Canuck tips for the Orlando Experience

Vacations and Cruises

Family friendly amusement parks

Florida vacations for Canadians

       

You’ve just about had enough with all this hype about Disney and Orlando, and this winter the snow bank can battle itself for a couple weeks! You’re off to the sunshine state (well done you)! That vacation down south is now within reach, and you are just moments away from sunshine every day, a couple rounds of golf here and there, a few beers by the pool each night, and a bunch of happy kids off to talk to a mouse about a duck. Doesn’t get much better than that, does it?!

As you head off towards the sun though, here are a few ideas that may help make for a more enjoyable retreat from what often seems like an endless winter.

Enjoy your vacation, and welcome to Florida!

Rob Bulger – Owner/Operator:  The Florida Canuck 

Staying  at a Disney property:  There is certainly no experience quite like Disney for the little ones, but as most of you are already aware, it can be hugely expensive. If, however, it is just another part of the experience (and a must for the family), I would suggest Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.   The hotel offers some awesome theme rooms (Little Mermaid, Cars, Lion King, Finding Nemo), and is also surprisingly moderately priced. Some great value is  offered in other amenities as well, such as free Wifi & free parking, bus transportation to any of the Disney parks, resorts, downtown Disney etc. Also included is Disney’s Magical Express: Complimentary Transportation to and from Orlando International airport.

 

Disney Art of Animation Resort video
 

 Off site hotels near Disney: There are literally 100’s of hotels and resorts within the Orlando/Kissimmee area to choose from, but short of renting your own house or going five star all the way, one of my favorite places to stay and definitely one of the more economical choices, is  Fantasy World Resort in Kissimmee. These 2 story townhome villas each sleep up to six people,  have full kitchens and a washer/dryer combo.  Also moderately priced, the amenities really give the property a whole lot to offer any family looking to experience Orlando while having their own spacious "home away from home".  Amenities include:

3 pools and 3 hot tubs, lazy river and (2) five story water slides (must be 48"' to ride)

Kid's splash pad, children's playground, pool bar/lobby/lounge, lighted tennis courts

18 hole mini golf, floating driving range, fitness center with sauna and steam room

Kid's activity center, wireless internet in every villa, business center

Scheduled transportation to Walt Disney World®, Universal Studios Orlando & Sea World

Free shuttle to Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, weekly housekeeping

Charcoal grills and picnic tables throughout the resort - gas grills located poolside

Deeply discounted tickets to Fantasy Surf

 Fantasy World Resort Link

Buying your park tickets:
 

You can buy park tickets at numerous locations around the Orlando area (even discounted sometimes). A word of caution though: there are a million online ticket scams waiting for the next victim. If you don’t want to pay the price at the park (which is usually not that much more), doing a little bit of research and checking reviews before hand, is always a good idea when going rogue. A great spot that I go to sometimes for tickets (the prices vary), is VisitOrlando.com.  They are all over the internet and located right on International Drive. Check out their site and pricing though, some tickets are less expensive but, oddly enough, some are more expensive.

VisitOrlando.com

 

*If you are staying at a Disney property but want to fit in a day at Universal Studios as well, this ticket might be a good choice for you, since it includes transfers to and from the park.

Universal 1 day ticket with transfers

Snacks & water at the park:

For quite some time, you were not allowed to take snacks and water into many of the parks, but those restrictions have now been lifted, and both Disney and Universal are once again backpack friendly. You will still have it searched of course, but they are not looking for your consumables and will not take them.

 

Shopping tips:  Don’t buy your souvenirs at the parks folks! I know this is a hard one for some, but whether you are looking at the tag in a shop downtown or at a gift shop on site, China is spelled the same, just that one will cost you much more than the other!  There are many discount souvenir shops, including at the numerous outlet malls you'll find in the area.

Do you have a Target Store card? If so, you can always buy Disney Gift Cards that spend just the same as money at all of the Disney parks including Disney Cruise Line as well.  When you purchase a Disney gift card with your Target card (normally $25, $50, &100), you will get 5 % discount on the Disney gift card.

