PRACTICAL INFORMATION
With more than 40 million visitors a year, Florida is very well geared to catering to tourists’ needs. It is the ultimate family vacation destination. A strong emphasis is placed on entertaining children, and the informal lifestyle and excellent facilities make traveling with youngsters a real pleasure. The only complaint a child is likely to have is if the line to see Mickey Mouse is too long or the sun too hot. Given its warm climate, for most Americans Florida is a winter destination. The peak season runs from December to April, when rates for flights and hotels are at their height, and the beaches and attractions are at their busiest.
Anyone visiting Walt Disney World or the other theme parks should be prepared for long waiting times during any holiday period.
VISAS
British citizens, members of many EU countries, and citizens of Australia and New Zealand
do not need a visa provided they have a return ticket and their stay in the US does not exceed 90 days. However, theymust register online with the Electronic System for Travel
Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours before (and preferably well in advance of) departure
(https://estacbp.dhs.gov). Other citizens must apply for a non-immigrant visa from a
US consulate, while Canadians need only a valid passport.
Before you travel, it is advisable to check the most up-to-date information, available at www.uscis.gov
CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES
Customs allowances for visitors over 21 years of age entering the US are: 1 liter (2 pints) of alcohol, gifts worth up to $100, and 200 cigarettes,100 cigars (as long as they’re not made in Cuba), or 3 pounds(1.4 kilograms) of tobacco. A number of goods are prohibited, including cheese, fresh fruit, meat products, and, of course, illegal drugs.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Most large cities in Florida have a Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (CVB), where you’ll find a huge array of brochures. In smaller places go to the Chamber of Commerce, but since these offices cater mainly to the business community, some can be of only limited help. Most hotels have free “WHERE” magazines that list entertainment, museums, shopping, and dining. Also, there is usually a brochure rack in the hotel lobby.
For information before you leave home, call or write off for a vacation pack, issued by the Florida Tourism Corp. both in the US and abroad. This will include a list of all the tourist offices in Florida, which can then be contacted directly.
ADMISSION CHARGES
Most museums, parks, and other attractions charge an admission fee. This can vary
enormously, from $2 at a small museum to over $60 for a day pass into Walt Disney
World’s Magic Kingdom.
Children and card-carrying students and senior citizens can often claim a discount, and anyone can use the coupons found in brochures available at tourist offices. These can cut the price of admission fees and also buy budget meals in local restaurants. Coupons
from the information center on International Drive near Orlando can save you hundreds of dollars.
OPENING TIMES
Some attractions close once a week, often on Monday, but the majority open daily. State parks are usually open every day from sunrise to sunset, though attached visitor centers may close earlier. The theme parks have extended opening hours during the high season. Most sights close on major national holidays: typically New Year, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN
As a top family destination, Florida places the needs of children high on its list of
priorities. You can rent strollers or small wagons at the major theme parks; car rental firms must supply children’s seats; and many restaurants offer special menus (see p333). On planes, buses, and trains, children under 12 usually pay only half the standard fare, less if they are very young. The main thing to worry about if you have children is the sun. Just
a few minutes’ exposure to the midday sun can burn tender young skin; use sunblock and hats.
Florida’s theme parks are vast, and it is well worth agreeing on a place to meet in the
event that someone gets lost; most parks also have a special “lost kids area.”
For information on hotel facilities for children, for entertainment for children, see page 368.
SENIOR CITIZENS
Florida is a Mecca for senior citizens, both to visit and to settle. Anyone over 65 (less in some instances) is eligible for all kinds of discounts – at attractions, hotels, restaurants,
and public transit. The American Association of Retired Persons can help members plan their vacation and offers discounts on air fares, car rental, and rooms.
ETIQUETTE
Dress in Florida is casual, except in a few top restaurants. Shorts and T-shirts are acceptable in most beachside bars. On the beach itself it is illegal for women to go topless, except in a few places, such as Miami’s South Beach. Drinking alcohol on beaches and in other public
places is also illegal. It is against the law to smoke in buses, trains, taxis, restaurants, and in
most public buildings. Unless a tip is already added to the bill (usually for parties of six or more people), in restaurants you should tip 15 to 20 percent of the bill. Taxi drivers expect a
similar tip. For hotel porters, $1 per bag is usual.
TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES
America is way ahead of most nations in the help it gives people with disabilities. Federal
law demands that all public buildings be accessible to people in wheelchairs, although
some old buildings have remained exempt.
This guide specifies whether or not a sight is accessible, but you are advised to call ahead for
details. For example, in nature preserves wheelchair-friendly boardwalks may make some
areas accessible, while others remain out of bounds.
A few rental companies have cars adapted for people with disabilities, and some buses have wheelchair access – watch for a sticker on the windshield or by the door. Amtrak and
Greyhound offer reduced fares.
Mobility International offers general advice for travelers with disabilities. The Florida Tourism Corporation issues a useful services directory, and Walt Disney World has its
own special guide too.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
You will need a voltage converter and an adapter to use the American 110–120 volts AC system; adapters for the two-prong plugs used in the US can be bought abroad or locally. Many hotels, however, have plugs that power both 110- and 220-volt electric shavers, and often supply wall-mounted hair dryers.
DIRECTORY
CONSULATES
Australia1601 Massachusetts Ave, NW,
Washington, DC 20036.
Tel (202) 797-3000.
Canada
200 SBiscayne Blvd, Suite 1600,
Miami, FL 33131.
Tel (305) 579-1600.
UK
1001 Brickell Bay Drive, Suite
2800, Miami, FL 33131.
Tel (305) 374-1522.
Suntrust Center, Suite 2110, 200 S
Orange Ave, Orlando 32801.
Tel (407) 426-7855.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Canada
Tel (305) 579 1600.
Florida
www.flausa.com
www.goflorida.com
Tel (888) 735-2872.
UK
Tel (0900) 160-0555.
OTHER NUMBERS
American Association
of Retired Persons
601 E St, NW,
Washington, DC 20049.
Tel (202) 434-2277.
www.aarp.org
Mobility International
PO Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440.
Tel (541) 343-1284.
With more than 40 million visitors a year, Florida is very well geared to catering to tourists’ needs. It is the ultimate family vacation destination. A strong emphasis is placed on entertaining children, and the informal lifestyle and excellent facilities make traveling with youngsters a real pleasure. The only complaint a child is likely to have is if the line to see Mickey Mouse is too long or the sun too hot. Given its warm climate, for most Americans Florida is a winter destination. The peak season runs from December to April, when rates for flights and hotels are at their height, and the beaches and attractions are at their busiest.
Anyone visiting Walt Disney World or the other theme parks should be prepared for long waiting times during any holiday period.
British citizens, members of many EU countries, and citizens of Australia and New Zealand
do not need a visa provided they have a return ticket and their stay in the US does not exceed 90 days. However, theymust register online with the Electronic System for Travel
Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours before (and preferably well in advance of) departure
(https://estacbp.dhs.gov). Other citizens must apply for a non-immigrant visa from a
US consulate, while Canadians need only a valid passport.
Before you travel, it is advisable to check the most up-to-date information, available at www.uscis.gov
CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES
Customs allowances for visitors over 21 years of age entering the US are: 1 liter (2 pints) of alcohol, gifts worth up to $100, and 200 cigarettes,100 cigars (as long as they’re not made in Cuba), or 3 pounds(1.4 kilograms) of tobacco. A number of goods are prohibited, including cheese, fresh fruit, meat products, and, of course, illegal drugs.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Most large cities in Florida have a Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (CVB), where you’ll find a huge array of brochures. In smaller places go to the Chamber of Commerce, but since these offices cater mainly to the business community, some can be of only limited help. Most hotels have free “WHERE” magazines that list entertainment, museums, shopping, and dining. Also, there is usually a brochure rack in the hotel lobby.
For information before you leave home, call or write off for a vacation pack, issued by the Florida Tourism Corp. both in the US and abroad. This will include a list of all the tourist offices in Florida, which can then be contacted directly.
