Need your help - Brit's Guide 2004!

[SimonV]

OK, it's that time of year when I am deep in re-write mode for the Brit's Guide and am open to all ideas and suggestions for new content. Feel free to post any and all thoughts for ways to improve, enhance and up-date the book. I am already working on a section on Festivals in Central Florida, plus something on 24-hour dining. The obvious new places will all be included, and I am working on more info on buying property in Florida ( a rapidly-growing area). The rest is up to you................!

PS: If anyone would like to post a review of the book on Amazon.co.uk or Wh Smith's website, all testimonials are very greatly appreciated and are a major aid in our marketing. Thanks again!

Simon

PPS: Website links:

Amazon!

WH Smith!

 

[HeidSFost]

Simon,

I love your book, and bought it on the advice of posters on this board. I haven't been to Orlando before, although have been to the US many times. I do feel that from reading your book (from cover to cover many times<g>), I really have a head start on knowing where to go and what to do - so thanks for that!

I think a bit of a bigger non driver section would be useful, but then as a non driver, I would say that!

I am going to be in Orlando from the 25th June, and will be exclusively using the transport system to get around, so I will be able to give a good perspective when I get back.

It's probably down to apprehension on my part, but as getting around is going to be a pretty major thing for me, then I want as much info as possible!

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with this board, and thanks for allowing us to suggest stuff for the next book!

Heid
xx

 

[allie5]

Firstly, just to say I alway enjoy reading each new edition of the Brits Guide, so good luck with the 2004 copy!

As a lot of visitors to Florida are "returners" then I would like to see a section specifically aimed at stuff we might have missed, or overlooked on previous visits. We are always looking for new and exciting Florida adventures and would welcome a chapter devoted to this..... Ideas for people that have done WDW and the traditional activities loads of times and want inspiration again! Maybe this chapter could highlight areas of WDW and other attractions that arent high up on a first visit....Pony Rides at Fort Wilderness, Illuminations cruise, Leave a Legacy, Dine With Shamu, Backstage tours etc, etc. I know these are covered en masse in the relevant chapters, but maybe it would be nice to pick out some ideas that might appeal for the frequent visitor?

I LOVE the idea of a section on buying a property! TIps on which banks are US friendly and which counties are better to purchase in would be useful.

Maybe a "readers top 10" of different things.....especially restaurants, which can be a minefield for the first time visitor! You can run the poll on here!! Brit friendly Hotels, and tour operators could also have a "top ten"....this could also generate free publicity for the book if the highest placed establishements advertised they were voted "BEST xxxxx by the Brits guide"!

Bound to think of more stuff to bore you with later!
Allie

 

[Verity Chambers]

I agree with the last post, a section for people returning to Florida would be an excellent idea!
Verity.

 

[richard3330]

I too think that all of Allie's ideas are excellent - especially the section for people returning to Florida and a readers top 10.

Richard.

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

How about a section about baby care facilities / parent switch on certain rides, we found that policies differed hugely even within Disney. I know it's not of interest to everyone though. I'd be happy to share our recent experiences.

Book is fabulous btw, not sure how I've managed 3 trips in the past without it!!!

 

[lenny l]

deleted

 

[signtalker]

Simon, how about a more indepth section for people visiting with disabilities?,what rides offer ,what services,ie reflective captioning,subtitles, wheelchair access etc etc.

How about recomendations for where to stay the night before you fly,alot of us seem to be forever on the look out for a good hotel,could you not have a section on this at the start of the book???.

And on a lighter note, a one to ten list of the best toilets(cleanest,nicest smelling),on disney resorts and parks!!!!!.
Failing this simon, I will write my own LOL!!.

Jules

 

[KayleeUK]

Definately a section on non-drivers would be good Our third time without a car

 

[allie5]

Thought of a few more.

What about a TIPS section, where you can list all the things we wished we had known BEFORE we got there? For example, the "misting fans" that are such a brilliant idea in the parks, buying refillable mugs that can be used over and over, leaving a previously frozen cool bag in the car with a couple of frozen water bottles (LOVELY when you return to the car!)....well, you get the idea!

How about sections for: Expectant mothers (Im an expert on this one ) to include info on medical facilities, VIP/Medical parking, ride info. Travelling with under 5s and is it a viable holiday (a question I get asked A LOT!)..this could list activites do do on the plane and tips when in the parks, special needs (I think another poster mentioned this), and another for couples. I realise a lot of this is covered already, but maybe room for a little expansion in some areas?

Special Occasions? How many people know you can get a free Birthday badge at Disney, or you can have a "re-hitching ceremony" at the Garden Grill at Epcot?? That sort of thing.

A DECENT MAP!! Come on Simon, be the first person in the world to produce a map of the Orlando area that includes all the roads and attractions in a proper British way, not one of those namby pamby American maps that look like you can walk to WDW from I-Drive....better still make it one you can take out of the book...Im sure a lot of people would pay an extra £1 for this.....I would!!

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

I agree with others on section for those travelling with small children - I suppose that could make up an entire book on its own.....
And also more about facilities for people with disablilties.....
Both of which I'm a bit of an expert now but would have been really useful for first visits with two ds's who were age 1 and almost 2 at the time, and with brother who is in a wheelchair, and who has been with us twice now.

