105~106fm Real Radio (Wales)

I got a really cheap deal from Manchester direct to Orlando McCoy airport by using www.expedia.co.uk the flight was with Virgin and even though Orlando McCoy airport is so much nearer to all the action than the long drive from Sanford airport (the airport the charter flights use , a good 40 minutes by car) it’s still a good hour to get through immigration, bag reclaim, customs and so on before you even get to the car rental place to pick up the jeep we hired through www.yescarhire.com which I always use when I plan my holidays because you can pre pay the whole rental in the UK before you go so there are no nasty surprises like added on extras when you get there, which car hire companies in the states love to do to us tourists!

Have a look at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on International drive, lovely pool, timeshare type apartments with a double seater Jacuzzi in our bedroom and a huge kitchen with balcony handy for when we brought leftovers back from eating out, warm them up the next day for lunch! Saves a fortune, handy too that we had a supermarket opposite the hotel; it was just like being at home! The bed was so wonderfully comfy, the hotel is 3 and a half star but more like 5 star in comfort and location, if you know Orlando it’s right next to the Premium Mall…shop shop shop!

My favourite part of the holiday was watching “The Blue Man Group” show, it’s been on in Las Vegas for a long time and I have always wanted to check it out, it was on at Universal studios and was worth the £75 for two tickets, hilarious honestly, have a look for yourself: www.blueman.com

The great thing about a holiday in Florida is you will always get decent hotels, lots of food that kills your waistline, no language problems (well kind of?) plenty of sunshine with the odd short downpour to cool off to, it’s cheap except for the ridiculous Disney prices, plenty to see and do, tons of great shops and bargains and glorious beaches on the coast, it’s not just Orlando!

So if you are thinking of going for the first time follow my top tips:

• For your first visit give yourself 2 weeks to do the parks, even then you won’t fit it all in. That way there is always a reason to go back!
• When you visit a park take plenty of water and possibly a snack or two as prices in the parks are stupid.
• Take a hat and a poncho for the rain and the sun (and the crazy wet rides and shows).
• Read the park map, go early and go round the park anti clockwise not with the flow, that way you will get round quicker!
• Use the fast pass as much as possible, this is where instead of a big long queue you take a fast pass and return at the given time to get straight on the ride! That way it gives you the wait time to try another ride!
• Parks open early so take advantage, stay until midday , get your hand stamped so you can return (if your pass permits this of course) take a break, return for the fireworks and parades later when the rush has gone!
• Don’t take much so you can shop and still be under on the baggage scales, if you’re over they will charge you!