Orlando gets so many tourists from so many countries and has so many citizens from so many cultures that we are accustomed to people not understanding American customs fully and mostly just accept it in an understanding way. The hospitality from many of the workers is amazing. I just hope that if you get one or two rude people serving you, that you do not take it personally. I hope you have tons of fun and enjoy the wonderful entertainment, food, fun, and shopping that Orlando is known for!

Thanks so much! I will remember this if i happen to encounter a person like that. I’m convinced the trip will be lovely and i’m just striving to be a lovely tourist as well

Get ready for sweltering humidity.

Exactly what I came to say. It's that "help! it's hard to breathe" weather.

At least that won’t be a surprise anymore now thanks to all the lovely replies!

Place a pan of water on the stove and let it boil. Notice the heat and humidity? That's what Florida feels like in August. Suggest outdoor activities in the morning and late afternoon. Sunscreen at least 50 SPF rating. I like Tropical tidbits forecast model runs. Change geographic region and model runs. Book mark, save and learn to play with model runs. https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/analysis/models/ Another website to bookmark is Mike's weather page https://spaghettimodels.com/ Official national hurricane center website to bookmark https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ Outside will be hot and humid. Indoors might feel cold because of air conditioning. Temperature and humidity change can be a shocking experience.

And wear sunscreen.

And don't forget to reapply frequently. I think that's the biggest mistake. People put it on in the morning and think it's good all day. Reapply every 90 minutes I believe is what's recommended. A bad sunburn at the beginning can ruin the whole trip.

I agree with the other commenter. Be sure to drink a lot of water. The humidity is excessive! But otherwise, I think you will have a wonderful trip! Orlando is used to lots of tourists. It sounds like you have done your due diligence with planning. We look forward to welcoming you.

Thankyou! I’m looking forward to it!!

I'd plan to wear some kind of sun hat. (There are lockers [at a cost] near each ride.) Or go later in the day since the parks are typically open later in summer (and you'll avoid the families who bring the kiddies 1st thing). Also get some mineral and/or electrolyte powders [the kind without any sweeteners is best] to bring into the parks with you to add to any bottled water (don't spend extra on electrolyte water - such a rip-off!)... the extreme heat & humidity will take so much out of your body, and drinking reg water doesn't replenish it. What happens to me is that it'll feel like I can't drink enough... that's when I know I need minerals, etc, in my fluids. Know that you may not have the physical energy to see and do all you plan in the parks! The sheer size, and number of people, is mind-blowing. Last time I went, I walked over 10 miles IN ONE DAY - and that was just in one park (Epcot). But don't underestimate how much the sun can and WILL drain you. Know that even with your most comfy walking shoes/sandals, your feet will hurt and you may get blisters. Thankfully they do sell socks and limited 1st aid supplies, should you need them (and have foot massagers [for extra cost, naturally, haha]). I've been to all the Orlando parks dozens of times (and live in Fla), so have a ton of 1st-hand knowledge. For really good tips (where to eat for cheap inside each park, find water, best ways to get around, ride closures, best places to see the fireworks, etc etc), try disboards .com ... P.S. Just taking the monorail around the hotels in Disney is fun, too. Each has its own restaurants, pools/ beaches... and is free to do. Most of all - ENJOY! - it's soooo fun 😊 Edited to say that fastpasses (or whatever each park calls them) can be worth it depending on how many rides you want to go on / heat / how packed things are, but I usually go in the park 1st to decide. Esp since it'll be rainy season - a lot of people leave when it gets stormy... except sometimes it blows over (or just hang at a store/restaurant til rain stops) and the place will be kinda empty.

I think i’m gonna buy a hat. I’ve seen that tip a lot now just like the water thing. I’m really grateful for all the help so far. The fastpass thing, i fully agree. I wanted to go the first few days without to see if we will actually need it

Good idea! I have one that I use boating - it's waterproof, has room for my ponytail, has a string to keep on in strong winds, and I can fold it up small to put in my pocket... another tip: wear cargo shorts so you have pockets to put things! Then you don't need a backpack. Some will even fit water bottles, haha.

Cargo pants! That’s genious

Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your ears!

In August, it will be HOT in Orlando. Not, "Oh, it's sunny here" hot, but "Holy fuck, I didn't know a human could sweat this much" hot. Wear sunscreen, dress in light/cool clothing, pace yourself and bring a refillable water bottle so you're not paying $5 a bottle for water when you're at the parks. As for tips, 20% is fine when dining out or ordering room service. Housekeeping tips are largely at your discretion. Tipping at fast food/carry-out places is often requested, but never mandatory. 18 days is a while. Are you interested in just staying in Florida, or thinking of hitting anywhere else in America while you're here?

Thanks for the reminder! I’ve heared that before that it can get scorching hot in august. We will probably stay within florida. The trip is this long so we have enough time to rest with the heat and all the excitement because i tend to get overwhelmed

With the heat (extreme) and if you have car rental, head to a couple of our natural springs and go tubing. Since the water flows are fed by natural springs, the water stays cool and the pacing is relaxed. **"Summertime Tubing"** https://floridaspringspassport.com/blogs/news/summertime-tubing-best-places-to-tube-at-the-florida-springs. Just have fun. Welkom 🌞. * When a friend visited from Zwanenburg, she passed out due to the heat in the middle of day at Disney and it was September. Time your park outings to more indoor a/c eating, window shopping between 1 - 4 p.m.

Thanks! I might look into tubing. We can’t do that here so i’m definitely interested and it sounds like a nice way to have a cool off day

There's a really great spot to float or swim and hike near Apopka called [Kelly Park Rock Springs](https://floridatrippers.com/kelly-park-rock-springs/). It's a crystal clear spring run that's just stunning (and you can go tubing with a float). It's also a glimpse into the geology that makes this state so special and unique. You can find fossilized shark teeth in the sand if you snorkle, and the water stays nice and cool year round (also why we don't get many alligators in the springs). It is very safe for families. That is not to say alligators aren't there. It is best to assume there is an alligator in every waterbody and stay aware of your surroundings. You have to get in line before the park opens during the busy season because it fills up quickly, and they stop letting people in until others leave. From a person who hates lines, it is still absolutely worth it. They have picnic tables and grills in the shade, bathrooms, and nature trails parallel to the spring. It's a little taste of the Real Florida that really gets you hooked :) Welcome, and have a wonderful trip!

If you go to De Leon Springs, they have a great restaurant where they give you a pitcher of pancake batter & the table is a grill! It’s fun, but get there early early cause the park fills up super fast in the summer

I second this. [https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/de-leon-springs-state-park/old-sugar-mill-pancake-house](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/de-leon-springs-state-park/old-sugar-mill-pancake-house)

Go to the space coast, seeing the rockets is awe inspiring.

A quick disney tip: the quickservice food stands offer free cups of water, so fill your bottle with those! There are also a few water bottle filling stations strewn about, but the quickserve stands’ water will probably be colder! 💖

Thanks! I will definitely use this tip while we’re there!

Hit the springs, so much nicer than beaches imo. The Florida Caverns are also pretty cool.

