Brand usa indulgence final by USA Discovery Program

Discover Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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Indulgence Tasty treats

Clams, hams, Cajun and pizza

Florida fun Perfect parks for families

Spa attractions The best pampering venues

2 contents

contents 3

Front cover picture: JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa

This Discover America supplement is published by

Travel Weekly Group,

Third Floor, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU. Tel: 020 7881 4897

Contents

Supplements editor Joanna Booth Art editor/production editor Flora Ioannou Graphic Designer Lee Duskwick Subeditors Mike Walsh Stephanie Krahn Managing editor Robin Searle Editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley Sales director Kieron Dodd Senior account manager Lisa Roberts Production assistant Nick Cripps Chief executive Duncan Horton Printed by Wyndeham Heron ©

5 LAS VEGAS Room service is a culinary delight at the new Nobu Hotel, which opened on the Strip in February

6 CALIFORNIA Sumptious spas in the state include those at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur and Ritz-Carlton, Tahoe

10 NEW ENGLAND Lobster is one of the taste-bud treats of the East Coast, whether eaten in a restaurant or on the beach

14 FLORIDA The state’s famous theme parks offer thrills aplenty, but there are gentler attractions too

Travel Weekly Group 2013

PICTURES, ABOVE FROM LEFT: Light nightclub, mandalay bay hotel, las vegas; Orchid suite, mandarin oriental, las vegas; huckleberry pie; Manta rollercoaster, seaworld, orlando

Discover America - Indulgence

4 6 10 14 16

NEWS Florida parks unveil ‘wildlife’ attractions – Hakkasan and Nobu open in Vegas – Woodbury adds shop-and-stay

SPAS Stay on-massage with your customers by recommending spa resorts in stunning ranch, lake and desert locations

FOOD From clam chowder in Maine to bagels in Manhattan and gumbo in Memphis, the USA is a gourmet galaxy

Welcome... Welcome to the second of our series of special supplements designed to inspire and give you the information you need to sell the USA with confidence. This supplement focuses on the indulgent experiences on offer across the United States. Ideal for a fun-filled family holiday, no other country does theme parks quite like the USA. From the famed Universal Studios and Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, to the enormous parks in Texas and Ohio, there is no comparison when it comes to family holidays. In addition, there’s nowhere quite like the neon lights of Las Vegas for a different kind of playground. From gaming to luxury spas and resorts, it starts in the USA. Here, you can find perfect resorts in idyllic locations; so if you’re looking for a massage, it’s all at your fingertips. Cuisine is another way of highlighting the indulgent American experience. From the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in between, the USA has a varied and famed food scene. Whatever your taste, there’s no shortage of ways to dine à la Americana. We hope you’ll find the information useful and keep the USA top of mind. Look out for the next supplement on Urban Excitement in America, out in early September. Thank you, and keep selling the USA! CHRIS THOMPSON

THEME PARKS Your guide to the best rides and slides in Florida for

President and Chief Executive Officer, Brand USA

families with children ranging from toddlers to teens

AGENT expert Barrhead Travel’s Lauren Purves waxes lyrical about her

Discover this land like never before with

spa experiences, and offers shopping and music tips too

DiscoverAmerica.com

Discover America - Indulgence

news 5

4 news

Florida parks come alive with wildlife-themed attractions

news in brief

NEW LUXURY HOTELS

SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Legoland new rides

Western & Oriental expands USA focus

New York hotel offers perfume in the minibar

Following the success of its ranch

The Quin is a 205-room hotel set to

Visitors to Orlando will find exciting

portfolio, luxury operator Western &

open just two blocks from Central

new rides on offer this summer.

Oriental has launched a dedicated

Park in June. The Manhattan hotel

USA programme offering city

will feature gold-leaf ceilings, glass

opening at SeaWorld Orlando on

breaks, fly-drive itineraries, escorted

chandeliers and minibars that offer

May 24, features mobile, moving

tours and multi-centre holidays.

simulators and a trackless ride.

The focus will be on tailor-made

Passengers will be able to choose from

trips, with the operator putting

two ‘thrill’ levels as they follow Puck, a

together personalised route maps

young gentoo penguin, on an exciting

for fly‑drives and offering smaller

journey to the South Pole.

boutique hotels for city breaks.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin,

On May 18, a new live musical Vacation’ will open at Busch Gardens

Outlet malls open in Phoenix and Chicago

Tampa. The 20-minute show features

Two new outlet centres will be

characters from the Dreamworks

welcoming shoppers this year.

