Welcome to Lake County
Just to the west of Disney, roughly halfway between the Gulf and Atlantic coasts lies the attractive, unspoilt area of Lake County. Recently it has become a popular location for residents and vacationers to enjoy with its many lakes - hence the name ...
Viewed 1563 times since 1 September 2008.
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The Apollo/Saturn V Visitors Centre - Kennedy Space Centre, Florida
Millions of people held their breath back on the 19th July 1969 as Neil Armstrong searched for a safe place to land the lunar module on the moon. “The Eagle has landed” crackled through the radio to earth. Many back on earth gasped at the sheer thoug...
Viewed 1262 times since 1 September 2008.
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Daytona Beach (1)
Daytona Beach may not be renowned as the prettiest beach in Florida, or indeed the United States, but it has to be one of the most fun beaches with so much to do and watch! And it’s legendary throughout the world for being able to drive right onto th...
Viewed 1759 times since 1 September 2008.
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Mount Dora – A Charming Alternative to visit
Our house, in Lake County, is just half an hour from Mount Dora, a beautiful, historical lakefront town. It’s become renowned for its antiques, craft fairs and festivals. These are held throughout the year bringing thousands of visitors to enjoy its ...
Viewed 1544 times since 2 March 2009.
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Scenic boat tour Winter Park
Close to the attractions is the suburb of Winter Park, a little known town with its own scenic boat tour. Located on Lake Osceola, this is ideal for a quiet, inexpensive day out, or a leisurely alternative for those who want a day of from the thrill ...
Viewed 607 times since 8 February 2011.
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Arabian Nights – a dinner show
Colourful, beautiful costumes, handsome horses, enjoyable family entertainment, a pleasurable evening – just a few words to describe our visit to Arabian Nights. As frequent visitors to Orlando I wanted to take my family for an evening out whi...
Viewed 1322 times since 1 September 2008.
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Boma restaurant, Animal Kingdom Lodge
When our neighbour’s next door to our Floridian home know we are flying over we get an email saying ‘ Do you guys want to go to Boma?’ I say to our daughters we’ve got an email from Katie (the neighbour’s 10 year old daughter) and they just shout “YE...
Viewed 2624 times since 1 September 2008.
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Homers BBQ - An independent take–out near Four Corners (by H27/192)
If anyone is staying on H27 near the 192 exit why not try ‘Homer’s Real Pit BBQ’ for a take out? Or for those from Europe a ‘take away’! Homers Real Pit BBQ is situated on H27 just north of the 192 towards Clermont. From the front has a large...
Viewed 1432 times since 1 September 2008.
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Hoop De Doo
Want a great family night out that’s a little bit different? Then try Disney’s Hoop de Doo. It’s loud, it’s colourful, it’s noisy, it’s crazy with slap stick humour, but most importantly it’s fun! We had not tried it until this summer...
Viewed 2022 times since 1 September 2008.
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Whispering Canyon Restaurant – Wilderness Lodge
If you are looking for somewhere very different to eat – even whacky try The Whispering Canyon Restaurant at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. I don’t think I have ever eaten in a restaurant like it! It is not for those who want a quiet, intimate venue. Fun...
Viewed 1252 times since 1 September 2008.
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Lunch with an astronaut
If like me you have an interest in the NASA space programme, you’ll enjoy Lunch with an Astronaut. It’s one of the best things we’ve done on our many trips to Florida Held in a large air conditioned room you are seated on round tables you are ...
Viewed 2186 times since 1 September 2008.
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The Melting Pot
If you would like a meal with friends, one that is just a little bit different, try The Melting Pot. As the name suggests it’s a meal that melts in front of you – a fondue. Very friendly, very social as you all share the cooking! Take your ti...
Viewed 1253 times since 4 October 2008.
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San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant, Clermont
For fans of Mexican food there’s a quietly kept secret from tourists on Highway 27 - San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant. Just ten to fifteen minutes north on H27/H192 towards Clermont, yet close to the many vacation homes in the Cagans Crossing a...
