Virtual Portholes from Disney

Virtual portholes that give video feed of the ocean to passengers staying in inside cabins are going to be a feature on Disney Cruise Line's new ship. The interior cabins on Disney Dream, which is to enter service in 2011, provide a real-time view outside the ship. High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each virtual porthole. A "water coaster" that sends passengers racing above the upper decks of the ship will be among the other elements being introduced. An entire deck will cater for children with two main spaces for children ages 3 to 10. Disney Dream will sail alternating three-and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay from Florida. During the summer, the ship will alternate four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay.

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Florida Bounces Back

Florida has emerged as one of the late booking summer holiday favourites, according to new research.

Bookings to Florida saw a 49% increase on last year at the beginning of June compared to an 8% drop at the start of May.

The US bookings surge has been prompted by the strengthening value of the pound against the dollar, according to the UK's largest independent travel retailer.

The analysis shows that in the same period the pound rose in value against the dollar, from $1.48 to $1.65 (a rise of over 11%).

Av8Tours believes a significant boom in bookings is still to come.

The same effect can also be seen in the eurozone, but with the pound rising only 4% in the same period.

"If the pound continues to rally against foreign currencies, we believe this upward trend will continue."

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Sunset Ridge Villas in Orlando

Sunset Ridge is a new addition to our Orlando villa portfolio. A brand new gated community of high end vacation homes located close to the junction of US Highway 27 and Interstate 4.

This is an excellent choice for holidaymakers wanting an upmarket villa in a tranquil and relaxing setting. The surrounding area provides a choice of over 20 golf courses and the close proximity of Interstate 4 means that the Disney theme parks are only a 20 minute drive.

Read more........

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Windsor Hills in Kissimmee

Windsor Hills is the newest addition to our growing range of 'resort style' self catering vacation developments. The developers have tried to market Windsor Hills as Orlando's first 5 Star vacation homes resort and in our opinion they have come pretty close. The general look and feel is exceptional, the landscaping is immaculate and the design of the communal areas is very plush. Read more.........

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Swim with Manatees

Do you fancy meeting a Manatee up close during your holiday in Florida? Nose to nose or at a distance, the chance to meet these fascinating and gentle marine mammals is a must-do excursion.

Manatees favour the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and cluster in and around Crystal River and Homosassa, especially during the cooler winter months. These relatively warmer waters, with an average temperature of 72°F from the springs, attract these gentle animals. During the coldest times, up to 400 can be found herding in the waters of Citrus County. An aerial survey conducted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on April 30, 2008 showed that there are 139 manatees enjoying the waters of Citrus County.

The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge was established to provide critical habitat for the endangered manatees and is now home to more than 25% of the nation’s population.
Snorkeling is an excellent way to observe manatees at close range. These excursions should be made with the assistance of a guide or a tour company which can supply everything you’ll need, including mask, snorkel and wet suit.

Another great way to meet a manatee is to visit the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The park serves as a rehabilitation center and refuge for injured and orphaned endangered West Indian manatees. A unique feature of the park is the famous "fishbowl" where visitors can view the manatees in the spring from an underwater observatory - staying dry the entire time!

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Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios

The Simpsons are visiting Krustyland, the low-budget theme park created by famed TVpersonality and shameless product huckster Krusty the Clown! You are there right alongside Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie as you enter through the carnival-like midway.

Your holiday in Orlando wont be complete without a visit....once you board your vehicle you're in for one surprise after another as you embark on a wild, over-the-top ride through the park. flying, floating, and more or less crashing your way through Krustyland's kiddie attractions, stunt shows, and thrill rides.

The Simpsons Ride is a simulator ride featured at the Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood theme parks. The ride is based on the long running TV cartoon series.....The Simpsons. It was first announced in 2007 and replaced the Back to the Future: The Ride at both locations.

The ride at Universal Studios Florida soft opened on April 23, 2008, and the official ceremonies took place on May 15. The ride at Universal Studios Hollywood opened on May 19, 2008. The Simpsons Ride was collaborated on by the producers of The Simpsons, and uses computer generated 3D animation, which was provided by Blur Studio and Reel FX. 2D animation was provided by Film Roman.

