Brit's Guide message

[SimonV]

Hi there folks. Sorry I have been a bit conspicuous by my absence in recent weeks/months (!), but we are slowly getting the new Brit's Guide website in the right shape for world domination (kind of!). It is designed as an adjunct to the book, providing additional and up-dated material, as well as the basics for those new to the Brit's Guide. As I am now based semi-permanently in Orlando I hope to be able to provide more 'live' content, as well as working with my partner Susan Haass on our Personalised Itinerary Planner, which is an idea I have been trying to get off the ground for a while now. This isn't quite ready to go 'live' yet but we are close, so hopefully it will be another valuable Brit's Guide service in the near future.

I would welcome any feedback and observations about the site as we progress, so please check in here:

www.askdaisy.net/orlando

And then come back here to let me know! And I promise to be around here more often in the New Year!

Merry Christmas, everyone, and a Happy New Year for 2005............

Simon

PS: If anyone would like to post a review of the book, we always value reader input on the Amazon.co.uk website. Just click Here! and you will be doing us a big favour. Thanks again.

 

[Hilary]

I really like the look and feel of the site - it's an attractive layout with easy-to-find links.

I haven't looked at absolutley everything yet but I particluarly liked the update section and the links page.

Good luck with going live

(I've added it to my favourites already )

 

[KayleeUK]

Looking good Simon Also added it to my favourites

 

[juliebro]

Now that there are new Early Magic Hours starting in Jan, does that mean your list at the back of the guide re busiest/lightest days is now out of date?

Julie

 

[vernon]

Hey neighbour, now we're both in Orlando, give me a call.

Looks very nice Simon. Is there any formal connection to the DIS with your new venture or just reciprical links to each other? Did you get the email I sent you recently about the nature reserve information? It may have gone to old addresses so email me if you didn't

 

[fizz13]

Hi Simon, nice to see you posting. I had a browse around the site and generally liked the bright feel of it. Best bit: the comprehensive links page.
Worst bit: I can't get to grips with the moving category bar, it started to bug me, sorry!


Claire

 

[SimonV]

Hi there Vernon! I'm afraid I didn't get the email - for some reason I can't seem to change the email that shows here, and I check it only infrequently. Try simonveness@yahoo.co.uk

 

[gilld]

Read it from cover to cover, even though I've read loads in the past. Really like the website - the links are excellent and very helpful.

 

[Flo_and_co]

Sorry JulieBro - I've just realised I have posted a new thread with a virtually identical question to yours (although you put it far more succinctly!!)

Simon - would it be possible for you to publish an updated light/heavy chart to your website?

by the way - the 2005 guide looks great - it's the 6th copy of your book I have purchased! But as I do buy it primarily for the light/heavy info to help me with my itinerary plans, I do feel a bit put out that all has now changed (not your fault of course - but I would appreciate an upate asap)

Flo

 

[Dazza]

Just bought the book Simon, excellent stuff! Think this may become my bible come July!

 

[KAC2005]

Excellent Book!! I like the new website, good links section.

KAC

 

[UKDEB]

The bouncing bar <i>has</i> to go! Seriously! It's driving me nuts and would definitely put me off visiting the site.

I like the branding link-in with the book. I also like the uncluttered style, but it's too text-focused. Every page is identical - one grey box full of text isn't working for me. Some websites have too much going on - I never know where to look first and I keep thinking I'm missing something, but I need a little bit more here to hold my interest.

I like the calendar of events, but again, the long list of text puts me off. I know that's all you get on WDW's official website, too, but it's somehow clearer. Maybe the castle background on your site doesn't work - I think it interferes with the text.

The links resource is great and I like the hyperlinks on the shopping page.

When I click on the hyperlink for <b>walt disney world</b> under <b>parks</b>, the heading is <b>THE EXPERIENCE - the parks</b>. Same for the <b>other parks</b> hyperlink. For <b>universal studios</b> the heading is <b>THE EXPERIENCE - universal orlando</b>. Pedantic, I know, but these things bother me.

Why the lower case everywhere? If it's a styling thing, it would look better in the same font as <b>a brit's guide</b>.

I wouldn't subscribe to an itinerary planner which arrived a week before I was due to leave. I know you'll say that's the only way of making sure it's not out of date by the time you go, but planning is half the fun. I want the pleasure of the anticipation, despite the fact that I seldom stick to the itinerary. Could you offer to provide a PIP upon subscription with a revised version, to take into account any changes, a week before? Better still, could you look at an online resource along the lines of TourGuideMike?

Speaking of TGM, I <i>really</i> like his site. It's clear, not too cluttered, has heaps of really useful, up-to-date information and lots of hyperlinks. The site looks really professional (and I guess was very expensive to develop). Interestingly the only WDW images are the photo tours.

So, how/why are you based semi-permanently (your site says full-time, btw ) in Orlando and, more importantly, how can I swing that one?!

 

[SEVANS2208]

Love it! Have to agree though - the bouncing bar is annoying!

 

[superchef]

Also read the Book Simon!! Always a interesting read before going to WDW.

 

[SimonV]

Thanks for all the feedback, folks, all comments duly noted - especially about the bouncing bar! Thanks for your input, too, Debbie. Most useful. We are still working daily on trying to add new content, especially photographs, but this is proving tough right now (A lot of people seem to take a break over Christmas for some reason ). Lots more to come (this is really only a taste of what the full site is intended to be), but it will take time, so please stick with us as we develop.

(Actually, I am here in Orlando most of the time now, but I also still have to be back in the UK from time to time, and checking on other business interests in the US. My frequent flyer miles are WAY up at the moment............!)

regards,

Simon

 

[SimonV]

Oh, and for Flo and Co and others interested in the Busy Day Guide, we are in the process of reviewing this in light of the new Extra Magic Hours programme for mornings and evenings. This is still at a VERY early stage, and it is hard to see what new traffic patterns are emerging (especially during the busy Christmas/New Year period), but we hope to get something established in the next month or so. It is so new that Disney are actually monitoring things on a week by week basis, so it is going to be hard to be definitive for a while. Our best guess right now is the the morning early entry parks will continue to be the busiest during the day, but the evening early entry days might be light in the morning and heavy in the afternoon. Watch this space!!

 

[shellbell]

The new web site looks great and everything is easy to find Between DIS the book and the your new site i'm going to have plenty to keep me busy in the next 5 months

Michelle

 

[buzz for boys]

HI,
I have to agree that the bouncing bar wa driving me nuts I could not get to grips with it all.
Love the book though and iits now are best read family book.