Florida
1
8 FLORIDA “ We have a countdown clock telling us it’s 572 days until our next visit, we’re all really excited.” Says David McMullan, a 44-year-old civil servant from Yorkshire. David has been to Orlando with his wife, Marie and 16-year-old daughter, Amber three times; September 2013 will mark their fourth visit. “We first visited for Amber’s 11th birthday, coincidentally our final trip will fall on her 18th.“ Confirmation that Orlando is an all- ages adventure; Amber is as excited to visit next year as she was for her 11th birthday, as are her parents. “Orlando is highly addictive, even though our next trip is eighteen months away I’m already planning our itinery,” David laughs. Despite visiting several times, David and his wife have worked hard to afford their holidays: “ere have been sacrifices, my wife and I decided when Amber was born that we would save for a holiday to America. We don’t earn a huge amount, I’m a low-ranking civil servant and my wife is a carer so it ended up taking us 8 years. It was worth every penny.” e theme parks aren’t just for kids, David and his wife love simulator rides and 3-D attractions. “I don’t like rollercoasters but my favourite ride is the adventures of Spiderman in 3-D.” Disney, Universal, Epcot, SeaWorld all have attractions to offer adults including stunt shows, 3-D performances, special effects spectaculars, safari expeditions and musicals amongst others. When discussing Florida, Walt Disney World Resort is the first thing that springs to mind but it wasn’t a favourite with David’s family. He said, “Disney is great but it wasn’t our cup of tea, we preferred Universal. Our 2nd and 3rd visits included more excursion based trips and shopping.” David and his family have stayed in both villas and hotels but prefer the atmosphere of a hotel. “Hotels are a lot more enjoyable for kids especially with an only child, they want to meet other kids and have fun.” e Clarion Inn hotel sits in Lake Buena Vista and is great for families. Encompassing a splash zone, playground and arcade area kids will be kept amused and are accommodated well. e Clarion also has a range of food on offer, which is beneficial for fussy eaters and is less than 2 miles from the main theme parks. A two-week stay for four people including flights and car hire in July costs from £775 per person. From September prices start from £698 per person. A great all-rounder, Universal is perfect for keeping the kids happy and for some grown-up fun. Incorporating three parks, Universal is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, fascinating for both adults and children. Universal Studios functions like a real-life film set, shows include Beetlejuice and e Blue’s Brothers and the Horror Make Up Show will give you an insight into the amazing special effects used on movie sets. Epcot is another park that is fitting for adults and children alike. It is divided into two sections, future world and world showcase. Future world consists of marvellous attractions, exciting shows and entertainment. World showcase features eleven pavilions representing different countries including Mexico, Japan and the UK amongst others. e marquees contain shops, performers and live entertainment and if you get peckish you have 11 countries’ cuisine to choose from. SeaWorld is home to a comprehensive range of rides, shows and exhibits. Stop by the Discovery Cove to say hello to a lively group of bottlenose dolphins or head to the underwater viewing tunnel to witness a captivating shark encounter. For more up-close encounters with animals don’t miss Gatorland, though not strictly PETA approved the park contains petting zoos and a playground for young children. Aſter the shows and stunts visit Pearl’s Smokehouse for fresh Gator nuggets and smoked Gator ribs. For grown-up entertainment you won’t find an attraction more charismatic than the Kennedy Space Centre, swarming with scientific delights you can experience a shuttle launch, view NASA rockets and even kids will love to climb aboard capsules and run around in the play dome. But what the guidebooks don’t always rush to tell you about Disney is that it’s not all action packed exploration. Many of Disney’s hotels have world-class spas; including e Grand Floridian, Saratoga Springs and the Dolphin Resort Hotel, offering everything from massages and facials to workouts in the health suite, ideal for a rejuvenating break from the action. Florida is also home to several championship first-class golf courses, five of which are within easy reach of Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Take part in a course of challenging or unpretentious holes, morning or night without travelling too far from your accommodation. Andy Perry, a 49-year-old security officer from Kent visited Orlando in 2003 with his wife, Debbie and three children, Rachel 15 and Joshua and Dominic both aged nine at the time. ey decided to travel with another family, friends of theirs so the villa and minibus rental was more cost efficient. e two families visited primarily for the parks but indulged in some golf during the break. “We went to all of the main parks but made time for some golf as an enormous course backed onto our villas, the older kids in our party loved visiting the mall.” Shopping isn’t in short supply in Orlando; there are malls and two shopping outlets situated in