But there are other ‘jewels’ in Florida, and a two centre holiday has become a popular option for visitors. Here are some suggestions why….

Central Florida
The Silver Creek Villas website has a wide choice of privately owned villas, which can be rented directly from the owner. Check with the owner what facilities are nearby - the Disney theme parks will be within a short drive, as will Universal, SeaWorld, water parks, virtually endless shopping, golf, air boat rides, more shopping - and return visits to the parks. Central Florida offers so much - but we must confess that it is possible to finish a vacation in need of a rest. (A tip - remember most vacation homes have their own private pool - allow some relaxation time in between the ‘activity’ days). A two centre holiday is one possible solution - spend a week in the Orlando area, then follow up with a week relaxing in the second centre.

Gulf Coast
A popular option for the second week (or perhaps the third week if it proves possible to stretch your vacation to 3 weeks) is the Gulf Coast. There are other options (a cruise, a Caribbean island, the Atlantic coast, or perhaps the Florida Keys) - but the Gulf Coast has a very real advantage in its location - just 90 minutes drive will bring you to the glorious beaches.

We can recommend the Gulf Coast beaches as a great option for relaxing - but wouldn’t want to give the impression that there is nothing to do in the area. Shopping and golf are still popular options - but there is no need to miss out on the theme parks, as Busch Gardens is relatively close to Tampa Bay. Tampa also brings top level professional sport (Tampa Bay Lightning for ice hockey, the Buccaneers for American Football) - whilst the bay area offers dolphin watching tours, or perhaps a half day cruise on the inland waterways.

Conclusion
Florida is so much more than theme parks. So whilst Disney, Universal and the others are a compelling reason to spend vacation time in Florida, there are plenty more reasons to spend time in ‘The Sunshine State’

Make sure that the cost you are being quoted is the all inclusive price.  This may seem like an obvious question, but you would be very surprised how many people do not ask this question.  They are then left with a very sour taste in their mouths when they are suddenly confronted with additional costs.  Some people still do not read the small print and go ahead and sign almost anything.  All good tour operators and private homeowners will make the total cost very clear, but if you are unsure, it is always best to ask.  Honest homeowners will not mind you asking at all.  Ensure that VAT/ USA Tax included.

Are all sheets and towels provided or do we need to bring our own ?  It is always best to check, as some rentals expect you to bring these items. The majority of Disney World rental homes do include bed linen and towels but there may be the odd one or two that do not include these items.  It is also worth checking on hairdryers etc. as well.

How do I get to the villa or condo ?  If you’re visiting Florida for the very first time and you are not used to driving on the right hand side of the road, having to find your way to your Disney rental house can be very stressful.  It is therefore vital that the home owner provides you will very accurate instructions in finding the villa.  This is especially true if you are travelling at night.  There is nothing worse than getting lost after a long flight.  If you do have any questions, always contact the owner.  They will always be please to help.

How do we collect the keys?  This is a very important question.  Having just travelled across the Atlantic, the last thing you may want is to travel to a rental company location to collect the keys.  Sometimes the office may be closed and you will need to make phone calls.  Or, the collection point could be a long way from your villa which will involve another long drive.  This is very tiring after a long flight.  The easiest way is to have a Disney World rental home with a lock box at the house with a keycode.  Really easy, turn up at the villa and let your self in.

What time is Check-in and Check-out?  Most Florida private rental villas adhere to hotel rules, which is normally check out at 11am, with check in at 2pm.  This gives the home owners Management Company time to clean the villa.  However, if nobody is following you into the villa, most owners will let you check out late to help you with late take-off flights.

Can I bring my pet ?  This is almost always clear from the start, but if you don’t see any specific preferences, you should always ask.

Do you allow smoking in the villa ?  Once again, this is almost always clear from the start, but always ask.  Most owners do not allow smoking inside the villa but most allow it outside in the pool area.

How close are you to Disney World and the other attractions ?  This may once again seem like a logical question but some Florida private rental homes are located a long way from the parks.  Most are usually within 15 to 20 minutes drive and that is fine.  However, some may be well over 40 minutes drive which may not be to your liking.

Will the home that I book be the actual home that I will stay in?  You should always check this with the people you are considering renting from.  Many commercial sites show pictures of beautiful Disney World villas but actually allocate your actual home on arrival in Florida.  In effect this means that you do not know where you are staying until you arrive.  

