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/