I have been going to Florida since the 80's and stayed at many places and it was not much different,Not sure what you'll be giving up in Maryland or what part of Florida you'll be in, but most likely you can expect...bugs (lots of them...I'm talking about roaches from hell), hot sticky weather (summer time...winters are pleasant), fire ants, spiders, lizards (maybe in your bed...don't ask), snakes, gators everywhere (in people's pools, too), red light runners, palm trees, the occasional hurricane and worst of all...tourist.
sure, every hole with water has a gator but that isn't so bad.