Before you book!!!

The Villa

Ideally, book directly with the owner. If you book via an agent or management company then make sure you know exactly in which villa you are going to stay. Avoid “generic” villas, they may seem cheap but you may well find yourself in a dump thirty miles from Disney.
Check on statements such as “five minutes from Disney” by looking at maps. If you cant find out roughly where your villa is then don’t book it. If you do book via a management company use a credit card for the additional protection. Corporate fraud is a popular hobby in Florida.
Most owners have direct coded access to their villas so you don’t have to go and pick up the keys some where else.
Communities such as Emerald Island Resort have a concierge and clubhouse where local information is available. If you book via a major holiday company expect to see the reps once when all they will do is try to sell you things.

The Flight

There are scheduled and chartered direct flights to Orlando into Orlando International and Sanford. In addition there are often bargains to be had by flying indirect via New York, Atlanta or other hubs. Direct flights take about eight hours whilst indirect flights take 12-14 hours.
If booking an indirect flight then make sure there is at least two hours between the Atlantic crossing flight arrival and the Orlando connecting flight takeoff. Expect to take at least one hour to get through immigration and customs. Otherwise do not expect to arrive in Orlando with your baggage.

The Car

If booking a “Fly Drive” flight, check the small print. Often the so called “free car” will cost you an additional £25 per day for insurance. If this is the case then book a car via one of the many Internet Rental agents, you will get a better car for less money. Just don’t pick up the “free” car.

Don’t drink on the plane if you have to drive.

So you have arrived

The first place you visit is

Immigration

The officials who work for the US Immigration & Naturalization Services (INS) and US Customs (USCS) take their jobs very seriously. They have NO sense of humour!!!

Do not crack jokes, indulge in sarcasm or irony. Do not try to engage them in conversation. Answer all questions with the exact information.  Do not elaborate or volunteer any additional information not asked for. Do not mention the 11 million illegal immigrants who are currently living and working in the US. Otherwise you may find out what anal probes are all about.
You will be seen as an ‘ambassador for your country’ and are being granted permission to enter the USA. Remember It’s not a right, very much a privilege - welcoming British visitors.
It looks like if you have been arrested (for anything) you will not be allowed entry. Also, if you have previously received a parking ticket while inside the USA and ignored it...There may be a warrant out for your arrest!

Customs

As well as the usual things like drugs etc the US customs are extremely hot on raw foodstuffs such as fruit and vegetables, raw meats etc. Make sure your children haven’t put an apple or banana in their bag or luggage. The US customs have more fruit sniffing dogs than bomb sniffing dogs.

So now your through the Airport and on the road

Driving In Florida

U.S. Drink Driving law is very strictly enforced and you will be charged if caught and spend a night in the cells. Not a good way to start the holiday!

The most obvious difference with driving in the USA is that they drive on the Right hand side of the road and you do it from the Left side of the car. You may be familiar with driving your own car in Europe and, if you have done this, you will know that strange feeling of being on the wrong side of the road. It may have felt unusual and maybe scary for a while but your car had a familiar set-up and you can get used to driving in the gutter although overtaking was ... well, interesting.

The biggest difference to this is that in the US you will be on wrong side of both the road and the car. You will be used to judging the greater distance on your left side but now the width of the car will be on your right. The arm you lean out of the window is the wrong one (it does balance the suntan), the gear change (shift) is on the right, the person to scream at / talk to, is also over there and it’s an automatic...

Have you ever driven an automatic?

Always have the Parking Brake ‘On’ when you put the vehicle into ‘Drive’. Just in case the engine is revving or the tick-over is set too high. Otherwise the car may jump forwards...

The Parking Brake may be a foot operated pedal on the far Left of the wheel well.

Only use one foot (the right one!) for operating the Accelerator (Gas) and Foot Brake pedals. You should keep the left foot well over to the left or tuck it up against the seat.

There is a slight (but only slight) possibility that when you have to stop quickly you will instinctively stab at the non-existent Clutch pedal with your left foot. This will result in your hitting the Brake pedal with way too much force. People only tend to do this once as it results in severe passenger nervousness.

Most automatics will ‘creep’ at tick-over without the Brake. You can move slowly forward or backwards by just releasing and applying the Brake pedal. Use this technique in slow areas, Car Parks etc, and only use the accelerator to finally pull away.

Gently though or you will get that tyre screeching sound! (Especially on polished Car Park floors).

Don’t worry too much American cars accelerate with the speed of a striking slug and are so heavy that great fun can be had squealing the tires on cloverleaf intersections. (After all they are not your tyres). The traffic moves slower in Florida than the any European city and the roads are wider and straighter.