The ride uses state of the art technology, including a new projection system and new hydraulics.The ride itself is six minutes long, but original footage for the ride can be seen in the queue, and there is also a pre-show video. In the ride, patrons are introduced to a cartoon theme park called Krustyland built by Krusty the Clown. Sideshow Bob, however, is loose from prison to get revenge on Krusty and the Simpson family. At least 24 regular characters from the series make an appearance, allv oiced by their original actors. Along with the attraction is a gift shop modeled after the Kwik-E-Mart, which opened in late 2007.

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Best Family Beaches in Florida

With 1,200 miles of shoreline, Florida has some of the best beaches in the world. It's two distinct waterfronts -- the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico – offer sharp diversification and family filled fun. Any holiday in Florida isn't complete without a visit to the beach for you and your family...but which beach? Our Florida experts have compiled this list of the top ten best family beaches in Florida. The beaches are in no particular order....we are just sure you will have a great day out on any of them.

Panama City Beach: Despite its reputation for spring break parties and wild nightlife, Panama City also caters to families. Its 27 miles of shoreline provide plenty of room to swim, while nearby amusement parks entertain kids who've had enough sun.

Clearwater Beach: You can hike and bike the trails, or just enjoy the beach. The kids will get a kick out of meeting Panama the Dolphin at the Clearwater Aquarium, and will beg for treats at Pier 6 or the old-fashioned Farmer's Market.

Fort Walton Beach: It's hard to believe the white sand and emerald waters aren't the main draw, but they have to compete with dolphins leaping just offshore. And, with a science center, marine park and Indian temple to explore, everyone in the family is sure to find something of interest.

Fort Myers: If it rains, Fort Myers has plenty of attractions to keep the whole family amused - botanical gardens, a nature center, a planetarium and even a hands-on imagination museum.

Cocoa Beach: Science and nature live side-by-side here. While ancient cypress trees line an expansive beach, just down the road NASA's Kennedy Space Center has everything a budding astronaut could hope for.

Siesta Key: Kids and adults alike will love to watch the dolphins and collect shells along the beach. If you miss the amazing sand-sculpting contest in May, the Ringling Museum and Jungle Gardens are open year round and hold wonders of other kinds.

Fort Lauderdale Family Beach: Even though this eco-friendly beach earned a coveted Blue Wave Award for its clean shores, you might not have time to enjoy them - not with the Museum of Science and Discovery, Flamingo Gardens and Butterfly World nearby.

Daytona Beach: If your kids love racing, Daytona is a must-see destination for future Jeff Gordons. Not just NASCAR - IROC, AMA and other hotrods can been seen at Daytona International Speedway throughout the year.

Hutchinson Island: This peaceful island offers horseback riding on the beach and a shallow wading lagoon dubbed Bathtub Beach. Kids of all ages will want to feed and pat the stingrays at the nearby Florida Oceanographic Society.

Fernandina Beach: With its scenic white-sand beach untouched by commercialism, families can spend quality time together and gather their own natural souvenirs. Swim, explore the wildlife and camp out under the stars.

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Golfing in Florida

There are 1,067 golf facilities in Florida. Since many facilities have more than one golf course, it turns out that this equates to an astonishing 1,216 courses. What does all this mean? It means that, if you’re a golfer, Florida is the place. No other state in the U.S.A. comes close to the abundance of fine layouts found here.

But Florida isn’t just about the world-class tour resorts seen on television. It has plenty of friendly municipal courses and historic links.

You may even be admitted to some of Florida’s private clubs if you play with a member or if you ask your club golf pro to call ahead to arrange a game. Or, you may want to take advantage of golf privilege cards, which offer special pricing on many courses and often include access to private clubs.

If you prefer to travel light, or decide to play a few rounds of golf on a whim, you’ll be happy to know that most facilities rent excellent, pro-line quality golf clubs. You may even be able to closely match the set you left at home.

Florida has three levels of courses: tough, legendary PGA Tour calibre tracks; challenging courses; and layouts so easy it’s like shooting fish in a barrel. The vast majority are in the “challenging” category, but you’ll need to select the one that best fits your game.

If you do go for the famous tracks, you should play from the set of tees that will allow you to walk away with fond memories of your round, not frustration from a day of torture. The special features that make celebrated courses famous are still in front of you and awaiting your attempt to defy them. If you play from the middle tees, you have a better chance to see what a Tour player is really up against in the heat of a tournament. You’ll play faster, have a more enjoyable experience and not hold up all the other golfers on the course who are attempting to create their own lifelong reminiscences.