Viewed 1435 times since 2 March 2009.
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French Dining at EPCOT
Living in England we are fortunate to be able to visit France quite often, always enjoying some delicious meals. Our friends in the United States, who visit Orlando quite often were always raving about their favourite restaurant in EPCOT’s World Show...
Viewed 889 times since 15 February 2010.
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My first loop the loop ride - AeroSmith's Rock n Roller Coaster - Disney Hollywood Studios - April 2006
After many years I finally got to go on my first ever looped roller coaster. Being small can be good when I do gymnastics but it’s a thousand times bad when you’re waiting to be the right height to go on a ride. This week I finally made it! I went to...
Viewed 1370 times since 1 September 2008.
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Expedition Everest
I am lucky that my parents have a house in Orlando and I have watched the mountain grow over two years. First it was a small base with scaffolding, then last summer a complete mountain which was brown in colour. On my visit this time it has snow! ...
Viewed 302 times since 1 September 2008.
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Disney's Animal Kingdom
I have to admit that I think I have under estimated this park. Animal Kingdom is Disney’s newest theme park which opened its doors in April 1998. I had only visited it twice, just after its opening and three years later - maybe because I have ...
Viewed 1351 times since 1 September 2008.
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The facts about Space Mountain
It goes without saying that one of my favourite attractions at the Magic Kingdom is still Space Mountain. As a young lad, many years ago now, I can remember riding this space themed roller coaster for the very first time with my father. As a favourit...
Viewed 2233 times since 1 September 2008.
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All about Cinderella’s Castle
One of the most renowned images across the world is the picture of Cinderella’s castle. This is an image that is now completely synonymous with the World of Disney and is used extensively as part of their brand. The significance of this image descend...
Viewed 1646 times since 1 September 2008.
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Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights
At Disneyworld you will find the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, an amazing display of Christmas lights from mid November through to the first week January. When I first heard about these lights I thought it was related to Sharon and Ossi...
Viewed 1386 times since 1 September 2008.
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Disney’s Tower of Terror
The Tower of Terror is a thrilling experience like no other located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is set in a hotel from the television programme ‘The Twilight Zone’. To begin with you queue up in themed lines with eerie smoke being spray...
Viewed 1853 times since 1 September 2008.
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First visit to Disney
We’ve often had guests who have said they want to do all of Disney – some staying just five days – including travelling time. However, they don’t recognise a fact we read recently that Disney is 47 square miles, the size of two Manhattan Islands or n...
Viewed 1560 times since 1 September 2008.
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Disney’s Growth in Florida
Ever wondered how Disney grew and continues to develop? We did too and did some research – we were amazed that some things that seem to have happened only a couple of years ago were actually longer than that. It seemed only a few years ago that Disne...
Viewed 1413 times since 1 September 2008.
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Behind the scene tours of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
If you’ve been to Orlando many times or you are looking for something a bit different why not try one of Magic Kingdom’s special tours. To do one of these you will need to purchase an entry ticket and then pay for the tour in addition but it will giv...
Viewed 1927 times since 1 September 2008.
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Celebrate your birthday at Disney World – free in 2009!
A birthday is always special but one whilst visiting Disney World can have some of that special Disney magic! Firstly Disney gives free admission to the one celebrating the birthday. Before you plan your day at one of the Disney parks registe...
Viewed 1750 times since 11 April 2009.
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Orlando Isn’t Just Theme Parks!
Friends often ask me why I like theme parks so much. I answer “I like them but no more than many with a young family. Why do you think I do?” To which they respond with “You go to Orlando so often - you must!” I find this an amazing view as Or...
Viewed 1217 times since 1 September 2008.
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Tampa Bay Ray Devils – the history
On a recent trip to Florida my family decided to experience a professional baseball match. We booked tickets in advance and set off to the Tropicana stadium, St Petersburg, picked up the tickets from the box office and found our seats. Knowing little...
Viewed 1087 times since 1 September 2008.
