Looking ahead.

So we are 256 days away from our next Orlando adventure, are we ready?? Nearly! We’ve been looking at things we may need to purchase and/or take with us, and new places we want to visit or places we want to re-visit when we get there. Looks like we need at least 4 weeks holiday….

So first off is stuff we are looking at buying. We’ve already got the cameras sorted, an Olympus PEN-PL8 and a Nikon Coolpix AW130, one for blogging and one for waterpark action. We are actually now looking at also buying a GO-PRO for use in parks on rides etc. The reason for this is its smaller and lighter and is designed for just strapping to our wrists and letting it do its thing.  We’ll keep you updated on this.   Can’t wait to do some blog specific photographs and film clips.  We will have a lot more material for future blogs once we have been on this next trip and look forward to sharing our finds with you!

We have already purchased the park tickets from Orlando Attraction Tickets and again had a brilliant deal for the 14 day unlimited passes.  These are the same price as the 7 day, so why wouldn’t you? It allows more flexibility to park hop and last minute changes to plans. We haven’t bothered with the Sea World/Busch Gardens as we wouldn’t have any time time at all to fit those visits in.  Maybe next time? (At this point Mrs Oh Orlando has already started a spreadsheet for planning purposes and its pretty full!

As per usual for us we are travelling with Virgin Atlantic from Manchester, we have managed to get some really good prices for them via Dial a Flight, we spoke to Glen and he hooked us up with a brilliant little fly-drive deal. Ring him fora quote, he will really work hard for you in getting you what you want and need!!   Glen Blackburn – telephone number 01732 592920.  He’s super helpful and straight talking and we trust him to get you a decent deal.

For this next trip we have been checking out new attractions in the area and oh boy just after 18 months from our last visit there is quite a lot! A new water park H2O Live has opened. This is adjacent to the Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville resort. The new park looks outstanding, LOTS of slides and activities and in the evenings they show films on the huge screen and you bob about in a little raft to watch it. Sweet! 

Going back to Margaritaville this new resort is just off the 192 near WDW and is quite spectacular. Lots of little condo’s grouped together and some hotels as well. The whole area looks beautiful the way it has been presented and the style is quite beach chic.  On the resort is an entertainment area called sunset walk. There are bars and clubs, spas and  shops.  One of the bigger bars Is called Rock&Brews, this is a huge place that is owned by non other than Gene Simmons Kiss singer/Bass Guitar. All over this resort there is msic playing via hidden speakers.  There is also a little store here that sells ‘snowcones’ crushed ice flavoured with syrups (think posh Slush Puppies), but the best thing about here is you can buy a cooler full of snowballs. Yes snowballs! You can even get them delivered via the local home delivery app! Snowball fights in Orlando??? Bring it on!!  

Another of the fun things we are looking at doing is making ‘mini us’ at the Lego store in Disney Springs, $11.99 and you choose the hair, clothes etc and they print whatever shirt you want on the mini figures. A very cute little memento for the holiday. 

One main thing we are really excited to try is the Skyliner over at WDW. The new transportation system that links several parks and resorts looks so much fun! Cannot wait to hop on and off and visit new resorts and parks! Talking of which there are some new resorts opening in WDW that we are desperate to go and see. The main one is the Coronado Springs Resort, but more importantly the new hotel the Grand Destino Tower.  This place looks amazing after a major refurb and a huge addition to the building. Some lovey restaurants and bars here so we’ll put on our poshest flip flops and pay it a visit… 

Over in Universal Studios they have opened up the new ride, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.  A motorcycle and sidecar themed ride that whips around the track at 50mph plus looks brilliant, there is also a new top secret ride being built outside the Discovery Center at Jurassic Park. No news on that yet but we’ll keep you all updated.  

Now for our favourite bit…..FOOD!!! If you’ve been to Florida before you know you’ll not be short of anything to eat. Even the fussiest eaters will be happy we are sure.  One of Mr Oh Orlando’s fave ‘quick service’ places is The Chicken Guy over at Disney Springs, tenders, wings and burgers. And LOADS of different sauces.  Happy happy happy. 

Mrs Oh! Orlando always used to struggle with the food as she’s vegetarian, but no more! More and more parks and restaurants are getting more savvy to people’s diets.  The big one at the moment is the ‘plant based’ menu items, such as the impossible burger, so called because it’s impossible to tell the difference between that and a normal burger..we’ll see…  on the last visit she was actually spoiled for choice. One of the best meals she had was at Top Golf when we visited for a birthday treat. She had the cauliflower based pizza. And boy oh boy was it good! Never seen her clear the plate!! 

And the doughnuts. That is all. 

We always get asked what clothes we take or how much to take? Answer. Not that much. After years of travelling you can nail down just how much you need, and if you are staying in a villa or hotel there are washing machines etc so you don’t really need to go overboard with the packing, that leads us nicely onto shopping! 

We love love shopping. Love love love it! Some real bargains to be had in the malls and the outlet malls. Prices do tend to be a little cheaper but the choice is way wider.  We spent quite a bit last year in the Apple store, new iPad Pro, new iPod. And 2 sets of the Air pods.  

We are really looking forward to the nightlife this visit, lots of new bars and restaurants have opened and along I-Drive there is so much to visit and re visit.  We went on the Star Flyer last time. Man alive that was fun!! A 450ft tall swing chair ride. Next to that is the Orlando Eye U.S. version of the London eye.  The views from this look incredible. 

Driving in Florida is real pleasure, not a chore in the slightest.  Easy to get around and navigate and the people are quite courteous as well. Just remember to be polite and drive on the correct side of the road and its a gas! We love the fully automatic cars. Lazy driving and no fuss in traffic. One little tip is to remember that most petrol (gas) stations are pre-pay. So don’t just stand there with the nozzle in ya hand waving at the guy behind the window…. also fuel is way cheaper out there, $3-ish a GALLON.  YES. A GALLON. For the U.K. readers of this blog.  Yikes. 

So…when we keep updating our plans we’ll keep you all informed, see you all at the weekend and get booking that holiday to Orlando!!