Vineland Ave and International drive. You can save from 25%- 65% on brands including Juicy Couture, Gap, Ted Baker, Nike and e North Face. For a genuine American experience visit e Florida Mall, the largest in the area with over 250 stores, restaurants and cafes. Explore M&M world, MAC, Pandora, Macy’s and Abercrombie and Fitch. Similarly to David, Andy and his wife saved to afford their once-in-a- lifetime dream break. Rollercoasters, princesses’ castles and Disney characters on every corner, just a few of the delights that affirm Orlando as an enchanted once in a lifetime destination. But the magic of Orlando goes beyond the amusement parks and it’s not just for kids anymore… “Orlando is highly addictive, even though our next trip is eighteen months away I’m already planning our itinery.” ONCE IN A LIFETIME “Like most families, we had to save and miss two years of summer holidays to afford Orlando. e holiday was expensive and whilst you’re there you spend a lot too but it is possible to budget and make savings in certain situations. We booked all of our park tickets before leaving in the UK and as food can be expensive in the Disney parks we used to visit Ponderosa for a $4.99 (about £3) buffet breakfast, it was great for our fussy twins as there was a varied range of food and it kept them full for most of the day at the park.” Andy opted to stay in a villa with their friends to bring the price down. He said, “we had a villa with 6 bedrooms which was perfect for two families sharing as it was cheaper and there was a lot of space.” Bronze villas, located in Kissimmee are ideal for large families and groups wanting to save money. You can choose from a 3, 4 or 5 bedroom villa, which sleeps 8, 10 or 12 people and the villa will have two bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. Prices based on four sharing start from £782 per person for a two-week stay. e price includes car hire for the duration of your stay and return flights from Gatwick, departing September 4th 2012. For a stay during July prices will start from £937 per person on the same basis. All villas have a private pool and are a short drive to the major theme parks. Kissimmee isn’t as lively as International Drive and because of this dining and nightlife is less expensive. ere are still plenty of activities in the area, whether it’s fishing on the lakes, wandering the old town or visiting the malls. Dining is an enormous part of American life and Orlando isn’t any exception. In the parks every possibility is covered, from steaks, salads and seafood to cookies, ice creams and doughnuts, you will find anything you desire. If you’re in a hurry to get to the rides you can grab a quick hot- dog or on the contrary enjoy a 5* meal in a restaurant. ere are buffet eateries aplenty throughout Orlando’s streets, oſten starting from as little as $5/£3 for breakfast or $10/£6 for an evening meal. ere’s no need to worry about fussy kids here. For an extraordinary dining experience visit Sleuth’s mystery dinner theatre, party guests get to know each other at the table before finishing off the meal (and a guest) and then put their clues to work. Or for a more child-friendly dinner take part in the Pirates Dinner Adventure. Bound to provide plenty of laughs the dinner combines a fun pirate show with a feast of a meal set on-board an authentic replica of a Spanish Galleon. Both kids and adults can get involved as the adventure evolves with a cast of actors, singers and stunt performers. With the expenses of park tickets and dining out for two-weeks you will undoubtedly be looking to save money wherever possible. Andy advises to make the most of the free attractions: “Downtown Disney is free, you can wander the shops and enjoy the views of the lagoon. Disney’s BoardWalk area is also free, there are lots of shops and in the evenings there are street performers and games.” ough beaches aren’t the first thing that springs to mind when you mention Orlando, there are some stunning coastlines within an hour’s drive and it’s a cheap day out. Daytona Beach is the most popular; its’ twenty-three miles of glistening coastline is world famous and from May through to October you may even witness the sea turtles of a night. Prices and crowd levels will fluctuate depending on when you travel. Andy travelled during the Easter break, “It was busy but not too crowded, we never waited longer than half an hour for a ride.” Whilst David opts to always visit out of peak-season, he says; “We always go at the end of September, sometimes October as the attractions are quieter.” e busiest time to stay in Orlando would be throughout the summer holidays in July and August; this is subsequently the priciest time to visit and both the hottest period and hurricane season. Holidaymakers are oſten put off booking a holiday to Orlando as they think it will be stressful but it doesn’t have to be; planning and booking in advance will result in a hassle-free holiday. Andy says, “As with any parent booking and organising a holiday it was hectic but it was entirely worth it. We booked park tickets whilst still in the UK and researched places we wanted to visit, which made us feel more prepared.” ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
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A final year Uni project to create Discover magazine for Thomson travel agents.
