I saw a set of Video reports on www.thedibb.co.uk recently which I was really impressed with. The detail and skill of Phil, the film maker was way better than the usual attempts to film the many Disney attractions. Much better than my woefully sad attempts. I have included the videos on our Youtube page and they can also be found at http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B22913D51EFE0812
Don’t miss Phil’s boozy trip around World Showcase at Epcot. Classic.
A huge thankyou to Emma and Ben – the stars of the show, plus to Phil who has obviously spent many, many hours on this labour of love. We’ll forgive you for not staying in a private Villa. Maybe next time eh?
For anyone who doesn’t know of the DIBB, its a fantastic resource for anyone planning a vacation at Disney World, the tips and advice found on it’s forums are invaluable for both newbies and experienced Disneyholics alike.
The Official opening date is set at June 18, taking excitement to new levels in the world of HP fans.
The reality of this will mean queues – and lots of ‘em! Anyone wanting to experience the world of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade this summer will have to be prepared to wait… wait…and wait some more.
The amount of interest in these new attractions is beyond staggering, and Universal are expecting higher crowd levels than ever before. Of course, the crowds will not just be confined to Harry Potter; they will spill over into the rest of Islands Of Adventure and beyond to Universal Studios and Citywalk. A fact worth remembering when you are planning your visit this summer.
Make sure to allow plenty of extra time to get around, get your meals, and plan your day to maximise the amount of attractions you are able to experience in both parks.
While two of the Harry Potter attractions are re-hashes of old rides – Duelling Dragons and the Flying Unicorn are re-invented under new themeing and new names – the new Land will herald a groundbreaking new attraction called ‘Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’.
Situated in the impressive Hogwarts Castle the ride combines state of the art technology with immersive scenes from the films, starting with a tour the famous rooms of the Castle, including Dumbledores Office and the Enchanted Dining Room. Harry will soon lead visitors on a detour will which will take them on a magical flying journey over Hogwarts, including an encounter with the Whomping Willow and the excitement and fun of a Quidditch Match, before finally bringing them back to Hogsmeade for a Harry Potter shopping and eating experience, again surrounded by many iconic scenes from the films.
One way to get a guarantee of experiencing the new attractions with minimal queuing is to book a one night stay at any of the on-site Hotels. (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel or Portafino Bay Hotel) Yes, it’s a pricy option at the height of season, but will give you the magic unlimited front of the line pass for all the attractions. Although for now the magic pass only works once per day on the ‘Forbidden Journey’.
When you consider that Universal charge $70 per person, per day for Express passes, the cost of one night in a Universal Hotel (giving two full days Front of the Line passes) suddenly doesn’t look too pricey after all. Especially when you get a great rate for your accommodation at Villa Santa Cruz
After a long, freezing cold and snowy winter in good old Blighty, we have finally booked our flights for this summer’s trip to Florida. And not a moment too soon – as the prices with Virgin are already sky high and look set to soar even further before long. Honestly, the price we paid for 4 tiny seats on their metal tube is ridiculous – especially given the current economic climate in the Fernandes household. Indirect flights were also considered (Via New York or Philly) but their rates were not sufficiently cheap to make the hassle worth it. So, Virgin won the day and the credit card was duly battered. Daydreaming of another fun filled trip to the sunshine state is just what’s needed to get us through the rest of the grey and gloomy British winter.
After so many years of popping back and forth across the Atlantic, it still amazes me that there are new and exciting things for us to look forward to on each trip.
For 2010 the main draw will be the new Harry Potter Land at Universal, although whether it will be fully opened by July remains to be seen. (we missed out on Rip Rid Rockit last year due to technical hitches) We have also booked a cruise, which I am super excited about. Royal Caribbean do a very reasonably priced 4 night jaunt down to the Bahamas on their ship the Monarch of the Seas, and this July they will be sailing with yours truly and the family. Cocktails on deck, dancing under the stars, a visit to a private island and gourmet food I don’t have to cook myself – I can’t wait!!