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Florida’s Climate
Probably the single most important factor that attracts us back to Florida year on year is the weather. Florida’s Climate can be described as subtropical although odd cold spells are not unknown in the winter time. The seasons in Florida are driven m...
Viewed 1884 times since 1 September 2008.
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The history of Florida
Ever wondered how Florida became Florida? Well I was certainly intrigued enough to want to find out and thought I would share this in a potted history. The first native Americans, Paleo Indians, entered into Florida over 14, 000 years ago fro...
Viewed 5483 times since 1 September 2008.
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Shuttle – Last Few Launches
As homeowners we are often asked where to go for the best Shuttle Launch view. This is one of the most exciting, awesome sights you can see whilst visiting Florida. The memory of such power will stay with you for a very, very long time. If you see a ...
Viewed 834 times since 20 February 2010.
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Roller Coaster History
Always subjective I know, but Florida must surely be one the world locations known for its fun attractions and superb roller coasters. The roller coaster is built to allow us to experience a few minutes of thrill and to allow us to simply forget ever...
Viewed 669 times since 21 February 2010.
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Bonanza Miniature Golf, West of Disney on the 192
The Bonanza miniature golf course is a great family experience in the Orlando area which you may enjoy. It’s situated on the 192, close to the Formosa area. It is built over a steak and seafood restaurant but from the road does not look much. I had...
Viewed 1433 times since 1 September 2008.
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Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Courses
If you love Christmas, then you’ll love these two crazy golf courses! Set close to the snow themed Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney has designed these two courses to be great fun. They are the newest courses from Disney and we find them to b...
Viewed 1410 times since 1 September 2008.
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Water Sports in Central Florida
If you enjoy sport, are looking for some fun or have a special occasion whilst on vacation in Orlando, why not have a go at some water sports. Sammy Duvall runs a Water Sport Centre from a ‘beach hut’ close by the Disney Contemporary Hotel, a...
Viewed 1186 times since 1 September 2008.
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AstroVan - NASA’s Famous Silver Motorhome
After watching many Apollo and Shuttle launches on the TV and internet, and many visits to Kenny Space Centre I became interested in the AstroVan, the vehicle you see transporting the astronauts to the launch pad in. Silver in colour, I thoug...
Viewed 1758 times since 5 October 2008.
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NASA Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)
As you cross over the causeway on your journey to visit the Kennedy Space Centre, you see a huge, monstrous concrete building standing high above anything else you can see. Not the prettiest of structures but a very important one – the Vehicle Assemb...
Viewed 1685 times since 5 October 2008.
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Sightseeing by Segway
Visiting the Gulf Coast I was fascinated to see people riding around on ‘Segways’. It looked a really cool fun way to travel. So I decided to look into these vehicles a bit more as I wanted to try one! Segways are becoming more and more popul...
Viewed 956 times since 2 March 2009.
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Ice! – Florida’s Unusual Winter Attraction
Something rather unexpected and rather special happens each year in Orlando. From the beginning of November through to early January the spectacular winter attraction Ice! is held at one of Orlando’s largest hotels, the Gaylord Palms. Over tw...
Viewed 1007 times since 11 April 2009.
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Florida’s Natural History
The Florida I fell in love with in the 1970’s, when I first visited with my parents, was not the one of theme parks or even the expanse of white sandy beaches. It was away from the commercial, sophisticated areas… the waterways of Florida. Many visit...
Viewed 1129 times since 1 September 2008.
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Experience a Shuttle Launch!
My secret ambition would have been to be an astronaut … one of my favourite films is Apollo 13. Having grown up as a young child watching Neil Armstrong land on the moon I guess my opportunity has long gone! ! ! But the Shuttle Launch Experience give...
Viewed 1030 times since 1 September 2008.
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Fort Christmas – a touch of Pioneering Florida
If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to be a pioneer in the United States then take a visit to Fort Christmas. Way back on Christmas Day (hence the name) in 1837, 2000 US Army Soldiers and Alabama volunteers arrived to build a fort. Only 200 fort...
