Legoland Florida

Lego have announced the opening of Legoland Florida on the site of Cypress Gardens in Central Florida.

It will be the largest Legoland to date and will create 1,000 jobs. It is expected to open in late 2011.

Universal U Select

Universal Orlando has announced a new ticket pricing structure called "U Select", in time for the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It follows a similar idea introduced by Walt Disney World in 2005, the Disney "Magic Your Way" ticket system and the idea is to encourage guests to visit the Universal parks for more than just a couple of days.

Free Gift Card

Disney have announced a free Disney Gift Card with a value of up to $750 for selected 5-night/6-day non-discounted vacation packages booked by March 27, 2010 and used by June 3, 2010. There are different 'blackout' dates depending upon resort.

Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando 2010 (Frommer's Complete)

Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando 2010 is one of several Florida books written by Laura Lea Miller.

Format: Paperback
Page: 416 pages
Publisher: Frommers
Date: October 19, 2009
ISBN: 0470470747
Size: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches

She has also worked on Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando with Kids, Frommer's Florida from $70 a Day, Frommer's Florida and Walt Disney World & Orlando For Dummies as well as running a web site for families visiting Central Florida.

Like all Frommer books it is backed up by a website which gives you updates since the book was published.

As its name suggests, Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando covers the other main theme parks in the Orlando and Central Florida area including Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Cypress Gardens, Busch Gardens and the Kennedy Space Center

Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando 2010 has been updated to include the latest attractions. It offers a good overall guide to Walt Disney World and the other Orlando attractions and when the author doesn't like something, she lets you know. A good alternative guide book is A Brit's Guide to Orlando.

The books starts out with a Best of Walt Disney World & Orlando chapter giving you recommendations on everything from best thrill rides and water rides, best hotels of for all budgets, best restaurants and best places for adults and romantic hideaways.

There is then a comprehensive Planning your trip to Walt Disney World & Orlando chapter which is particularly useful if you've never been to Florida or visited Walt Disney World before. Seasoned visitors can probably skip this chapter though there is a useful list of recommended reading if you want to find out a bit more about Central Florida and its culture.

If you need information on accommodation and restaurants, then the chapters covering Where to Stay and Where to Dine will be of interest. All the Disney and surrounding hotels are rated with brief descriptions, including International Drive and Kissimmee plus Downtown Orlando and B&Bs. Similar treatment is given to the Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando restaurants as well as further afield.

Buy This Book

As well as Amazon.com, Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando 2010 can also be bought at other book stores like Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca.

Exploring Walt Disney World covers all the Disney Theme parks including the Water parks and DisneyQuest. There are also details on FastPass, behind the scenes tours, hidden Mickeys and each ride, show and attraction is rated with height restrictions and recommended age groups.

If you tire of Disney, then Exploring Beyond Disney: Universal Orlando, SeaWorld & Other Attractions covers all the other major parks in the Orlando area plus sports venues both to participate or as a spectator.

Then there are chapters on Shopping and Walt Disney World & Orlando After Dark for when you need a little retail therapy or a place to unwind or party it up.

Lastly, if you feel like venturing a bit further afield, Side Trips from Orlando covers both the West and East coasts including Tampa, Daytona and Cocoa Beach plus Cape Canaveral with guides to Busch Gardens and the Kennedy Space Center. The books also has over 25 maps, both theme park maps and maps of some of the main tourist areas in the Central region.

Note that most guide books are re-published annually so you can often pick up a bargain if you don't mind last year's edition.