A family holiday in Florida can be approached in two ways:
First is the military strategy. This method involves a large amount of planning, obsessing and research. It results in a holiday that is successful in terms of seeing and doing EVERYTHING in the time allowed. Often it also results in the need for another holiday in which to recover!
The second, and much less stressful way to go is the WTF? method. The Where’s the Fun? method means you take everything as it comes, at a leisurely pace enjoying all the small nuances and gems Florida has to offer. Sadly this method often results in a frustrated family who are heading home having experienced few of the major attractions that the Theme Parks have to offer. Time is definately not your friend in Florida! Neither is lack of planning!
The path best travelled is to try and work somewhere between the two. Your family will not appreciate a Drill Sergeant, neither will they thank you for taking them thousands of miles and not managing to get them to any shows on time! To this end here are a few tips that may help:
1. A rough itinerary is a great idea. Just make sure to include ‘rest days’ to avoid Theme Park Fatigue (a real illness. Honest!)
2. ADR’s are a good idea, especially for the most popular character meals at the Disney Restaurants (ADR = Advance Dining Request ) Telephone number: 407 WDW DINE. Can be made 90 days in advance.
3. Make sure you check on the days/times of evening shows. Each park has different days/times for their Fireworks shos and you need to plan accordingly if you want to see them all.
4. An afternoon siesta back at the Villa is always a good idea. Trying to do a 14 hour marathon is no good for anyone, especially the little demons!
5. After your siesta it can be much cheaper and easier to eat at one of the restaurants on the 192, before heading back to Disney for the evening fireworks and parades.
5. When entering the Parks turn right and go that way round. For some reason most people turn left. Fact!
6. USE THE FASTPASS!!! It can save you Hours. Literally! Universal unfortunately charge for their ‘express pass’ although it can still be a worthwhile investment at really busy times of year. Don’t bother off peak though, you will be paying for nothing.
7. Remember that you won’t be able to do absolutely everything (unless you are staying for a year) so give yourself a break and chill out! Make a list of ‘must do’s’ and then take everything else as a bonus.
8. Buying a cheap mobile phone or walkie talkies at Walmart can be handy if you have a large group and need to keep in touch. It can work out much cheaper than using Uk mobiles. Sticking together in a large group can be frustrating, especially in the Parks where everyone wants to do different things. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting for hours waiting for your teenagers to exit thrill rides! Especially when you want to ride ‘It’s a Small World’ (No? Just me then )
9. Get a good map! Although the Orlando area is pretty easy to navigate, it’s also easy to loose your bearings in an unfamiliar town. A good sense of direction helps. So does a Sat Nav!
10. Buffet Breakfasts can be surprisingly good, quick and cheap. Plus, your little monsters will be full for the day ahead, hopefully avoiding the need for an expensive Disney lunch.
11. The average guest walks about 7-8 miles a day in a theme park. Make sure you take comfy shoes, blisters are not fun!
12. Neither is sunburn! Slap it on. Aerosol sprays are quick and easy for the little ones.
13. Buy some cheap plastic ponchos from Walmart. They may not be the fashion statement of the decade (or any decade for that matter ) but they will keep you dry when it rains. And boy, when it rains it pours! Rainshowers are often short and sweet though so wait a few minutes or do some shopping while they pass over. (Buying Ponchos in the parks will give you a lovely picture of Mickey on your flattering attire – and will cost you three times the price!)
14. Baby Swop is a great way for parents to both experience the bigger rides, without having to queue twice. Or, take a grandparent on holiday with you. Invaluable for in-park babysitting
Staying at Sunset Lakes is a great location, not only for Theme Parks, but for eating out too…
Just a mile away is the Highway 192, the main thoroughfare for Kissimmee with Shops of all description, Restaurants of every nationality and of course the all important access to Disney World and, via the I4, the Beaches, Malls and other attractions such as Universal and Seaworld.
