Our Beginner’s Guide To Package Holidays In Florida

If you’re looking for a bit of winter sun and have always wanted to travel across the pond, you should absolutely consider visiting Florida. The Sunshine State has something for everyone, whether you’re into theme parks, beaches, cities, state parks, natural wonders, or a bit of everything!

But if you’re only now thinking about Florida as a holiday destination, you might be overwhelmed with where to start. In this guide, we’re sharing everything that you should know if you’re traveling to Florida for the first time.

Florida as a First-Timer Destination

Florida welcomes over 130 million visitors per year across all regions and boasts more than 1,300 miles of coastline. It’s well catered to tourists, including UK travellers, so you shouldn’t feel too out of your comfort zone if you’re visiting for the first time

Most people traveling to Florida from the UK will stay in Orlando for at least a portion of their stay. But don’t rule out South Florida and the quieter islands, which offer a different type of break.

Regardless of whether you’re traveling with your family, as a couple, or even as a solo traveller, you’ll find something that fits your style of travel, and with such an extensive range of hotels, resorts, and local attractions, your Florida visit is guaranteed to tick your boxes.

What should you know if you’re visiting Florida for the first time? The main thing to keep in mind is the time difference (Florida is around 5 hours behind London, depending on the time of year you visit), which is likely to affect your first few days. Jet lag is real, and you’ll probably be waking up early and crashing at 6 pm until your body gets used to it!

Also keep in mind that Florida is very hot and humid, so you’ll definitely want to pack a water bottle, sun protection, and, ironically, a light jacket for the hotels and restaurants that have their air con on too high.

Where to Stay in Florida

If you’re visiting Florida for Walt Disney World and want to experience one or all of the parks (not forgetting Universal!), Orlando is where you’ll want to stay.

You can book a Disney hotel to get early entry into all the parks, as well as complimentary transportation there and back, or keep your costs down by staying in one of the literal hundreds of International Drive hotels. If you’re near the parks, there’s a good chance your off-site hotel will still offer free shuttles, plus you’ll get extra luggage space in the rooms compared to the on-site properties.

Not that bothered about Disney and Universal? That opens your options up to a holiday outside of Orlando, such as the Gulf Coast, which is better if you’re just after stunning beaches and the chance to move at a slower pace. You’ve got plenty of options here, including Clearwater, Anna Maria Island, Marco Island, and spots nearer Tampa.

It’s also worth checking out Fort Lauderdale, which has everything from canals to stylish hotels, with easy access to Miami. After a spot with good nightlife? You can’t go wrong with the South of Florida, which also boasts swimming weather for most months of the year.

The Best Places to Eat in Florida

Moving on to everyone’s favourite topic: food. In Florida, you’ve got plenty of choice, from restaurants serving simple US classics to those offering dishes shaped by Caribbean, Cuban, and southern cooking.

If you’re planning to spend most of your time in Orlando’s theme parks, these offer quick-service snacks and meals, with some pretty cool restaurant theming. It’s also worth checking out Disney Springs and International Drive, as well as some of the Disney hotels.

In Miami, you’ll get your Cuban fix at Little Havana, while you can expect to find seafood on the menus of most restaurants along the coast. Pretty much everywhere you go, you’ll usually also have the option of food trucks and market stalls, which is where you’ll find the best portions and prices.

The Best Months to Visit Florida

Florida stays warm through most of the year, but that doesn’t mean you should consider every month for your trip. December to February offer lower humidity, but the days can be quite cold (we’re talking below 10 degrees Celsius), so this season isn’t ideal for a beach holiday. That said, you might prefer to visit in the cooler months for a more comfortable experience at the Disney parks.

We also recommend that you don’t visit during Spring Break (typically March through April; dates vary by year) unless you absolutely have to, since this season raises hotel rates and attraction tickets. You’ll get the warmest weather in the summer months, but it’s also rainier and might be considered too hot by some people. We generally suggest October as the best time to visit if you want to enjoy warm water at the beaches, with smaller crowds at the Disney parks and lower prices (from mid-August onwards).

You’ll get the best rates when you book your holiday early, especially if you’re planning to visit during the school holidays. If you’re not sure how to find the best deals, we’re happy to help you book at the House of Travel.

Hurricane Season and Weather Awareness

We can’t talk about the best time to visit Florida without touching on the potential for hurricanes. There’s a risk of storms from June to November, but the Atlantic hurricane season peaks from August to October. With that in mind, if you do plan to travel around this season, it’s definitely worth taking out travel insurance that covers delays to your trip, as well as changes or cancellations during this period.

It’s also smart to keep an eye on local weather reports. While Florida is well used to hurricanes by now, they can still be quite disruptive to your holiday.

Below you can see from our weather chart for Florida which shows the average temperatures for each month.