Madagascar franchise, plus classic

Phoenix Premium Outlets opened

show, ‘Madagascar Live! Operation:

and original songs, and will

‹ Seaworld: Enjoy a simulated ride to the South Pole

designer and name-brand stores

be free for guests with standard park tickets. Characters will

in Arizona last month, featuring 90

World of Chima, where tribes of animal warriors

and offering savings of up to 65%. Fashion Outlets of Chicago is due

conduct meet-and-

compete in battles.

to open with 120 stores on August 1.

greet sessions.

The area will feature

Shoppers at the latter, close to

In July, Legoland

an interactive water

O’Hare International airport, will be

Florida will open a

ride, a 4D movie and

able to check in luggage for flights

new area based on the

the chance to meet

at the mall.

Cartoon Network’s The

the Chima characters.

Woodbury Common launches shop-and-stay packages

WOODBURY COMMON Combine shopping with pampering

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

spa voucher, dinner with champagne,

has created two new pampering

afternoon tea, transfers and $75

packages for shoppers.

gift cards from Ultra Diamonds

The packages offer downtime stays in the beautiful foothills of the Catskill Mountains as a respite from bargain

and Last Call by Neiman Marcus. From $969 per person. n A one-night package is offered at

hunting in the 200 designer-

the Thayer Hotel, set in the grounds

brand stores at Woodbury

of the West Point Military Academy.

Common, which is a 50-minute

A $50 voucher towards dinner is

drive from Manhattan.

included, plus a $50 voucher for

n A two-night package at the

linens at Frette, and a Frette robe.

elegant Mohonk Mountain

From $375 per room.

House Hotel includes a $200

premiumoutlets.com/traveltrade

Discover America - Indulgence

‹ Mandalay Bay: The hotel has added the stylish new Light Nightclub

Las Vegas goes gourmet with new luxury brands on menu Nobu and Hakkasan among tasty openings Las Vegas is reinforcing its reputation

Another world first to come to

for high-end hotels and some of the

Vegas is Light Nightclub at Mandalay

world’s finest dining with a raft of new

Bay. The first standalone nightclub by

openings.

Cirque du Soleil will combine state-of-

The world’s first Nobu Hotel (pictured)

the-art production and theatrics with

opened on the Strip in February. The

DJs including Swedish House Mafia’s

181-room property is a joint venture

Sebastian Ingrosso. Mandalay Bay will

between partners that include Caesars

see two further openings this summer:

Palace, actor Robert de Niro and celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Fans of the Japanese chef’s flavours

the 5,000 capacity Daylight Beach Club, which is centred around a pool with three wet decks; and Michael

can dine in the 327-seat

Jackson One, a resident

Nobu Restaurant and

theatrical production

Lounge, or guests can

dedicated to the

order Nobu room service.

King of Pop, created

Hakkasan Las Vegas, billed as a ‘five-level culinary and nightlife mecca’, opened last month at MGM Grand Hotel &

by Cirque du Soleil in partnership with the estate of Michael Jackson. On the accommodation front, Bill’s

Casino. The nightclub and restaurant

Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon will undergo

will marry the brand’s famous modern

a £121 million renovation and reopen

Cantonese cuisine with entertainment

in early 2014 as the Gansevoort Las

from headliners including Tiesto, Calvin

Vegas. The hotel will feature 188

Harris and deadmau5. Clubbers will

Parisian apartment-style rooms,

be wowed with floor-to-ceiling LED

including 19 suites, and Drai’s Beach

screens, an indoor oriental garden and

Club and Nightclub, an indoor/outdoor

a two-storey water feature.

nightclub and rooftop pool venue.

Discover America - Indulgence

perfumes and jewellery.

Two new properties add chic to Chicago Two top-end hotels are set to open in Chicago this summer. The Godfrey, in the River North neighbourhood, will feature 220 rooms, a fitness centre and a rooftop bar and lounge. A landmark riverfront building designed by architect Mies van der Rohe is being transformed into the 330-room Langham Chicago, with Chuan Spa.

Radisson Blu opens in Mall of America Radisson Blu Mall of America opened in March in Bloomington, Minnesota. With 500 fashioninspired rooms, the hotel is the only accommodation offering direct access to Mall of America, the country’s largest indoor entertainment and shopping centre.

California’s El Encanto joins Orient-Express Historic Santa Barbara property El Encanto has joined the OrientExpress family. The hotel opened after a full restoration in March, with 92 California-style bungalows each with its own private patio or garden. The hotel’s restaurant features its own brand of coffee and cheese made from its own cow, Ellie.

