Orlando Holiday Guide

There are lots of UK holiday companies offering package trips to Florida.  You don't have to buy a whole package either and can simply book a fly drive break if you plan to stay with friends or want more flexibility.

Once you're in Orlando, unless you're actually staying at a theme park and don't intend to visit any others, the only way to get about is by car.

For most people visiting Orlando for the first time, the sightseeing won't extend far beyond the big theme parks. Top of the list is Walt Disney World Resort, home to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and two water parks. One of the new rides in 2007 is the Finding Nemo Musical.

Universal is a bit smaller and probably better for older kids. There are two parks - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - packed with restaurants, bars and entertainment. A new island called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring rides, shops and restaurants themed around the schoolboy wizard is also now open.

As the name suggests, Seaworld is home to some fabulous marine-life where you can see polar bears, sharks, seals, penguins, manatees, rays and dolphins. Don't miss the stadium shows, especially Shamu the killer whale. Its sister attraction, Discovery Cove, is expensive, but offers the chance to swim and play with bottlenose dolphins.

The Americans love to eat and the portions are generally absolutely massive. You may want to think about ordering one meal between two if you want to avoid going home a couple of stone heavier. This is made harder; however, by the fact that there are lots of incredible value all-you-can-eat buffets.

Steaks and burgers feature on every menu. Mexican food is very popular and there's also an emphasis on seafood in Orlando, so delicacies like lobster and swordfish are cheap and easy to come by. While you're on holiday in Florida, you really should try Key Lime Pie too - but only if it's home-made.

If you're holidaying with your family, then come nightfall you will probably be absolutely exhausted. The end-of-day parade at many of the theme parks is a highlight but there are onsite bars and music shows which open late into the night.

If you really want to experience some Orlando nightlife, head for Church Street Station where you'll find a collection of bars, restaurants and nightclubs in beautifully renovated turn-of-the-century buildings.

Almost every activity in Orlando is family orientated. If you're fed up of the long queues at the major theme parks, then you'll probably enjoy Wet 'n' Wild, Florida's oldest water park. You can enjoy great rides such as Raging Rapids and Wild One without having to wait for 45 minutes beforehand.

Head to the coast for a fabulous attraction that's often overlooked by many tourists. The Kennedy Space Center offers an intriguing look at the history of space travel. You'll see real rockets, shuttles and moon rocks and there's also a wonderful Meet An Astronaut programme.

The Shuttle Launch Experience gives you the chance to find out what it's like to be blasted into space, and that means plenty of noise, bone-jarring movement and the stomach churning sensations of lift-off.

Thanks to the strength of the pound, most UK visitors will save a little extra holiday money so they can go on a little shopping splurge. The parks have huge areas devoted to a bit of retail therapy and, this being the USA, you're never too far away from a gigantic mall. Clothes, trainers and CDs are all exceptionally good buys.