A few handy tips…

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