Rules of the road

Most major road junctions will have a Left Turn Lane controlled by a Left Turn Light. It may be up in the air but should never be so high that you can’t see it through the window from the front row of the grid.

If the road you are turning into is a dual carriageway (divided highway) just don't forget to be in the right lanes after the turn. That's all the way across the first set of lanes on your left and the dividing bit. If pressured there is a tendency to go left round the curb, like back at home - this will end up with you facing a line of cars pointing at you.

Go all the way across and then turn left into the empty road with cars going 'away' from you. Take your time - don't panic.

Once you get used to it, take your time and start watching for Traffic Lights in the sky.

Turning Right at a Traffic Signal - 'The Free Right at a Red Light' Rule.

You may turn right 'against' the Traffic Light in Florida, but only if the coast is clear. You must come to a complete stop first. Cars in front of you may go through the red Light and turn right. This is normal and you should do the same. Don't be pressured by people behind you. Take it easy and make sure nothing is anywhere near you coming from the left before you move. Move away smoothly and purposefully. Once you start, don't stop - you shouldn't have gone if it wasn't clear to do so...

If the light is Green, just go. (obvious) If you just sit there, people behind will sound their horn at you! But don't be pressured, the light will change soon anyway. Be safe - not sorry!

Four way crossroads with stop signs.

Roundabouts are very rare in Florida, and where traffic lights are absent, a crossroads will have a STOP sign on each spur. You must come to a complete stop at the STOP sign. The rule is whoever gets there first goes first.

MAPS

Maps come in two types, inaccurate or appalling. The maps given out by the rental companies are not two bad but they don’t show every road and turning. Distances are much greater between towns, structures etc. and the roads themselves are bigger and wider than in the UK.

Separated by a common language.

You will discover that although we are two very similar nations, we do use very different words. This may be an annoyance or at least somewhat amusing in day to day situations. Not taking this seriously, in certain circumstances, could cause problems...

As a visitor to the United States of America, you may be referred to as an ‘alien’. Although a non-UK resident is actually referred to as ‘an alien’ by the US government, you will never hear it in everyday speech. This is no joke, don’t make light of it!

This may be your first face-to-face meeting with a US official and they may use words you don’t understand.

Americans will refer to your holiday as a vacation, asking where you are staying at as your location and ask about your length of stay.

They will be very, very serious about it. Just be aware that they use different words and descriptions for things.

You will come across many differences during your stay...

We both speak English don’t we? Well sort of.

 

Tips For Brits

In the Orlando area the waiters and shop staff are used to hearing an English accent and can understand most English accents and phrases. It is important to use US vocabulary if you want to get your meaning across.

Questions such as “Where can I buy a packet of fags?” will produce some very strange responses. Unfortunately for us words often mean something different in the US.

For example – Chips means crisps and Fries mean chips. In this guide US terms are in brackets.

Whilst it is difficult to generalise about 250 million people I have found the majority of US citizens to be polite and friendly. In the parks you may spend time in queues (lines) talk to your nearest person in the queue (line) and they will normally respond, it is a good way of passing the time.

US citizens’ outlook on life is often very different to that of UK visitors. The tendency is to be more right wing, parochial and more religious.

It is recommended to avoid topics such US foreign policy, wars, and religion.

Coupons

America is driven by discount coupons. There are coupon books all over the place pick some up in the clubhouse and look for more in restaurant entrances. These will not only save you money but will give a good idea at the variety of retail and restaurant outlets there are.

The American Eating Experience.

Eating in the USA is a very similar to eating everywhere else, except that usually only a fork is used, just like you have seen in the movies and on television

Fingers are also employed with many of the most popular food types, ribs, lobster & crab, Pizza and of course hamburger.

Size is very important here. Portions are enormous. For example a large pizza is almost too much for a family of four.

I am unsure as to what Americans eat at home but most restaurants seem to concentrate on protein and carbohydrate.

Fresh vegetables do not appear to be high on the agenda but meat, seafood, potato and pasta are available in abundance and every conceivable combination. Having said that though fresh salads are everywhere and are really good.

The only unusual thing is that salads are often served as a separate course before what we Brits would call the main course.

You can quite easily order the main part of your meal, the entree, and then gorge yourself on the salad bar.

When your entree arrives you not only don’t want it but can’t ever see yourself eating again.

Eating Out

Breakfast

First meal of the day and may be your biggest.

Use it well and it can last you through the day – An American institution, the components of the Great American Breakfast can be found in many locations from your Hotel Restaurant to the ‘All You Can Eat’ establishments.