Transcript of Florida
8
FLORIDA
“We have a countdown clock telling us it’s 572 days until our next visit, we’re all really excited.” Says David McMullan, a 44-year-old civil servant from Yorkshire. David has been to Orlando with his wife,
Marie and 16-year-old daughter, Amber three times; September 2013 will mark their fourth visit. “We first visited for Amber’s 11th birthday, coincidentally our final trip will fall on her 18th.“ Confirmation that Orlando is an all-ages adventure; Amber is as excited to visit next year as she was for her 11th birthday, as are her parents. “Orlando is highly addictive, even though our next trip is eighteen months away I’m already planning our itinery,” David laughs. Despite visiting several times, David and his wife have worked hard to afford their holidays: “There have been sacrifices, my wife and I decided when Amber was born that we would save for a holiday to America. We don’t earn a huge amount, I’m a low-ranking civil servant and my wife is a carer so it ended up taking us 8 years. It was worth every penny.”The theme parks aren’t just for kids, David and his wife love simulator rides and 3-D attractions. “I don’t like rollercoasters but my favourite ride is the adventures of Spiderman in 3-D.” Disney, Universal, Epcot, SeaWorld all have attractions to offer adults including stunt shows, 3-D performances, special effects spectaculars, safari expeditions and musicals amongst others. When discussing Florida, Walt Disney World Resort is the first thing that springs to mind but it wasn’t a favourite with David’s family. He said, “Disney is great but it wasn’t our cup of tea, we preferred Universal. Our 2nd and 3rd visits included more excursion based trips and shopping.” David and his family have stayed
in both villas and hotels but prefer the atmosphere of a hotel. “Hotels are a lot more enjoyable for kids especially with an only child, they want to meet other kids and have fun.”The Clarion Inn hotel sits in Lake Buena Vista and is great for families. Encompassing a splash zone, playground and arcade area kids will be kept amused and are accommodated well. The Clarion also has a range of food on offer, which is beneficial for fussy eaters and is less than 2 miles from the main theme parks. A two-week stay for four people including flights and car hire in July costs from £775 per person. From September prices start from £698 per person. A great all-rounder, Universal is perfect for keeping the kids happy and for some grown-up fun. Incorporating three parks, Universal is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, fascinating for both adults and children. Universal Studios functions like a real-life film set, shows include Beetlejuice and The Blue’s Brothers and the Horror Make Up Show will give you an insight into the amazing special effects used on movie sets. Epcot is another park that is fitting for adults and children alike. It is divided into two sections, future world and world showcase. Future world consists of marvellous attractions, exciting shows and entertainment. World showcase features eleven pavilions representing different countries including Mexico, Japan and the UK amongst others. The marquees contain shops, performers and live entertainment and if you get peckish you have 11 countries’ cuisine to choose from. SeaWorld is home to a comprehensive range of rides, shows and exhibits. Stop by the Discovery Cove to say hello to a lively group of bottlenose dolphins or head to the underwater viewing tunnel to
witness a captivating shark encounter. For more up-close encounters with animals don’t miss Gatorland, though not strictly PETA approved the park contains petting zoos and a playground for young children. After the shows and stunts visit Pearl’s Smokehouse for fresh Gator nuggets and smoked Gator ribs. For grown-up entertainment you won’t find an attraction more charismatic than the Kennedy Space Centre, swarming with scientific delights you can experience a shuttle launch, view NASA rockets and even kids will love to climb aboard capsules and run around in the play dome. But what the guidebooks don’t always rush to tell you about Disney is that it’s not all action packed exploration. Many of Disney’s hotels have world-class spas; including The Grand Floridian, Saratoga Springs and the Dolphin Resort Hotel, offering everything from massages and facials to workouts in the health suite, ideal for a rejuvenating break from the action. Florida is also home to several championship first-class golf courses, five of which are within easy reach of Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Take part in a course of challenging or unpretentious holes, morning or night without travelling too far from your accommodation.