6 spa

spa 7 ❯ Ranch resorts

❯ Tenaya Lodge: classic mountain hideaway

Carly Crowe, travel specialist at

Relax and

Western & Oriental Travel, says: “The Trailhead Spa at The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch is located in Rocky Mountain high country with expansive forest. Highlights include a

unwind

tension-releasing teepee ritual, End of the Trail massages, rejuvenating paraffin dip, outdoor hot tub, fantastic hair and make-up facilities, and yoga on Falcon’s Peak deck in the Wyoming air for sun salutations overlooking the grand landscape. The rest of your time can be spent exploring the 50 miles of horse trails, fly fishing, hiking, rock climbing, cycling, relaxing in front of the open fireplace and dining at the

What better way to unwind than by enjoying a spa treatment in stunning surroundings? Five operators share their recommendations for top spas in America

Or recommend: “The Spa at

❯ Lakes and mountains resorts

Ranchos de los Caballeros, Arizona,

Steph Dillnutt, team leader for U.S.

Chuck Wagon.”

is a desert retreat that offers not only

sales at Kuoni, says: “Tenaya Lodge

horse riding, but golf and tennis. The

at Yosemite is just two miles from

Let Yourself Glow wrap, golfer’s relief

the wilderness of the National Park in

massage and couples treatments

California, and is a classic mountain

are highlights. The Granite Spa at

hideaway, set amid 35 acres of forest.

Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana,

The lodge offers a blend of modern

offers customised treatments. Suited

amenities and a warm and homely

to ranch life, there is a Saddle Sore

ambience with a roaring fire, soft

Soak & Massage and Ranch Hands &

sofas and traditional hospitality.

Cowboy Boots treatments.”

“The Ascent Spa offers guests the chance to relax and rejuvenate while enjoying the natural surroundings and breathtaking scenery. The luxurious spa has 12 treatment rooms for massages, facials and body treatments. It is the ideal retreat after a day exploring the park. The spa also has saunas, steam rooms and a wellness centre.” Or recommend: The Inn at Bay Harbor, a Marriott Renaissance resort,

Get in touch

features stunning views of Lake Michigan and, if spa treatments every

Find out more from our tour

day aren’t your customers’ thing, there

operator experts at:

are 45 holes of championship-standard

hayesandjarvis.co.uk/agents

golf on tap.

agents.kuoni.co.uk

Alternatively, the Remede Spa at

northamericatravelservice.co.uk

the St Regis Aspen Resort in Colorado

travel2-us.com/agents

boasts features including an

vhols4agents.co.uk

❯ Brush Creek Ranch: outdoor yoga on Falcon Peak Overlook

wandotravel.com/agents

Discover America - Indulgence

❯ Ranchos de los Caballeros: couples treatments are a highlight

oxygen lounge and steam caves, perfect for winter and summer.

❯

spa 9

8 spa ❯ The Ritz-Carlton: the spa is a forest sanctuary

spa is described as a forest sanctuary. Treatment rooms offer majestic views, perfectly balancing restful relaxation and the peace and tranquillity of the outside world. For those who prefer more taxing activities, there is world-

The capital of indulgence

class skiing right outside the door.”

If your customers want a feast for the

Or recommend: “In Breckenridge,

senses, then Las Vegas has it all. The

Colorado, the Spa at Beaver Run offers

capital of indulgence is in a constant

traditional therapies and those with

state of rejuvenation, with new openings

a difference. I’ve heard of a special

ensuring there is always something fresh

technique they use that involves the

to offer your clients looking for a spot of

masseuse balancing their weight from

pampering. These include:

bars on the ceiling and using their feet!

❯ The Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC hotel: its rooftop pool

“Over in eastern USA and

has underwater music ❯ Post Ranch Inn: unrivalled views across the Pacific Ocean

Wellness Real Estate, Delos in partnership

surrounded by the Green Mountains of

with MGM Grand Hotel & Casino launched

Vermont, the focus at the Stoweflake

the world’s first Stay Well rooms late last

Mountain Resort & Spa is on healing

year. The 42 new rooms in the hotel’s main

and anti-ageing, so if the fresh

tower are cleaned with hypoallergenic

❯ Urban spas

Nestled on the cliffs of the Big Sur,

Jonathan Couch, U.S. product manager

California, with panoramic views across

products, have special ventilation systems

at Travel 2, says: “The Gansevoort

mountain air and outdoor activities

the Pacific Ocean, this luxury retreat

don’t wipe the years away, the spa will.”

designed to optimally humidify and purify

Meatpacking NYC hotel boasts

focuses on relaxation and rejuvenation

breathtaking views of New York City

and offers spa treatments, yoga and

❯ Desert tours

help guests sleep.

and sunsets over the Hudson River. As

two infinity pools. Outside the spa,

mgmgrand.com

the only luxury full-service resort in the

Ruby Briggs, managing director of

guests can go on guided nature hikes,

Meatpacking District, it’s the perfect

North America Travel Service, says:

explore the hotel’s library, spend an

The Bellagio’s Spa Tower has undergone

chic retreat from the urban metropolis.