 Things to do on a budget

Resort Hop: If you are staying at a Disney property, why not go and check out some of the other Disney properties and see what is offered there as well. With the free transportation back and forth, this can be a great way to take everything in. Some spots like Disney’s Board Walk, could easily fill an evening with its own entertainment.

 

Universal City Walk: If you are not staying there, there is an admission fee, but it is not much more than a cover charge, and will give you access to more night entertainment than you are liable to take in.

 My  favorite park picks: If you’re not as much into the bigger roller coasters and tend to get a little claustrophobic in the larger crowds, but still like to see new things and have that theme park experience, you might want to try out Lego Land or Epcot. Even when they are full, they don’t seem to provide that same overwhelming “Get me out of here now” feel to them. Legoland is also a great choice if you are keeping the budget down. It costs much less than many of the other bigger parks and is geared towards kids 12 and under.

 

 Family Friendly amusement parksFamily friendly amusement parksFamily friendly amusement parks

Florida Vacations for Canadians by the Florida Canuck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpjfRz6H6i8

Family friendly amusement parks in Orlando

The 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is on from September 27 – November 11, 2013, in Epcot, Walt Disney World

7 lessons that travel well

A friend of mine once asked me if anything that I had learned in my past life as a Sergeant in the Canadian Army, ever gets utilized today in my second career “selling travel”. My response was simply “Every day!”
Here’s a few:

7 lessons that travel well


1. Trust and Respect are hard earned, and not easily given!

“They usually both take much time and care to build up, but either can be lost in the mere blink of an eye, never to return”!

2. If you don’t bring it, you can’t take it off

“It rains in England and snows in Canada, and depending on the time of year, you might need to bring a different jacket for both locations. Having no plan, often just further commits us to a bad one!”

3. Always check the position of the bolt first

“If you are not ready to deal with something right at this moment, don’t open it up without seeking help or clarification first! That which can’t be readily seen by the eye, can often stop the heart on contact.”

4. Prepare to move

“Deciding where you need to go next, is often much more important to the overall scope of things, than solely focusing on where you once travelled in the past! There are also clients you may never work well with, and knowing that in advance can often be a saving grace in itself. Never try to be all things to all people, just be yourself and you will eventually find your tribe!”



5. Know your troops and promote their welfare

“Qualify your clients, they are all unique and will hardly ever need or want the exact same vacation. Just because there is a suit hanging on the rack, doesn’t mean it fits your client! Respect their choices the same way that you would want yours respected. Pull that one off, and you just may see more ice time again in the future”!


6. A good go, is a good go!

“Digging a trench is hard work, doing pack drill can be even harder, but helping someone to plan their vacation or cruise should not be considered work! Enjoy what you do, and who you do it for, and you just might do it well someday”!

7. Learn to Serve

“If you are doing something just for the money, or for someone else’s approval, you’re not likely going to see much of either! But provide a service that truly helps others who are seeking it and you will one day be richer than you ever dreamed possible! Look after the troops and they will look after you! “

Do you have a lesson that travels well?

comment below and share your good advice.


Robbie Bulger - The Florida Canuck

http://www.floridacanuck.com

visit us on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheFloridaCanuck

Not Just Another Dog!

 

 

When I retired from the Canadian Army and started my own travel business, I had to do a lot of catching up in many areas such as marketing and sales, that I had not been exposed to as much as some of my peers.

 

Not wanting to fall behind or drop the ball, I started reading everything even remotely related to my industry that I could get my hands on. I also spent much of my time (still do), walking around with an audio book of some sort playing in the background, while I walked the dog or walked into walls.
 

I started training through Penn Foster College online, and attended supplier conferences throughout the US. While attending a training seminar in Cleveland Ohio, I stumbled upon a book called "Purple Cow" by marketing guru Seth Godin. It truly inspired me and not only changed the way I looked at business, but also helped clarify my own goals and stay true to what I intended to give back to my clients in customer service and overall value.
 