Of course, if you are a scratch player and you want the full experience of some of the best and most difficult courses in the world, Florida’s got them here for you. Go to the back tees and fire away. Just pick the right track, and enjoy your day in the Florida sun.

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Fly Like James Bond on Virgin

The new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, is out on general release on 31st October in the UK. But....did you know that some of the scenes in the new movie were filmed at The Base , Virgin Atlantic's amazing new facility near Gatwick Airport, the largest cabin crew training facility in Europe. Giancarlo Giannini who plays Mathis and Daniel Craig, completed filming in just one day. A few days later the 007 cast, crew and a huge amount of cargo took a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 to Panama to continue filming.

Virgin Atlantic flights are the coolest way to fly UK to USA. We have some exclusive fares for you. Simply fill out our on line enquiry form and our Florida experts will find the right flight at the right price for you.

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Shopping in Orlando

Orlando is home to some of the finest shopping venues in Florida. Here is a selection of our top picks:-

1. The Mall at Millenia, 2. The Florida Mall, 3. Festival Bay Mall on I-Drive, 4. Orlando Premium Outlets, 5. Pointe Orlando on I-Drive, 6. Orlando Fashion Square Mall.

There are two major malls close to the tourist areas. The Mall at Millenia is an upmarket mall, with Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Cartier, and restaurants such as PF Changs and the Cheesecake Factory. Mall at Millenia is located at the Conroy Road exit of I-4. Florida Mall is one of the largest malls in Florida, anchored by Macys, Dillards, JC Penney, Lord & Taylor, with a large selection of specialty stores.

Florida Mall is a vast complex and is located at the intersection of Sand Lake Road and the Orange Blossom Trail, halfway between the Orlando International Airport and International Drive.

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Harry Potter in Orlando

Orlando is getting its very own Harry Potter Theme Park. Announced last May, and expected to open in late 2009, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort are partnering to create the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. Desribed as a “theme park within a theme park” and titled “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the new environment will become part of the experience within Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort.

The attractions are to include a giant recreation of Rowling’s fictional Hogwarts Castle, a permanently snow-covered Hogsmeade village, the Forbidden Forest and a Hogwarts Express that will steam away from Platform 9 and 3/4.

The village, with steep-roofed slate-and-stone buildings will boast “experiential shops and restaurants” selling cauldrons and broomsticks, wands, magic potions and Harry Potter-themed meals.
Across the park, through “immersive rides and interactive attractions”, fans will be confronted with characters and scenes from Rowling’s epic story.

Computerised special effects will display figures looking like real characters but which will disappear in a flash.

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Halloween in Orlando

The month of October is time when tricks and treats abound, creating an atmosphere of festive fun for those of all ages. Orlando is no exception, and they provide several ways to celebrate the spooky holiday.

Universal Resort Orlando presents its 18th Annual Halloween Horror Nights throughout the month of October. This event is geared towards adults and may not be appropriate for young children. The entire theme park is transformed into a fright-fest featuring monsters, zombies, ghosts and goblins. The theme of this year's event is Urban Legends, and Bloody Mary herself will play host. Promising to bring the most fearsome Urban Legends to life, Universal Resort Orlando is the place to be to celebrate Halloween. There are more scare-zones, more scare actors, the most haunted houses Universal has ever seen, along with all new fear-filled live shows. There are great Universal Halloween Horror Nights Packages available for those who dare to be scared.

Disney World is playing host to a family-friendly event, one where kids can celebrate the fun of Halloween opposed to the scary aspect of it. Disney World's Mickey's Not-So Scary Halloween Party is a magical place to trick-or-treat. Children can come in their own costumes and trick-or-treat next to their favorite cartoon characters. A few of the highlights of this event include Mickey's Boo-To- You Halloween Parade and The Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Display, where the night sky is lit up with Disney Characters in their best Halloween regalia. It's a Halloween your children will never forget.

Orlando always offers the best celebrations, and Halloween is no exception. Whether you want to be frightened or want to create a memorable holiday for children, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this Halloween Holiday.

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Private Villas in Florida

Our allocation on arrival villas are the perfect choice for Florida bound holiday makers. We have a wide selection of exceutive private villas which are simply fantastic, and very spacious! Great when travelling with kids as you are not all squeezed into one room.

