Simon Veness - Brit Guide to Orlando 2012

Simon says ... Welcome to another feature-packed edition of the UK's best travel guide. And we don't just say that ourselves, we hear that from you, our readers, all the time. It isn't anything we take for granted, however, and we are continually striving to make the Brit Guide to Orlando even better and more user-friendly. Hence, with this edition, we are introducing another new feature, the Brit Bonus, which offers money off, special deals and other incentives on a wide range of attractions, accommodation and restaurants, in addition to our regular array of Partnership deals, which you see on the inside front and back covers. The Brit Bonus might offer you a free beer at Icebar on International Drive; 7 nights for the price of 5 at the Blue Heron Beach Resort; or $2 off a round of mini-golf. We know how expensive a 2-week holiday here can be - even though it remains fantastic value - so we are keen to highlight ways in which you can save money, too.

And, of course, the Brit Guide continues to be the best possible 'good companion' for any visit to this amazingly exciting - but vast and complex - area that we call 'Orlando' but which actually covers most of Central Florida. It is a fabulous place to visit but it's easy to go wrong and end up tired, frustrated, lost or out of pocket. So stick with us and we'll steer you through all the delights in store. Disney may tell you 'It's a small world' but it's still a big place if you don't have the right guide!

Susan says ... The name of the game in 2012 is 'savings', and as Simon has mentioned, we've searched high and low to bring you the best deals from the best attractions, dining and shopping centres Central Florida has to offer. In addition, there are countless ways of keeping the holiday affordable through the choices you make before and during your time in Orlando.

Choose only as much ticketing as you can realistically use during your stay (that extra few pounds for days you 'might' use on an extended stay ticket does add up!), make use of online discounts and coupons (for savings of 50-90%), and pay attention to money-saving hints scattered throughout our Brit Tips. Tightening your belt a bit doesn't have to be painful and the Brit Guide, now more than ever, can help steer you in the right direction for the holiday of a lifetime that is friendly on the wallet, too. And, if you want to make sure you get the very best out of your holiday without wasting time or money, let us help with our Itinerary Planner Service.

And now, on with the planning!

Simon and Susan Veness (visit us at www.venesstravelmedia.com or email britsguide@yahoo.com).

or ... Welcome to the Holiday of a Lifetime

Get ready for the world's most exciting holiday experience, because Orlando is all that and more besides. This area of Central Florida is actually a vast mix of theme parks, smaller attractions, sport, nature, amazing dining, world class shopping, fabulous nightlife and fun, fun, fun. It is adventure rides, thrills, excitement and fantasy without equal. It appeals to families, couples and singles; young and old alike. But you must be well prepared for what's in store.

First off, this is a BIG venture in every sense and it's vital you have an idea of the extensive and complex nature of this tourist wonderland. Walt Disney World is the leading attraction and is the size of a small city, and there is a strong supporting cast, led by Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. There's something for all tastes and ages, but it exacts a high toll. You'll walk a lot, queue a lot and probably eat a lot. You WILL have a fabulous time, but you'll probably end up exhausted, too. It is a holiday - but it's also something of a military campaign!

In simple terms, there are 8 essential major theme parks, and at least 1 will require 2 days to make you feel it has been done properly. Add a day at a water park, a trip to see one of the wildlife or nature attractions, and the lure of the nearby Kennedy Space Center, and you have 12 days of pure adventure mania. Then mix in the night-time fun of Downtown Disney, Universal's CityWalk and a host of dinner shows, plus superb shopping, and you start to understand the awesome scope of the place. Even with 2 weeks, something has to give - just make sure it isn't your patience, wallet - or sanity.

So, how do you get full value from this truly magical holiday? The basic answer is Good Planning - read, reflect and prepare. At the back of this book is a handy outline guide for all you might want to do. Be aware of the time demands of the parks and make sure you build in a quiet day or 2 by the pool or at 1 of the smaller attractions.

With SO much on offer, it just isn't possible to 'do it all', so try to ensure you get full value from your choices. Also, don't underestimate the vast scale involved. Everything is well spread out and it takes time even to get from park to park. But do stop to admire the imagination and clever detail of what's on offer as it is all world class.

In tourist terms, the name 'Orlando' has grown to encompass much of Central Florida, an area almost twice the size of Yorkshire. Yes, that big. The city itself is north of most of the parks and many people won't even see it as they charge from park to park, which is a shame as it is a bright and happening place.

When Walt Disney's dream of a vast resort opened in 1971 with the Magic Kingdom (sadly, he never saw it realised as he died in 1966), it led to a massive tourist expansion in all directions. New attractions pop up all the time, varying from terrific to tacky, and both coasts also vie for attention.

There are 7 counties that make up Central Florida: Orange County, home to the city of Orlando, with Walt Disney World in the south-west corner, part of which is also in Osceola County, with Kissimmee its main town; Seminole County, home of Orlando Sanford International Airport, north-east of Orange County; Lake County to the north and west, with Mount Dora its principal town; Polk County lies to the south-west, home to many vacation villas and the new Legoland Florida; and Brevard and Volusia Counties to east, home to the Kennedy Space Center and Daytona Beach.

Each year, around 50 million people visit Orlando on holiday, and the area boasts some 115,000 hotel rooms, 26,000 vacation homes, more than 4,000 places to eat and 30 malls. Here's a taste of the main attractions.

This is where the 'magic' really starts - and the effect is vividly real. This vast resort actually consists of 4 separate theme parks, 20 speciality hotel resorts, a camping ground, 2 water parks, a sports complex, 4 18-hole golf courses, 4 mini-golf courses and a huge shopping and entertainment district (Downtown Disney).

It covers 47ml2/122km2. The likes of Alton Towers and Thorpe Park would comfortably fit into its car parks! At peak periods, there are estimated to be 200,000 visitors throughout the Resort. The Disney organisation does things with the most style, and there are always new projects on the drawing board. It maintains a high level of customer service, where everyone who works for them is officially a Cast Member, not just staff, and they take that ethic to heart.