Jul
13
2010
Not so much of issue for seasoned travellers to Orlando & Walt Disney World however for first timer’s; some of the most common questions are about Orlando car rental!
Is it worth renting a car? Why would we need car rental?….…. are just a few of the questions and concerns we get from our customers. Personally I would never stay in Orlando (or in fact Walt Disney World Resort) on holiday without car rental. It’s the easier and quickest way of getting around Orlando & Walt Disney World (please bear in mind Walt Disney World Resort is 47 square miles, which is roughly the size of Greater Manchester!).
If you take the car rental option, then there is no need to wait in-line for hotel park transportation, no need to worry about missing the scheduled shuttle pick-up back to your hotel, drive out to your favourite Orlando restaurant at the drop of a hat, go shopping for the day (and fill your boot full of new purchases!). By renting a car, it is without the doubt the most flexible way of enjoying your Orlando holiday! Of course, there are some down-sides. You will need to pay for car parking at most, if not all the theme parks (although if you arrive from mid-afternoon, you can generally park for free!) and some hotels do charge for car parking.
Driving in the US does take some time to get used to, for example you can turn right on a red light (unless of course there is a sign saying differently) however once you get to grips with it, you’ll find their road system easy to use and even enjoyable!
Many Orlando hotels do offer theme park transportation and depending on the hotel’s location, they will generally offer free shuttles to the closest theme park to them i.e. most Lake Buena Vista hotels offer free transportation to Walt Disney World Resort.
Many of our customers stay on-site in Walt Disney World Hotels and again, these resort hotels offer continuous free Disney transportation, however please bear in mind that when staying at a Disney hotel, you’re not able to walk to any shops or restaurants as there are none nearby and if you decide to go to SeaWorld Orlando or Universal Orlando for the day, you’ll have to make you own way there at your own expense!
So all-in-all, if you are able to drive our recommendation is always take car rental.
For more info and Orlando car rental and for prices and packages, click here.
For some of the most Frequently Asked Questions on car rental, click here.
Jul
5
2010
Many of you may have heard or read about ESTA. You may have heard people talking about ESTA…..yet still do not know what ESTA is all about and how important it is!
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorisation! For those of you who have been lucky enough to travel the America before may recall completing green forms on the aircraft (or some may recall writing them out as they stand in the immigration queue, tut tut!). Well effectively these green forms now have to be completed online prior to travel.
Currently, the ESTA application is FREE however a bill has been passed in the US, and we think from September onwards there will be a $10 per person fee (approx.) to complete your ESTA forms, so the advice is apply now, even if you’re thinking about travelling the US in the next few years, as ESTA is valid for two years!
ESTA
Before we go any further, it’s important to understand that successfully applying for ESTA doesn’t mean you’re automatically allowed to enter the USA, it just establishes that you’re “eligible to travel”. Only a US Customs & Border Protection officer at the point of entry can decide whether you’re actually allowed in or not.
ESTA is compulsory now, so everyone going to the States needs to fill out the ESTA online form; there are no excuses. If you haven’t, even if you’re only in transit, you can be sent home. ESTA can be completed up to 72 hours before travelling however we recommend that you apply as soon as possible as ESTA is valid for TWO years, even before you book your Orlando holiday! That way, if for any reason you are rejected, you won’t lose the cost of you non-refundable holiday deposit/ full payment as travel providers will almost certainly not cover you for this. After completing ESTA, it often only takes seconds to get your authorisation back.
One thing you need to remember though is only people who qualify to travel the US on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can complete these forms i.e if you have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, those with criminal records, (the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law), certain serious communicable illnesses, those who have been refused admission into, or have been deported from, the United States, or have previously overstayed on the VWP. Such travellers must apply for special restricted visas. Of course you can still complete the form and answer the questions honestly and truthfully, to see what you get back.
ESTA
If you haven’t completed an ESTA before travelling, or you did but were declined, you may not be allowed to board your outbound flight. Or if you’re lucky enough to make it across the Atlantic, think again. You’re guaranteed to be turned away and sent back home. At your expense. And this includes everyone: babies, children and the elderly.
Lastly, remember to print everyone’s authorisation off and keep them somewhere safe!
For more details on ESTA and for the official link click here!