“The Royal Palms Resort and Spa sits

evening stargazing, try to spot whales

a $40 million remodel, encompassing

The spa offers hydro pools, massages

at the base of Camelback Mountain

(seasonal activity) and sample the fare

819 rooms and 109 suites including the

and facials, mind and body classes,

in the desert resort of Scottsdale,

in the Sierra Mar restaurant.”

Arizona. There are many spectacular

prestigious Chairman and Presidential suites.

and a fitness centre. The hotel is also

Or recommend: “The Moana

resort properties in Scottsdale, but

Bellagio has also introduced three new

known for its heated rooftop pool, with

Surfrider Resort on Oahu, Hawaii,

what makes Royal Palms special is its

Executive Hospitality Suites – each has a

underwater music, and the Rooftop Bar

boasts one of the USA’s top spas,

billiards lounge and home theatre living area.

and Lounge.”

personal service. Perfect for a romantic

a dolphin programme, world-class

getaway, it’s a boutique property with

bellagio.com

Or recommend: “Guests at the

shopping and dining, and watersports

Four Seasons Hotel Seattle can enjoy

only 119 rooms and suites. Alvadora

including snorkelling and surfing lessons.

Spa is sophisticated and elegant with

The Spa at Wynn Las Vegas reopened

a homely charm, and there’s also a

in autumn 2012 with new decor and new

the Four Seasons Ultimate Unwind

the air, and include extra soundproofing to

“On the East Coast in Massachusetts,

package including a vigorous sea salt

the Chatham Bars Inn is one of Cape

beautiful pool and gardens to relax by.”

experiences including Muscle Melt, Choco

scrub, a shea butter massage, foot

Cod’s finest oceanfront hotels, offering

Or recommend: “L’Auberge de

Latte Body Buff and Polynesian fusion

treatment, facial and a pedicure.

spa treatments in a personal suite and

Sedona is a romantic inn and spa that

massage Nalu Body Ritual. Re-imagined

Land Rover tours through the scenic

sits by the side of Oak Creek and is

by famed designer Roger Thomas, the

Nauset Dunes.”

surrounded by the spectacular red

45,000sq ft retreat features 45 updated

rocks of Sedona in northern Arizona.

treatment rooms.

As well as rooms in the main lodge

wynnlasvegas.com

“The Four Seasons Hotel Houston offers Spa Tapas by the pool. Children can enjoy an ice cream ‘treat’ment, soaking their feet in a chocolate or coconut foot bath while enjoying an ice cream to cool off from the heat.”

❯ Ski resorts Sara Ellis, product development

building, cottages dotted around

executive, USA & Canada at Virgin

the property offer total privacy in a

Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace launched

Holidays, says: “For sheer indulgence

magical setting.

the Aura-Soma series, combining massage

❯ Coastal resorts

you’d be hard-pressed to beat The

Suzanne Harvey, regional product

Ritz-Carlton Destination Club Lake

Resort & Spa, near Palm Springs,

powers of colour and light. Aura-Soma

manager for the USA and Canada

Tahoe, California. This sumptuous

California, offers one or two-bedroomed

Synergy and Aura-Soma Color Quest series

at Hayes & Jarvis, says: “The Post

hotel is in a stunning mid-mountain

villas with private garden or patio area,

feature 109 beautiful equilibrium bottles filled

Ranch Inn really has the wow factor.

location and it’s easy to see why the

Jacuzzi and their own butler.”

with colours, aromas, crystals and light.

“The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells

❯ Royal Palms Resort and Spa: perfect for a romantic getaway

and aromatherapy with the natural healing

quabathsandspa.com Discover America - Indulgence

Discover America - Indulgence

10 food

food 11

ood is a big part of anyone’s holiday – especially when you’re in the United States of America. From Boston

to Honolulu, Miami to Anchorage, the original “melting pot” blends together a world of flavours. Eating and drinking are a great way to get to know not just the United States of America, but also its people. Everyone has an opinion on where to get the juiciest hamburger, the freshest salad, the most succulent steak or the hippest brunch spot. In fact, ask 10 people and you’ll get at least 20 suggestions. Best of all, you can eat incredibly well for generally less than you’d pay in the UK. Just don’t forget to tip.

