Generally we book to fly from our local airport and return in to a London airport.  We find that this is usually the cheapest combination.  We then take the train home.  For the cheapest train tickets, book them 12 weeks in advance (or just less).  If you are taking the train in both directions, it is usually cheaper to get 2 x single journey tickets, rather than a return ticket.  Sometimes cheaper train tickets can also be obtained by splitting each journey down in to two parts (ie say from Leeds to Peterborough, and Peterborough to London Kings Cross, rather than Leeds to London) – it’s just trial and error if you have the time to do this.  Train tickets can be purchased at www.thetrainline.com  

With departing and returning to different airports, this will generally mean changing planes at an American airport.  We have found it costs no extra to leave the plane as it touches down in America, and catch the same plane a few days later.  We stopped over in New York for 3 nights at Christmas, with no extra flight costs by doing this.

We have also booked different returning flights to England, to the flights we booked to Orlando.  Recently we flew to Las Vegas for 4 nights (via New York), before flying down to Orlando (via Memphis).  We then returned to London via Memphis.  We were able to do this combination of flights by booking through www.expedia.co.uk and using the multiple-destination option.

We have also found cheap charter flights by booking the night before, although this option is usually outside of school holidays, and means set durations of 7, 14 or 21 days.  Also, when taking this option, it usually means that baggage is charged extra, but the upside is that these flights are usually direct flights, although in to Sanford Airport and not Orlando International Airport.

We have also found it to be an advantage to be a member of the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, register at www.virginatlantic.com . We have acquired numerous airmiles both with Virgin and their network of partners, such as Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Dollar Car Rental.  These airmiles entitle members to reward flights (look out for the special offers) and for miles+money flights, which means reduced flight prices in exchange for 2000 of your acquired airmiles.  Airmiles do not expire as long as you earn or spend airmiles every three years.

It is the largest by someway and the Mythical Park was created “due to a Tropical Storm” which left Miss Tilly, the boat on top of Mount Mayday being the eye catching sight as you enter the parking lot.

The main pool with it’s 6ft. high waves is the place to be for the Mega Eruption of Mount Mayday which happens every 30 minutes. It really is the wildest first time experience, the noise of the explosion, the size and the rush of the Giant wave sets everyone screaming and yelling with excitement. The power is sensational as you try to keep your footing and as you look around you to see the people laughing and pulling themselves together as they try to keep the composure in the aftermath of the wave. Sun hats, Sunglasses, goggles and even swimming costumes are handed back to one and other amidst the sound of everyone having their experience to tell. It is great, great fun and you can’t wait for the next Eruption with even more anticipation.

Snorkling in Shark Reef with the real Sharks (they only eat fish!!!) is also an unbelievable first time experience. The Surf Pool is great for everyone, body surfing for beginners, even we had a go.

There are so many areas to explore in the tropical surroundings, body and tube slides, rafts, rapids, caves, waterfalls and the Crush & Gusher water coaster.

We are sure that Aquatica holds some surprises in store for us but it will take a lot to match the thrills and excitement of our first visit to Typhoon Laggoon. Can’t wait!!!

Regards,

Mary & Larry

This Central Florida tourist ministry began years ago with folding chairs and makeshift altars offering Catholic church services in hotel conference rooms!  The number of visitors increased over the years and through the support of the late Pope John Paul II, and the generous contributions of the many faithful visitors, the Shrine became what it is today. 

The 22-acre complex is comprised of several areas.  The main feature is a 2,000 seat Shrine Church where a full schedule of daily and weekend masses are celebrated.  A priest is also available every day to hear confessions or for counseling.  This Church is unique in that it is not a part of a parish with a wealth of members to support its ministry.  This entire facility was developed and continues to thrive on the donations of the tourists and locals who come to tour the facility or worship there.  Also part of the Shrine is the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, a beautiful sanctuary that invites worshippers to reflect and pray in a tranquil setting with the Lord of the Eucharist.  There is also an outdoor chapel featuring a stunning bronze sculpture of Mary and Jesus. 