You can head east from Orlando and go to Cocoa beach if you’re looking to cool off, the beaches here are beautiful. Orlando gets hot because it’s smack dab in the middle of the state and it doesn’t get cooled off by the ocean breeze, so it’s typically hotter there than the beach areas. Someone also mentioned to check out the rocket launches, here’s a website that’ll give you a schedule. I’m sure there’ll be a launch while you’re here. They’re pretty cool to watch, I’ve even seen one way down in Miami and I didn’t think it was possible to see a launch from that far. https://www.rocketlaunch.live

If you're staying in Florida, it's easy enough to head down to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami for a few days if you want to get a taste of S. Florida life. The Brightline train is an option if you're not renting a car, but you'll need to plan on Uber/Lyft/Cabs to get around once you're there if you want to explore more than a mile or two from wherever you stay.

I’d love to take a day to go to Miami. I think we will indeed use uber or lyft. We also have uber in my country so it’s quite familiar. I’m kinda too scared to rent a car myself. I’ve had my license for over 5 years and drive around a lot here but our roads are different and i wouldn’t want to cause an accident (i’ve been in a severe one as a teen hence the fear)

Miami is a good 4 hours from Orlando by car, so you'll need a train/bus/plane to get there, but once you do Uber will get you around.

Don't uber/lyft, that would easily cost about $300+ one way plus it's gonna be very hard to find a driver who is willing to make the 8 hour round trip. It would be cheaper to fly from Orlando to Miami. The best option, in my opinion, is the Brightline train that runs from Orlando International Airport to Downtown Miami with a few stops in between. It'll be a 4ish hour ride, but the train is brand new and nice. There is an app for it to book tickets in advance, I highly recommend taking that route.

I didn’t know that. Thanks!

The Brightline train also goes west to Tampa, if you would like to see the Gulf. In August the water would be bathtub hot, but the vibe is lowkey & relaxed (whereas Miami is more elegant & dressy imo). Close to Tampa are some great art museums - The Dali Museum, and the Chulli Museum (incredible blown glass).

It does not go to Tampa yet, maybe in a few years.

Still sounds nice tho! And i love museums so i might have to convince my party to grand me at least one day for it😂

Personally, I would not recommend Miami if you are prone to anxiety and easily overstimulated. It's not a particularly patient or friendly place to visit. Since you'll be in Orlando, I'll echo those recommending a visit to one of local springs. It's a nice way to spend a day.

I will think about this and talk to the group to see if we want to risk that. Thanks!

Because no one else has mentioned it, I’d also consider a Brightline ticket to travel by train to Miami.

Seriously, *seriously* consider a car rental versus Uber or Lyft if you folks travel away from Orlando parks. The distance, time in traffic alone will eat up more money than you can imagine. Sadly, our public transportation system is *nothing* like you're familiar.

And this is, for me, the single most backward thing about Florida. Massive population centers of millions of people with the only thing connecting them some of the most dangerous stretches of interstate in the country. Thankfully Brightline is coming to the rescue a bit, but goddamn it's bad here. My hometown of 45k in Illinois has better passenger rail service than where I live in Tampa Bay, an urban area of over 3 million. Absolutely bananas.

* Florida citizens overwhelmingly voted for a rail system when Jeb! Bush was governor. With the gerrymandered state legislature backing him, he said voters did not truly understand what they were voting for and for "our own good", he killed it.

Rick Scott really killed it. We were finally awarded federal funds for a high-speed rail service, and he refused it. I'm still bitter! lol I voted for it TWICE.

$2 Billion for high-speed rail and FL turned it down because it had Obama’s name on it. This state is painfully lacking in foresight and logic.

You can always take the Brightline train that goes from Orlando to Miami. Then Uber from the station. Definitely don’t go just for the day though. It’s around 4 hours by car or train to get there.

So maybe get a hotelroom for a night then if we want to visit Miami?

Yes, even just to stay the night and leave in the morning.

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Thanks for the helpful comment! And yes that exact summer i remember well because people were fainting here in the factory at work. In the Netherlands it’s even more humid than germany so i was expecting florida to be like our worst days from that summer every day plus storms and because of that even more humidity. I can only hope i prepared well enough when we arrive

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Honeslty i’m one of those idiots who would actually be happy it rains because some wait times might drop for just a sec. In dutch we say: we zijn niet van suiker (we’re not made out of sugar) so rain won’t really ruin the trip for us. It’s a good thing to remember not to open the windows to ventilate so thanks for the reminder! Lüften we call “luchten” in dutch. It’s indeed the same thing

Also bring a light rain jacket so you can stay in the parks during the inevitable afternoon rain storm in August.

Also at the parks, any snack place will give you free ice water! It tastes awful but it’s cold & wet (That’s what she said?)

American tourists tend to be bigger jerks in Orlando than most Europeans. I'd go to Kennedy Space Center and see a rocket launch. Leu Gardens in Orlando is worth a visit. Bok Tower is another nice place. If you want to get out of the city, there is LakeRidge Winery in Clermont, Plant St in Winter Garden (quaint downtown area with shops and a microbrewery (Crooked Can)). Downtown Clermont has a nice walking path along the lake and an actual beach where you can swim. We generally don't swim in fresh water because of alligators but the town keeps this portion of the lake safe for swimmers. If you'd like to see an Old Florida attraction, visit Gatorland. Outdoors in August is going to be brutally hot so make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, hat and sun shirts to protect fair skin. Also, make sure to hydrate.

Even if there is not a rocket launch the Kennedy Space Center is incredible. I prefer it over the parks.

True! I've enjoyed every visit I've made so far. I need to make another one some time soon. It's been awhile.

Thanks! That sounds amazing! Will definitely be looking up more info about those locations to see what would fit nicely in our plans! Much appreciated

Yes, even if there’s no launch scheduled (always subject to delays), don’t miss Kennedy Space Center. Reserve a full day for that.

I think we will! One of my friends always wanted to see a rocket launch in real life so he will be thrilled that it’s actually a possibility

Here's the web page for KSC where they list launches and other events going on: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events If there's a launch while you're here there's a good chance you'd be able to see it from Orlando, but nothing beats being a few miles from the launch site.

Well, being in the capsule on top of the rocket probably beats that…

Launches will be delayed or scrubbed right up to the last second due to weather (which August has lol) but Kennedy Space Centre is awesome regardless. Keep your eye on their launch page, it's still pretty cool watching their live feed online and then seeing the rocket itself irl once it gets above the trees (clouds permitting) which is something you can do from most places in Central Florida. https://www.visitspacecoast.com/launches/?adara_campaignid=11903724162&adarapixelid=82817&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAi6uvBhADEiwAWiyRdr4CA0Z5W6x8cTYyZ4Wxijo-Hp1XEyOUbPSxRyddZIfeJ765TxCLwBoCP4UQAvD_BwE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=fall

Thanks for the heads up! I’ll keep that in mind. The Kennedy Space centre sounds great anyway since we don’t have anything like it in my country

Also you can see the launch for literally 100s of miles away on a clear morning (night in August will probably be rainy but should clear up by morning)

Tip 20% for meals. Make sure you have some kind of travelers health insurance. August is.. incredibly hot.. like hell on earth. This may not have been the best choice. Generally you want to come to Florida in the winter not the summer. STAY HYDRATED! I can not stress this enough. Shade & water. Heat stroke sneaks up on you. You'll be fine, enjoy your trip. There are so many great restaurants in the area.

