Stories
Florida
The thrills and spills in Florida weren't all confined to the rollercoasters, as Dave and his family discovered...
So, whereabouts did you stay?
Our base was a spacious townhouse at the Regal Palms Resort & Spa in Davenport, central Florida, about 30 minutes drive from Orlando International Airport and 15 minutes from the main theme parks. The air-conditioned three-bedroom property was the perfect place to relax after busy days out. The resort had a clubhouse, pool area with a lazy river and slide, a well-equipped gym - and, at the nearby Berry town centre, a traditional British chippy takeaway!
What were the main attractions?
There are too many to list, but it's the theme parks that everyone raves about, and for good reason. Disney, SeaWorld and Universal have got the biggest and best rides and shows in the world. With so much to see, I was grateful to a friend who'd been before and gave me a ‘must do' list for the white-knuckle rides. Being a big dipper coward, I threw myself into terrifying rides such as the Incredible Hulk Coaster, Sheikra and Tower of Terror for the sake of the kids. I later found out my friend hadn't gone on them - but I ended up loving them anyway!
Where else did you go?
We took a trip to the Kennedy Space Centre, where we marvelled at a simulated space shuttle launch - not to mention the alligators by the roadside! There was more alligator spotting during an airboat ride over the Everglades at Boggy Creek, then we soared to 1,000ft over Orlando with a hot air balloon ride. Another new experience was an NBA basketball game - Orlando Magic v Atlanta Hawks. After three hours of entertainment, even the defeated home fans went home happy!
How did you get around?
The best way is by car. We picked up ours at the airport as part of our holiday package. There was a two-seater Mustang, but when I realised me, my wife Michelle, and our three sons would never squeeze in, I opted for the modest Chevrolet Impala instead. It was a joy to drive.
What was it like for eating and shopping?
The two seemed to go together nicely as the huge shopping malls had vast food halls. Most restaurants were fast food, but I didn't hear my lot complaining! Perkins and Denny's were our favourite for burgers and pancakes. For bargain hunters, there are the two Orlando Premium Outlets, with over 300 designer stores selling clothes at half the UK prices. For posh retail therapy, there's the Mall at Millenia a short drive away.
Finally tell us your holiday highlight...
There were many, but the best memory is the one that was almost our worst! Having missed our coach for a once-in-a-lifetime swim with manatees, we sat forlornly at the hotel pick-up point wondering what to do. About 15 minutes later, a gleaming stretch limo pulled up, and we were beckoned inside. The tour company had sent the executive wheels just so we could catch up with the coach
and still make our dive near Tampa Bay with the gentle giants of the sea. Now that's good service!
The facts:
• We travelled courtesy of Travel City Direct, where 14 nights in Orlando costs from £779 per person. This includes scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick or Manchester direct to Orlando, and four-star accommodation at Regal Palms Resort & Spa, on a self catering basis with car hire and basic insurance. Prices are based on departures between April 22 and 25, 2013. To book, call 0844 557 6965 or go to www.travelcitydirect.com
Wish I'd known before I went...
✓Rather than hire a Sat Nav, it's cheaper to download an American road map to your own device and take it with you.
✓ Make the most of your stay by grabbing a holiday planning kit from www.visitorlando.com/uk, which has discounted tickets and ideas of what to do. Another good site is www.attractionscollection.com
✓ With a nine-hour flight ahead of you, get the best possible start by contacting APH (www.aph.com)or calling 0844 8717431 who can arrange airport parking and an overnight hotel stay prior to departure.
Dave Claridge, 49, Felsted, Essex
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