ADMISSION CHARGES
Most museums, parks, and other attractions charge an admission fee. This can vary
enormously, from $2 at a small museum to over $60 for a day pass into Walt Disney
World’s Magic Kingdom.
Children and card-carrying students and senior citizens can often claim a discount, and anyone can use the coupons found in brochures available at tourist offices. These can cut the price of admission fees and also buy budget meals in local restaurants. Coupons
from the information center on International Drive near Orlando can save you hundreds of dollars.
OPENING TIMES
Some attractions close once a week, often on Monday, but the majority open daily. State parks are usually open every day from sunrise to sunset, though attached visitor centers may close earlier. The theme parks have extended opening hours during the high season. Most sights close on major national holidays: typically New Year, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN
As a top family destination, Florida places the needs of children high on its list of
priorities. You can rent strollers or small wagons at the major theme parks; car rental firms must supply children’s seats; and many restaurants offer special menus (see p333). On planes, buses, and trains, children under 12 usually pay only half the standard fare, less if they are very young. The main thing to worry about if you have children is the sun. Just
a few minutes’ exposure to the midday sun can burn tender young skin; use sunblock and hats.
Florida’s theme parks are vast, and it is well worth agreeing on a place to meet in the
event that someone gets lost; most parks also have a special “lost kids area.”
For information on hotel facilities for children, for entertainment for children, see page 368.
SENIOR CITIZENS
Florida is a Mecca for senior citizens, both to visit and to settle. Anyone over 65 (less in some instances) is eligible for all kinds of discounts – at attractions, hotels, restaurants,
and public transit. The American Association of Retired Persons can help members plan their vacation and offers discounts on air fares, car rental, and rooms.
ETIQUETTE
Dress in Florida is casual, except in a few top restaurants. Shorts and T-shirts are acceptable in most beachside bars. On the beach itself it is illegal for women to go topless, except in a few places, such as Miami’s South Beach. Drinking alcohol on beaches and in other public
places is also illegal. It is against the law to smoke in buses, trains, taxis, restaurants, and in
most public buildings. Unless a tip is already added to the bill (usually for parties of six or more people), in restaurants you should tip 15 to 20 percent of the bill. Taxi drivers expect a
similar tip. For hotel porters, $1 per bag is usual.
TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES
America is way ahead of most nations in the help it gives people with disabilities. Federal
law demands that all public buildings be accessible to people in wheelchairs, although
some old buildings have remained exempt.
This guide specifies whether or not a sight is accessible, but you are advised to call ahead for
details. For example, in nature preserves wheelchair-friendly boardwalks may make some
areas accessible, while others remain out of bounds.
A few rental companies have cars adapted for people with disabilities, and some buses have wheelchair access – watch for a sticker on the windshield or by the door. Amtrak and
Greyhound offer reduced fares.
Mobility International offers general advice for travelers with disabilities. The Florida Tourism Corporation issues a useful services directory, and Walt Disney World has its
own special guide too.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
You will need a voltage converter and an adapter to use the American 110–120 volts AC system; adapters for the two-prong plugs used in the US can be bought abroad or locally. Many hotels, however, have plugs that power both 110- and 220-volt electric shavers, and often supply wall-mounted hair dryers.
DIRECTORY
CONSULATES
Australia1601 Massachusetts Ave, NW,
Washington, DC 20036.
Tel (202) 797-3000.
Canada
200 SBiscayne Blvd, Suite 1600,
Miami, FL 33131.
Tel (305) 579-1600.
UK
1001 Brickell Bay Drive, Suite
2800, Miami, FL 33131.
Tel (305) 374-1522.
Suntrust Center, Suite 2110, 200 S
Orange Ave, Orlando 32801.
Tel (407) 426-7855.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Canada
Tel (305) 579 1600.
Florida
www.flausa.com
www.goflorida.com
Tel (888) 735-2872.
UK
Tel (0900) 160-0555.
OTHER NUMBERS
American Association
of Retired Persons
601 E St, NW,
Washington, DC 20049.
Tel (202) 434-2277.
www.aarp.org
Mobility International
PO Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440.
Tel (541) 343-1284.
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