Sometimes we find our way and passion in life not just through trial and error, but often through the unorthodox approach taken that made us who we are in the first place! I guess as a former soldier, words of those like Seth, Brené Brown, Tony Robbins etc. who often speak about being of substance and value (caring more about the business you're building than the dollar you're making), kind of resonated with a service before self mentality that I had almost forgot was even there!
 

So although it may not matter to you yet that Google owns Youtube, or that analytics now tracks your every move on the internet, in a time period when certain cruise lines are handing out half off gift certificates for that week you spent in shambles, some hands on customer service that strives for something more than merely capturing your contact information or the fastest way to a buck or two, just might resonate with you as well.

Have a great weekend!

Robbie Bulger - The Florida Canuck

www.floridacanuck.com or visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheFloridaCanuck

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What they probably left out about Vegas!

                                                            

                                              

When talking about Vegas, I suppose I could just spiel off some safe information not likely to rock the boat, but it’s also not likely to prepare you much for a 2 or 3 day whirl wind trip to Sin City either! Whether you’re planning to live on the adventurous side of life or just survive as a casual observer, here are a couple of tips and observations that might prove useful:

Of course this might not apply to you, but if it’s been politely suggested a time or two, that you might be just a tad bit uptight, than Vegas is probably not for you! It’s also not a place I would recommend for family travel or bringing the little ones either. However, if you’re looking for that perfect getaway or to recharge the batteries for a bit, Vegas is calling your name!  There are usually tons of great specials & packages most of the year.

A few “good to knows” while in combat:

1.     Vegas is the gambling capital of the world, if you have never been to a casino before, but would like to try your luck and get in on some of the fun (without spending a fortune), then penny slots are a great place to start! Not only can you just sit back and observe things for a bit without risking your family fortune, you can also use it as a clever insider’s trick to saving some money on a great night out! For 5 or 10 bucks, you can usually play for quite a while (depending on your luck of course).

 

2.     Most of the casinos in Vegas (if not all), serve free complimentary drinks (beer, whiskey, rum, etc) that is, of course, as long as you are gambling! Yes, anything to keep you at the table! That said, the waitress who is working for tips, really doesn’t care what game you are playing, as long as you are kind enough to tip a buck or two each time she brings your drink. A suggestion though, as there’s likely to be much less traffic over at those slots than at the Black Jack or craps tables, you may need to go over and find your server first! If time is of issue as well, you might consider handing over a 5 spot in the process, as it has been known to turn on the GPS for the next round as well! Once you’re entered in as a previous destination point though, a buck or two should do just fine!

 

3.      Drinking and smoking often go hand in hand in most Casinos. Although Vegas may be a cigar smoker’s paradise, a 1970’s type life style is certainly not for everyone! However, most casinos do have no smoking areas (can’t guarantee that it’s not much smaller though, or that you won’t have to walk through the smoking area first).  That said, the air purification systems in most of the hotels/casinos I’ve been, are very good and circulate the air quite well. The open floor concept in huge places like the Venetian or Bellagio helps as well.

 

4.     You’re in Vegas for crying out loud, go see a show and dine out at least once while you’re there! That in mind, there’s no replacement for some great buffets available as well. If you go at lunch time too, it will usually have the same items at a much lower cost. If you get the chance, try the Bellagio weekend brunch buffet. A little more than some, but well worth the experience.

 

5.     If you’ve been waiting your whole life to visit a café or bakery in Paris, and then end up just picking up some prepackaged cookies so that you can tell your friends that you were there, then you’re probably missing your own point for going! Vegas can be very similar to that, yes you can likely get a room for $20 or $30 at Circus Circus or similar, but that old adage “You get what you pay for” will likely kick in once you find out you’re now a participant in a 3 am gong show! If time is an issue or you would like some advice on where to stay, check out the new Hotel Search on the Florida Canuck site below. It is powered by Expedia, and offers the same selection of hotels and affordable rates. As it is also paired with Trip Advisor reviews and map/ satellite photos, picking a great hotel option has never been easier.  * You can easily switch back and fourth from US dollars or Cdn Dollars as well.*

Have a great weekend!  And like the ad says “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”!