What happens if something goes wrong while I’m at the villa? – Do not panic!  Before you leave home, make sure that the home owner provides you with a local phone number(s) that you can contact if there should be any problems.  Ask them if there is a call out charge for unsociable hours.  Some Management Companies can charge up to $100 for a call out in the late evening.

We went out for a 3 week holiday and didn’t have the slightest idea where to begin and having 2 young children with us didn’t help so we came home and a couple of years later happened to see an advert for a Florida property show in York. That was near enough so off we went, we came back armed with lots of information and later that year arranged to fly out without the kids to have a proper look.

We stayed on the Manors North at Westridge and ended up buying the identical house off-plan on the Manors south which at that time was all sand! The location was ideal for us, close to the shops and not too far from Disney world, of course there is a lot more along the US27 now.

We realised that we wanted a home with a west or south facing pool, not overlooked and not adjacent to the highway and because we bought off plan we were able to choose our lot, albeit at a premium but it was worth it.

Then came a whirlwind round of choosing carpets, tiles, furniture, shape of the pool, colour of appliances and what seemed like a thousand choices to make in that one short week. We also chose to have a 2nd en-suite bathroom instead of a utility room and patio doors in the master bedroom.

Then came a fairly stressful few months waiting for the house to be finished and taking a few tentative bookings on the strength of a completion date. We finally completed in September 2000 and nothing can compare to the feeling of owning your own, spanking brand new home in the Sunshine state.

It’s not all been plain sailing and everytime we go we replenish, re-stock, replace, to keep the house in mint condition. All in all it’s worth it and we still get that same great feeling as we walk in through our own front door.

Arabian Nights Dinner Show -

The most honoured dinner show in the world.  Upon entering the arena you will be seated either side of the arena.  You will be met by your waitress/waiter where drinks will be served (beer and local wine, and soft drinks are included in the price). The menu comprises of sirloin, chicken breast or chopped sirloin in gravy, all served with mashed potato.  Children get the choice of chicken tenders or pasta.  All dishes are served with green salad and chefs choice of desert.  Whilst dinner is being served you are watching the Arabian Knights show.  Please viist their website for further information http://www.arabian-nights.com/index_high.html   

I would advise shopping around for your tickets are we found that they varied considerably.  We actually found the cheapest from a tickets agency in Orlando called http://www.mapleleaftickets.com/ - we phoned them and reserved our tickets, then went to collect them personally.  We were able to contact Arabian Knights beforehand to check availability and reserved our seats.   I would certainly use them again! 

Sea World’s Makahiki Luau Celebration - The Makahiki Luau Dinner Show offers a great evening of Hawaiian music, dance and food.  Shows run nightly from 6:30-8:45 PM, at Sea World, inside of the Sea Fire Inn.  The food Menu is served Family Style with Full table Service

Drink Selections:

Featuring Anheuser-Busch Beers

Pepsi Products

Coffee, Hot Tea, Iced Tea

Entree Selections:

Island Salad

Mahi Mahi in Pina Colada Sauce

Hawaiian Chicken

Polynesian-Style Barbecue Spareribs

Stir-Fried Vegetable Medley

Polynesian Fried Rice

Dessert:

Big Kahuna Seasonal Dessert

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED IN ADVANCE AND PARK ADMISSION IS NOT REQUIRED AND IS SEPARATE

Prices range from £46 (a) $29 (c) but  I would stongly recommend shopping around again to look for the special offers!

DINE WITH SHAMU at SeaWorld Orlando - now this is one dinner show that I would personally recommend you booking when visiting SeaWorld!  You get to dine poolside with Shamu whilst enjoying a great buffet.  The trainers and Shamu then give you a show close up to the diners.  I must admit that my two children were a little scared at first but were reassured by the friendly staff and trainers that Shamu would come no where near them!  When booking I also mentioned that it was my parents wedding anniversary and bought out a special cake and congratulated them in front of all the diners.  A little embarrasing for them but it was a very memorable occasion for all of us.  We will certainly be doing this dining option again.  Park admission is required for this and I would strongly recommend booking in advance.  We booked via the website and our reservation was confirmed at that time.  Visit the website for further information

http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=593 

As I mentioned at the start of the article these are only a couple of options available for families visiting Orlando.  There are many more that we have yet to experience ourselves, which we hope to try on our vacation.

We choose a villa a Bradenton, which would be a good base to explore the area. Bradenton was an ideal location to visit not only the numerous beaches around but also Busch Gardens.

