Florida: Where to spend 2nd relaxing week after week in Orlando?

Greenlights16

Hi all!

So - Big family holiday, probably the last one. My family and I are travelling, consists of 4 couples - 3 in their 20s and their 3 respective partners. Then our parents who are both 50. Group of 8 people.

We will fly into Orlando MCO from Dublin approx Tues 27th December 2021. (side issue: having trouble getting any direct from dublin/belfast, virgin Atlantic via heathrow looks best option)

Our first week will be spent revisiting the parks after coming 7/8 years ago as kids. That will be long, active days.
Previously on a few occasions we have driven to Miami, Key West, Clearwater, to name a few in Florida.

Accom wise - for 8 people we have considered the villa with a pool option, however we did this previously and most were quite far out from I Drive and park areas, in Kissimee etc. Previously stayed @ Hilton Orlando, Waldorf astoria and JW Marriott, Bonnet creek. Looking most likely hotels but it is expensive and availability seems to be limited already on Booking.com

Cars - I am not sure whether we will rent one big vehicle or rent 2 between 8 of us. At night we will be taking taxis anyway to restaurants/bars.

For the second week, for 4/5 days we would like a beach/relaxing holiday near the coast. I will do my research, but Key West was quite a drive, Fort Lauderdale sprung to mind - however I am not sure if it is the same place it was years ago? Miami was lovely but we don't like cities, it was very much a celebrity hideout as we stayed in South Beach.

What the group likes - warm/hot weather, great choice of restaurants, bars (not big drinkers or partiers), luxurious/4 star+ accommodation or resorts. Beach would be great but pool at accom is fine. We are all quite fit and healthy. Maybe golf for the 3 boys but not a deal breaker.

We will probably depart Orlando for Dublin on approx Sun 9th January 2022, so my guess is we will travel back up to Orlando for 1/2 nights before we leave. However this is not a given, we could fly out from somewhere else, it's just getting flights with minimum stopovers and journey duration that's the problem from Ireland.

TO SUM ALL OF THAT UP: 8 people, 1st week in Orlando at parks, 2nd week we need help choosing a destination that fits - beach/coast, relaxation/luxury within driving distance of Orlando.

Thank you in advance, this forum has been a great help and inspiration in planning memorable family holidays over the years.

eeloe

My wife and I done something similar a couple of years ago.

spent a week in Orlando with her Sister, her husband and kids and then the second week we just went on a road trip and stayed in dive motels in cool spots.

Have you considered seeing some other states? Savannah in Georgia was such a cool place to see, and doing some of the ghost tours in the evenings was amazing.

South Carolina was incredible.

Greenlights16

Had an old boss who spent a lot of time in hillhead island, I think that's Carolina somewhere? Heard it's very beautiful.

thanks for the insight. I think the travelling would be great, but on previous trips to America we spent a lot of time flying and driving long distances.

This time around we are trying to keep it to a minimum with 8 people. Plus, 3 out of 4 couples are in their 20s, so the parks should still be a big attraction.

eire4

I would recommend heading down to the Florida Keys. I spent a long weekend there a few years ago based out of Key West and enjoyed it.

towger

Clearwater is quite close and beach is beautiful. Go to Busch Gardens en route.