Brit Guide to Orlando

by Simon Veness, Susan Veness

Everyone is agreed this is the No.1 Guide. When it comes to the great Walt Disney World experience and Orlando – no-one does it better Simon and Susan Veness are the acknowledged experts to all that lies in store. Living 'in the heart of the magic', they have made it their passion for more than 20 years. With our trademark BRITTIPs, unique ride ratings, excellent insider info and tourist's eye for detail, we show you how Beat the queues; save money; drive and be safe; eat and drink like the locals; shop like a pro; take in the nightlife; get off the beaten track; and have more fun than you ever thought possible. What our readers say “We took your book on our first trip – it saved us loads of time and money – we’re going again and the new edition is already in the case!” Lindsey : Reader “If you are going to Orlando, you’d be totally insane to go without this book.” David Newnham : The Guardian. “We have just returned from our second trip to Orlando and once again your guide was worth its weight in gold.” Denise Buckley : Colchester

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2007

About the author

Sports and travel writer Simon has been in the journalism business since 1981 and was the original founder of the Brit Guide travel book series with UK publishers Foulsham in the mid-1990s. He quickly discovered sport and travel were good companions as he developed the Brit's Guide series in tandem with his specialty for American sports coverage with several British newspapers. His acclaimed freelance writing has grown to include a huge variety of outlets, from major British newspapers The Sun, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, The Telegraph and The Independent to specialty publications like RCI Holiday, Essentially America and World of Cruising magazine (which he also edited from 1999-2014). He has featured on BBC TV's Holiday programme, various UK regional radio stations, and Fox 35 TV in Orlando, while he also writes the View From America column for SkySports.com. Other outlets include the Internet, web pages for the likes of Attraction Tickets Direct and Orlando Attractions magazine. Simon has also partnered with wife Susan on various writing projects, and their travels together continue to provide a rich source of inspiration for articles and books. A committed and lifelong devotee of travel in all its forms, Simon is never happier than when detailing his observations and thoughts, and his one big ambition is to tour the vast and inhospitable tracts of Antarctica. As final proof of the perfect compatability of travel and sport, Simon's formative years were spent in Southern Africa, where his family lived for seven years, and he was national junior tennis champion in 1975 and '76 - in Botswana!

Reviews

[Alan]

A great book for British travellers to Orlando. Full of useful hints and tips! Will definitely make the trip more enjoyable.

[Redfox5]

Firstly I just want to say that I think it's abit cheap for them to be using the same photo on the cover of this one as they do on their 2010 version! The kindle version has differnt pictures so I'm not sure why they've done this on the paperback.

Brit Guide to Orlando is a good starting point. However The unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World will always have the advantage here as the detail on WDW is like no other. But this is good for first timers as it doesn't overwhelm you with information, even if it's sometimes limited. And it's aimed at the Brits, which helps us out with things that might be taken for granted by Americans. It also has lots of little discounts throughout the whole book where you just have to mention this guide or show your copy. It is for this reason that I'm going to check out Florida Dolphin Tours.

I'm a bit disappointed that this guide has left out Monarch(apart from to mention that it uses Sanford). I found out about Monarch in the 2010 version of this and it's saved me so much money. I used to use Thomas Cook before (RIP OFF!) but since finding Monarch I've not looked back. It's so much cheaper than all the others. Check them out!

This book has done what it's meant to do and made me very excited about going back to Orlando. I've already been 4 times in the past 6 years. We are only going for a week so Disney will take up most of out time. But I would love to go Islands Of Adventure to see Harry Potter world, however I am slightly annoyed that they are building the new bits for it in Universal Studios meaning that you will need two tickets to see it all. Not cool! But basically this book makes me want to see everything.

This book is already outdated though as it keeps telling you about paper fastpass. This has just been changed into the Fastpass+ You can find out more about it here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/pla...

This is my second favorite guide(and I've read ALOT) so it's worth buying and taking along on your trip.
Here are my Disney Tips!
- Book with Monarch but check others for any deals (I make a chart)
- Don't buy Disney tickets with your flight and hotel. They are cheaper elsewhere!
- Likewise travel insurence!
- Join a newsletter to keep you up to date with changes and ride closures. Passporter and allears are my faves.
- Eat at Teppan Edo, it's amazing (Book 180 days in advance)
- If you only have time for one Disney water park, pick Typoon Lagoon. The wave pool is totally worth it!
- Stay in a Disney hotel. It's more expensive but being in the Disney bubble guarantees a great holiday and the cast members can't do enough for you!
- For extra magic wear Mickey ears around the parks, the cast members will comment and sometimes you might be approached by characters :)

I hope this has helped you pick a great travel guide. Have a fab holiday :)

[Redfox5]

I like this book, It's not as detailed as The Unofficial Guide but is filled with lots more photos. And has information on lots of other Florida attractions.

[Colin]

Probably THE essential guide for anyone doing the touristy bits of Orlando - More detail than any other guide I've found and some genuinely useful stuff in there.

[Dora Rodriguez]

The tips given are very good, we got to know about very interesting tours to do besides the main theme parks