If you are a baby boomer with a rock side you will have spent most of your life dreaming of the classic ‘Breakfast in America’.
The image here is of the roadside Diner staffed by budding starlets in Hollywood and ‘ladies of a certain age’ everywhere else.

No getting away from it though you should at least try the experts either a national corporate who have honed their craft over the years or a more local roadside joint.

Denny’s is a family choice for location. (open 24 hours) They have been doing this for years and seem to have an inexhaustible supply of happy smiling ladies, who are so relaxed with their job, make you just feel at home from the moment you wait to get seated. Go for it in a big way. The menu gives a complete selection of ‘classic’ combinations or you can just mix and match straight from the album cover.

- Two easy eggs, a short stack, three strips, hash browns, sausage (link or patty) and a splash of both Maple and Blueberry, a taste of heaven.

Or, an astronauts breakfast - steak and eggs.

Alternatively try Perkins or Bob Evans restaurants.

Airports

Arriving in the Orlando area will normally be via. a flight from the UK that much is obvious, although you may be on a multi-centre holiday entering through another American city or you may be driving up from Miami or Tampa. We will concentrate on arriving through the air to Central Florida.
There are two airports that serve the greater Orlando area.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Sanford Airport (SFB).
If you are arriving on a scheduled carrier e.g. British Airways or Virgin Atlantic, you will arrive at MCO.

You will also arrive at MCO if you traveled with a carrier that brought you into the USA

via. another entry port - Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York, etc.

If you are coming ‘direct’ with a charter company you will be arriving at Sanford SFB.

Shopping Tips.

Where to shop.

Mall at Millenia, Florida Mall, The Loop, Premier Outlets, Premium 1 Outlets,Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores Pointe Orlando, Festival Bay Mall.

Every thing in America is bigger, that also applies to the Malls, so either get walkie-talkies, or plan a specific rendezvous point for your party, just like the parks.

Shopping in the States is different, “Sales Tax”, which varies by county boundary, is added at the till. It’s about 7%. You can always horrify the locals by telling them that we pay 20% in the UK.

There are lots of coupons around, do use these, "extreme couponing" is a new American lifestyle, they combine coupons and BOGOFs, but this probably won't be for you. The local paper has large numbers of coupons on Sundays, or they can also be found on supermarket web sites.
 
Do collect casual dining coupons from the tourist information leaflets, available from the Club House, we always look out for the one for Ghiardelli's ice cream at Downtown Disney
 

Saving tip – Go to Maceys (Florida Mall) customer service and get and get 10% off all purchases in their store. You just need to show your passport.

Shops tend to open later, about 10 am, Monday-Saturday, noon on Sundays, but close later too.

Remember that clothes have different sizes your feet sound bigger, but, ladies, your dress size will be smaller! I pack a tape measure to check presents.

Both The Florida Mall and Mall at Millenia have huge carparks. As you’ll probably enter via a department store, it will be worth noting which department that is, as most have several entrances, and you won’t want to spend hours trying to find your white rental car among a sea of clones.

All have good “Restroom” facilities and many eating opportunities, including a Food Court. A really useful way of allowing all the family to have different styles of fast-food simultaneously.

Check for a coupon book, usually available from the information desk, [guest services or concierge] in most places.

Millinium Mall and the Florida Mall. Between these two, you can visit most of the famous American names... Apple, Macy’s, JC Penney, Sears, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

Each Mall has its unique shops, for example Tiffany, Cartier and Jimmy Choo at Mall at Millenia. I like M &M World, ‘Old Navy’, at the
Florida Mall. Particularly around the Florida Mall, there are lots of other shops located around easy parking, many are furniture, but there are lots of others such as Barnes & Noble books, Ross, Dress Barn, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Michaels. Michaels have a mind blowing selection of artificial flowers. Most large retailers have web sites for more details.

Cotton goods are cheaper than in the UK, and very good quality, although, as always you get what you pay for. T-shirts, shirts, towels and bedding are particularly worth checking, but leather goods seem a good price too. Perfumes and electronics are well promoted as value for money.

There are quite a few Outlet Malls, which are well advertised. Worth a visit if you are a fan of individual retailers. There are also lots of jeans and trainer shops.

There’s an enormous orange on the 192...it sells oranges! [and assorted souvenirs]

There are also lots of large souvenir shops offering similar ranges of t-shirts, mugs and dolphin themed ‘stuff’.

Old Town, spot the bungee jump frame as you approach your turn off on SR 417. It is more of a tourist attraction than a shopping destination, although there are lots of shopping opportunities here.

Posner Commons...a new development at the junction of I4 and Hwy27. It has an assortment of major stores including JCPenney.