Viewed 827 times since 1 September 2008.
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Merritt Island, Brevard County
If you haven’t visited Kennedy Space Centre you may not realise it is actually a wildlife refuge with over 15, 000 plants and animals – give or take a little disruption every now and again for a Shuttle lifting off. Since 1963 manatees have g...
Viewed 1055 times since 4 October 2008.
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Getting the Shuttle to the Launch Pad
Ever wondered how NASA got those tall, thin, towering rockets or the infamous space shuttle up on the launch pad? It’s not quite done like Thunderbirds! There are no sliding floors or vehicles being raised up level with the ground to lift off. NASA a...
Viewed 1094 times since 31 October 2008.
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Miami
There is a possibility that your travel to Florida’s coastline or to exciting central Florida may be via Miami should your travel plans include flying into Miami International airport. Many travellers will jump straight into a hire car and head for t...
Viewed 1118 times since 29 March 2009.
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Key West, Florida
If you like lively holidays, or vacations, Key West, Florida is just such an energetic place to visit. It has a fantastic atmosphere unlike any of the other Keys in the chain of islands that outstretch from the mainland, south of Miami, reaching out ...
Viewed 812 times since 7 February 2010.
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Visit The Beautiful Floridian Keys
I’ve always wanted to visit The Florida Keys – I’d heard so much about Key West and these islands that stretch out towards Cuba, often with views of the sea from both sides of your vehicle. To break up our journey we flew into Miami and staye...
Viewed 554 times since 7 February 2010.
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Dragon Challenge, Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando
One of my favourite roller coaster rides is Dragon Challenge at Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando. I love the feeling of my feet dangling, (especially if you’ve been walking around for quite a while and they ache! ), twisting freely as ...
Viewed 923 times since 1 September 2008.
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Did you wonder how Busch gardens developed?
The Busch Gardens African themed park is set within a 335 acre plot and opened nearly 50 years ago in March 1959. It originates from the days when the Anheuser-Busch brewery, famous for its Budweiser and Michelob beer brands, offered admission free h...
Viewed 1356 times since 1 September 2008.
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Sheikra – Busch Gardens
One of our favourite rides in Busch Gardens over in Tampa is Sheikra. Sheikra is a vertical drop roller coaster located in the Stanleyville section of the park, The name is taken from a Shikra, an African hawk that dives straight down for its prey. T...
Viewed 1310 times since 28 March 2009.
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Busch Gardens In Tampa
If you enjoy thrill rides, Busch Gardens Theme Park, is a great choice. From our house west of Orlando it takes just over an hour to drive down the I4 to the nearest outskirts of Tampa to enjoy a family fun day out!
As the name sugges...
Viewed 655 times since 7 February 2010.
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Montu – Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens, Tampa has some wonderful rollercoaster rides – Sheikra being the most well known. However as you park your car and take the tram ride to the entrance, looming 150 high above into the sky is Montu’s towering cream coloured track. Turnin...
Viewed 1015 times since 14 February 2010.
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Gwazi Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens at Tampa Bay with its many different styles of roller coaster has one quite unusual offering – Gwazi. As you enter Busch Garden, bear left through some of its prettiest gardens with beautiful flowers and plants, towards Stanleyv...
Viewed 769 times since 14 February 2010.
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Things to do 3 months before your holiday getaway!
With over 20 years experience of travelling and working for an international airline I have picked up many useful pointers. Some are obvious but often the obvious gets overlooked when a holiday seems so far away! Around three months before tr...
Viewed 1437 times since 1 September 2008.
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Help with packing
Your holiday isn’t far away and you’ve now got to pack. If packing is not your favourite task, here are a few tips which might assist you. Pack your heaviest items, for example, shoes, books and toiletries, alongside the spine of th...
Viewed 1564 times since 1 September 2008.