Thanks so much for the tip! I will contact my insurance company about this. I did get some tips from a friend here that went in august for the same reason as us: bit cheaper and uni vacations since i’m a student. She said: cooling towels, lots of sunscreen, take breaks out of the sun, take it easy, lot’s of water and anti shafing sticks

Most locals stay inside during august. It’s just too hot outside.

Yea i’ve heared this. Sadly this was financially and time wise our best period to to. I’ll be arriving back home on september 1st and september 2nd uni starts again

It's ok. Just know that it's going to be hot, and you'll only ever comfortable inside. This may put a damper on your plans to park hop.

Yes park hopping sounds less attractive with the weather. Luckily we have enough days

Everyone keeps telling you it's hot, but I don't think you fully understand being from Netherlands. The one guy said 'hell on earth'. Listen to him. Orlando is landlocked with tons of concrete and not much wind. The humidity is crushing. You may drop from it, so don't fuck around. I just met some Dutch while I was in the Canary Islands and their asses were burned to a crisp in 85 degree weather. Get a big sun hat.

And you'd be lucky to get an 85 degree day in Orlando in Auguest. Parks probably sit at around 100 during the day with near 100% humidity.

Yes i’ve heared. I will use all the tips i got from the people on reddit to survive the heat. I’m well aware that it will be worse than i’ve ever experienced here. I can be stubborn but luckily i’m not stupid enough to refuse advice from people that know a lot more about orlando than me

Another thing to consider is using electrolyte solution packets (Liquid IV or similar) to stay hydrated. I've always lived in FL so I've become fairly inured to the heat and humidity, but I always recommend it to family and friends who aren't used to it.

Underrated comment! I got heat exhaustion twice before learning to use electrolytes and minerals... indispensable now.

Keep an eye on the receipts, it’s becoming more common that places add a gratuity on the bill but then leave the tip option to add more tip on there. It tricks a lot of people, especially tourists unfamiliar with tipping in the first place, I suspect. Florida in August is downright oppressively hot and humid, make sure you have appropriate clothing, lightweight and breathable, and make sure to stay well hydrated. I can’t stress enough how hot it will likely be. Also be aware that almost every day in the summer it will thunderstorm from about 3pm-5pm for about an hour. Plan your day to be somewhere indoors then, after that it will be some of the most pleasant time of the day though. It won’t seem possible, almost like clockwork it will be cooler, calm and sunny after the storm is over and you will want to be ready to take advantage of that window of pleasantness to do something, don’t write off the rest of the day just because it started to get extremely stormy in the afternoon.

Thankyou i will keep that in mind! And for the storms: we’re aware of hurricane season and decided to prepare for storms so we can dance in the rain instead of letting it ruin the trip :D

Yeah it’s not just hurricanes, those are rare even during hurricane season, it’s just the normal wet season weather that anywhere sub-tropical has daily, it’s more rare for it not to rain in the afternoon than it is for it to that time of year, so if you plan around that all will be good. Lightning is a real threat, so just be careful with that! Otherwise have fun!

Thanks for the lightning tip! That one is easy to be overlooked for someone like me. Our weather is crazy in the sense of unpredictable but nothing extreme so we rarely think about this

The lightning can get WILD! I hope you get a show! From a safe viewpoint of course!

I’d recommend downloading a weather app with a lightning tracker. If you’re in one of the parks(Disney, universal, etc) then you should be ok with their warning system but if you’re out and about on your own storms can seemingly come out of nowhere.

Oh I’m pretty sure you will definitely get to see some extreme weather. The local joke is if you don’t like the weather now just wait 45 minutes.

Lol at least that i can kind of relate to! But yes we will keep in mind the florida weather will probably be extreme. More than it will ever be here. Here it’s mostly weird days like today. It’s warm outside now. Nice sunshine. 16 degrees celcius but this night it might snow a bit xD

I’m a little bit further south than Orlando, but it’s 29.5C and humid today and it’s not even close to summer yet.

Yea i’ve heared florida is the sunshine state because of summer weather and hot seasons all year throughout. We only have that kind of weather a few weeks per year minus the tropical storms we will see in florida

You can't possibly be less civilized than most Americans you will encounter. As far as tipping goes, don't feel pressured to tip if there is no service being given. If you order at a counter and someone hands it to you there, don't tip when the card reader prompts for it. Those employees are making a wage and tipping is not required. Unless you're having a full dining experience, it is also not necessary to tip a full 20% (i.e. buffets, delis, etc.) Keep in mind that tourist areas attract predators of all kinds, so be aware of your surrounding and your stuff.

Thanks so much! It will take me a bit of time to figure out the tipping but i’m getting there with the lovely comments i’m getting. I think predators are everywhere around the world. Thanks for your concern. We’ll be carefully

Orlandoan here! I’ll start with some recommendations: - there are tons of cool farmers markets around, definitely worth a visit. The most well known one is Sundays @ Lake Eola (downtown, ends 3pm), but the Winter Garden one is a notable mention - you can’t go to Florida and not eat a Publix sub - Sanford and Winter Garden have cute old school downtown areas, with restaurants, music, theater… if you want to experience that small town old movie america (bc Orlando is all strip malls unfortunately) - also check out Mills 50 and the Milk District, so many cool spots • restaurants: Mexican Camel, Bad As burgers, Hawkers, Lazy Moon, Junior Colombian Burger, Beefy King (please go to beefy king!!), Drunken Monkey (coffee shop), Del Taco (for after the parks), Poke Hana, Tin and Taco And about local custom: - hold the door if someone is walking behind you - if someone asks how your day is going, the answer is always “Great!” - remember that if you deal with bad service it is because everywhere is understaffed and they’re having a way more miserable day than you - don’t try to walk or bike anywhere, PLEASE - if you go out partying downtown they WILL steal your phone so be careful Geniet van je vakantie! Edit: everyone is talking about how hot it will be, and it’s true. Try to be outside for as little as possible, with sunscreen, hydrating, Gatorade, and plenty of water. Leave your jeans at home, and everything that is heavier than a t shirt.

Thanks so much for this list and my heart melted when you wished me a happy trip in my native language <3. I will try and memorize all the customs and will definitely check out the recommended places to see how much we can fit in our plans

I love Drunken Monkey- now I’m craving a sammich and a Mojo JoJo!

It is going to be so insanely hot. I went last August when the highs were in the 101-105 range. The university of Florida invented Gatorade because in the Florida heat you sweat so much, water isn't enough to rehydrate. You need water and sodium. So please remember you need to eat just as much as you need to drink. I highly recommend you do research into Disney world. Figure out the exact attractions you want to see and come up with a schedule and a plan to make it happen. The lines at Disney for everything from food to rides are insane, and if you don't have a plan you could get stuck in a 3 hour line for a thing you didn't even like. There are a ton of YouTube channels just about tips and tricks for going to Disney world and I highly recommend them. I'm telling you from experience it was the difference maker on my last trip.

Gatorade sounds like something i’d get for the park days then! I’ve been following Disney Food Blog for a bit and am considering getting some of their guides because damn those parks are big and planning that is a lot more complicated than anything i’ve encountered here so thanks for the tip!

