If you get the opportunity to visit Florida during the Christmas season, then you are in for a treat. Most of the theme parks kick off their Christmas festivities immediately after Thanksgiving and most continue until the first week in January.

 A lot of the celebrations are included in the normal theme park ticket price so you can enjoy the extra entertainment at no extra charge. The only exception is the night time Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom which is by separate ticket admission.

Even if you are not visiting the theme parks, there is still plenty to enjoy with Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, float parades, carollers, music concerts and lighted boat parades in many towns throughout Florida.

Though it is rare for much snow to fall in Florida, there is plenty of opportunity to see snow at a number of special events including Disney’s town Celebration, Naples and Lake City. There is also the amazing ICE! at Gaylord Palms attraction in Orlando where nearly two million pounds of ice are carved into spectacular scenes.

Of course if you are able to stay until January, then you also have all the exciting New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations to look forward to as well.

Have an extra Special Christmas Holiday

Mary & Larry

I spend time surfing the net to get the best deals on flights. This brings me on nicely to my next question, when to go to Florida? Most people think that it is a must for families, and they are right. I love taking my children out to the states, but if you are governed by school holiday times then like most places you pay top dollar for flights. The school holidays are peak times not just for holidaying in Florida, but most destinations!

If you can take the kids out of the school holiday period you will save a lot of money, sometimes this is a dilemma facing some families. I will leave this one up to you to decide. It depends on the age of your children and exam times etc.

The other question is why not treat yourselves to a week, if you have this flexibility you are in the best position to take advantage of cheap flights, car hire and accomodation. I have been out to the states with two adults and a car on a direct flight for as little as £600. Sometimes you have to keep looking for these deals, but believe me I have just found one at the end of February 2008 for the above!

I must say Florida is an all year holiday location, and it is not just for children, so go on book one today.

Stalls consist of every trade you can think of - floor tiles, washing machines, plants and on a Saturday you can usually find a few love birds and parrots for sale singing in the most ornate of cages . There’s a karaoke  bar where the locals like to have a beer or two  and if you are brave enough you can get on stage and  sing a song, but beware country seems to be the favourite of most of the local people and “Take That” won’t be reconised. There is ample car parking and best of all if you just fancy doing something different it’s free of charge.

But be warned you’re bound to find some bargain, but it won’t cost you much.

SAMMY DUVALL’S WATERSPORTS CENTRE

There is new water ski park at WDW Contemporary Resort, I have had friends who have just done a water ski experience, they had a professional ski boat and driver, (tuition is available for the ‘never ever’ skier) and thoroughly enjoyed it.

You can do many water activities such as waterboard, kneeboard, slalom ski on a petition caliber slalom course with water ski Champion Jodi fisher or parasailing or hire a personal watercraft. Guided excursions on Disney’s Bay Lake and Seven Seas lagoon are also available throughout the day, call 407-WDW-PLAY.

My friends then went on to visit the Sammy Duvall ‘In the Wake’ shop at Windermere, a Watersports Centre and pro shop, where they spent a small fortune, then bought a case to bring back their great finds, but said Windermere is worth the drive as it is a lovely area just to visit and the journey is a scenic short drive.

WWW.SAMMYDUVALL.COM CONTEMPORARY MARINA  is open daily at the WDW Contemporary resort marina, you can hire a Sea Raycer, a Montauk Boston Whaler, a 21” Sun Tracker Pontoon or have a guided Bass Fishing Excursion, or use Zebco equipment with live bait on  2 hours trip or kids can go fishing ‘Around The World’, there is also a speciality firework cruise – call 407-WDW-PLAY.   TRY IT AND LET ME KNOW HOW YOU DO – the last time I water skied I could not walk for 2 days!!!!

Update - after my friends experience we decided to go as a family this summer, we hired a speed boat with driver, ski’s and very large saucer shaped ringoes.   

My youngest son water skied first and was very impressive (he does a little at home), my middle son then had a turn (a never ever skier) and to our amasement got straight up, he looked a little bent and wobbled a bit but within minutes was waving and showing off!!

Then it was my turn the last time I skied was about 16 years ago, I could get up on my ski’s but could not quite get straight up but I had a good go.

My husband was next - after 3 attempts and continuous nose skiing  gave in.

We all then took turns on the ringos and had a great time, my 2 sons where flying in the air and having a great time.

A great afternoon out!

Cindy & Family

As such we were pleased to find a brochure of the Holy Land Experience in Orlando and decided to visit .We were not disappointed. The Holy Land Experience certainly brought the bible ‘alive’ which was evidence as we drove up and saw camels in the distance that held a promise of things to come.

As we entered the park we were welcomed by park employees dressed in biblical wear who smiled , looked genuinely pleased to see us and said “Shalom”. After passing through the city gates, we were transported back in time to the ancient city of Jerusalem where authentic street markets allowed you the opportunity to buy a wide range of biblical items and souvenirs including crosses, bibles, stuffed toy camels, Christian books and tapes and music.