 

http://floridacanuck.com/

               

                                   

2 years in Florida: My Canuck lessons learned

2 years in Florida: My Canuck lessons learned

Since I haven’t posted for while, and it is coming up on my 2 year anniversary for living down here in Florida, I thought I would take a minute and provide a bit of feedback and a few observations that might prove useful or just good to know. Here goes:

1.      Most down here won’t understand if you ask for a double- double with your coffee, same when asking for “pop”, they call it “soda”. Though It’s not Tim Horton’s,  if you’re driving past the Krispy Kream when the “hot” sign is lit up, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better donut, right out of the oven!

2.     Yes, you will get the odd clown fish, and the typical “eh or aboot once and awhile (like it’s funny for the first time)! I usually don’t waste much time giving it back though “ Y’all  speak amerkin down here” I might say. Contrary to popular belief back in Canada though, most people down here (in Florida anyway), are just as nice, or maybe nicer than in some parts back home! Most folks down here generally tend to have a good sense of humor and fairly thick skin!

3.     There is absolutely no equivalent to Canadian Tire down here, so just give it up and move on! Yes, you can get a new tire or an oil change just about anywhere, but getting up-sold on a bunch of stuff you really didn’t need

 (by a truly awful mechanic), just won’t have the same feel to it!

 

4.     You pay for gas up front here, and the pump won’t turn on until you’ve either paid inside, while guessing the amount needed, or you try to pay at the pump and fill it!  In doing so however, you will likely notice that your debit card is incompatible and your credit card requires you to enter a ZIP code beforehand. If that happens however, here’s a little trick:

Enter the numbers from your postal code (for wherever you Credit card statement comes to), and replace the remaining 2 spots with zero’s. For example, if your postal code was K2K 3J4, you would then enter 23400 for the zip code. *I have personally done this many times in the past, and it works just fine!

 

5.     Even though you will most likely never find it truly cold here, even in the dead of winter, the very second that the temperature dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 Celsius), every store clerk and waitress will be telling you to bundle up and stay warm out there. I’d likely get mad if someone told me that back home, as December through March, it’s likely not gonna happen!

 

6.     The minimum wage here in Florida is $7.79, but service industry workers such as waitresses and bar staff etc, are paid considerably less than that

 (4.79 hr), as they are classified as tipped workers. Please remember to tip well; as you are not just making a statement about poor service when you don’t tip, you’re most likely just sticking it to the server instead of the company!

7.        Costco and Sam’s Club down here are basically the same type of store. Members can get cheaper prices when they buy in bulk, and the gas prices at their pumps are probably a few cents cheaper than the average price as well. Remember to make a stop at their liquor sections too, usually a bit cheaper as well. If you’re just looking for beer or wine though, any corner or grocery store will likely suffice just the same. And yes, your Canadian membership will work just fine at the Costco down here.

8.        If you are a sports fan at all, Tampa is an awesome place to live! You have the Bucs for football, the Rays for baseball, and the Lightning for hockey (who have some of the best ticket prices in the league). This is not to mention all of the baseball teams that are within the area during Spring Training as well!

9.        Thanks giving in the states is amazing, by far my new favorite holiday. Yes we celebrate a similar day in Canada, but not in the same context or even in the same ball park.

10.     In Canada, many people drive an old beater for a car, especially in the winter. Down here though, people in general tend to invest more in the appearance of their automobiles (mainly because of the weather I think), as driving around in the sun with a dirty car, just seems to stand out a lot more than in a harsher climate. On that note as well, it is nothing to still see an actual “car wash” like we had back in the 70’s and early 80’s (much more modern now though of course)! You still pull in and drop your car off while a bunch of people work on it, but now you can also go inside and have a cappuccino or surf the internet while you’re waiting for your car. 