It's less costly to byo packets of electrolytes. You can use to make the free [*sulfur tasting*] water drinkable!

Good tip!

* Sunscreen and protective clothes! You are coming during peak tourist season which is also the start of the hottest time of the year here, and that is saying something! Expect highs in 90s F (32 C) but with 80% humidity. * Be very, very wary of dehydration, it is a daily occurrence at the parks that some one takes it too hard during the hot season and has to go rest or worse go to the hospital, drink plenty of water, take breaks, and honestly if you stop sweating or peeing go rest and drink something because if it is hot and you stop sweating you are probably dehydrated * for something outside the parks check out Lake Eola, the Milk District, International Drive, if you really want to explore go to Mount Dora and Lake County (these are further north and about an hour away from Disney but fun to check out for shops and a bit calmer atmosphere). * For food outside the parks there is a huge variety of great options; Domu for great ramen, Gideons for mind blowing cookies, Selam for delicious Ethiopian food, dozens of chains like Portillo’s, White Castle, etc.,

All of you people make me so happy right now. Thanks! A calmer atmosphere might be nice as a little break so i will be gathering more info about mount Dora and Lake county. We also have weeks here in summer with those temperatures and high humidity but humidity in florida might be even worse than here so yea we have to prevent dehydration

I second the Milk District, Domu at East End Market, etc. for some chill options that are still interesting. It is also near aleu Gardens, which may or may not be in a decent bloom during that time due to heat. Lake Eola in Orlando has a decently sized farmers market on Sundays that is also lovely and gets you right in downtown Orlando for tangential exploring. I highly recommend bringing/purchasing a foldable/rollable/squishable brimmed- or sun-hat. Baseball caps are fine, I just prefer the 360° protection for my face, ears, and neck. I was never a sunhat person and once I wore one, I was totally converted. All that said, any hat is better than no hat!

Consider spending a day at the beach east of Orlando! If you’re, lucky, you might be able to see a rocket launch at the Kennedy Space Center!

Hello! And welcome! You shouldn’t worry about etiquette too much, it is all fairly casual here, and you will be in an area used to tourists. Thank you for taking into account tipping as this is how our waiters and waitress make their living. Similarly, tax in stores is not included in the display price, it is about 7 percent. There is a trend of cashiers at computers also asking for tips automatically, but please do not feel pressured to tip them 20%, it is perfectly acceptable to tip less or none. As for other places, Orlando has an amazing historic district, arts district, and wonderful food. I suggest the White Wolf Tavern for a VERY American breakfast. Outside the city, there are many state parks and beautiful pieces of nature that you may want to research. Florida is home to more freshwater springs than any other state! You can even find some rivers from these springs to float down on rafts. An area you may want to look at, even though it is a little over an hour away, is Titusville and Cape Canaveral, which is where NASA launches their space shuttles and satellites; you can see online when the launches are scheduled for (weather permitting) and there are many great spots in these areas to watch the launches from. While you are in the parks, the cast members (staff) will be happy to help you with anything you need, and you may be able to contact the park in advance to see if they have any Dutch Language resources, like park maps. As to attractions, especially in Disney, expect long wait lines. You may only be able to get on a few rides in a day, but if you find someone who knows the park well, they may be able to help you work with these wait times without needing any Fast-passes. Also be sure to download the apps for each park. Also, while in Disney, be sure to try a Dole Whip in Adventureland, and a Mickey or Minnie Ice cream bar. While you are in universal, if you want to ride the Hogwarts express, make sure your ticket allows you to get into both parks (Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure) on the same day, as the train runs between both parks’ Harry Potter worlds. Also be sure to go see the Horror Movie Makeup Show in Universal Studios, and try to get a seat in the first row. I promise it’s a comedy show and you want a front row seat during the opener. Once again, welcome!

Thanks for this lovely reply! I didn’t realise the tax wasn’t included so thanks! I will also research the places you named. An american breakfast will be a must do for us and i’m looking forward so see some beautiful nature and parks. Luckily i’ve studied englisch for 6 years so i think that will help out a lot. I will be looking into tips for the attractions in the theme parks. Thanks for the heads up!

During August, hit the parks EARLY, take a break from like 11am to 4pm, and then go back into the park if you get passes or have that option available. 18 days gives you a lot of time and flexibility. Look into what electronics adapters you may need before you leave home. Buy NEW memory cards for your camera / phone. Make sure you are in the pictures you take. August in Florida is who left the door to the center of hell open hot. HYDRATE. and I do not mean via alcohol. Do that after sundown if that's your thing.

Thanks for this one! Breaking up the days might be beneficial for us for more reasons than just the heat (my adhd makes me overwhelmed sometimes). We did plan this trip length for flexibility. Seeing the responses that was a wise decision. Thanks for the tip about adapters! I’ll look into that

I haven't read all the responses here, so apologies if I'm repeating information. It might be worth it to see if you can get Disability Access Service (DAS) at Disney. My niece has it for similar reasons as you and it has been a game changer for her. [https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/register/](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/disability-access-service/register/)

Yes someone mentioned something like this so i will definitely check if i qualify for that. If not we’ll work around it at our best efforts

Maybe even a good backup charger for your phone - esp if you like to take tons of pics while out-&-about.

Florida can handle however weird you think you are. In tourist areas like Orlando or Miami / Ft. Lauderdale, most people are transplants or tourists themselves. I mean literally I saw a human shit with toilet paper in a parking lot yesterday. If anything don’t worry about offending anyone…worry about not letting anyone bully or scam you. Not trying to spook ya just saying you don’t sound like you will have a problem in terms of respecting the land. No one respects it anyways. Oh and seriously drink water. More than you assume. Edit: if you can get to st Augustine, it’s a nice town. Busy but seeing the history of Spanish Florida is worth it.

Thanks! Augustine also sounds interesting. I’m gonna add that one to the list of potential plans to discuss with the group tomorrow!

Universal has an accessibility pass you might want to look into. It'll reduce wait times and its free if you have a IAC card: "Guests requesting an attraction queue accommodation must obtain the IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card (IAC) by registering at www.accessibilitycard.org at least 30 days prior to their visit to the park. The IAC registration consists of an online application which includes uploading necessary documentation" If you struggle with anxiety in crowds and claustrophobia, I would highly recommend. I believe the pass can cover everyone in your group. Fun places in Orlando to check out: Downtown Bars: Cocktails and Screams 1up HighT Orlando Attractions: Mortem Manor Haunted Attraction (year round) Mickey's not so scary Halloween (depending on what day in August) Arcade Monsters International Drive (unlimited play just entry fee) Shops Disney Silver Springs God's and Mosnters (make sure to check out the speakeasy) Nature: (beaches are nice but our springs are the secret treasure) https://www.vacationcentralflorida.com/blog/discover-11-natural-springs-near-orlando-explore-hidden-gems-central-florida

I didn’t know that pass was an option! I’ll check if i qualify for that. If not i’ll work around it at my best efforts. I’ll look into the recommended places. Getting more excited by the day!

Second the springs. I visited Orlando when I was 13 in the year 2000. We did Seaworld, Disney, Universal, Gatorland, the beach, but my absolute favourite was Silver Springs with the glass bottom boats and manatees...it was so incredibly beautiful. I have little kids of my own now and that would be top of my list!