A very unique area of the Shrine is the Rosary Garden with walkways amid trees and landscaping in the shape of the Rosary.  The complex also includes outdoor stations of the cross, a multi-media theater that is used for evangelization, a museum which houses historic Catholic art from the United States and also from around the world and a gift shop which sells religious articles.

Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine is located at 8300 Vineland Avenue in Orlando.  We had the opportunity to attend mass there on New Year’s Eve to satisfy our Holy Day obligation.   The church is beautiful of a modern style but with the traditional icons and gorgeous stained glass windows.   The parking lot is a bit of distance from the front doors of the church, but there is a small parking lot on the side for handicapped visitors and drop-offs are permitted here as well.   For a current mass schedule and/or to find out the current museum and gift shop hours of operation, you can call the Shrine at 407-239-6600.

We originally had the idea to chill out at our house and during our stay visit other parts of Florida.

After Carol had done her flight costing routine with the Internet she concluded that it would be cheaper for us to do a hop and stop than it would be to fly from Manchester direct to Orlando. It worked out £40 each cheaper.

When Carol had finished she presented me with the following itinerary.

Depart Manchester airport direct to JFK airport, New York. Stop over 3 nights.

We booked a room in the Metro hotel one block away from the empire State building.

Depart JFK, New York, direct to Toronto, Canada. Pick up hire car drive to Niagara Falls. Stop over 2 nights.

The Marriott hotel at Niagara Falls (16th floor) directly over looked the falls.

Depart Vancouver, direct to Miami, Florida, Stop over one night.

Pick up rental car drive to Islamorada Key, Florida. Stop over 2 nights.

Ragged edge resort motel, overlooking the Atlantic.

Drive to West coast stop over one night in Naples. The biggest bed we have ever slept in.

Drive to our house10 night’s chill out.

Fly home from Orlando airport direct to Manchester airport.

I briefly thought (for about 0.01 of a second) that I should point out that the additional costs we would have staying in the hotels ‘we’ had chosen would far our weigh any savings we would make on our flights. However I could see Carol was now in full flight making the arrangements so I thought if I wanted to reach our 26th wedding anniversary I had better keep my thoughts to myself. After she had finished making reservations at hotels, booking flights and renting cars we could barely contain ourselves. The thought of us visiting and seeing some of the ‘must see’s’ in life in one holiday was beyond belief.

When we made our plans, decided what we would do and were we would visit we anticipated that all might not go as planned and alterations to our itinerary may be encountered. It turned out fate had some additional items on our agenda which proved to be every bit as memorable for very different reasons.

I can highly recommend a hop and stop holiday. For us it was totally exhausting but the sights; experiences and memories will stay with us forever.

Brian Pearson

On-Line Booking System Now Available!

Did you know that you can now make dining reservations for Walt Disney World Dining online!   Up until now the only way you could make reservations was to phone up in advance or during your vacation.

If you visit the following site

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/

you can then narrow your search by checking through the various parks/hotels, etc to browse the various restaurants.  If you are able to book online it will give you the “Book a Reservation” option by the chosen restaurant.  This will take you through to the next screen where you can select your date, time  and no. in party.  Once you have done this you click ”Check Availability”.  The next screen will then bring up whether there is availability, together with availability at other restaurants in the same vicinity.  Once you select your desired time you then click ”add to cart”.

Once you have added your restaurants to the cart you are advised of the total payment due today (if any) and then you “check out”.   

You will find that the majority of the bookings do not require you to make prepayment, although the very popular ones like Cinderellas Castle, Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, etc  will require full payment at the time of booking.  

This online system is great - if you find your first date is booked, you can check another date/time immediately, saving you a lot of time.  No need to make that call to the US before you visit to make all your reservations, which in the past I have done on many occasions. 

It also gives you an idea of the cost of the meals in the various restaurants so you can plan in advance.   I also found that you can browse all the different restaurants in one place and gives you a better idea of what is available at each one. 

Effective 27 October 2009, Advanced Dining Reservations will go back to a 180 plus 10 day booking window. 