Otherwise...great book, no complaints!!!!!

Cath

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Nothing to add Simon, other than encouragement for the section on buying property. That would make your brilliant book better than brilliant! How many of us dream of owning a Florida villa...

Regards

Rob

 

[SidB]

How about a chapter about Florida itself. You know the sort of thing. The Gulf Coast, The Keys, the Everglades. A lot of us have done Disney and are looking for something away from Orlando. I'd find that more useful than a section on buying property (I might get some stick for that one). How about a second book called "A Brits Guide to Florida" that excluded all the bits covered in the original book. I'd certainly buy that.

I'd also suggest changing the way the book is assembled. Invariably pages start to fall out when the spine breaks. Perhaps one of those with a notepad style metal twisty things. Sorry best description I could come up with.

Excellent idea for a map.

I also like allie5's suggestion of a tips section.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Simon, I'll second SidBs request for more info on 'out of Orlando'. We tend to do a week in Orlando and then the rest of the time on the coast. My wish list would be more on the "other" Florida since so many people now do 2 centre breaks down to the coast. One guide would be better than the 2/3 I tend to lug around. Whilst I appreciate you can't go into great detail about all other areas, some info on accommodation/local attractions and links to websites/tourist offices would be of great use, a little more detail that you currently put in would be marvellous.

Again, this is just my wish list, but one of the things I always checkout when travelling is other people's views on accommodation. I've found some great sites for this, but is this something that could be included in your book . . . problem is you would be reliant on people grading the hotels I guess, so ifanyone out there wants to contribute . . . .

 

[UKANGEL]

Hi Simon
Have to agree with the non-drivers' suggestion. Our last 2 trips were completely without a car, and the honeymoon trip particularly we relied on Disney transport the last week and found it absolultely abysmal from DWL!! Trying to get around the parks, or from the hotel to DD sometimes took an hour!!

A bit in the Universal part about the advantages of staying onsite, with front of the line pass, discounts and quicker seating (sorry if this is already there)

We stayed at the airport Hyatt at MCO our first night and it was fabulous...a great relaxing way to start your holiday (or honeymmon, in our case). It meant we just sauntered out in the morning to greet our limo and off to the HRH. If you were picking up a car it might pay you to stay overnight too as you wouldnt be so tired!

A section for teenagers would be good too! They can sometimes seem limited with things to do...especially if they are travelling alone with you. What activities are there for them apart from sports? I beleive there is a club in Citywalk that caters for teens...?

A special occasion section would be wonderful! ...
Illumination cruises.....
Hiring a boat on your own to waft around the seven seas lagoon and bay lake....
Carriage rides around FW or PO
....and if Disney know (or the Hard Rock in our case) you do get special treatment, such as bottles of wine, special certificates etc

You can even build your own 'pin' using a background with the year on it and choose your own characters to go on such as Minnie & Mickey bride & groom!!...see how much attention you get then!

sorry this is a bit rambling....I'm still jetlagged!

 

[Disney owl]

Simon I have to confess I haven't got the latest copy but love the copy I have. Which we will take with us in August.

More information on Disney dining would be nice both in the parks & the hotels.

Like the idea of a map & would pay an extra £ for it . As the non-driver & navigator it would definately come in handy.

 

[UKDEB]

The index is not comprehensive enough for me. I find myself trawling through the book for items which I know are there, but which aren't listed in the index. Of course, I can't come up with any examples - I thought the restaurant and hotel names weren't there, but I've just checked and they are. Next time I have the problem, I'll post again.

The biggest item on my 'wish list' would turn the book into about 3 volumes. I love the restaurant review section in Bob Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide - it's in one-per-page alphabetical order, each in identical format. I also have his 'Eclectic Gourmet Guide' which is in the same format, but extends beyond Disney restaurants. It needs updating, though.

I'd also like to see a section on 'best kept secrets'. Those things which those of us who frequent the DIS boards know all about, but which you wouldn't necessarily come across otherwise. Like IllumiNations Cruises, tours (Disney and Universal), the fact that you don't have to stay onsite to visit the resorts and resort restaurants, birthday messages and buttons, etc. On second thoughts, maybe they're best kept as secrets - we don't want everyone finding out!

Didn't know about the WH Smith site - I'll see what I can do.

 

[Enright78]

Phew, loads here already..but how about a section for those travelling without kids. Dh and I did our first child free trips last year and it was quite a different experience, new restaurants and things to look at!! Not so much young and trendy but old and k*******d!!

 

[LFC Nut]

Love the book.

How about consolidating all the Web Site Addresses in an annex possibly sub-divided into the various subjects ie Theme Parks, Hotels, Travel Companies etc etc.

 

[SimonV]

Thanks for all the replies, folks! I am reading and processing what I can this time around. But there is a lot of good stuff here! Keep it up..............

And for those who regularly do Orlando WITHOUT a car, what are your best tips to pass on? What can we tell people about getting around by bus/taxi etc? All user tips will be credited!