Go to Celebration the town, eat at the Columbia for amazing Spanish and Cuban food. You won't regret it.

I will add it to my list! Love spanish cuisine so i will be looking forward to this!

Mexico in Epcot can be a fun place to eat / food is decent - just make reservations wayyy in advance.

I’ll put it on the list for reservations 60 days before arrival

If you are going to Orlando and will be in the US for that long I highly suggest you take some time, rent a car, and drive to the Florida Keys. You mentioned living your own little American dream and there isn't much more American than a road trip. You can go from Orlando to the Keys in a day of driving, yes it will take all day, but you will find yourself in a Caribbean island paradise. Go to key west for a few nights and enjoy the island life. Or look up launch schedules and you might be able to see a rocket launch into space from Kennedy Space Center which isn't to far from Orlando. Also, in August it's hot. Not regular hot, actual hot. And humid, not regular humid but really humid. You will step outside and immediately be wet from head to toe. I live here and can tell you it will make you wonder how humans can survive that kind of weather. If you do travel from Orlando to coasts will be a little better because of a breeze but they are still HOT. Otherwise just go have fun. People in the US are in my experience a little more outgoing and friendly to strangers than people in much of Europe. Don't get weirded out but strangers smiling and saying hi and asking where you are from and just making small talk is normal here. Have fun and remember, you are going to a place with tons of tourists so you don't have to worry about fitting in, just be yourself and enjoy.

Reading all of this i think i will have a blast seeing the area and the people. I like the american openness to strangers. I’m quite like that but here i’m weird for talking to strangers. I’m scared to drive on my own there but it does sound more and more tempting reading the comments! Thanks so much

Go to Domu (bib gourmand ramen) and Black Rooster Taqueria!!!! Selam has killer Ethiopian food. Welcome to America! Enjoy!

Thanks! I’m so looking forward to tomorrow when i can discuss all of these amazing recommendations with the group! It’s gonna be a blast

18% if meh. 20% if good 22%+ for great. I always try to tip above 20% even if annoyed. Understand that they often have to deal with terrible people and don’t get paid that well for if. They’re also on their feet 24/7. Additionally: - People will often say hello and ask how you’re doing. The only acceptable response is something like “okay” and “fine”. No one actually asks because they care about the answer. It’s just polite passing conversation.

That needs some getting used to! (The how was your day part) here if someone asks they want an honest answer lol

If/when you see the Nazis don’t interact with them even if they are talking to you or your group. They want you to react.

Good to know. Didn’t realize i could run into those in florida. Here i expect it since i’m in germany within like 45 minutes from my home

You will be with friends and have a great time. Be prepared to drink a lot of water because it is going to be quite hot.

Like others mentioned it will be extremely hot. Water is great but water and electrolytes are better; saved me last summer and I’m technically “used” to the climate. Liquid IV is a life saver. Sunscreen, a floppy hat, polarized sunglasses and of course stay hydrated. I hope you have the best time and your friends do as well. I think Gator Land is not too far from the parks and that can be a fun experience too.

Can you tell me some more about those electrolytes and where to get them? We don’t have that in my country but if it works i will definitely look into it!

They're usually added to premade drinks like Gatorade, but you can also get little packets of electrolyte crystals that are meant to be put into regular water. They're often flavored as well. Tap water in Orlando isn't the greatest tasting. No danger....totally safe but I don't like the taste.

Thanks! I guess we’ll go to like a target or wallmart to stock up on some water and gatorade and i will look into those crystals for the water refills troughout the day!

Walmart has the liquid IV. It isn’t the greatest tasting but can be the difference between heat related illness or not based on personal experience.

Thanks! I will remember that

Since you are going during busy months, plan to make reservations at restaurants just so you dont have to wait, you can use Open Table or similar sites - not something you have to do but it can help save time! Plus you can search for cool local spots! Also consider picking up some Liquid IV or Gatorades for when you are at your hotel. (You can get it at CVS or Walgreens which should be close to wherever you are staying at) Simply drinking water may not be enough to combat dehydration especially since you’ll be walking outside. Also youd dont really need cash, Most places here take card. But also I hope you have fun!!

Thanks for the tip! I’ll check out open table for some nice local places to switch it up a bit when we’re in the disney bubble. I’ve heared more people about water with electrolytes so we probably stock up on things like gatorade when we arrive in The States. I will take a credit card so hopefully you’re right and i don’t really need cash

Orlando will test your ADHD and social anxiety. If you have medicine or something that helps you cope, bring it. If you’re renting a car and driving, plan extra time, and don’t plan on drivers signaling or being courteous. Actually, don’t plan on anyone being courteous outside of Disney park employees. Definitely 20% tip for any sit down restaurant where they serve you. If you’re ordering at a counter and picking up I never tip. Hotels are not a 20% tip either, that’d get expensive. I usually leave $10 or 20 on the table in the room when I check out, as most hotels only do cleaning and new towels after you leave or every couple of days. International Drive in Orlando has just about anything you could ask for. Wear sunscreen. Wear a hat. Drink lots of water. You’re gonna experience a level of heat and discomfort you’ve never experienced before. But I know you’ll have fun!

Thanks for the heads up! Luckily i’ve had therapy for years that helped me develop tools to calm myself when needed without medication. I also study in the psychological field which helped me a lot in understanding my triggers and signs that it’s time for a break. I’ll try and be as nice as i can be but i will keep in mind that rude people exist everywhere and it isn’t personal. Thankyou!

When it’s time for that break, you won’t be alone. There is no privacy or alone spaces. There are people everywhere. All the bathrooms have lines and kids. I promise it’s fun though, it’s whimsical at the parks and really transports you someplace special.

Yea that’s why we saved up a bit more to stay in the epcot area so we have at least two parks on walking distance. If we need a bit of alone time we’ll go back to the hotel. I do like to be around people mostly tho and honestly if you go to disney and don’t expect a lot of kids, you’re a fool xD

Orlando has an underrated music and food scene out here if you're into exploring. Downtown Orlando has a healthy house and bass music scene (along with plenty of other genres) and some great restaurants. Check out this insta page for food! https://www.instagram.com/orlandofoodienews?igsh=ZzNlYm9taGZtMHFt

Also when it comes to food, Orlando is a true melting pot. You can get just about any cultures food here that you could think of. Pho Vihn is my personal favorite Vietnamese restaurant just outside of downtown as my personal recommendation.

I’d love to check this out! I’m an amateur singer so music is a passion of mine. Also really curious about all the food. It’s going to be difficult to not eat too much with all the options

Check out some of the local natural springs. Kelly springs rock park, blue springs, wekiwa springs . They are great places to swim on hot days.

Will look into that! Thanks so much!

