Florida for the 4th of July

If you’ve always wanted to visit the Sunshine State but thought it would be too costly for your family holiday getaway then think again. With great First Choice late family holiday deals at Minnie prices and a long awaited improvement to the exchange rate, get yourself stateside and join Mickey and friends in time for the American Day of Independence festivities on 4th July.

As fireworks light up the night skies across America, celebrations are promised to be on another level on a Florida holiday, the home of Disney. On the cards is a special ‘Concert in the Sky’ in the Magic Kingdom, and patriotic parades, live music and fireworks galore just about everywhere else, so you really won’t be far from all the revelry.

First Choice is offering several credit crunch busting family holiday deals to Florida for those waiting for a last minute break. Here are a few of the best…

Enjoy fourteen nights self-catering at the 3 SUN Villas of Somerset in Kissimmee, Florida, departing from Manchester. These spacious villas are a popular choice for those looking for the flexibility of self catering accommodation. Set in pleasant gardens and providing all the comforts of home, they are an ideal holiday base close to Walt Disney World Resort.

Prices start from £634 per adult and £545 per child based on two adults and two children sharing, saving £290 per adult. Flights depart on 25th June 2009.

To find out more about this family holiday to Florida, or to make a reservation, please call First Choice on 0871 200 4455, or book online at www.firstchoice.co.uk

Be right in the heart of the action on a seven night vacation at the 3 SUN Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort on a room-only board basis, departing from London Gatwick. Guests young and old will enjoy the larger-than-life icons of Disney's Sports, Music and Movies themed resorts. All three of these fantastic hotels are unbelievable value, offering all the amenities for an enjoyable stay. Situated close to all the Theme Parks, these fun hotels are hard to beat!

Prices start from £730 per adult and £325 per child based on two adults and two children sharing, saving £270 per adult. Flights depart on 3rd July 2009.

To find out more about this family holiday to Florida, or to make a reservation, please call First Choice on 0871 200 4455, or book online at www.firstchoice.co.uk

Finally, if you want a bit of pampering after a long day of fun and excitement in the theme parks then a seven night holiday on a room-only board basis at the 4 SUN International Plaza Resort & Spa in International Drive is the place to stay. Within walking distance of SeaWorld® and only five minutes' drive from the Orlando Premium Outlets® shopping centre, the International Plaza Resort & Spa has excellent facilities and comfortable rooms. Set in gorgeous palm-strewn gardens, it also has three swimming pools for splashing and sunbathing.

Departing from Birmingham, prices start from £660 per adult and £275 per child based on two adults and two children sharing, saving £270 per adults. Flights depart on 3rd July 2009.

To find out more about this family holiday to Florida, or to make a reservation, please call First Choice on 0871 200 4455, or book online at www.firstchoice.co.uk

Orlando – The perfect holiday in the sun

For many families the annual summer holiday is the perfect welcome break from working life and time away from school for the children to enjoy themselves. Thousands of families every year will take time off typically during July and August and jet off to somewhere warmer for a few weeks.

Top of the list for many UK holidaymakers is Orlando in Florida, with the theme parks as well as the weather being the main draw for tourists all over the world. Families with young children will obviously be going for the Disneyland theme park and MGM studios but there’s plenty more outside the magical kingdom.

There are plenty of other attractions such as the Kennedy Space Centre where you can see and learn about the American space shuttles and rockets. The space centre focuses a lot of their experience on what it is like to be an astronaut with plenty of videos and artefacts from previous space expeditions and a shuttle launch simulation.

For the petrol heads out there you can visit the famous Daytona racetrack to indulge the speed demon within. Interactive experiences are available such as an EA Sports simulation of driving in a stock car on the banked curves of the race track. Another feature is the IMAX 3D cinema where you’ll experience what it is like to be a part of the excitement.

Whilst flights to the USA are long many families opt to take slightly longer periods away such as 3 weeks or more. It’s not surprising considering the weather in Florida is typically ideal for the majority of the year with only a few really humid months during the summer. Many tour groups advise September or October as best times to visit as you’ll still be getting warm weather but will hopefully avoid larger crowds that flock to Orlando in peak summer months.

Spring is another time that many people may think would be a better choice than summer but with the spring break period making Orlando extremely popular with college students you would need to be sure about your timing to not get mobbed by the crowds. Florida winters are not nearly as bad as over here and whilst you won’t be able to walk around in your shorts all the time it is still milder than in the UK during the colder months.