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Florida Mall in Orlando
This has been a favourite Mall for our family for many years but now our daughters are teenagers they can shop for England. Situated on South Orange Blossom Trail and Sandlake, it is not too far from most vacation homes. Popular with locals a...
Viewed 1083 times since 1 September 2008.
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Walmart – A potted history
When we visit the USA we will inevitably visit the huge Walmart store close to our home. The store, whilst functional , and perhaps too large at times, is quite an amazing selling machine. And this is just one store, in one county, in one State. When...
Viewed 1140 times since 5 January 2009.
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High emotions going on holiday – you’re not alone!
I don’t know about you, but I plan my holiday and spend the next few months dreaming about my it….sun, swimming, what I could do, what I can buy, what I can afford! I frequently dream of sitting in my spa, with a glass (plastic!) of wine in my hand a...
Viewed 1212 times since 1 September 2008.
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Take an in-car Satellite Navigation system
Ever wondered what all the fuss was over Satellite Navigations systems? What are they? What do they do? Why rent one when on holiday/vacation? Some cars have the option of these systems when a car is purchased and is built in. However the port...
Viewed 1199 times since 1 September 2008.
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Christmas in Orlando
Orlando loves the holidays! The whole area participates in the holiday festivities with amazing enthusiasm and passion. You’ll find palm trees decorated with lights and miles or tinsel and garland. You may need a sweater and trousers for the evening ...
Viewed 1380 times since 1 September 2008.
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The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are located in the south westerly region of Florida and consist of approximately 1700 islands beginning 15 miles south of Miami. The islands divide the Atlantic from the Gulf of Mexico and enjoy a tropical climate. Key West is actual...
Viewed 1126 times since 11 April 2009.
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Gulf Coast Beaches close to Orlando
Florida is renowned for having some of the best beaches in the USA. Many are beautiful, with soft white sand, easily accessible and with good facilities. With the year round sunshine everyone can enjoy the smooth, silky sand and the gentle warm water...
Viewed 4780 times since 11 April 2009.
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The Kia Sorento
For the first leg of our summer vacation last year we flew into Miami having pre-ordered a mid/standard sized SUV(4x4) vehicle from Alamo car rental. We were collected at the airport by a new bus system that all of the major rental companies now shar...
Viewed 457 times since 8 February 2011.
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All about Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios in Florida started life in June 1990 inspired by its fellow location in California, namely Universal Studios Hollywood. From the very beginning it was decided that the facility take on the role of both theme park and studio ‘all in ...
Viewed 1202 times since 1 January 2009.
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All about Universal’s Islands of Adventure Florida
Universal’s Islands of Adventure opened in May 1999 as part of a large expansion to the existing Studios. This was part of a large plan to turn the whole facility into a resort complex with hotels, restaurants and shops. The theme of the park is port...
Viewed 1042 times since 1 January 2009.
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Walt Disney World - A potted history
All of the kids in our family, and I include us parents in that description, adore the Disney theme parks. They are pure fun and total escapism from the stresses and strains of daily routine. However, as we walked around the colourful streets ...
Viewed 1163 times since 1 September 2008.
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Christmas Holiday Season at Disney - Orlando
If you are looking for an exciting place to spend the Holiday Season look no further than the exciting area of Orlando! It is a great time to have fun and party, and where better than the Sunshine State and the magical Orlando and Disney! An exciting...
Viewed 1516 times since 1 September 2008.
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Raglan Road Downtown Disney - Irish Themed Pub
Like many visitors to Orlando we always want to try new restaurants as well as return to some family favourites. The latest one for us to try is Disney’s Ragland Road Irish pub and restaurant at Downtown Disney. This restaurant, which is owne...
Viewed 1197 times since 24 February 2010.
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Lovely Blue Spring State Park - A Great Day Out
If you want to see some of Florida’s natural beauty, take a ride out to the Blue Spring State Park. One of many State Parks to be found in Central Florida, this is a tranquil area of Florida - a renown manatee refuge in the cooler months around Decem...
Viewed 1290 times since 1 September 2008.
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