As we have been lucky enough to visit many times we have built up a list of ‘favourites’ in terms of the local Restaurants.
Which we choose depends entirely on what mood we are in and how much time we have at our disposal. Long, lingering meals are usually not an option when the excitement of Fantasmic, Wishes or Illuminations beckons so quick and easy tends to be the order of the day. Golden Corral is our favourite ‘quick stop’, although we tend to stick to Breakfast here. Dinner gets a bit chaotic and makes you feel that you are back in the works canteen. For breakfast though it can’t be beaten. The choice of food is literally unbelievable with everything from eggs to fruit to breakfast pizza! Our kids always make sure to finish with a bowl of ice cream and sweeties. Well they are on vacation after all!!
ALso on the quick and easy list are Dennys, Perkins and Bob Evans. All great for a late breakfast or early lunch.
If we are kicking around at the Villa then the ‘local’ restaurants at the Formosa Gardens Plaza are a perfect choice; Outback is an Australian themed steakhouse. Their Prime Rib is to die for (in my opinion anyway) and we all love their ‘Bloomin Onion’ starter, although one is sufficient to keep us all happy.
Also on Formosa is the beautiful Carrabbas. An Italian restaurant with style and gorgeous ‘authentic’ pasta and meat dishes. We always make sure to visit here at least once a trip.
Other Restaurants worth a mention here are TGI’s and Giordanos. Both fine if the other restaurants are full, although watch the drink prices at Giordanos!
One thing about Orlando is that you’ll never be spoilt for choice of somewhere to eat. There are Restaurants of every type, on most every corner and for every budget. Some of our favourites are:
Sweet Tomatoes – cheap and cheerful and pretty healthy salad buffet.
Bahama Breeze – a taste of the Caribbean with live music on the verandah.
Texas De Brazil – A meat lovers Dream! Pricey but worth every penny!
Chillis – all day happy hour, need we say more!?
And just because you aren’t staying on Disney property don’t assume that you can’t eat at Disney Restaurants. All the Resort and Theme Park restaurants are open to anyone. Including all the Character breakfasts and upscale Dinner experiences at places such as the Grand Floridian and Polynesion resorts. All you need to do is a little research into your chosen meal and call Disney dining (404-WDW-DINE) to make a reservation. Easy! It’s also great fun to take a look around the stunning Disney Hotels.
Exciting news from Universal regarding the new Harry Potter area of Islands of Adventure.
Unsurprisingly there are quite a few shopping opportunities in’ Hogsmeade’ with many of the items in the films on sale plus the ‘Three Broomsticks’ pub which will feature “traditional British food, including Pumpkin juice and Butterbeer”. Although exactly where in the UK these items are popular is beyond me!
Two of the current rides are being re-themed; Duelling Dragons will become ‘Dragon Challenge’ based on the Triwizard Tournament and the gentle ‘Flying Unicorn’ coaster will become ‘Flight of the Hippogriff’. Rumours are that you will enter through Hagrids Hut and will have to bow to a Hippogriff before being allowed to ride!
The major new attractions, aside from all the great themeing will be inside Hogwarts Castle. The new ride will be based on completely new ‘roboarm’ technology and will be called ‘Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’
The artists drawings look great and the proposed opening date of Spring 2010 is drawing nearer. Exciting times!
A word of warning though. The tickets on sale at the moment will still be valid for next year. Buy now if you can as Universal will most certainly be bringing in increases in their 2010 ticket prices to capitalise on the popularity of the new Harry Potter land.
So, does it live up to the hype? And is anyone brave enough to try it after so many glitches in construction?
The answer it seems is yes. We were gutted to have missed out on trying this ride on our last trip and all the reports I have heard so far have been great, although I have noticed the phrase ‘Bone Shaker’ mentioned a lot on various fan forums.