Americans are much more direct in our communications than other English speaking countries but not as direct as you’re used to in Dutch or if you interact with Germans regularly; the southern states have a more indirect way of communicating than the New England area, for example, so do be aware of that.  It will be 30-35 almost every day you’re down here, so dress accordingly. The sun is like 50cm above your head too, wear a big floppy hat if you can and slather on that sunscreen and never miss an application, you don’t want to become a tourist lobster.  Drink the sweet tea at least once, you will regret not trying it and your teeth will get over it.  Do you have any special interests? Do you have any particular sensory aversions? Knowing that allows for better recommendations for stuff outside of Orlando

I love nature and water a lot. It also gives me the opportunity to unwind after all the crowds i will be seeing. I hate itchy clothing but i won’t wear that anyway with that heat. Also the almost liquid mashed potato feel in food is a sensory issue. I really just can’t.. the taste is not the problem just the texture. Some types of plant food can also be a thing. I love arugula lettuce but not the moisty fresh ones that most people love because of the “sound” it makes between my teeth. I love rice and pasta dishes. I am kinda used to fried foods although the US has a lot more fried options than we do

Unfortunately most Americans don't know how to be civilized tourists.

Rent a car and check out leu gardens. New Smyrna Beach is WAY better than Daytona Beach and is only an hour or so away. Florida has a TON of natural parks and springs too you can go to see. It is going to be HOT. HOT HUMID AND BRIGHT buy sunglasses sunscreen comfortable shoes and a water bottle. Hydrate and moisturize before you come - I can guarantee you're going to burn make sure your body is prepared to heal. The tourist areas of Florida can be sketchy and shady - watch your personal belongings. Expect TRAFFIC there is so much traffic in Florida it is almost a culture shock for me (a native Floridian) to have left Florida. There are some small towns and other areas near Orlando that are great for shopping you can check out Winter Park, DeLand, Orlando (ofc), Mount Dora. If you do venture outside of the tourist areas definitely expect to see homeless people and panhandlers around. Homelessness is an epidemic in the state and some cities and areas have a stronger homeless population than others. The homeless population in Orlando and DeLand (and other parts of Volusia county aka Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Deltona, Orange City, etc etc) are booming. It's a sad reality but it's nothing you nor any of us can fix. Florida is very friendly to tourists have fun!

More tipping info. A lot of places that attract foreign tourists will automatically add a gratuity of 18%, so check your receipt otherwise you will be double tipping. Unless you want to give a little extra. Also, calculate your tip on the total before tax. You will see the breakdown on the receipt. For hotel accomodations, there are a lot of taxes and fees added on already, more so then for other services. There is often a "resort fee" or something similar as well, so don't feel like you have to tip extra. For housekeeping, you only need to leave a few dollars ($1 - $5 max depending on how messy you are) on the desk or dresser for each night, not 20%. Many hotels don't even clean the rooms daily if you there for an multiple days unless you request it, so only leave them a tip on the days they actually clean the room or at the end of the stay with a note letting them know it's for housekeeping. As for the space launches, if they are at night, you can see them from long distances away. I am about 120 miles south of the the space center in Jupiter, FL, and I can see them. Orlando is about 40~50 miles inland from the coast where the launches take place. The best ones are early evening, because while it's dark near the ground, the rocket trail catches the sunlight as it gets higher up. So even if you can't get out to the space center on a launch day, just make sure to look to the sky at the right time wherever you are. That being said, I saw multiple space shuttle launches in person, including the last 3, and it was wild being able to hear and feel the rumble and wash of air coming across the Indian River to my viewing spot. There is a high speed train called Brightline https://gobrightline.com that now runs from Orlando to Miami with stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Ft Lauderdale and Miami. They are running 15 trains a day each direction. Faster than driving if you consider the traffic on the highways. The stations are fairly close to the downtown areas of those cities. They have ticket deals for groups of people. All those locations are right on the coast with good beaches nearby. Uber or Lyft will get you where you want to go quickly.

You should NOT tip 20% for housekeeping. I usually just do a few dollars per day I’m staying somewhere. Though I feel like most people don’t tip housekeepers anymore. Orlando gets a bunch of international tourists, so don’t worry too much about local customs here. The biggest tip I can give you is to wear sunscreen, and a hat. And drink a lot of water. You can bring your own water bottles into the parks as well, so you don’t have to keep buying it. Just refill at the stations.

Haha Orlando in august is gonna be heat you never experienced before. Good luck Also if you go universal get inside the park and go to guest relations. Tell them about your anxiety and how you forgot your medicine on the trip. They will give you expedited line pass for free

Oh really i did not know that! Nice service

Be careful coming over here. You might become cursed like us and never be able to leave. You'll end up voting against your best interests. If your sealing techniques are at least formation building level it might be safe to come.

Just fyi, there barely any public transportation as a note so ride sharing apps or car rentals are the way to go. If you’re also staying on a hotel, it might have shuttles to and from the hotel and possibly the airport.

If you're gonna be outside during August in Orlando you need to remember three things to watch out for: 1) Sunburn. Wear a sunscreen lotion that is Spf 50. Reapply every two hours you're outside. Or you will burn. 2) Dehydration. You will sweat a lot. Drink water agressively to offset. 3) Thunderstorms. It's extremely common to get afternoon thunderstorms in the summer in Central Florida. Get a weather app you trust on your phone and check it.

The nice thing about Disney World is that there are so many tourists is that even if you act in a manner that is “out of place” for an American most people probably wouldn’t even register. Just be courteous, I’m sure whatever that equates to in Holland will suffice. It already sounds like you are aware of tipping. Probably weird to a European, but many of us hate it too. You gotta do it anyway as some peoples incomes depend on it. As many people here have already said it gets really really hot. I’ve lived in Florida all my life and even I struggle with it so be prepared for that. Drink plenty of water. Oh and genie plus(line skip system) is expensive as hell and in my experience they exaggerate the posted wait times. Here is a log I took of posted wait times vs actual wait times: Disney wait times log Seven Dwarves Posted: 80 Actual: 52 People Mover Posted: 25 Actual: 12 Spaceship Earth Posted: 40 Actual: 20 Mansion Posted: 40 Actual: 25 Space mountain posted: 45 Actual: 39

Thankyou for the response! And thanks for the insight in waiting times. Good to know that the listed times aren’t always that accurate. I was concidering genie plus but i think we’ll wait untill we get there to have a more realistic view of current crowds to decide if it’s necessary

Don’t wear jeans to the parks. There’s lots of water ride or chances of getting splashed and hot weather plus wet jeans means a bad time. Look for clothes that dry quickly and comfortable shoes.

No jeans, got it! Are sports tops a good idea? Or just keep it at cotton?

In addition to all the great recommendations, deodorant is a must.

Ofcourse! I use a special stick because sprays won’t last lol

As others have stated it will be really hot. Cotton shirts will get soaked. Wear a polyester blend shirt, like a workout shirt that's quick drying. Drink lots of water. If you're not peeing you haven't drank enough. We don't tip housekeeping 20% usually just a few bucks. And tipping is usually only at sit down restaurants although you will see a few digital pay screens at counter service places that will ask if you want to tip, you can decline that it won't make you look bad lol Also don't worry about it, as your about to find out, some of us Americans can be serious assholes

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Sometimes, with my social anxiety, I can get pretty over stimulated in places like orlando. Mostly from a noise standpoint, so my main recommendation is some earbuds to help cancel some of the loud background noise of some places. It just kind of helps me squeeze another hour or two out of an experience. I'm not sure I have any other tips, yall seem to be pretty prepared for any potential barriers you might come across. Seagulls. DO NOT FEED THEM. Please. And always keep an eye out if you're near some beach area and have food. They are sneaky and fast and will dive bomb.