11.      Oh and one last point before I forget, and in case you didn’t know. It can get pretty freaking hot down here in the summer, and I’m not talking normal hot either, I mean middle-east type hot! People stay trapped in their houses or at the mall (anywhere with air conditioning really) from June to Sept, just like we do back home during the winter months (running to and from the car so to speak). And finally the rain! In the summer here, you will open the window and see a beautiful day, then decide to venture outside for a walk. Once you do however, it is not unusual to have a perfectly clear sky, suddenly turn into a black Schleprock cloud over your head, pouring down bullets, like it clearly hates you! No worries though, 15 minutes later you will probably be safe to go back to the pool or the beach. Can’t say that won’t happen 3 more times before the day’s out though. Welcome to Florida, eh!


www.floridacanuck.com

Toll Free 1-888-669-5740

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fix Is IN!

Before retiring from the Canadian army, I never really worried about travel insurance per say, as my leave pass would have covered me in the rare event that medical attention outside of the country was ever required. That said however, I still would have greatly benefited on several occasions due to missed connections, lost luggage, and the cost of pre-paid events that could not be recovered.  But hey, live and learn I guess! Fortunately enough for me though, I have never had to pay more than I could bare losing.
 

In this week’s insurance tip post, I am attaching a few links, one in particular of a previous CBC report, about a retired Canadian couple that was not quite so lucky. I am sure I could write for a week about why you absolutely need travel insurance these days, along with the million and one things to be aware of when buying it! If I have to sum it up in this short post though, I would say “Because the fix is in”, and has been for quite some time. With the ever rising instability of both political and environmental concerns, along with extreme cost cutting throughout the travel industry, if ever there was a time to have decent travel protection and your own advocate who has an invested interest in your well being, that time is definitely now!

Which company offers the best travel insurance?  Very subjective question that is, and usually depends on both the situation and the client. “What are my options?” is usually the first question I ask when buying for myself or recommending a client. If buying it here in the states, I would definitely go with Travel Safe or Travel Guard, but back home in Canada, RBC and Blue Cross offer good products as well. Since Travel Safe has recently become more competitive price wise than in the past, their pre-existing condition coverage, along with the cancel for any reason option, are pretty hard to beat in my opinion. For example, if you were to purchase coverage from one of the cruise lines instead, it will more than likely not only end up being far more expensive, you will likely end up with much less coverage than what some of those other companies might offer. Just don’t be naive about who the company is ultimately interested in protecting. Because once you take a close read of the contract that they make you sign before boarding the ship, you’ll soon understand that getting your coverage from them would be similar to buying Medical Insurance from a cigarette company! Expensive and ultimately useless.

Doesn’t my credit card cover me for that though? For some things it actually might (depending on the card of course), but 9 out of 10 times no, if your trying to claim anything to do with medical or weather. Regardless though, any insurance is better than none at all! On that note though, some great information in the links provided, have a great week!
 

 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/03/08/travel-insurance-marketplace.html

 

http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/tips-and-advice/where-to-buy/buy-direct-vs-cruise-line/
 

http://blogs.squaremouth.com/travel-advice/what-is-the-best-cruise-insurance/

 

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38792765/ns/travel-cruise_travel/

 

More than just a job

Yesterday, while dropping my daughter off at school, I walked her to class and then casually looked through the side window (in the doorway), as she placed her homework package in the bin provided for them. What I witnessed next though, not only made me smile, but almost brought a tear to my eye.
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As her first grade teacher (Mrs. Wade) greeted her good morning, Madie walked over to the desk and gave her a big hug. My daughter’s genuine and sincere appreciation for her teacher, as well as the teacher’s gratitude for having shared that mere moment with her, moved me!