I certainly will be using this online option for my next trip and have advised all our future guests of the website.   I hope that you get to enjoy many of the restaurants in the Walt Disney Resorts by planning in advance. 

It is possible to arrange an entire vacation around visits to the theme parks – but it is always good to find an alternative way of spending a few hours.  Especially when it is something which simply isn’t available at home – at least for UK and European visitors.

So we can thoroughly recommend an airboat ride as a great ‘tourist attraction’ – slightly off the beaten track, yet typically Floridian.

One option is to drive down to the Everglades, where airboat rides will skim you across the lakes – yet there are similar trips available much closer to the attractions area in central Florida.

Our favourite is at Boggy Creek, just minutes away from Orlando International Airport (close enough that you can read the writing on the sides of the jets as they land at the airport!).  Here you can join an airboat ride which takes you across East Lake Toho – a typical daytime trip lasts around 30 minutes, with a very different experience available after nightfall.

This is an opportunity to see the local wildlife, including eagles and turtles, as well as alligators.  And in an 18 seater airboat, at high speeds skimming across the water amongst the reeds – do take up the option of earphones, as the engine on these boats is loud, to say the least!

So – a few tips to enjoy your airboat ride:

Take a discount voucher with you – these are widely available in many tourist brochures, distributed at kiosks, malls and supermarkets.  A couple of dollars saved on the cost can be very welcome!

Wear shades – the sun is very bright on the water.  And there will inevitably be a few insects, so shades will protect your eyes at speeds of up to 50 mph.

Wear a sun-block – its not worth the risk of sunburn.

Booking is not always necessary – but be prepared for a short wait at the coffee bar, or an opportunity to grab a bite to eat.

All the parks have seasonal opening hours so it’s a good idea to check on the website before you go –www.waltdisneyworld.com.  Most people buy their Disney tickets before they leave home but you can also buy them at the entrance to all the parks or from places such as Wal-Mart where there’s a dedicated attraction ticket shop inside the store.

Drive into Disney and follow signs to the Magic Kingdom

You’ll need $14 for the car park and make a note of where you’ve parked! It’s very easy to lose your car!

Take the monorail or the boat into Magic Kingdom (both only go there so you can’t get lost and often the characters are on there)

There’s a bag search at the entrance, then you’re in!

Remember to collect a map with show time guide as this changes daily.

Everyone usually walks up to the castle and turns left so if it’s really busy and you want to avoid all the queues turn right instead.

As with all the Disney parks the most popular rides use a “fast pass” system. You go to the ride put your park entrance ticket into the machine and it will give you a time to go on the ride (this is usually on a sign above the machines). This means you go straight to the front of the queue and can save a lot of time. Whilst you’re waiting for the allotted time you will probably have time to go on other rides, have something to eat or do a bit of shopping. There’s usually a separate entrance to the ride for people with fast passes so be sure to get in the right line. Sometimes there’s a time on the fastpass that tells you when you can get another fast pass for another ride so if you know where you want to go next you can plan ahead.

Must Sees at  Magic Kingdom (lots of other rides too!)

Tomorrowland

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin 
Be a superhero and fire your laser cannon at interactive targets to help Buzz Lightyear, star of Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story,” save the toy galaxy from the Evil Emperor Zurg!

Space Mountain  (height restrictions)
Rocket into another galaxy aboard this rollicking high-speed roller coaster space adventure.

Honey I shrunk the audience

Great show

Star Tours

Simulator –ride through space

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor 
Join Mike Wazowski and his pals in this new interactive comedy showcase inspired by Disney·Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.

Frontierland

Big ThunderMountain Railroad

Great train ride

SplashMountain

Log flume –exciting with good drop

Adventureland

Pirates of the Caribbean

Log flume –very gentle (now based on the film)

Fantasyland

Mickey’s PhilharMagic 
Immerse yourself in a magical 3-D adventure show starring Mickey Mouse and a surprise “con-DUCK-tor”.

