A Brit's Guide to Orlando
Simon & Susan Veness on Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal & More
Jan 28, 2008
If Orlando is your choice of holiday destination this year, you’ll want to make the most of every minute. What are the sights you simply shouldn’t miss? Which rides have the longest queues? Is it really necessary to rent a car to get around? A Brit's Guide to Orlando sets out to answer every question you might possibly have. The book is divided into 13 chapters, covering everything from planning the holiday and different kinds of accommodation to the all-important theme park details. For those new to Orlando, the first six chapters are a goldmine of information.
Introduction
Includes a brief overview of the main parks, a run-down of the types of theme park tickets available, the climate, tipping, visa requirements and luggage restrictions, plus a “what's new” guide for the coming year.
Planning and Practicalities
Covers the crucial “before you go” details, including when to go, where to stay, booking the holiday itself and how to map out your days in advance so you can make the most of your stay, rather than collapsing from exhaustion trying to do EVERYTHING. There is also a Personalised Itinerary Planner Service on offer via their website – www.askdaisy.net/orlando - which will provide a day-by-day plan for your entire vacation.
Driving and Car Hire
Provides vital information on getting around the area, both with a car or via public transport. It covers the main exit routes from both Orlando International and Orlando Sanford airports, as well as key roads such as International Drive and Interstate 4.
Accommodation
As well as both Disney and Universal Studios resorts, the guide offers a sampling of budget, standard, superior and deluxe hotels all across Orlando, with maps of the Disney, Lake Buena Vista, Kissimee and International Drive areas. Rental properties such as villas and condos are also included.
The Theme Parks – Disney’s Fab Four
This is where the guide really comes into its own. As well as an exhaustive description of the attractions and dining options of each park, all the major rides and shows are given ratings based either on their thrill factor (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, for example, gets a TTTT rating) or their “artistic merit” (Pirates of the Caribbean earns a AAAAA score; it won’t get your adrenalin pumping, but it’s a fantastic spectacle). As a further bonus for families, at the end of each park description the rides are categorised according to age suitability: under 5s, 5-8s, 9-12s and over 12s.
Five More of the Best
Another detailed overview of the next “big five”, with Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld also covered by the ratings systems and ride guide. Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens are also rated, but there is no ride guide for the latter.
The remaining chapters cover other places to visit when you’re “theme parked out”, both in Orlando and beyond, nightlife, dining, shopping and your homeward journey, guiding you through departures from both airports.
As they are actually based in Florida, the authors have a firm grasp of what British visitors need to know and can expect to experience, with common sense “Brit Tips” scattered throughout the book to help head off problems or point out hidden gems visitors might otherwise miss. Overall A Brit's Guide to Orlando (Foulsham Books, 2007, ISBN 0-572-03280-3) is one of the most extensive and practical guides on the market.
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