Orlando with older children

I was lucky enough to work as a hotel negotiator for a travel company. I used to visit destinations to check out the hotels and then to negotiate the lowest possible price that would be paid for a room. I have travelled the world doing a job that many have said they would love to do. My area of expertise is the Caribbean and Florida and I have visited these regions many times through my work.

I decided that I should take my family to see Florida as I went there often and they had never been and booked us all a holiday to Orlando. But my two boys are both teenagers and they certainly were not interested in Disney. The joy of going on holiday to Orlando is that there are plenty of other things to do.

We started by visiting Universal Studios. The rides at the theme park are good and the theme is just a bit older making it a place where all ages can enjoy themselves. We also visited Seaworld. Here there are fewer rides but the ones that are there are good. On top of that you can also watch the famous shows which the attraction is famous for. Just remember to take a waterproof cover if you are going to sit near the front.

We also spent some days away from the theme parks. One day we went on an airboat ride in the Everglades to see the alligators and other wildlife. The airboats are fun but please do remember to keep your mouth closed as when you hurtle through the reeds, bugs and flies get knocked off them and will hit you in the face.

Probably the best day out was to the Kennedy Space Centre. It is only 45 minutes’ drive from Orlando and has a huge display of spacecraft including the iconic Space Shuttle. My children loved this day out and it was a much cheaper option than paying to go to another theme park.

I always finish my blogs with a question. And this time I want to ask “did we enjoy it and would I book again?” Yes we did enjoy it and would happily visit again. My older children had plenty to interest them that was suitable for their ages. And in a few years I may even manage to bring the hidden child out of them so we can go and see Mickey next time.