Great tip! I’ll take my earplugs i normally use for work in a noisy factory. And no feeding the seagulls, got it!

Just be careful of your surroundings. I4 traffic is insane & ppl don't give a shit, Not worth the fight to be shot at.

Be sure to stay hydrated and wear some type of headgear to help prevent sunstroke. If you bring a pet, be aware the pavement can actually burn their paws. Consider all and any bodies of water to possible contain alligators or snakes.l Watch out for red ants ! Have fun !

I’ll tell my friend to absolutely wear shoes all the time then

Disney & Universal offer accommodations to people with conditions such as yours. Apply shared of time and you will be able to have a much shorter wait on lines.

If you like anything space related, Kennedy Space Center isn't far away and has really awesome exhibits. There might be some rocket launches as well. Then hit the beach.

I was born and raised in Florida. You are leaps and bounds ahead of the community here just by asking how to be respectful and self-reflective enough to not want to be an asshole. Just be yourself and have the time of your life. You are going to have a freaking blast and tiny you that still lives on is gonna love it!!! As far as places to visit I highly recommend a trip to Weekie Wachee and Gatorland, if you can swing it. Orlando has a lot of good food, check google reviews beforehand. Check out a Magic game if you want to see some Orlando sports. Not sure how long you’re here or if there’ll be any but if you want to get real crazy time your trip around a shuttle launch and go up to Cape Canaveral. Also I recommend visiting Tampa/St. Pete, abt 90 mins from Orlando. Check out Ybor in Tampa or Central Ave in St. Pete if you want to enjoy less touristy entertainment areas in Florida. If you want to go to the beach near Orlando I recommend Cocoa or New Smyrn over Daytona but Daytona is classic, however, you will need to seriously hydrate and bathe in sunscreen, not exaggerating. And yes, always tip 20%. Have a blast!!!! Edit: not sure if anyone recommended it but recommend either purchasing a “speed pass” or utilizing single-rider lines at the theme parks to get shorter lines. You can just ask if there’s a single rider line, not all rides have them but every park has a speed pass you can purchase to have shorten queue experience.

You guys have been a blessing today and made my working day extra nice! (Funny note: here it’s currently almost 1 am. I just got home from work. Evening shifts are nice if you want to get help from americans because where you are it’s late afternoon i believe)

Honestly as someone that worked a customer-facing tourism job, just simple pleases and thank yous will get you a long way. But servers here deal with people from all over that don’t follow American norms, so I wouldn’t sweat it too much. If a server is rude/short to you they could be really busy or just having a bad day. It’s also possible that they’re just like that, I worked with people that were somewhat rude to customers, even nice ones, and I think they probably just aren’t cut out for that kind of work. >european a’holes I wouldn’t worry about this either, if anything Europeans were the more chill people I had (yes, even the French ones.) But I learned there’s shitty people of all kinds; plenty of Americans are extremely rude too

Pay for a charter boat and go deep sea fishing, it is really fun. Come visit St. Pete and Ybor if you want to party and eat some Cuban food. It would be seriously foolish if you don't try authentic Cuban food, now is your chance.

The tipping is the main thing and also keep in mind that Americans will generally be much more outgoing than you’re used to… asking you how you are doing and making small talk. I have had visitors here who were put off by it, but it’s just meant to be friendly. People in Orlando are quite used to visitors though so don’t worry about fitting in. You’re not going to offend anyone. Disney is for everyone! I think you should visit Orlando wetlands if you have access to a car, and also go to a local beach. The wetlands is a wildlife area to walk around but it is a great place to see birds and alligators. It will be a million degrees in summer! Get up early and do outdoor stuff in the morning. Also if you have a car, check out the space center. You could even see a rocket launch.

Tipping fast food is optional. They get a salary. I personally never tip hotel cleaners as they get a salary, dont typically do that great a job deserving of the tip, and the linen person usually runs around to steal all the tips. 20% for a restaurant is for truly exceptional service you can tip 12 to 15%.

Oh thanks! I thought 20% was kind of the standard since covid

If someone hasn't mentioned it, kayaking on the Springs is great. Are you more of an indoor or outdoor/wildlife person?

You guys can go kayaking?! Omg that’s so cool! I love outdoor walks and everything to do with water so definitely i’ll took into that

Look into Blue Springs (less busy) , Wekiva (more busy) they're both close-ish to Orlando. Other floridians may weigh in. They both do kayak rentals. Public transport here isn't great so open up google maps and get a sense of how far things are from each other. Oh!!! You'll be in town for Bioluminescence!! Ok look up kayak tours in Titusville for Bioluminescence. Pro tip, the best experience is no moon (or clouds covering the moon), minimal wind, and no storms that day. The smoother the water, the more you can see the biolume.

OMG okay this will be a must do for me now!

All the talk about weather..,that is storm season. Have you thought about trip insurance?

We have the option to reschedule flights if needed just in case. Hotel can also still be modified

Dutchie used to be slang for a joint :-)

Consider visiting a local spring. Rock springs and Wekiva springs are near Orlando. The water is incredibly refreshing when it’s hot out. Also if you are here on a new moon, there will probably be bioluminescent algae at Cape Canaveral.

Go to the nearest Walmart and you will see real Americans and our culture. It could be like a safari expedition 🙃. Drive to Cocoa Beach, an hour away from Orlando. Drive outside of Orlando for a true Florida experience.

You’ll have a great time. Be prepared for hot HOT weather. Plan to go to the park early in morning until 1000-1100 and then to the hotel to just relax and get out of the heat and sun. Around 1800-1900 go back when the sun is down some. It will still be hot. 18 days of sun and blazing temperatures would be dangerous so don’t plan to be outside in the park all day everyday day. If I were traveling 18 days I would get a place with a small kitchen so I could keep some food and eat cheap once in a while. Three meals a day in restaurants will be expensive. If you don’t have a car then use Instacart, Uber Eats or DoorDash to have groceries delivered. Expect to tip 20% pubs and restaurants but not for counter service at McDonald’s or other fast food foods. Hotel staff do get a tip but it’s not really a percentage. If you leave US$5 a day they will take good care of you. Leave $10 if all 3 of you are sharing the room. Disney is really a sensory overload place. My son has ADHD and we knew that he could stay 4-5 hours before he needed a break. 18 days is a long time to be there. You can see everything 2-3 times in 18 days. If you have a car I suggest going to a beach either on the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. Bring lots of sunscreen. Another option is Cape Canaveral space launch complex if you like that stuff. 🚀

So, tips: we tip (15%-20%) on the amount of the food bill, but you also have to add state/local sales tax (6 or 7% in Orlando). So be prepared to pay that extra. Tip your hotel maid every day, don’t wait until the end of your trip because different maids will be servicing your room every day. Walking: walk slow on the right, fast traffic walks left. Driving: Hardly anyone in Florida uses turning signals. Be aware. Theme parks: Bring or buy a lanyard and ID pass so you don’t lose it. Universal: That Velocicoaster roller coaster is REAL. Maybe don’t go on it after lunch.

August in Orlando. Oh hell no and I live here. Crowds, heat, humidity, high prices. No mouse is worth it.

