutes’ drive further along the coast, St Pete Pier is south-east
Florida’s newest – and largest – waterfront playground, an extension of St Petersburg’s vibrant and flourishing downtown. Expect open green lawn space, observation decks, interactive exhibits, artwork and installations from local artists, an artisan marketplace and a fishing deck.
Seven nights at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa costs from £1,661pp, including flights from Heathrow and car hire. Price based on two sharing, room only, departing September 21, via Virgin Holidays (0344 472 9646; virginholidays.co.uk)