Andy Perry, a 49-year-old security officer from Kent visited Orlando in 2003 with his wife, Debbie and three children, Rachel 15 and Joshua and Dominic both aged nine at the time. They decided to travel with another family, friends of theirs so the villa and minibus rental was more cost efficient. The two families visited primarily for the parks but indulged in some golf during the break. “We went to all of the main parks but made time for some golf as an enormous course backed onto our villas, the older kids in our party loved visiting the mall.” Shopping isn’t in short supply in Orlando; there are malls and two shopping outlets situated in Vineland Ave and International drive. You can save from 25%-65% on brands including Juicy Couture, Gap, Ted Baker, Nike and The North Face. For a genuine American experience visit The Florida Mall, the largest in the area with over 250 stores, restaurants and cafes. Explore M&M world, MAC, Pandora, Macy’s and Abercrombie and Fitch. Similarly to David, Andy and his wife saved to afford their once-in-a-lifetime dream break.
Rollercoasters, princesses’ castles and Disney characters on every corner, just a few of the delights that affirm
Orlando as an enchanted once in a lifetime destination. But the magic of Orlando goes beyond the amusement
parks and it’s not just for kids anymore…
“Orlando is highly addictive, even though our next trip is eighteen months away I’m
already planning our itinery.”
ONCE IN A LIFETIME
“Like most families, we had to save and miss two years of summer holidays to afford Orlando. The holiday was expensive and whilst you’re there you spend a lot too but it is possible to budget and make savings in certain situations. We booked all of our park tickets before leaving in the UK and as food can be expensive in the Disney parks we used to visit Ponderosa for a $4.99 (about £3) buffet breakfast, it was great for our fussy twins as there was a varied range of food and it kept them full for most of the day at the park.”Andy opted to stay in a villa with their friends to bring the price down. He said, “we had a villa with 6 bedrooms which was perfect for two families sharing as it was cheaper and there was a lot of space.” Bronze villas, located in Kissimmee are ideal for large families and groups wanting to save money. You can choose from a 3, 4 or 5 bedroom villa, which sleeps 8, 10 or 12 people and the villa will have two bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. Prices based on four sharing start from £782 per person for a two-week stay. The price includes car hire for the duration of your stay and return flights from Gatwick, departing September 4th 2012. For a stay during July prices will start from £937 per person on the same basis. All villas have a private pool and are a short drive to the major theme parks. Kissimmee isn’t as lively as International Drive and because of this dining and nightlife is less expensive. There are still plenty of activities in the area, whether it’s fishing on the lakes, wandering the old town or visiting the malls. Dining is an enormous part of American life and Orlando isn’t any exception. In the parks every possibility is covered, from steaks, salads and seafood to cookies, ice creams and doughnuts, you will find anything you desire. If you’re in a hurry to get to the rides you can grab a quick hot-
dog or on the contrary enjoy a 5* meal in a restaurant. There are buffet eateries aplenty throughout Orlando’s streets, often starting from as little as $5/£3 for breakfast or $10/£6 for an evening meal. There’s no need to worry about fussy kids here. For an extraordinary dining experience visit Sleuth’s mystery dinner theatre, party guests get to know each other at the table before finishing off the meal (and a guest) and then put their clues to work. Or for a more child-friendly dinner take part in the Pirates Dinner Adventure. Bound to provide plenty of laughs the dinner combines a fun pirate show with a feast of a meal set on-board an authentic replica of a Spanish Galleon. Both kids and adults can get involved as the adventure evolves with a cast of actors, singers and stunt performers. With the expenses of park tickets and dining out for two-weeks you will undoubtedly be looking to save money wherever possible. Andy advises to make the most of the free attractions: “Downtown Disney is free, you can wander the shops and enjoy the views of the lagoon. Disney’s BoardWalk area is also free, there are lots of shops and in the evenings there are street performers and games.” Though beaches aren’t the first thing that springs to mind when you mention Orlando, there are some stunning coastlines within an hour’s drive and it’s a cheap day out. Daytona Beach is the most popular; its’ twenty-three miles of glistening coastline is world famous and from May through to October you may even witness the sea turtles of a night. Prices and crowd levels will fluctuate depending on when you travel. Andy travelled during the Easter break, “It was busy but not too crowded, we never waited longer than half an hour for a
ride.” Whilst David opts to always visit out of peak-season, he says; “We always go at the end of September, sometimes October as the attractions are quieter.” The busiest time to stay in Orlando would be throughout the summer holidays in July and August; this is subsequently the priciest time to visit and both the hottest period and hurricane season. Holidaymakers are often put off booking a holiday to Orlando as they think it will be stressful but it doesn’t have to be; planning and booking in advance will result in a hassle-free holiday. Andy says, “As with any parent booking and organising a holiday it was hectic but it was entirely worth it. We booked park tickets whilst still in the UK and researched places we wanted to visit, which made us feel more prepared.”
ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