Apr
21
2010
Meaning ‘good view’ Lake Buena Vista definitely offers that for anyone wanting to stay in the area (you can see Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror and Tree of Life from Walt Disney World). It is south-west Orlando and seconds from the Walt Disney World parks and resorts. Making it perfect for those wanting to be in the heart of the action and spend plenty of times in the parks.
Lake Buena Vista is the home to a range of hotels, most of which are slightly more high-end properties, including Embassy Suites and Hyatt Regency, all of which are great- don’t believe us? Take a look at Lake Buena Vista Palace and Spa:
Lake Buena Vista also has a number of great condo resorts, such as Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, which are great for families or couples wanting a little more flexibility. It means that you needn’t eat out every night, as each condo has its own kitchen, and there is more space for a family travelling with kids.
One more very good aspect of Lake Buena Vista, is without doubt the ‘Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores’- ideal for those wanting to grab some bargains whilst in the States. There are loads of outlet stores, full of deals for those wanting to pick up some designer threads. On top of all this it is really easy to get there, with a free shuttle bus that runs to-and-from the shops to participating Orlando Hotels!
If hitting the shops doesn’t do it for you, there is always Walt Disney World’s Golf Course in Lake Buena Vista, where they can practice there swing. Check out the fly over map:
More often than not, a free game is included with your Disney Tickets, but more on that later…..
Apr
13
2010
So once you have completed your ‘COOL’ form and you have figured out what you want from your Orlando Holiday, the best bet is start planning whereabouts you would like to stay in Orlando and which type of accommodation you want. Now this isn’t always an easy decision, Complete Orlando alone offers in excess of 100 properties, ranging from on resort hotels to villas, across all of Orlando.
For first-timer, theme-park fanatic, one of the best areas to stay in is definitely International Drive, see the map below to see where Complete Orlando offer hotels:
As the map shows, I-Drive (the red line) is perfectly located amongst the parks, with Walt Disney World, just a little way on from this. There are lots of hotels on I-Drive, catering for all budgets, ranging from the Orlando Metropolitan Resort to the 5* Peabody Resort. There are brilliant shops and restaurants along International Drive so there is plenty to do and see, including nightlife if you fancy painting I-Drive red!!
Psst…if you do decide to stay on International Drive, make sure you check out the ‘Hot Deals’ section of their website where you can get your hands on meal discounts and vouchers: HERE
There is also the I-ride trolley, making it perfect for those not hiring a car to get about or if you are planning on having a drink. The trolley runs from 08:30- 22.30 and a one day pass costs just $4.
This isn’t the area however, for those who are looking to stay in Villas or Condos…that’s in next week’s instalment!
Complete Orlando also offers further help with their quiz ‘Orlando Made Simple’ which will let you know the exact property best suited to your needs: Orlando Made Simple
Mar
19
2010
Universal Orlando Resorts has sent us a sneaky peak of ‘Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’ and have let us know that the official launch date is going to be announced on the 25th March at 12:00 Eastern Standard Time (USA). So watch this space…..
Feb
25
2010
We sell Seaworld and feel they are a responsible company. This is tragic news and our thoughts are with the trainer’s family.
We will endeavor to keep all of our customers informed of the situation and will continue to post any updates on re-opening and schedules.
Information can also be found here
Feb
15
2010
Here at Complete Orlando, we think that half the fun of your Orlando holiday is in the planning! Not only is it absolutely key in making sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun, but it helps you make sure that you get the most out of your money during your Orlando holiday.
First-things-first; sit down with the whole family/ holiday buddies and talk about what you all want from the holiday. This will help you work out the focus of your trip; which parks do you all want to visit, how long are you going to stay, do you think this will be the only trip you will make to Orlando & Disney World or do you intend/hope to return many times?
The answers to these questions will make it easier for you to decide which type of accommodation you would like to stay in; a villa, an apartment, on-site Disney hotel, an International Drive hotel, whether you will need car hire, whether you want to spend all your time at the theme parks or mix it up with some shopping as well, do you want to pre-book Orlando Dinner Shows or your Disney Dining Plan before you go.
To help you along, we have created the ‘Complete Orlando Organised Laugh’ sheet (aka COOL) which you can find on the page called ‘COOL’ on the navigation bar. Print this off and call a get-together and let the fun begin!
Check this out….
This family obviously planned brilliantly and managed to see so much while they were in Orlando.
Jan
28
2010
News as it’s in, here’s the first official image of Hogwarts castle at Universal Orlando Resort’s new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is due to open in Spring this year…
Take a look at this video. It gives a great insight to what we can all expect from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter…….