Madie’s teacher, like many in similar professions, strive to offer something back to the rest of us that is invaluable, something that could never be summed up by the mere pittance in their paychecks or through the charts and graphs governments now regularly apply to determine their value. Unfortunately though, the truly blind among us, never seem to understand the only two words that are absolutely required to be exceptional at their chosen path as a teacher, doctor, nurse, policeman, fireman, soldier, or parent etc, “They care”! .
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On one of my first training seminars in the travel industry, I sat and listened to a guy talk for nearly 40 minutes, about what we could do as travel agents to look as if we cared more. For example you could write down reminders for important family birthdates, schedule a random call, fill their email boxes 1.7 times per week with your highest kick back supplier specials etc. Well, not being able to take much more of that, I finally raised my hand and said “would it not just be easier to genuinely care”! A dog chasing a football is what I would call that look I got back from him! Too bad I didn’t keep his email though; I would have just sent him a note that said “see Mrs. Wade”! And that my friends, is the only difference that ever truly matters in my humble opinion! .
Well that’s it for the rant today folks, back on Friday with some tips on picking the right travel insurance, take care! .
Robbie Bulger – The Florida Canuck

Where are you from

When I was growing up there was a small shoe store at the end of our road “Proud Shoes”. It was run by Wayne Proud, and if you ever needed more than just a cheap pair of shoes, or if your parents wanted them to last for a while and fit properly, that was likely where they took you! The rest of the time we’d be lucky enough to get the Kmart brand, that was either guaranteed to fall apart before your first week of school was over, or get the crap beat out of you by the second!

Going to a real shoe store was a treat back then, Wayne would greet you at the door “Mr. Bulger, how can I help you sir”! Sit you down and ask you a bunch of questions (not your mom or dad, you)! The questions were never just about the shoes or how they fit, but quietly served as a type of bench mark, that consistently seemed to let him know more about his customer than the Kmart clerk ever seemed to know! For some reason though (most likely money and convenience), somewhere along the way we traded in that Wayne Proud business model, and opted for the cheaper Wal-mart version instead!

Times change though, both for the better or worse, and often it takes that type of absence for us to truly appreciate the real value in something. Although I didn’t understand back then that there was a lesson in process, today I do! The “what’s in it for me mentality” or the instant gratification that cheaper and faster has brought us through the internet, doesn’t necessarily have to be labelled a good thing or bad thing! It could very easily just be another opportunity to create something new and better!

That’s the rant for today folks, have a great weekend! Next week, after more musing, I will further explain that difference, take care!
Robbie Bulger – The Florida Canuck

Back on the Grid again!

About mid Dec, I decided to make some changes to my website, and started moving things around until I had a proper mess on my hands. Far from a programmer (caused one to work twice as hard though, I think!), I know just about enough html code to be dangerous! I can say without hesitation however, that I do have a tremendous talent for destroying pretty much any idiot proof template you might put in front me!   

My point, I guess, is that instead of trying to juggle everything else in my life (family, clients, training etc), in order to find a couple of minutes every other day to work on my site as an extra project, I could probably have just paid a few bucks and had it looked after by a professional, versus two months of fixing this and breaking that!    

Booking travel isn’t much different either folks! Yes, you can do it yourself online and sometimes save a buck or two here and there (and I am not against that concept by any means). The problem however is that the bigger the investment of both time and money put forth, the more important it is to get it right! Equally as important though, is being fully prepared for all the “what ifs” when we don’t get it right!   

 As seen last week with the Carnival Triumph, both unexpected and unfortunate events can change your vacation plans in the blink of an eye. And in all fairness, it doesn’t really matter in such circumstances who   booked it, as we are living in a very cost cutting and uncertain environment these days. Can’t help but think though, that those who do opt for the “Hail Mary” pass, relying solely on the cruise line, airline etc to best look out for their interests, will not fare out nearly as well as those with a good travel agent, trip insurance and a backup plan that doesn’t terminate at the other end of a 1 800 number in India! That said, there are some great specials and excellent bargains to be had, and yes much of it can certainly be found via the internet on your own! Not ever a bad suggestion to do some leg work on your own first before committing to something though. That said, if you ever do need a hand figuring it all out, please give me a shout.

Take care!

 

Rob Bulger – The Florida Canuck

 

www.floridacanuck.com