The only negative point is that during the whole experience you are filmed for a DVD which is, of course for sale at the end of the ride. No slightly blurry picture of you screaming your guts out here – Oh no – you get to see yourself in glorious technicolor motion. And all for the ‘bargain’ price of $29.95.
Methinks that’s a tad steep for a few seconds of unflattering footage, i’ll be saving my dollars for some extra lemon slushies thankyouverymuch!
I have yet to read anything bad about Seaworld’s new ride ‘Manta’. By all accounts the theming, queue areas, and the ride experience itself are all brilliant. Plus the queues are shorter – everyone else is at Universal waiting in a 2 hour queue for Rip Ride Rocket, or in the seemingly endless queues at Toy Story mania over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
First stop next trip for us will definitely be Manta it really is living up to it’s hype. Plus my mother is coming too an she’s a sucker for those Dolphins! It’s a Win Win situation
Universal have long been touting their newest coaster ‘Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’ as the best thing in theme park rides since – ever! So we were understandably gutted to have missed the opening on our last trip.
The opening has been delayed from spring to late spring, to early summer, to late summer and now we are heading full tilt towards autumn with still no opening date in sight.
The latest rumours have it that there is an issue with the safety harnesses and of course, safety is a prime concern. But at this rate the new Harry Potter Land at Islands of Adventure will be open before Rip Ride Rockit!
Scheduled for May 2010, Harry Potter Land promises to be a major draw for Universal and is something many people have booked their trips around. Let’s just hope that this project isn’t plagued with safety issues too or there will be a ton of disappointed fans descending on Universal.
Back in good old Blighty, and the great British Summer. Rain, and lots of it!
I left Florida with a heavy heart this time, knowing that we probably won’t be returning for a year or so. Becky (first daughter) has school commitments that preclude our usual February visit. I know, we are unbelieveably lucky to be able to visit as often as we do, so I won’t harp on too much.
On the bright side I left the villa in great shape, with the brand new games room up and running. George, our handyman, really came through for us and has given us a room which is clean, bright, colourful and most importantly, air-conditioned thanks to two ceiling fans and a new air conditioning unit. He has also built a nifty cupboard for us to store all our crap.
Having the games room also means that we can reclaim the original Dining room (up until now used as a games room) giving us a little extra living space inside the house. The Poker table still stays though, Becky and her friends insisted on it!!
Flights home were great, Continental standards are high, although their cabin crew could do with a few lessons on the art of cracking a smile every now and again. Still, if the price was right I would definitely use this airline again.
So, back to work, back to the usual routine, back to the monotony of real life. Welcome home… it’s good to sleep in my own bed.
Just listening to the local news here in Florida and a couple have been arrested for leaving two children in a Disney hotel room on their own. The kids were aged 2 & 4!! The parents (one of whom was a school counsellor, of all things!) had gone to the pool at the Carribean Beach Hotel and left the kids behind. When arrested they couldn’t understand what the fuss was about – they were on vacation in the happiest place on earth, so it was OK, right?
No!! The same rules apply as at home. Whether it be at the Theme Parks, Hotels, Villas or especially Water Parks. I can never understand why people think it’s ok to leave kids alone while on Holiday. You would never leave them alone at your local shopping centre while you went off shopping, would you?
The same applies to security. I took Emily to Hollywood Studios yesterday and was amazed to see the amount of strollers left unattended with bags hanging off them. I would assume this would be like a pickpockets buffet, but people are lulled into a false sense of security while in Disney. Not a wise thing to do IMHO.
Anyway, Hollywood Studios was as good as ever, although the cutbacks are showing in that there was no Fantasmic yesterday so my plans for that were thwarted (perhaps for the best as I am pretty sure the darker side of the show would have scared the bejesus out of Emily) Instead, we caught the friendship boat over to the Boardwalk and had a lovely stroll followed by dinner and ice cream at Beaches N’ Cream. Lovely.
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