Jan
13
2010
So when is the best time to visit Orlando? When will you get the most for your money?
The most popular times to visit Orlando with the family are without doubt Easter, summer, October half term and of course Christmas! Although if you are able to travel outside these timeframes, you may well be able to bag yourself a bargain and the parks won’t be as busy, as Frankie (from The Saturdays) and her boyfriend Dougie (from McFly) found when they were there last week….
Orlando is sunny and warm throughout the year and although there is no coastline, there is always time to top up that tan and take a dip in the pool!
Orlando at Easter
Avg temperature: 25oc
Avg Humidity: 50%
Easter is an ideal time of year to visit, before it begins to get too hot. Although it is also one of the more expensive times of year to travel, it is very buzzy and plenty of things to do. This is such a popular time to go – book early!
Orlando in the Summer Holidays
Avg Temperature: 32oc
Avg Humidity: 85%
Obviously the temperature and humidity is higher in the summer, but who cares with all those water parks and wet rides right?!
Orlando during October Half Term
Avg Temperature: 30oc
Avg Humidity: 55%
October is a great time to head over to Orlando if you just fancy a week there, plus all of the parks will be in full swing for Halloween so it’s vital you don’t lose your nerve! Universal Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay often go all out to scare you silly, while Walt Disney World Resort has a more child friendly approach to your Orlando holiday. Complete Orlando’s top secret tip:
Orlando during November
Avg Temperature:25 oc
Avg Humidity:56%
November is a great time to visit Orlando if you can get away; not only is it a great temperature, but the airfares are also pretty cheap, with plenty of availability. You will also benefit from less crowded parks, which means less time queuing and more time on the rollercoasters! Halloween events will still be going on at the beginning of the month, with Thanksgiving and Christmas events taking place towards the end. It’s also the perfect time to head down to the Malls in Orlando for a spot of Christmas shopping.
The further in advance you book your Orlando holiday the better, especially when it comes to flights, which get more and more expensive the closer you get to the travel date. The days of bagging a cheap last minute flight have gone! It’s easy to do with Complete Orlando, as we offer really deposits, no hidden extras or credit card fees and you can pay the total amount in instalments or closer to your departure date.
Most Orlando holidaymakers book about a year in advance, which may seem a lot but it really does fly by (especially when you are counting down the days!). This gives you enough time to research, plan and save, there is so much to do and see whilst you are there….six Walt Disney World parks, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, Wet ‘n Wild Orlando, Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Discovery Cove and much much more. It’s important you don’t miss out on anything, after all this is a once-in-a-lifetime-holiday we’re talking about here!
Universal Orlando Resort
Jan
13
2010
Hello and welcome to the brand new Complete Orlando blog.
It’s freezing outside, Christmas is over and we won’t even mention the extra ‘insulation’ we’ve all acquired over the festive season!! We all need something to look forward to, so now is the perfect time to get planning for your next holiday.
Now, we understand how difficult it is to research, plan and book an Orlando holiday. So we have put our heads together to tell you everything you need to know about planning the perfect Orlando holiday; posting information about the parks, accommodation, flights and top tips-you name it we know about it.
2010 is set to be an exciting year in Orlando with plenty of new rides, shows and entertainment for all of the family. There will be the brand new Omaka Rocka water slide at the waterpark Aquatica, complete with high-speed tubes and massive half-pipe-like funnels (not for the faint-hearted).
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be launching a range of new behind-the-scenes and up-close experiences called ‘undiscovered and unlocked’. There will also be the arrival of ‘he-who-must-not-be-named’ to Universal Studios Orlando and we will keep you posted once we know all about it.
And don’t forget to look out for the current Disney offers which we have on! These include FREE Disney Dining Plan and reduced prices at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Disney’s Old Key West Resort (which could save a family of four over £2000). We are also offering the 14-Day Disney Ultimate ticket at the price of a 7-Day Premium ticket!
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort - Enjoy reduced rates & free dining
Lastly, take advantage of a FREE Disney Gift Card voucher worth up to $1000 to spend within Walt Disney World Resort!
So with Orlando being dubbed as one of the top ten holiday destinations for 2010, it’s time to get thinking about planning this once-in-a-lifetime trip and we reckon with a bit of help from us it will be no problem!
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