The Theme Parks

Walt Disney World Resort is the world’s largest and most visited tourist destination, covering a 47-square-mile area and encompassing four theme parks, two water parks, 24 on-site themed hotels (soon to be 25 with an additional value hotel), and thats only two thirds of whats on offer here. Theres everything from roller coasters to golf and  Nascar Training to fishing. Theres not much they haven’t thought of and if they haven’t I’m sure they’re probably working on it right now.

The Magic Kingdom is the park I thought I’d like the least, I had a stereo typical view of it being just for kids and really wasn’t all that interested in going. Well has my opinion changed now! It’s now mandatory that this is the first and last park we do when arriving in Orlando, if anything I think it just confirms we’re back and puts a smile on our face. Its just amazing how Disney manage to lure you in to become a sucker for all things Disney. Favourite ride here is a toss up between Big Thunder Railroad Mountain and Splash Mountain, both equally huge in the fun factor stakes!

The other parks in “the World” are Epcot, Hollywood Studios (previously MGM Studios) and the Animal Kingdom. These are all great parks with loads of must-do’s and should not be ignored! There are also two huge water parks, Typhoon lagoon which has the worlds largest wave making machine and also offers surfing classes in the morning before the park opens. The second, Blizzard Beach’s highlight has to be Summit Plummet, a near vertical water slide where you reach around 60MPH in the drop to earth!

As well as Disney there’s also Universal who have two parks, Universal Studios and Islands Of Adventure as well as City Walk which houses the worlds largest Hard Rock Cafe (I use the worlds largest/biggest/tallest a lot when talking about Orlando!) and many other eating establishments and entertainment. Universal Studios must-do’s are The Mummy, Simpsons, The Hulk, Jaws and “Rip Ride Rocket”.

For folk that want to do everything then you can try squeeze in Busch Gardens – a ZOO that’s also a theme park with extreme rides! Shakira is probably the scariest as it stops at the top before it sends you over the edge to a vertical drop. This is a little off the beaten track and roughly a 1hr 30mins drive from Orlando down the I4.

Orlando Florida (Part 1)

Ok, I admit it, I absolutely love Orlando Florida! Why? It has some of the finest Hotels and Restaurants anywhere in the world. It has the largest concentration of fun anywhere on earth in the shape of seven theme parks and four water parks. It has five massive shopping malls. It has an average daily high temperate (for the year) of 83º and on average the sun shines for 70% of every day light hour of every day. It has the stunning beaches and warm water on the Gulf Coast and the slightly cooler but still as beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Coast. The people are extremely friendly, warm and kind hearted for the most part and driving is a pleasure not a chore.

Negatives? The cost of the flight.
So apart from all the obvious, why do I love it so much? I’ve only ever been twice and never traveled anywhere else in continental Europe, am I missing something? Is there anywhere else in Europe that can provide all of the above in one place? If so tell me and I can save myself some money. On average for two adults it costs around £5000 for a two week holiday to do Orlando. Thats £1100 for flights, £1000-£1500 for accommodation, £200 for car hire, £450 for two sets of Disney World tickets, £350 for two sets of tickets for Universal and Seaworld parks and then at least £1500 spending money for eating out, gas/travel, parking fees, overpriced food and drinks in the parks and general souvenirs. If you plan to go on a shopping spree you’ll need another £500 each or so on top of that.

Part 1 end