hints&tips

These are just a few of the things we have learned through our visits to Orlando and the theme parks. You may find some of them useful and informative if you have never been there before.

Theme Parks

1.If you are going to Walt Disney World and you are from the UK, check out the price of the special UK exclusive 10-day tickets at the Disney Store! We found this very good value. We had the character breakfast at the Hollywood and Vine restaurant at MGM (You can book a table either before your holiday, at the Disney Store or the day before you want to go, by phone). It was a buffet style breakfast so everyone in our party was catered for.

2.A map of the internal road system around Walt Disney World is well worth finding!! If you plan to go from area to area i.e. to the Market Place then Epcot, you could easily end up at the Magic Kingdom if you do not have one!!!

3.Older teenagers can get bored easily at some of the theme parks; Disney Quest is a good place for them, 5 floors of video game entertainment and virtual rides, Disney’s MGM with the Rock’n’Roller Coaster ride and Tower of Terror and Islands of Adventure has some great thrill rides, with the Incredible Hulk and Doctor Dooms Fearfall to name a couple!! The outlet shopping malls are also inviting for them with lots of brand named goods at less than high street prices.

4.Take small bottles of frozen water (or soda) to theme parks (pour away a little before freezing to allow for expansion of ice). Children can easily carry a small bottle and it lasts them longer than a purchased soda. It also keeps them amused in queues as they try to crush ice!!!!

5.Bags of baby carrots and cucumber are more filling, refreshing and satisfying than crisps. (Crisps/potato chips contain a lot of salt and make you thirstier).

6.Take a couple of band-aids with you to theme parks, new sandals and trainers can cause blisters with all the walking around in the hot Florida sun!! Baby wipes are handy too.

7.Always use sunscreen and make sure you take some with you on days out. The Florida sun is very hot and not to be underestimated. Even when it appears cloudy the sun’s rays do get through.

8.Take care of your valuables!! Cameras are easy to lose and get stolen. Thieves will cut the strap from your camera whilst it is over your shoulder, especially if they see you involved in comforting a child or similar action (this happened to us and we thought we were vigilant!!) Thieves and pickpockets DO go to WDW and Islands of Adventure as well as shopping malls. Top

Shopping

1.Coupons are well worth collecting for dining and shopping, they do however frequently carry an address of the particular shop or diner where they can be used!!

2.Winn Dixie supermarket has a loyalty card system that gives a discount on certain items at the checkout. This is given at time of payment; you do not have to wait for vouchers to come by post.

3.The price you see on labels in stores is NOT the price you pay in the USA; you must add state tax to the price, currently 6.5%. A small conversion chart in your wallet at first will help you quickly work out if the item is a good buy or not!!

4.Purchase your phone cards from the Bargain World type stores; the ones purchased in supermarkets and theme parks do not give as many minutes to the UK. Top

Eating Out

1.Food portions are generally larger in the US than the UK!! For small children it may be better to let them share a meal, just ask for an extra plate – and you can always order more if necessary!!

2.Gratuities are expected in restaurants; between 15 and 20% is the norm. Some credit card receipts leave a space for this, make sure you check this before signing and fill in the total, you don’t have to include the tip in this, you can leave cash. Top

Miscellaneous

1.Use some form of calendar during your stay. You can plan your week better and you can always change it if you need to. It helps you remember where you have been and when and also places you have not been to yet and still want to include during this trip!! (Helpful too when you get the photos back and can’t remember where/when you took them!!)

2.‘Research’ is always a good vacation tip. These are just a couple of things you may not be aware of for example. The drinking age limit is 21 in the USA and drink driving will invalidate your hire car insurance. Although the driving age is 16 in the USA, most car hire companies will not hire to anyone under 21, and then they will require extra insurance for age 21-25 year olds. Alcohol must be carried in the boot/trunk of your car. If you are stopped by a police officer STAY in your car and let him approach you. Speeding carries an immediate on the spot fine and some roads have a MINIMUM speed limit!!

3.Insects can be a problem in Florida so don’t invite them in!!! Keep all food covered when storing and re-seal bags. Rubbish should be put into a lined bin immediately. Check which day the rubbish is collected from the house and make sure you put out the rubbish out the night before!! The collection service can be early!!

4. Football (soccer) Fanatics will be pleased to know that Sky Sports UK football coverage is available at the "Prince of Wales" pub, which is situated on the right just before you turn into Sunset Ridge from highway 27. They also provide food and various beers on draught , including Stella and Guiness.Top

Hints & Tips

Theme Parks

Shopping

Eating Out

Miscellaneous