THRILL SEEKERS a Special Tlm Guide on Getting to Grips with the Essentials of Orlando’S Theme Parks Our Kind of Winter Blues

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Spring 2019

tlmthe travel & leisure magazine

THRILL SEEKERS A special tlm guide on getting to grips with the essentials of Orlando’s theme parks Our kind of winter blues

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BAREBOAT l FLOTILLA l SKIPPERED l SCHOOLS FLORIDA | ORLANDO Tips to maximise an Orlando vacation

The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios

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rlando is an exciting and versatile Official Visitor Center, conveniently located on destination, home to attractions that International Drive in the heart of the tourism thrill, inspire and help guests unwind district. The centre offers discounted attraction while reconnecting with loved ones. tickets, trip-planning advice, area maps, Travellers to The Theme Park Capital currency-exchange services and a free gift bag. of the World® can maximise their vacationO time by following these useful tips: 3. Spend less time in line – Minimise time spent waiting in line with a Walt Disney World 1. Purchase tickets in advance – buying tickets Resort FastPass+, Universal Express Pass, online before you arrive can be a big-time money SeaWorld Orlando Quick Queue Unlimited and saver. Volcano Bay TapuTapu™ wearable, allowing guests to skip lines or return at a specific ride 2. Stop by the Official Visitor Center – For time. Universal Express Passes and Quick Queue guests already in Orlando, a good first stop is the Unlimited are available for an additional fee,

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while FastPass+ and TapuTapu™ are included with corresponding theme park admission.

4. Enjoy extra perks – Staying at one of the theme park’s onsite properties has major advantages, such as early admission and extended hours; complimentary breakfast and transportation; convenient childcare services such as in-room babysitting and children’s activity centres; front-of-the-line access and special discounts. 5. Build in breaks. Build in time for rest and The waterslide at Sheraton relaxation by leaving at least one vacation day Vistana Resort free of plans and open to spontaneity. This is the

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A pirate ship pool perfect time to enjoy the hotel or resort of an Orlando vacation, but keep in mind that amenities, including expansive pool areas found afternoon rain is common during summer at many Orlando resorts. From water slides and months. Ponchos are a smart item to pack as they splashing fountains to lazy rivers and secluded are small and compact. Plus, even on a clear day, grottos, a day at the pool is sure to refresh and they can keep you dry from splash zones and recharge your family for even more fun. water rides. Items like these can also be purchased at any one of Orlando’s theme parks 6. Explore ‘things to do’ ahead of your visit. should you forget. Orlando hosts a wealth of annual events, including seasonal and holiday celebrations, 9. Don’t try to see it all. Orlando is home to cultural happenings, and sporting events. Visit endless attractions, and there is no need to feel Orlando’s full listing of events and free things to pressure to see and do everything in one trip. do in Orlando to help plan your trip. Prioritise several attractions and save the rest for a return trip! 7. Take advantage of free and ride-share transportation. Many resort hotels, theme park The Orlando destination properties and tour operators provide Home to seven of the world’s top theme parks, complimentary transportation to and from major Orlando, Theme Park Capital of the World®, is Orlando destinations, including Orlando the No 1 family vacation destination and most International Airport. Taxis, shuttle vans, private visited destination in the United States. An car pick-ups and ride-share services such as Uber unparalleled mix of unique experiences create and Lyft are available at both Orlando cherished memories for visitors, including International Airport (MCO) and Orlando legendary theme parks from Disney, Universal Sanford International Airport (SFB). and SeaWorld, an array of world-class water parks, entertainment venues, an award-winning 8. Come prepared. To ensure your devices are food scene, shopping, sports and nightlife. And, ready for taking plenty of photos and videos, plan with 450 hotels, Orlando offers more lodging to arrive with batteries fully charged and bring options than nearly any other destination in the portable charging equipment if you can. Also, world, from expansive resorts to uniquely sunshine and warm temperatures are hallmarks themed hotels.

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The Incredible Hulk rollercoaster at Universal Studios The smart approach to theme park tickets

isiting Orlando, home to the world’s gates. Why? It’s simple – customers in the UK biggest theme parks, is an exciting have access to better deals which offer a much and momentous holiday for anyone. more competitive price per day on longer However, if you are a first-timer, it can duration tickets than you will find when you feel like quite a daunting process to arrive at the parks. For example, Disney Ultimate book. With so much to see and do, it Tickets purchased in the UK work out from as isV easy to under-estimate the size of the parks or little as £22pp per day*, while one-day tickets the travel time between the different resorts. We purchased on the gate can cost as much as $129. recommend booking with a Florida specialist When you pre-book a 2019 or 2020 Disney who will be able to support you and mak e sure Ultimate Ticket in advance, you will also receive you have the right tickets and tailored advice for Disney’s Memory Maker professional photo your holiday. package included with your booking. Memory The first thing your Florida specialist will Maker gives you access to all professional photos advise you is that re-purchasing your Orlando taken on your Walt Disney World holiday saved theme park tickets in the UK before you travel on a handy app for you to view, download and saves you time and money versus buying on the print at your leisure – it has a value of $169 when