A favourite for the whole family was Anna Maria Island.

Driving along the coast road from Bradenton Beach to Holmes Beach and then onto the northern tip was Anna Maria Island.

On arrival at Anna Maria Island we found free car parking just along from the South Pier, across the road was a small shopping mall with restaurants, clothes shops and an Ice Cream Parlour.

We wandered along the pier and found at the end a restaurant, outside seating and people fishing. Our Boys who were 13 and 10 wanted to join in. This was not a problem as the Pier had a bait shop which not only sold bait but hired out fishing rods by the hour. So for a few dollars we had and lovely afternoon with the boys fishing. The adults were happy sitting in the glorious sunshine enjoying a cold drink which were also readily available from the bait shop.

After a couple of hours we decided to visit the Ice Cream Parlour “Two Scoops” to cool down and then make our way back home. The boys loved this unexpected experience that they asked to return the next day.

We decided that we would go to Wal-Mart to purchase rods, which they could keep. New rods in hand we returned to the pier the very next day.

Whilst there we even caught sight of many Dolphins, Sting Rays, Pelicans and various Fish on the end of the rods.

The locals at the bait shop, restaurant and pier were most welcoming, friendly and chatty. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and plan to return next year. We would recommend a visit along to Anna Maria island whether you want to fish are just laze on the beautiful white sandy beach.

Driving in the USA is, for most people, much easier than driving in the UK. The roads are generally wider and less congested (apart from the I4 at rush hour!), and automatic transmission and cruise control add to the enjoyment. We have found that American drivers are much more courteous than European drivers and this may or may not be due to the American perceived right to bear arms.  Certainly it is not generally a good idea to gesticulate to someone who may have a gun in his glove box.

Speed limits, contrary to popular belief, are very similar to the UK and obviously should be obeyed. Speed cameras are happily few and far between in the States, but look out for those sheriff cars parked sneakily on central reservations!

There are no roundabouts of course, but you have to contend with the “four way stops” where there is no clear right of way. At these intersections, drivers must look at the other stops to see if there are any other vehicles stopped or moving. The idea is that vehicles leave the stop signs in the same order in which they arrived. The first vehicle to arrive at a complete stop is the first vehicle allowed to leave the stop sign by the other drivers. It actually works very well, although I can’t imagine drivers in the UK being so patient!

On the subject of all “Stop” signs, it can’t be emphasised enough that “Stop” does mean “stop”. It does not mean “slow down” a bit. Make sure that you come to a complete halt before proceeding. Many Brits have been prosecuted for failing to observe the distinction.

On the plus side, in Florida it is usually quite legal to turn right at a red light if it is safe to do so – but stop at the “Stop” sign first. (There are some exceptions, and there will be a sign at the intersection in those cases informing you that it is not allowed at that particular place).

Finally I come to the “school bus”. I can’t begin to explain the cold sweats that come over me when I see one of those iconic yellow vehicles as there is U.S. legislation regarding passing or overtaking them. Basically, if they stop to let children off, lights flash and traffic from either direction must immediately stop, no closer than 100 feet from the bus, and not move off again until the bus does so, or the lights cease to flash.

Having said that, I have found driving in Florida a comparative pleasure, and it is a great way to explore the real out-of-the-way Florida.

Please do not take my jottings here as any definitive information on US driving, but do take some time to acquaint yourself with the official US driving laws. Drive happy!

Andy Brownlie

 T.G.I. Fridays has a varied menu with something to please everyone.   They do a great job with the run of the mill menu items such as burgers and steaks, but if you want to try something unique, go for one of their signature Jack Daniels grill selections, one of their special pasta dishes like Bruschetta Chicken Pasta or a seafood entrée such as Tortilla-Crusted Tilapia.  Or maybe a Southwest selection may be more to your liking such as Sizzling Chicken Fajitas or Double-Stack Quesadillas.  They often have special promotions with limited time menu offerings that make it a great restaurant to go back to time and time again.  And if you’re watching your carb intake, there are specially prepared Atkins diet entrees for you to choose from as well.

For the little ones, there’s a really good kiddie menu with plenty of choices including hot dogs, pizza, burgers and even ribs.   For sides, in addition to the usual fries, there are 3 healthy choices including carrots and dip, salad, or mandarin oranges.  A beverage is included.  Be sure to ask your server about enrolling your children in the birthday club because they will receive a post card annually for a free kids meal.

