Fort Lauderdale recommendations/ experiences

1973jk · 8 Feb 18, 11:01 AM

Just looking at flights to Fort Lauderdale. Has anyone any recommendations or experiences they can share of staying in or around Fort Lauderdale?
Is it easy driving to Miami Beach?
What else is worth a visit if staying in that area?
Thanks

duchy · 8 Feb 18, 11:38 AM

Apart from the beach there are Everglades airboat rides, dolphin trips etc as you'd expect. The water buses are a cheapand nice way to look around.

We opted to stay closer to the airport than the beach as our stop is just an overnight before heading up to Orlando and coming home we are staying at Vero for the last two nights anyway and we wanted more room so booked the Embassy suites which is easy to hop on the water bus if we want and is walking distance of shops and restaurants but if we can't be bothered after the flight has a nice pool.

disneydiamond · 8 Feb 18, 03:21 PM

We flew into Fort Lauderdale last October and stayed in Miami for the first night. Fort Lauderdale airport with BA was lovely, fast and very easy. Drive to Miami took about half hour and really straight forward. Stayed at holiday inn bayside, which was great location to get something to eat, do a little shopping and chill out. Up early the next day and spent most of day on Miami Beach. Kids loved it. Was a nice chilled start before driving up to Orlando, which took 3 and a half hours. Would definitely do it this way again.

toonarmani · 8 Feb 18, 05:08 PM

We are flying into FLL this summer and staying at the Courtyard by Marriott for 3 nights before driving up to Disney (return flight direct from MCO).

Will be nice to have some beach days before hitting the parks and also has the huge Sawgrass Mills outlet

UncleLatch · 8 Feb 18, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by toonarmani

We are flying into FLL this summer and staying at the Courtyard by Marriott for 3 nights before driving up to Disney (return flight direct from MCO).

Will be nice to have some beach days before hitting the parks and also has the huge Sawgrass Mills outlet

Likewise, but 4 nights before heading up to Orlando.

duchy · 9 Feb 18, 01:18 AM

I know I'm going to wish we had longer than just one night (my cousin used to live in FL so I've spent time there before ) but with Disney , wedding and cruise as well it just couldn't be done without dropping Vero Beach too which I'm really looking forward to visiting for the first time. Clearly we should have booked a month instead of three weeks

8 Feb 18, 11:38 AM	#2
	8 Feb 18, 11:38 AM duchy Imagineer
duchy Imagineer Join Date: May 04 Location: Kent	Apart from the beach there are Everglades airboat rides, dolphin trips etc as you'd expect. The water buses are a cheapand nice way to look around. We opted to stay closer to the airport than the beach as our stop is just an overnight before heading up to Orlando and coming home we are staying at Vero for the last two nights anyway and we wanted more room so booked the Embassy suites which is easy to hop on the water bus if we want and is walking distance of shops and restaurants but if we can't be bothered after the flight has a nice pool.

8 Feb 18, 05:08 PM	#4
	8 Feb 18, 05:08 PM toonarmani Imagineer
toonarmani Imagineer Join Date: Mar 12 theDIBB Guidebook Guidebook Photos: 137	We are flying into FLL this summer and staying at the Courtyard by Marriott for 3 nights before driving up to Disney (return flight direct from MCO). Will be nice to have some beach days before hitting the parks and also has the huge Sawgrass Mills outlet

9 Feb 18, 01:18 AM	#6
	9 Feb 18, 01:18 AM duchy Imagineer
duchy Imagineer Join Date: May 04 Location: Kent	I know I'm going to wish we had longer than just one night (my cousin used to live in FL so I've spent time there before ) but with Disney , wedding and cruise as well it just couldn't be done without dropping Vero Beach too which I'm really looking forward to visiting for the first time. Clearly we should have booked a month instead of three weeks