We then proceeded through the Via Delorosa (the road  on which Christ carried the cross to Calgary) and the setting was amazingly real with three crosses set on a mountain and music playing in the background that added a sense of drama but at the same time reverence for what it must have been like for the citizens at the time.

My favourite part was sitting in a Roman Temple watching unbelievable performances of songs that could rival any West End production (and yes I have seen Jesus Christ Superstar) and that moved you to tears.

We ended the day visiting various museums which held genuine artifacts and allowed you the privilege of listening to very keen guides who had a tremendous depth of knowledge about Christianity and the bible and who openly admitted the whole aim of guests visting the park was to change their lives. Ours certainly did. The memories of the park remain vividly in our kids mind and it is certainly a place I would recommend a trip to especially if you are interested in Christianity.

A whole day would perhaps be too long to spend there. We did the whole park in half a day and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Southern Dunes is beautifully maintained and a pleasure to look at. Golf buggies are compulsary and are included in the Green fees. There are five sets of tees to suit all levels of golfers. There is a luxurious Clubhouse with a bar and restaurant, which serves breakfasts and lunches at very reasonable prices. The Sunday breakfast especially is renowned. Why not finish your game of golf in the Clubhouse and enjoy a drink and a meal or a snack? The Clubhouse and golf course are open to members of the public. There is a Pro Shop, offering a variety of name brand mens and ladies golf clothing, equipment and accessories. The Pro Shop also offers custom fitting and club repairs, as well as lessons with PGA Professional Staff. There are also numerous other “Pay and Play” golf courses within a short driving distance. Community facilities include 3 communal swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centre, games room, library, childrens play area, and also a fishing lake.

Southern Dunes has a very important advantage over other developments in the Orlando area, in that there are all the essential facilities for your vacation within walking distance. At the entrance you will find a 24 hour Walmart Hypermarket, several restaurants, shops and take-aways, banks, petrol station, Dollar stores, and a 24 hour Pharmacist. Some restaurants offer a home delivery service. Southern Dunes is also very conveniently situated for the ideal vacation as it is only approximately 15 - 20 minutes to Disney World, 40 minutes to Orlando International Airport, approximately an hour to the beautiful beaches at St. Petersburg, and an hour and a half to Kennedy Space Centre. Busch Gardens at Tampa is approximately one hour away, whilst Cypress gardens is only approximately thirty minutes. Further on Highway 27 is the Eagle Ridge Shopping Mall, with the usual well known names. 

However, after your fun-time at Daytona, why not take a leisurely drive to some of the other beaches nearby. 

Ormond Beach, a little further along the coast, has a nice family beach.    Apparently at Thanksgiving thousands of enthusiasts gather for the annual speed antique car show & swap meet.

15 miles from Daytona – heading further up the coast - is Flagler Beach.  The Atlantic Ocean is wild and exciting.  Any swimmers should be wary of its dangerous rip-tides (we were told three people had drowned this year) We found Flagler was not the best of beaches, but  the resort is very quiet and laid-back with no large hotels in sight – just a few motels & condos and townhouses.  A few people were fishing from the pier.  Just across the boardwalk south of the pier we found the Fisherman’s Net – the most amazing seafood restaurant, where we enjoyed the tastiest fish & chips.  The selection offered on the menu even  included gator tails.  The Fisherman’s Net seems to be very popular with diners, it is licensed and is well worth a visit.

Palm Coast is half-way between St. Augustine & Daytona Beach.  It is near the Intercoastal Waterway.  This is a very nice resort.  Driving slightly inland we saw some amazingly expensive  homes along the waterway that had wonderful gardens leading down to their own mooring.  We also spotted a beautiful golf course.  It is easy to ‘daydream’ about  living here!

Bunnell (24 miles north of Daytona) is also well worth a visit.  It too is very quiet and peaceful, and is a great place for sea fishing, or fresh water fishing in its lakes and canals.  It has’ Marineland’ which is open to the public.  It does marine research and offers a swim with dolphins programme.

My holiday this year was for three weeks and not the usual two weeks, I highly recommend an extended stay. I have heard people plan things every day and I am sure they are in need of a holiday on their return home just to get over the one they have already taken. I am trying to paint a picture that I have really no excuse for not having the time to take this balloon flight.

Maybe I could make an excuse that the cost was too excessive! Well in the UK they want the best part of £200 for a flight in a hot air balloon. I got on the web and typed hot air balloon flights Florida, and bingo I did now not have the cost as an excuse. I saw flights pre booked in the UK for the Disney area of Central Florida for £100, and wait for it, a child under 12 goes free!

What could I do but book the flight. I chatted with my 7 year old son Jack about a balloon flight, and he said “Wow Dad that would be great!”

Well apart from getting up at 5a.m. it was one of the best days of our holiday.

The excitement of seeing the balloon unfolded out of the trailer and filled with hot air and then lift into the calm quiet Florida sky was just breath taking!

My nerves soon went and the views and the peace and tranquility were something else. My son said it was the best he could have imagined, and of course I was the bestest Daddy in the World!

He wants to swim with Dolphins next year, maybe so, but I cannot recommend a balloon flight highly enough.