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Disney ‘s Magic Kingdom

bought in the resort. Plus, you will be able to book set times for attractions, shows and Character Experiences with Disney’s Fastpass+ service from 30 days before arrival, meaning you will cut down on queueing time when you are in the parks too. It is not just Disney who want to incentivise customers to book in advance, however. Both Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Parks offer three parks for the price of two deals to customers in the UK, while SeaWorld also offer guests free parking for the duration of their ticket, when they purchase the SeaWorld three-for-two ticket in advance. Buying your ticket on the gate

10 www.tlm-magazine.co.uk | the travel & leisure magazine | tlm Spring 2019 means you will miss out on all these fantastic pre- directly to you, meaning you can skip the main Hogsmeade at purchase perks and savings. ticket lines and go straight to the gates and start Universal Studios Most Orlando theme park tickets purchased in experiencing the magic even sooner. It is a good the UK also offer flexibility and the ability to hop idea to factor-in any added-value a company between parks on the same day, and even leave a offers you too when researching where to buy park and re-enter again in the evening. This your Orlando theme park tickets, as you can often flexibility is great for families with young children pick up some amazing freebies. From free who may not be able to spend a full day at the additional attractions to dining vouchers to theme parks, but do not want to miss out on the shopping discounts, it is worth looking what night-time entertainment. Flexibility takes the extras come with your tickets and how they could pressure off and means you are able to visit your save you money as well. favourite attractions again and again. When booking, make sure you look out for *Based on a 21-day Disney Ultimate Ticket companies selling hard tickets that are posted booked with Attraction Tickets Direct.

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Pictured right: Popeye Walt Disney World Resort & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges at Universal Often referred to as the most magical place on Studios earth and it certainly lives up to the name. Boasting four incredible theme parks, two amazing water parks, a superb entertainment district and over 20 beautifully themed hotels, a trip to Disney is on many a bucket list. Ideal if you are travelling with younger kids, they will love meeting Mickey and friends, as well as seeing the wonderful night-time fireworks and

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^For bookings made by 29 August 2019 for arrivals up to 31 Dec 2019, the 14-day ticket (Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket) is available for the price of a 7-day ticket (Disney’s 7-Day Ultimate Ticket). For child tickets, children must be aged 3-9 at time of use. *Included with Adult Disney’s Ultimate Tickets. †Included with every child ticket purchases. T&C’s apply. FLORIDA | ORLANDO

FLORIDA | ORLANDO

Dr Seuss Landing

Marvel Super Hero Island

Optimus Prime and catching a glimpse of the world-famous Bumblebee Cinderella Castle – an ideal spot for a memorable Meet-and- Greets family photo! To make your trip even easier, you can now pre-book your favourite rides, attractions, and even character meet-and-greets using Disney’s FastPass+ service, that lets you book in what you want to do before you get there.

Universal Orlando Resort If you love films and classic storybook characters, then you will love Universal. The two theme parks each bring your favourite characters and stories to life, so expect to see the likes of Jurassic Park,

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Spider-Man, The Cat In The Hat and Popeye in climb aboard the Hogwarts Express to travel from Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Universal’s Islands of Adventure, while you will one park to the other – trust us, this is one train Castle, Universal Studios find the Simpsons, the hilarious Minions from journey you HAVE to make! Despicable Me, The Mummy and older classics That is not all though. The recently-opened like the Blues Brothers at Universal Studios. Volcano Bay water theme park has added a whole The big draw for many though, is the new dimension to Universal Orlando Resort. incredible Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Featuring epic water slides, time-saving TapuTapu Muggles can walk through Hogsmeade Village virtual line technology and some of the most before heading into the spectacular Hogwarts relaxing moments on your Orlando theme park Castle at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, while holiday, you won’t want to miss it. at Universal Studios you will find Diagon Alley As well as the parks, you will also find a great and Knockturn Alley among a spectacular range of entertainment from crazy golf to cinemas recreation of London. Make sure you check out and some superb dining at Universal CityWalk your favourite shops from the films and even that sits at the entrance to the parks.

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SeaWorld’s Walkabout Waters

SeaWorld Parks and entertainment A Disney Street Party Famous for showcasing some of the most amazing creatures on earth, these parks will have animal lovers mesmerised. From seeing stunning killer whales and dolphins to getting up close with a penguin, SeaWorld Orlando has some incredible animals on show. It isn’t just the animals though; amazing rides like Mako and Kraken will satisfy even the most daring of thrillseekers. If you love land-based animals, then Busch Gardens in Tampa is perfect. Walk around the park and you can expect to encounter everything from elephants and giraffes to kangaroos and even armadillos. Just like SeaWorld, Busch Gardens is also home to some truly spectacular rides, including the high-speed Cheetah Hunt rollercoaster and arguably Florida’s scariest ride, Falcon’s Fury, which drops you face-first 335 ft towards the ground! For a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, the beautiful Discovery Cove offers you the chance to swim with a dolphin in a gorgeous, capacity- controlled park. Kids of all ages will be in awe of these stunning creatures and the gorgeous tropical surroundings make this a highlight of any Florida holiday.

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