It’s a small world

Mad Tea Party

Peter Pan flight

Liberty Square

The Haunted Mansion 
Ride through the most haunted mansion ever with a ghost host, ghouls galore — and some ghastly surprises(Very clever and not too scary)

Wishes Nighttime Spectacular Be dazzled by the biggest, brightest fireworks  - a great end to the day

This is best viewed from Main Street – usually at 9pm

Disney’s Wide World of Sport holds lots of races throughout the year with levels varying from full marathons to fun runs with everything in between. Whichever level race you’re looking at they are all incredibly well organised and all usually start early in the morning before the sun warms up and before the parks open. Routes vary but they always go through some part of Walt Disney World and the meeting place is either Wide World of Sports or the car park at Epcot. As usual Disney’s attention to detail is evident from the start to the finish.

In March this year I attended the Princess races which ranged from a half marathon (13 miles) to a 3k fun run. The registration process was very simple to complete on line and then we had to collect the registration pack from Disney Wide World of Sports the night before the race. This contained your number for the race, directions to the start plus some goodies from the sponsors. My husband took part in the 5k race and he ran through Epcot past lots of characters including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck. The race was started by Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella and Prince Charming waited on the finish line to cheer the runners in. There was lots of ticker tape and a DJ playing very loud and uplifting music at the start and finish. The atmosphere was exciting with spectators cheering on the competitors at the finish line. There were stations for water and fruit and breakfast muffins were handed to the competitors when they finished the race. Coffee tents sold refreshments for the spectators too.

If you’re interested in finding out more or when the next races are please go to www.disneyworldsports.disney.go.com

There is a wide range of shopping malls big and small as close as international drive. For the older generation there are beaches like coco and Daytona and if you fancy a long drive, you could take trip to Miami.

There are water parks some that are suited to the more adventurous and others that are just like real beaches. And there is water skiing, jet skiing to flinging from a 300ft pole overlooking a lake these options are for the more adventurous.

There are spas that you can visit if you want to get away from the kids. There are also helicopter rides which can take you all over Orlando.

There are Wal-Mart’s located all over the place  for your shopping it great it’s just like Asda in England. There are loads and loads of restaurants from buffets to three course meals. The buffets are to die for the ranges of food you get for just a small price it’s amazing. There are obviously fast food restaurants located just about everywhere.

Going to Orlando is the best thing you could possibly do. There are a wide range of hotels with a wide range of prices. But there are others places to stay such as villas or condos. If you rent somewhere its means that it’s yours and you don’t have to share it especially in a villa. Orlando it a place you don’t ever want to leave that’s why you have to get it right and book suitable places that you will enjoy.

The theme parks are all amazing so there is no worry there. You’ll kids will love it but it’s not just for kids the adults will love it as well.  If you got a chance to go to Orlando take it. So if you want to go to Orlando get booking.  

As you get near to Daytona but before you reach the “Racetrack” there is the biggest Farmers and Flea market for miles on the right. It is all under cover and all aisles have ceiling fans to keep you cool while you shop.

There are numerous aisles with something for everybody. Lots of motor bike gear of course, lovely leather coats, shoes, etc but prices much lower than the tourist areas. We brought lots of t-shirts, towels and items for our villa. We had a hummer car and that was full by the time we came out. There are also lots of places to eat in there and much cheaper than in Daytona.

It was just a short drive to the beach and for $5, you can park your car on the beach all day. The ice cream van goes up and down so there is no need to leave the beach to buy ices for the kids. There are even mini 3- wheel cycles for the kids to hire to use on the beach.

After unpacking all the gear, the kids were off with their boards to the sea. It was a bit rough that day but very warm. After a while, they all seemed to be having so much fun jumping the waves that I  thought I would join them. We were all having so much fun that none of us noticed a huge wave coming at us until it landed on top of us all and we were thrown over.

We came up laughing and then I realised that my cap was not on my head and neither were my prescription sun glasses. !!Now Daytona is a very long beach and we went up and down there looking in the hope that they would have been washed up. No such luck. My advice to anyone going with prescription glass on holiday to Florida is to pack a spare pair or you will be like I was for the last few days………Very short sighted.