One thing to remember though is that from June until October it is hurricane season and so there will be the occasional downpour and high levels of humidity that will certainly tire you out quickly. You may lose a day or miss a flight because of the weather, all the more reason to spend longer in Florida!

Holiday in Florida

Are you sick of the dull, dreary British weather? Looking for an exciting location for your summer holidays? Trying to find some cheap package holidays for you and your family? With the British Pound remaining consistently strong against the United States dollar, the best option may be to fly to sunny Florida and spend a few weeks soaking up the rays, the atmosphere, and the sheer exhilaration of being in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It's no surprise Florida is so popular for holiday-makers, after all it is home to Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, the Keys and several world-class beach resorts. It also has a vibrant entertainment scene that is made all the more richer for the location's close ties to Latin America. All of these factors add up to a top class holiday destination which is now all the more attractive because of the exchange rate that works in British holidaymakers' favour.

The first thing to plan if you are intending to holiday in Florida are your flights. Flights to the USA are relatively cheap when compared to other popular tourist destinations (like Australia, South East Asia or Japan, for instance), particularly as there are several airlines which operate direct flights between British and United States airports. If it is possible it is always recommended to get a direct flight (without connections) from your nearest international airport to one of the handful of international airports in Florida. Depending on where you live within the United Kingdom this may not be possible (some of the smaller British international airports run routes into Europe but may not run into the States). It's also important to determine which part of Florida you will be spending most of your time in, simply because your airline may not fly into the closest international airport. Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Daytona Beach, Sanford, Panama City, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach all have international airports.

Once you have organized your flights you can move on to searching for the perfect holiday package. Fortunately Florida has many large resorts which offer deals both in the off-peak and peak seasons. These deals may range from reduced room rates for a large group booking to discounted or free amusement park passes to complimentary restaurant dining or free use of nearby entertainment facilities. Most resorts will have swimming pool, sauna and gym areas for the use of guests, and if you are nearby the coast they may also have private beach facilities. Of course the most important part of visiting Florida for most tourists is getting to Disney World, an amusement park which is now so big that it is recommended that visitors invest in a multi-day pass. Disney World is full of rides and attractions that include all your favourite Walt Disney Productions' characters - Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and newer personalities such as the characters from the movie 'Cars' are all present. If you are going on vacation in Florida it is an absolute must that you visit Disney World.

Secure a Lifetime of Orlando Vacations With a Timeshare

With it's family-friendly attractions, warm sunny climate and world-class golfing, it's easy to see why vacationers come from all over the globe to experience this beloved city in America's Sunshine State.

Orlando's attractions aren't just for kids, which is why many vacationers have decided to make vacations to this beloved city a regular part of their lifestyle. A timeshare can help you and your family secure a lifetime of vacations (perfect for any age) in beautiful Orlando.  In fact, Florida is one of the top ten timeshare destinations in the world, with Orlando attracting the largest percentage of its visitors.

Orlando timeshare come in all shapes and sizes. From the five-star rated Westgate Towers, which is ideally located just one mile from the gates of Walt Disney World; to the Star Island Resort and Club which specializes in celebrity-style treatment of every guest, there are hundreds of timeshares to choose from in Orlando.

This huge array of choices guarantees that there's a resort out there for you, but with so many options to choose from, finding the perfect one might seem like a daunting task. One way to make choosing the perfect vacation property fun is to rent timeshare at a few different resorts. As a renter you'll reap many of the benefits of ownership (like reduced rates and expanded units). When you rent you get to explore the timesharing lifestyle at dozens of resorts, with no long term commitment. You certainly won't complain, but you might be wondering: how are timeshare so cost-effective?

Timeshare's budget-friendliness comes from shared ownership.  Essentially, timeshares make it possible for individuals to own, and pay for only a portion of vacation property. Several owners (sometimes as many as 52, one for each week) will pitch in on the rights to one unit. You'll share the cost of ownership and usage.

If you're considering purchasing timeshare, but are working within a budget, consider buying timeshare resale. Rather than purchasing direct, where resorts sell timeshare at highly-inflated pricing, when you buy resale you can often save thousands.

Disney-MGM Studios to become Disney's Hollywood Studios in January 2008

Walt Disney World Resort announced its new attractions set to open at Disney-MGM Studios, which will become Disney's Hollywood Studios in January 2008.

Toy Story Mania! involves an interactive "Toy Story" competition inspired by the film. 3-D glasses put guests in the middle of the action as they board vehicles and zip into a world of exciting midway-style games hosted by their favorite characters. The ride is set to open in summer 2008.

"Block Party Bash" encourages guests to play, party and dance at the new interactive Disney parade, which opens in spring 2008.

"Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!" introduces a whole new cast of friends engaging children in singing, clapping and dancing. The new show opens in February 2008.

"Disney High School Musical 2: School's Out!" comes to life on the streets with interactive fun and high-energy performers on a traveling stage who invite guests to catch Wildcat fever by singing and dancing. Opens in fall 2007.

Meet and Greet Adds Handy Manny - Disney Channel stars JoJo and Goliath and the Little Einsteins welcome guests in the Animation Courtyard and will be joined for the first time by Handy Manny in November 2007.

More information at disneyworld.com

New exotic jungle area for Busch Gardens Africa

Busch Gardens Africa unveiled plans to build a new exotic jungle area in the theme park, called Jungala. The 4-acre (1.6-hectare) attraction area will be located in the existing Congo area and include tiger, orangutan and gibbon habitats mixed with dense landscaping. Two signature rides will be added including a zip line experience with three different flight patterns and a ride launching guests above a towering waterfall. A three-story family climbing area letting visitors explore different layers of jungle life and a children's water-play area will also be constructed. Two new restaurants, Bengal Bistro and Orang Café, will open in the themed area. Jungala will open in spring 2008.

More information at buschgardens.com

Orlando World Center Marriott Special Offer

Orlando World Center Marriott Resort is offering a "SeaWorld Orlando One- or Two-Night" package, which includes deluxe accommodations, one Shamu plush toy per child, exclusive length-of-stay SeaWorld tickets and a Guest Value Booklet with special offers. Package starts at $255 per room, per night, and is valid through Dec. 31, 2007. Guests should ask for rate code "THM" when making the reservation.

See marriottworldcenter.com

Kennedy Space Center to host innaugral World Space Expo 1 - 4 November, 2007

Kennedy Space Center will host the inaugural World Space Expo Nov. 1-4, 2007. The expo celebrates humanity’s first 50 years in space by featuring one of the largest space artifacts and hardware displays ever assembled. It will be coupled with renowned aerospace personalities, including John Glenn and Scott Carpenter, to celebrate the past, showcase the present and provide a look at the future of space exploration. Tickets for the expo, which also include admission to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, are $28 for adults and $18 for children ages 3-11.

See kennedyspacecenter.com/worldspacexpo

Swim with the Dolphins at the Orlando World Center

(openPR) - [Orlando, Fl. – April, 2007] – Discover a once in a lifetime adventure with the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort’s “Swim with the Dolphins Experience,” an exhilarating Florida resort package.

This unforgettable package encompasses one-night deluxe accommodations at the Orlando resort complete with a complimentary upgrade to a pool-view room, buffet breakfast in Solaris Restaurant and one-day all-inclusive admission to Discovery Cove for two. Guests also receive a pass for seven consecutive days for unlimited admission to SeaWorld® Orlando or Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay.

Admission to Discovery Cove features a reserved dolphin swim experience (must be at least six years of age to swim with the dolphins), unlimited access to the Coral Reef, Ray Lagoon, Resort Pool, Tropical River and free-flight Aviary, complimentary parking and use of snorkel gear, wet suits, towels, lockers, lunch buffet, snacks and beverages.

The one-night package at this Orlando luxury resort starts at only $714 per room, for two and is valid now through December 31. Additional package prices are available for up to five people upon request.

Free Universal Orlando Tickets for Kids

British families who want to experience the magic of big-screen movies at Universal's two theme parks in Orlando, Florida are being offered free kids' tickets in 2007.

The US resort of Universal Orlando, which includes Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, is giving a child ticket free with an adult ticket - a saving of £52. The Free Kids Ticket is available when holidaymakers buy a full price adult two-day, two-park ticket (which also includes a third day for free).

The ticket must be bought between January 1st and April 30th 2007 for travel at any time next year. The offer includes entrance to both parks – Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure.

For more information see www.universalorlando.co.uk

Orlando Plans $68 million ad campaign to promote itself as ultimate famaily destination

ORLANDO, Fla. (December 15, 2006) – Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) executives today announced plans to launch a two-year, $68 million advertising campaign highlighting Orlando’s unique and powerful family vacation experiences over competing vacation options. Launching in first quarter 2007, the unprecedented Orlando destination advertising campaign appeals to the current mindset of moms who are looking for ways to use vacation time to reconnect family members and bring them closer together.

With the slogan, “Built for families. Made for memories.”, the new campaign is the most integrated and comprehensive undertaking in Orlando’s history and represents a 240% increase in advertising spending over 2005-2006 levels.