Hopefully when you have finished a great meal, you will have left room for dessert, though you may have a hard time choosing which creation to finish it off with.  The Brownie Obsession and the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake are excellent! 

If you don’t have time for a leisurely meal, T.G.I. Fridays offers curb side take-out service.  Call ahead to place your order and tell them what type of vehicle you’re driving.  When you arrive, there are special reserved parking spots for take-out patrons.  Pull in and they’ll bring your order right out to your car!

If you’re a bargain hunter, you may be interested to know that T.G.I. Fridays participates in the Gold Points network.  Ask your server how you can sign up and get a Gold Points card at no charge.  Every time you visit T.G.I. Fridays, present your card and you will earn 10 points for every dollar you spend.  Your accumulated points can be redeemed for free appetizers, desserts or gift certificates.

• The Trail is only open during daylight hours, and alcoholic drinks are prohibited.
• Pedestrians and handicapped have the right of way, wheelchairs should use the pedestrian lanes and electric handicap wheelchairs are always permitted
• Bicyclists are required to obey all traffic controls and signals
• Cyclists are not permitted to wear headphones at any time and under age 16, they must wear a helmet
• Electric bicycles and motorised vehicles (except wheelchairs, maintenance, law enforcement and emergency vehicles) are not allowed on the Pinellas Trail, nor are horses
• Bicyclists and skaters should obey the posted speed limits. No racing or race training
• Skaters should use the bicycle lanes, and both skaters and cyclists should give an audible warning when passing
• Pets must be kept on a max. 6 foot leash and under control

We have had received 2 enquiries recently for honeymoons but our first wedding enquiry. So we decided we had better get a little information for Wedding requests. We know the Big Operators do their Disney packages but for the couples who just want to do their own thing we decided to look into it.

We went along to the nearest Chapel from our villa, “The Stay Happy, Stay In Love” Chapel on Hwy 192 .

What a surprise we got on entering from the parking lot. It was absolutely gorgeous and not at all like we had imagined. It was completely decorated with beautiful flower arrangements around the different size alters catering for EVERY size wedding you want.

“We Say I Do” and “Just For Two” was so cute but also we felt a little sad that there was only the Bride & Groom with a stand in witness.

We were shown different Rooms from 12 up to 100 Guests. They were all as Beautiful decked out with Flowers as you could ever imagine.

We were tempted to Have Our Blessing but decided on another day!! Phew !! Seriously, it is worth calling in just to see what they offer. The Owner & his Wife were very obliging and we took away leaflets for any more  enquiries we may get and at least we do have the information now.

Non Residents do not have a “Waiting Period” to get Married but they do have to pre book their date if only by a few days. It is closed on Sundays & Wednesdays.

The US Marriage Licence costs $97.50.

Hope this helps other home owners and maybe take a Special Booking or inspires would be Holiday Guests to taking the Plunge!!

Mary & Larry

Since then I use my American Express Platinum card to pay for almost everything while over there. It’s not accepted everywhere in the U.K., but is widely accepted in the U.S. On top of that I get 1.5% cash back on everything I spend, so it’s a win win situation if I pay off my account in full every month. Restaurants will also allow you to conveniently add your gratuity to the bill. So no more struggling through your purse for the correct amount of bank notes for tips, usually ending up with having to give far too much, or embarrassingly not enough!

I always make sure that I call my credit card company to make them aware of my travel plans. This can save them from flagging your account when purchases all of a sudden are showing in the U.S. and will often leave you without a card until you call them. Not an ideal situation when you’re in the U.S. I always have my reliable old MasterCard with me just in case of such emergencies, but have been lucky so far (touch wood).

You will always need a supply of U.S. Dollars with you for small purchases etc. Paying for a cup of coffee or a bottle of water with a credit card is taking it a bit too far! Buffet restaurants will generally take payment for your food on the way in, so cash for tips are best there too and always appreciated. Some major roads in Orlando have pay tolls which will require coins if they’re unmanned and cash if they’re not, so be prepared for that.

Just make sure that you get your Dollars before leaving the U.K. for convenience, and shop around for the best rate as it can vary. Many places will also buy back any currency left over at the rate you paid when you come back home, which is handy if you come back broke! However if you love Orlando as much as I do, you’ll hang on to those few precious Dollars and start planning your next visit to that wonderful place where happy memories are created!