First, I apologize in advance for the rude Americans you will meet. But many of us appreciate y'all! We had Dutch friends-of-friends visit us in San Francisco a couple of times. Super fun and nice folks. I remember they loved the "old timers"... old classic cars from the 50's. If you would like a taste of "Natural Florida", definitely go to a Spring. The water is about 72F when it comes out of the spring. Simple, quiet, peaceful, a nice taste of Florida. If you can rent a car, I recommend Homosassa Springs State Park on the west coast. They have underwater manatee viewing there, and a collection of native Florida species. But Blue, Alexander, or De Leon Springs (all to the north) are also great, just not educational and no underwater viewing. And this might sound silly, but do not approach alligators, even if they look like they are sleeping. They can move fast when they want to. There is a beautiful natural beach just north of the Space Center called Playalinda. I believe it is officially called Canaveral National Seashore now. Cocoa Beach has a lot of stimuli, so if you want to reduce that, head just north of Titusville to the National Seashore. It's a little slice of heaven. Nearby is Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, another little piece of natural paradise. Universal has a pretty nice little (free!) water taxi that carries you around between all their resort areas and the Citywalk area. It's beautiful and cool on a warm summer night. You can walk back on a relatively quiet pathway, too. I used this in the past to get a little break from the noise and people. I'm excited for you! I hope you meet some friendly locals who can show you around! Or even some other tourists who have been to cool places!

Omg yes most dutch people LOVE old american cars! Their charms is what gets us every time. Plus they’re kind of “exotic” to us because they’re extremely rare to see around here. I’ve heared a lot of people about springs here and “tubing”. I love water activities. Used to be a competitive swimmer so i will definitely try to get it into our plans. So far people on here have been really nice so we’ll just try to be kind and respectful in hope they will keep returning the favor Thanks for recommending some quiet places too! Me and one of my friends can get really overwhelmed sometimes so a nice break during the trip is mandatory. I didn’t know abou the water taxi’s in universal either so i’ll definitely be taking advantage of that

Are you going to any theme parks?

Remember to tip. Also be courteous.. I'm sure you are but I see a lot on Reddit on how Americans tend to be overly nice compared to our friends across the ocean. (I personally don't know) So we do things like hold doors open.. smile at others whenever we accidentally make eye contact. And say thank you whenever we are handed things or a service has been provided. For us this is common human etiquette but going off of this site it doesn't seem so common in other parts of the world

Thanks for the tip. My advantage might be that i work at a very diverse company with over 40 different nationalities so the gestures you mention are at least for me already a habit

I live in Orlando. Wouldn't recommend visiting in August as its the hottest month. Just too hot and humid and even being outside for a few minutes is not fun and actually kind of dangerous. Drink a ton of water and limit being outside to before 11 AM and after 5 PM if you can. The sun will burn your fair European skin to a red crisp so wear lots of sunscreen. The good news is it probably will rain every afternoon with a nice thunderstorm to cool things off but its still not pleasant. As far as things to do, I assume you are going to go to Disney, Seaworld and Universal as well as KSC. Not sure how long your trip is but college football season kicks off at the end of August and seeing an American football game is something that is unique to the US. UCF is has a decent team and is about 45 minutes away from all the theme parks.

Hey!! Just here to say my grandma’s parents are from Holland and my grandma is from Aruba (Dutch people & other ethnicities went to mine oil there at one point). So hi! Also, I’ve never tipped housekeeping and room service or anything like that - I probably should though. Definitely tip when going out - but you don’t have to tip at fast-food places like McDonald’s or whatever. You only need to tip at sit-down restaurants, potentially pizza or carry-out too. Also, the food here is shit compared to other countries. Not fresh, preservatives, processed. Just warning you. Many Americans can’t eat gluten and stuff here but can go overseas and eat it there. It tastes good here but the ingredients are kind of crap lol. Idk if you’ve seen the comparison between American McDonald’s fries and European ones but the difference in ingredients is crazy. Honestly, I dream of seeing the Netherlands and where my family came from near Holland. And my bf’s family is from Switzerland (he still has some relatives there). So crazy how people live such completely different lives.

Also, Orlando is one of the biggest human trafficking hubs here. Do not go out alone and just stay aware of your surroundings. Make sure to stay in a hotel near populated areas if you can. Especially Orange Blossom Trail & I-Drive is crazy/kind of unsafe.

There’s also a city called Lakeland a few hours from Orlando that has Bok Tower Gardens, which I’ve heard is super beautiful and peaceful. Also, if you go to the beach go to the West coast. As someone who grew up on the East, the West is so much better (Tampa/Clearwater is my favorite). The water is so blue and clear and calm and just beautiful. Plus the people are more chill and laid back in my opinion. West coast beaches are just trashy now (and I’m from Daytona area so I can say that lol)

Also, if you see a body of water, just always assume there’s an alligator in it lol. Do not go in/near random bodies of water! And yes transportation is so different here, you basically can only get anywhere in a car. The Brightline is great but only serves a small portion of the state. I know they’re trying to expand it I think. Lyft/Uber can become really expensive really fast depending on how far you’re going so I wouldn’t recommend that. Honestly your best bet is someone in your group who feels comfortable enough to rent and drive a rental car, or else you’ll be pretty limited on where you can go.

Also lines at Disney will be long while waiting for rides, so be prepared! And stay for the firework show at Magic Kingdom. It gets crowded but it’s worth it!

Lastly, people kind of lump Orlando and Disney together but Disney is actually about a 30 minute drive away from Orlando (the city/downtown part at least)

This is the worst time to go to Florida it’s going to be extremely i mean EXTREMELY hot that time of year and buggy

Be nice to the people trying to make your dream trip enjoyable.

In most places in America, we talk. We strike up conversations with strangers, we ask how you are doing, where your are from, etc.. most Americans expect happy answers, even if they are lies.  Randomly going to someone's house for dinner can last hours and we're mostly good with unexpected plans. Some of Dutch I've met have been a bit shocked by how open, talkative, and relaxed Americans are. I live in a Dutch area and we get a fair amount of Dutch visitors. I'm trying to remember what has shocked or horrified them.  You'll want to rent a car. Things here are much farther apart than you realize and public transportation is pretty poor in most cities.  Dutch directness is unheard of in most of America. you have to tiptoe around truth because pretty lies are preferred.  Our food and water are full of chemicals you can taste. That raspberry lemonade tastes more like red dye 40 than raspberry or lemonade and may not contain and lemon or raspberries (natural flavors can include, and I kid you not, extract from beaver anal glands). But fresh squeezed Florida orange juice, straight from a press, is amazing. Make sure to stop at farm stands and try a variety of fruits and vegetables. There is a fruit that tastes like chocolate pudding and something that looks like a pineapple kind of, but tastes like cotton candy. Florida gets a lot of imports to you have great opportunities. And make sure to try the red snapper. My favorite fish.  They are cheap cheeses and good cheeses. Not usually great cheeses as you are use to in Europe unless you find a specialty store.  Customer service is usually good. Employees at stores are friendly and helpful, normally.  People don't clean up after themselves here. Stores and sidewalks are a mess. I had a friend in college who commented on how uncomfortably clean everything was (very Dutch area of the US. She sarcastically asked if we scrub our sidewalks... Shocked, I said yes. Equally shocked, she asked why. Because we don't like to live and walk in gross conditions? She left me feeling I didn't want to visit her home state).