Why not stay in a executive villa on allocation on arrival? Drive yourself to the key collection office using our directions and it is very simple. Make sure you have some Dollar change for the toll roads!! When you arrive you will be provided with directions to your villa and a key code to get in.

Our villas are clean and modern and have everything that you could possibly need including your own private pool. Pre-heat your private pool because it does take a day or so to warm up and we do advise that you arrange it prior to arrival.

Spending some time around the pool is a great way to relax as going to the parks is exhausting and the villas are such great places to chill out around the pool, with a fridge full of beer and ice cream it can be described as bliss.

Kids love it as they have their own rooms, can watch TV and even play snooker in the games room.(Some villas have garages that have been converted to a games room).

You have to have a car when you rent a villa as it is such a big place and walking anywhere is just not possible really.

We cannot recommend staying in a villa enough, that is why our customers book with us every year.

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Anna Maria Island

We have recently added three new resorts on Anna Maria Island to our portfolio. We only find the very best apartments and condos for rent, so why not bag yourself a bargain and find out more by clicking on the images opposite.

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Allocation on Arrival

Why not let us decide?
Simply complete our on-line enquiry form and we will do exactly what it says on the tin. Our Disney Deals are designed to provide you with good standard or superior accomodation for a budget price. For prices as low as £259 per villa per week, we can find you a Disney Deal Villa to suit your budget. Simply Choose from either a Standard or Superior allocated on arrival villa. Please note that the pictures opposite are illustrative only and are designed to show you the equivalent quality standard of our selections.

So, please read ahead......we have outlined below what you get in each of our DISNEY DEAL categories.

STANDARD VILLAS - 3,4,5 & 6 BED ALLOCATION ON ARRIVAL
Located in established sub-divisions, all homes are of good quality and standards, meeting all basic requirements for a clean self catering holiday home. Perfect for the budget minded vacationer.
Location homes are a short drive from an abundant selection of restaurants and shops and conveniently located from 3 to 20 miles from Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Universal attraction parks.

Rooml standard homes feature: telephone, cable/satellite color tv, central air conditioning and heating, washing and clothes dryer, iron/board, towels and linens. In addition each home features a private pool with a screened-in pool deck with sun lounges and a patio table and chairs. A fully equipped kitchen makes meals easy with a 4 range oven, full size refrigerator with freezer, a microwave, toaster, coffee maker, dishwasher, cooking utensils, cutlery, plates, cups and glasses.
Master bedrooms will have a king or queen bed with an adjoining full-bathroom. Additional bedrooms will have either a double bed or twin beds with at least one shared full bathroom. 3 bedroom homes sleep up to 8 people. 4 bedroom homes sleep up to 10 people. 5 bedroom homes sleep up to 12 people.

SUPERIOR VILLAS - 3,4 5 & 6 BED ALLOCATION ON ARRIVAL
Superior Homes are newer villas in superior communities catering to those who appreciate a higher calibre of accommodation. Modern and spacious floor plans, attention to décor, upgraded furnishings and appliances add extra comfort for a home away from home.
Location Homes are minutes from an abundant selection of restaurants and shops and conveniently located from 10 to 20 minutes drive to Disney, Sea World and Universal attraction parks.
Room Superior homes have all of the features listed below and have the added enhancements that vary with each home and may feature an additional living area or extra dining room, extra televisions, a VCR or stereo CD player. In addition Superior Homes are set in attractive landscaped sub-divisions, amenities that neighborhoods may offer include kids play areas, communal swimming pool, golf course, tennis courts, basketball courts or a clubhouse.
All homes feature: telephone, cable/satellite color tv, central air conditioning and heating, washing and clothes dryer, iron/board, towels and linens. In addition each home features a private pool with a screened-in pool deck with sun lounges and a patio table and chairs. A fully equipped kitchen makes meals easy with a 4 range oven, full size refrigerator with freezer, a microwave, toaster, coffee maker, dishwasher, cooking utensils, cutlery, plates, cups and glasses.
Master bedrooms will have a king or queen bed with an adjoining full-bathroom. Additional bedrooms will have either a double bed or twin beds with at least one shared full bathroom. 3 bedroom homes sleep up to 8 people. 4 bedroom homes sleep up to 10 people. 5 bedroom homes sleep up to 12 people.

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