Thanks for all the info and tips. It will be very helpful for us for sure 
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Hi Kacper. I’ve been a Floridian for almost 25 years, and have thoughts, as well as some cautionary notes!
Your schedule may be over-ambitious. That’s a lot of cities and parks for two weeks! If it was me, I’d skip Tampa on this trip and confine yourselves to central and southern Florida. It sounds like you may already be committed to Tampa and Busch Gardens, but I’d avise keeping your time there to a minimum on this trip. The west coast of Florida would be great another time.
Orlando will be soooo hot and humid while you’re there. Miami and the Keys will be slightly more comfortable. Orlando beyond the parks is OK, but you’re better off spending your time outside the city. Miami is the same; South Beach is very cool and very busy, but not much else there for kids. Driving in Miami is OK, but parking can be tricky. I recommend finding a good parking spot, then walking in South Beach. But not much beyond.
Stay in the tourist area. In case I didn’t make myself clear: Stay in the tourist area!!!
The drive to Key West is one of the greatest road trips in the world. The Seven-Mile Bridge is truly an experience of a lifetime. Key West itself is a blast, but you don’t need more than two or three days. The bars and nightlife are wonderful, if not especially kid-friendly. If you can, take a seaplane to the Dry Tortugas – also unforgettable. Don’t miss the Hemingway House, Truman Little White House, sunset at Mallory Square, and climbing up the lighthouse. And make sure to have breakfast at Blue Heaven.
Do be aware of the near-inevitable afternoon thunderstorms. They can be ferocious, but dry up very quickly. And don’t take chances with lightning. If you can hear thunder, no matter how far away it seems, take shelter. This is the lightning strike capital of the world. You’ll be here in hurricane season; you probably won’t be affected by a storm, but do be aware and have an emergency plan. I got caught in Key West while it was under a hurricane warning. Mandatory evacuation, and a veeeery slow road out.
Anyway, I don’t mean to sound negative, just a little cautious. You’ll have a fantastic, if expensive, time that the family will always remember.
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When we did Universal in LA (family of four), we splashed out on “front of the line passes”. Well worth it for the modest additional cost (in the context of the whole caboodle).
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Hi bhoyo,
Thanks for your advice 
Skipping Tampa might be difficult. We already have tickets for Bush Gardens. The next two days are at Disney and one day at Universal. After Orlando, we will stay at Cocoa Beach - Kennedy Space Center. Next is Miami, where we are going to stay for 4 days (no specific plans). By the way, why “stay in the tourist area!!!” Is it so dangerous outside that area??
In Key West we have booked two nights and that is quite tricky because after that there will be only one night left before departure to Amsterdam from Tampa (at 17:40). - Last night is Fort Myers (do you think it is a good idea?).
You mentioned those hurricanes, lightning strikes and thunderstorms, so I’m thinking… Can we get stuck in Key West due to some weather conditions ?
I would take bhoyo’s advice. I do know the Fort Myers area very well. It looks like you will just be over-nighting there before completing the journey back to Tampa. Like most US cities, Fort Myers is part of a much larger urban area. I would personally stay just south of FM - it is quite a journey from Key West - and make a stop in Naples or Bonita Springs. Plenty of hotels and a much nicer area than downtown FM.
Not much you can do about mother nature but there is usually plenty of warning of anything serious and they are now used to dealing with it (accepting whatever is inevitable).
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The clear winner for us as a family was the Kennedy Space centre and we left kicking ourselves that we’d not arrived earlier. Did not expect it to be so good.
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Dangerous Miami: Yes, it can be hair-raising if you don’t know where you are, what you’re doing and how to recognise warning signs (more difficult than you might think). Locals – good and bad – find tourists very easy to spot whether walking or driving. However, the main part of South Beach is usually perfectly OK if you follow the usual big city guidance. Four days in Miami? That’s about two more than you need. How old are the kids?
