Florida Theme Park Tips

Wondering how to get the most out of your Orlando vacation? Here are just a few tips that might help:

For the main theme parks - Disney's Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios - always arrive early. Find out what time your chosen park opens that day and make sure you are at the gate with your ticket in hand at least 15 minutes before that time. You'll get so much more done with the lesser crowds. By the time the real crowds are building up you'll be in a good position to take a break and head back to the villa for a swim and cool down.

Eat breakfast in the villa - then you're all set to go as soon as you get in the parks. No point wasting the least crowded part of the days queuing for breakfast.

If you're visiting the Disney water parks - Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach - you are allowed to take a cooler with drinks and food (no glass and no alcohol though). There is a wheeled cooler at the villa so pop some of the ice packs in the freezer overnight and load up your picnic. It's a great way to save money but it also means you've got all your favourite picnic foods on hand whenever you want them. The kids can graze whenever they feel hungry and you don't have to queue with everyone else and take time out of your day. Try freezing juice boxes - helps keep your food cool and are lovely to drink later on. Also remember the refillable mug system at the Disney water parks where you can buy a mug (or if you already have a mug just buy a sticker for that day - there are usually plenty of mugs in the cupboard at the villa for you to use).

You can make reservations at the theme park restaurants and hotel restaurants even when you are staying in a villa so make sure you book ahead if there is somewhere you particularly want to eat. Victoria and Albert's and Narcoosee's at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are great options for a special night out. Outisde the parks, personal favourites of mine are Vila de Flora at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Seasons 52 near International Drive. Look out for some of my restaurant reviews coming up soon.

Keep baggage to a minimum - use a waist pack only if you can when you're visiting the theme parks - this way you don't have to worry about putting bags in lockers for the thrill rides - this is of particular benefit at Universal parks where the lockers often have long queues and are quite tricky to use.

You can buy cheap rain ponchos in the supermarkets and at the dollar stores. Buy a few and carry them with you on days when it looks like rain or if you want to wear them for the wet rides. Rain ponchos in the theme parks look nicer but they cost a lot more.

Fastpass at Disney theme parks is free and available to all guests. Make use of it as much as possible to maximise your time particularly for the very popular rides. Either get a fastpass and ride other rides until your return time or take the time out to have a drink or just browse the stores.

Wear comfortable shoes - this is no time to break in a new pair of shoes. The theme parks are huge and you'll be amazed at how far you walk every day so comfortable shoes are a theme park guest's best friend. I like crocs myself and they're easy to slip off and cool my feet in one of the little fountain areas for the children.

If you have small children with you who can't ride the thrill rides don't worry - you can still ride. If you all get in the queue together and tell the cast members that you want to use baby swap. They will direct you to where you can wait with the smaller children while the other members of your family ride - when their ride is finished they can come to you and it's your turn. If you have more than 1 other member of your group that is tall enough you can take them with you for your turn so you won' thave to ride alone and they get a second ride. A similar system exists at all the Disney, Universal and Sea World parks for any height restricted attractions.

If you have children in your group who want to meet the characters the best way to do this without queuing and crowds is by taking them to a character meal. You can get character meals at loads of Disney restaurants for both breakfast, lunch and dinner - just ring Disney Dining and book ahead as they are popular. You are guaranteed to meet the characters though - and they will come to you and your table so plenty of time to take photos. And it's not just for parties with children - you won't be the only ones with just adults in your group so don't let that put you off.