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First Blog!

Posted: 20 October 2023
By Kate

Welcome!

Thank you for stopping by and reading our first blog post!

Travel and family holidays have always been a passion of ours here at Let Down Your Hair Holidays, and if you're thinking of planning a trip soon then we would love to have the opportunity to use our expertise to help you! With the cost of living rising, we know how important it is for our clients to get the most value possible out of their holidays. Therefore, for our first blog post, we wanted to collect together some tips for you to consider when organising your first or next Walt Disney World (and/or other Florida theme parks) adventure:

• Some resources might advertise a "one-size-fits-all" style itinerary, but we feel that individuality is key. Although some of our clients have embarked on multiple trips to Florida's theme parks, we know that for many it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Why spend such a special holiday in someone else's footsteps? Before you start booking, note down everything that is important to YOU and your family, and then tailor your plans around that list. Not a fan of large rollercoasters? Skip them, and head to areas or theme parks with less intense rides. Hate long queues? Schedule time in the parks when they're at their quietest, and/or allocate some budget towards queue-jumping extras. We strongly believe that this extra time and effort is worth it for the reward at the end when you get to enjoy a holiday that is perfect in practically every way for you and your family!
• On-site accommodation at Disney's and Universal's resorts is excellent, but it might not be the perfect fit for you. Some of our clients worry about being too "trapped" (though we have a tip for that next!) or the rooms being too small. If this sounds like you, have you considered staying in a villa? There are many services that advertise off-site villas within close proximity to Walt Disney World or Universal Studios (you can choose a location that suits your desired location best) that will allow you to sprawl-out far more than you could on-site. Most villas even have their own private pools! If you're intending to travel as a large group, need more space to relax than just one room, or want the independence of having a private kitchen, off-site villas can provide all of this for you at a reasonable price.
• If on-site accommodation is still the best choice for you, know that there are many ways of venturing beyond the Disney or Universal "bubble" when it suits you. Uber and Lyft drivers can pick you up from right outside your hotel, and you can even plan ahead and prebook them! If you intend to travel a lot outside of your hotel though, it may be cheaper to hire a car. In most cases you will be able to rent and drive a vehicle using your full UK driving license (though make sure you check ahead in case your travel plans necessitate an International Driving Permit, or IDP. This document can be obtained from your local Post Office prior to departure). If you're planning to do this, be sure to check with your hotel their arrangements for parking - some may allow guests to park for free, but it's always best to make sure.
• You might have been reading the previous tip wondering why anyone would ever want to leave the Disney or Universal "bubble", and while you might not want to go as far as spending lots of time outside of the parks, don't underestimate the value that a day or even half-day trip outside could bring to your holiday overall. Whether it's visiting "the other side" - spending a day at Universal out of your Disney holiday, or a day at Disney out of your Universal holiday - or going on a shopping spree at some of Orlando and central Florida's malls, your short excursion could still make some great memories. Here are some of our favourite ideas for day or half-day trips:
  • Visiting other theme parks - Even just travelling to visit the other water parks, like Typhoon Lagoon/Blizzard Beach at Disney or Volcano Bay at Universal, can be a great day out. But there are plenty of parks outside Disney and Universal too that welcome thousands of visitors each year. Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND are some of the other parks within Orlando alone, and there are even more attractions you can consider if you don't mind longer travel times;
  • Shopping in Orlando, or any of the malls around central Florida - Don't forget to visit the dedicated shopping districts at Disney/Universal! But going farther afield can be worth it for some extra (and sometimes cheaper!) holiday clothing, souvenirs, and mementos, as well as the general fun to be had browsing through all of the stores;
  • Exploring the Everglades - There are some fantastic hovercraft tours and museums that allow visitors of all ages (and interests!) to have fun learning about this incredible natural landscape. Remember to take your cameras! You'll be able to get some beautiful holiday pictures of the environment and its notable inhabitants (alligators!) if you keep your eyes (and lenses) peeled;
  • Adventuring Out of this World! - Few attractions are as fascinating, or memorable, as the iconic Kennedy Space Center. If your family has any interest in space or science, you should definitely visit this museum. With some extra planning however, even those who would not normally enjoy this kind of trip can create the memory of a lifetime: the Kennedy Space Center's launchpads are active, and if you are fortunate enough to book your Florida trip around a (scheduled! Be prepared that they sometimes get postponed at late notice) rocket launch, you can view this incredible spectacle up-close;

...we know there's a lot of information there! Hopefully though, these tips can help you to plan the best Florida holiday possible! If you have any queries about your plans, or any ideas for future blog posts, please get in touch with us and we would be very happy to help and hear from you.

Wishing you a very magical day!

Your friends at Let Down Your Hair Holidays ✨