Getting stuck in KW: It’s highly unlikely. The hotels are on top of hurricane alerts & warnings (which are different). Read a little on being prepared so you know exactly what to do if a storm is approaching; keep an eye on tropical storm forecasts. Thunderstorms and lightning are common all over Florida in the summer. Don’t worry too much, but do stay safe by taking shelter when appropriate.
Almost forgot…
Fort Myers was devastated by Hurricane Ian in 2022, and it’ll take years for it to recover fully. I was there in 2023 and it was still struggling. As Nobby says, staying south of FM is a great idea. Naples is a lovely spot.
We have booked the hotel in Miami from the 31st until 3rd, so those are 3 days I guess. In Key West we are from the 3rd until the 5th and the 6th we are flying back from Tampa.
Our kids are 4 and 6 
I’m thinking about rebooking last night - canceling Fort Myers and staying in Naples or Bonita Springs.
Hi, it is a long slow drive up from KW to even Naples, make sure you have the children’s iPads charged 
In Tampa airport you can pick up a luggage trolley at the carousel and use it all the way through the airport, including the 2 trains to the rental car location which is the last stop. You can also get a trolley at the car rental return (if you are lucky) for $6 each.
After you pickup your car, on the way out, at the bottom of the ramps, before you hit the road, there is a lay-by where you can take your time to set the sat-nav. It is open air therefore has satellite access. Only place I have seen this and I am sure it must save a lot of accidents and frustration.
Your trip looks very ambitious, I would avoid Miami for reasons above esp with young children, you can go back on your own much later
Best of luck
C
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If your kids enjoy the beach, they’ll probably enjoy MIA (if the weather cooperates). Otherwise, you’ll want to look beyond the city for activities. Are you renting a car?
I would recommend Naples over Bonita Springs. The downtown is full of character, walkable, and has nice bars and restaurants.
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If want a taste of Miami south beach then I recommend the movie the birdcage. Very funny and not at all unrepresentative of the south beach scene!
Your children are a little on the young side for a lot of the Orlando and tampa rides. And maybe their height will be a factor but I am sure they will enjoy the Disney characters and the zoo in Busch gardens ( maybe they still give you a free beer). Even Epcot and the space stuff might be over their heads. So you might want to spend more time (and money) in Orlando and time at the beach. The beaches are great for kids and usually safe for swimming. There are really nice beaches on the gulf side too. Buy cheap umbrellas for shade and folding chairs from Walmart.
Watch out for toll roads. There are not many but are camera based. Not sure how rental cars deal with them.
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Yes, we are renting from Sixt and it’s already booked.
Tomorrow I will probably cancel Fort M.
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At Disney, we go to Epcot and Hollywood parks ,only two days - one park per day.
If you haven’t driven here before, my no. 1 tip is: Don’t be Mr. Nice Guy!
Other drivers, especially in and around Miami, are fast, aggressive, pass you on both sides, and are as impatient as New Yorkers.
Pro tip: You can usually turn right at a red light.
Looking at my posts, it seems I’m trying to put you off Florida. But I’m really not. It’s fantastic, fun and family-friendly. I just want to help you get the most out of trip (and be safe).
Thanks a lot. I appreciate your help, especially tips about attractions in Key West https://keywestseaplanecharters.com - that looks amazing.
Is the Navy Seal museum worth a visit?
Bon voyage!
Friends always briefly scan a queue when it is multi-lined, but invariably head to the left side of the queues, even if the same length it seems left moves faster!
Scientific, who knows, but with the majority of folks right handed, indeed iirc it’s 90%, it may work in your favour.
Likely you are aware of having details of your contact number(s) provided for the kids, in a form which can’t be lost.
I’d also recommend the Kennedy Space Centre, I was there about 12 years ago but it was brilliant, particularly the IMAX 3D cinemas, well worth a visit
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I haven’t been to that one. I hardly ever go to Fort Pierce. In Florida, we say you have to go north to reach the south – meaning that South Florida is more like a northern state with good weather, and Central and North Florida are more like the Deep South.