Who does Florida Appeal To?

Florida appeals to a vast audience, from families to first-timers, theme park fans, beach lovers, golfers, food-focused travellers, and couples. If you’re an adventure seeker, you can also try out the state’s airboat rides, kayak in one of the local state parks, and watch the wildlife in remote areas across the Gulf and north sections of the state.

Travelling With Kids

When it comes to kid-friendly options in Florida, you really are spoilt for choice. Many families visit for two weeks, so they have enough time to visit Disney, as well as local water parks and other attractions, plus squeeze in those all-important rest days.

Make sure to pack comfortable shoes for walking, as well as swimming gear for relaxing at the pool or on the beach. You can also cut costs by bringing snacks to enjoy on your park days. Many hotels offer free parking, early breakfast, and rooms with microwaves, which can be helpful if you have small children.

Travelling as a Couple

As a couple, you might prefer a resort that has quieter pools and a more adult-friendly feel, perhaps with a spa and easy access to beaches.

If that sounds like you, definitely check out Marco Island, Anna Maria Island, Clearwater Beach, and parts of Miami, which all make it easy to enjoy warm evening walks, live music, and restaurants with outdoor decks.

Visiting Walt Disney World? Some of the hotels have adults-only areas, and EPCOT is the most adult-focused park, with food stalls and seasonal dining events.

Top Attractions Beyond Disney and Universal

Theme parks do tend to be a focal point for a Florida holiday, but they certainly aren’t the be-all-end-all! You can also consider:

Kennedy Space Center, ideal for adults and kids who enjoy space history.

Discovery Cove, which offers a range of unique swimming experiences.

LEGOLAND Florida, great for younger families who want gentler rides.

Everglades National Park, offering airboat rides and wildlife watching opportunities.

Numerous Florida State Parks, with trails, and springs.

There’s so much to see and do in Florida, so if theme parks don’t float your boat, you have plenty of other activities to enjoy.

Getting Around Florida

You’ll have the most freedom to travel around Florida if you hire a car, especially if you’re planning to do more than just the Disney parks.

That said, you might not feel comfortable driving in America, or it simply might not be necessary. You can always take advantage of free shuttle services on Disney and Universal property, or get around using ride-shares and authorised taxis.

Visa Requirements and Health Prep

As a visitor from the UK, you can enter the US with an ESTA rather than a full visa, but your passport needs to meet the ESTA rules. If you are planning to stay longer or travel for work, you’ll need the appropriate visa.

You don’t usually need extra vaccines for Florida, and you can drink the state’s tap water, though it does have a bit of a funky taste due to its unique mineral content.

What’s Coming in 2026

There’s always something new to look forward to in Florida, especially in the theme park space (that’s what keeps you coming back again and again!). Disney and Universal are constantly working on new rides, and due to the state’s popularity with tourists, new hotels and restaurants also appear regularly in Orlando. Some of the 2026 projects to look out for in Disney and Universal are:

Soarin’ Across America (EPCOT) is getting a refreshed film and score debuting in summer 2026.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios) is being rethemed to star The Muppets, with the full re-theme opening summer 2026.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom) is currently being upgraded with new blasters and improved vehicle targeting systems,     with a planned reopening in 2026.

All lands in Universal’s newest park, Epic Universe, will be continuously expanded as phased rollouts continue throughout the year.

There are also plenty of seasonal events to enjoy, including Christmas events at the theme parks, art shows, food festivals, and concerts in spring, and Halloween events throughout Autumn.

Twin-Centre Options in Florida and Beyond

If you want to visit the Florida beaches and parks, we recommend combining a trip to Orlando with a stay at Clearwater, Tampa, or Miami.

You can also twin your Florida holiday with Mexico, the Caribbean, or New York, if you like the idea of ticking off multiple destinations while you’re already west.

Why Book Your Florida Holiday as a Package?

Finally, when it comes to how you should book your Florida holiday, we typically always recommend booking a package. That way, you’ll be able to group your flights, hotels, and attraction tickets into a single deal, which can help you save money.

Plus, when you book with a trusted travel agency like us, you’ll also get ATOL protection, along with support if your flight gets delayed or something goes wrong. We can even help you secure those hot dining reservations on Disney property, add car hire, arrange a rental car upgrade, and share our top tips for park days.

We hope you found this guide helpful. Below you will now find all the ATOL protected Florida package holidays we book for customers and if you are ready to start the booking process for your own Florida holiday then either schedule a free discovery call with us using the simple call back request at the top of this page or contact us on our number above.

Below you will see some of our popular package holidays to Florida that we book for our customers. We can help you book your ideal Florida package holiday with us. Enjoy exclusive deals on hotels, attractions, and activities for an unforgettable trip. ATOL Protected.

Orlando Florida Package Holidays