› Seafood in New England New England is a fantastic fly-drive destination for clients, and, being next to the Atlantic Ocean, delicious seafood is a highlight of any trip to the region. Creamy clam chowder (seafood soup) is perhaps the most well-known dish, along with fresh lobster from the coast of Maine. If your clients want to catch their

Food for

own, try Frances Fleet (francesfleet. com) in Narragansett, Rhode Island, which offers half and full-day deep-sea fishing trips, as well as whale-watching excursions in season. Alternatively, try Orvis fly-fishing

thought

school in Manchester, Vermont, (orvis. com). And holidaymakers who want to learn how to bring regional recipes home, and get pampered in the process, could spend a few days at The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort and Spa in Burlington (vtculinaryresort. com), where cookery classes offer a hands-on experience. America As You Like It offers a seven-night fly-drive Maine Coast

Will Hide discovers the culinary delights that make a visit to America a true feast for the senses

itinerary, with prices from £860 including flights, car hire and accommodation. americaasyoulikeit.com

Discover America - Indulgence

›

food 13

12 food › Bagels in New York Think of a classic New York lunch

Hole. Search Google for branches. Elsewhere try Russ & Daughters

spot and many of us might recall Meg

(russanddaughters.com) for the nova

Ryan’s moment of happiness opposite

lox, Yonah Schimmel (knishery.com)

Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally.

for the yummy knishes (a dumpling

And quite frankly, in the Big Apple

filled with potato) and Montreal-

it’s not hard to look enviously at

import Mile End (mileenddeli.com)

someone else’s food and think, “I’ll

in Brooklyn for its modern take on

have what she’s having”. Incidentally,

traditional deli food.

the famous scene was filmed at Katz’s

Attraction World and Do

Deli at 205 East Houston Street on the

Something Different both offer foodie

Lower East Side where you can sit in

tours that you can earn commission

› Barbecue in Tennessee

that booth and get a bagel, lox (cured

on. Also consider Turnstile Tours.

In Tennessee, barbecue is a noun,

salmon) and cream cheese for $11.75.

attractionworld.com

not a verb, and taken very seriously

dosomethingdifferent.com

– don’t expect secret sauce recipes

turnstiletours.com

to be divulged as you lick your

Other locals swear by Murray’s Bagels, Brooklyn Bagels or the Bagel

fingers. In Nashville, head to Puckett’s (puckettsgrocery.com), where music and food combine. In Memphis, Neely’s is a top spot (interstatebarbecue.com) – it boasts that its specially-built barbecue pits keep meat fall-offPicture: malcolm brown

the-bone-moist – or try the dry ribs at the Rendezvous (hogsfly.com) or Central BBQ (cbqmemphis.com), where the pulled pork is marinated and slow smoked for 14 hours. Thomas Cook offers a 15-day fully escorted America’s Deep South

› Cajun in Louisiana The French-speaking residents of

space for its black bottom pecan pie. USAirtours offers an eight-night

& Cajun Country tour, which visits Nashville and Memphis, from £1,995,

Acadia may not have liked the British

Memphis & New Orleans twin-centre,

including British Airways flights

for kicking them out of eastern Canada

including four nights in New Orleans,

from London.

in the mid-18th century, but after many

from £1,125 including internal flights.

thomascooktours.com

resettled in Louisiana, we can certainly

usairtours.co.uk

› Wine in California

of California. While many of the best-

› Bourbon in Kentucky

If you have a client who’s never

known wineries are a short drive away

Bourbon whiskey is a barrel-aged

bothered getting their driving licence,

from San Francisco, you’ll find other

distilled spirit made mainly from

tell them to wait until they return from

excellent ones down the central coast

corn. You may well have spent a

a California holiday.

to Santa Barbara, inland in the Sierra

few happy evenings with Jim Beam,

foothills, even around San Diego.

Knob Creek, Wild Turkey or Maker’s

That way their partner will always be the one behind the wheel, while

You’re never far from a tipple. And

they get to sip, slurp and gargle their

don’t forget many vineyards also offer

way round some of the best vineyards

lodging, dining and spas.

in the world, with no arguments.

lip-smacking legacies. Dining on gumbo, jambalaya, po-boys or sweet beignets is the perfect accompaniment to even sweeter jazz, rockabilly or Cajun music. For great local food, recommend your clients head to Cochon (cochonrestaurant.com) for the fried alligator or pork cheeks glazed with cane syrup, or to Galatoire’s (galatoires. com) for a special occasion meal – save

state of Kentucky. Clients can visit their distilleries

Attraction Passes and Attraction

and find out about blue grass music,

World both offer California wine tours

and even take in some horse racing

the USA is the fourth-biggest wine

that will earn you commission.

at America’s most famous track,

producer in the world, of which nearly

attractionpasses.co.uk

Churchill Downs.

90% comes from the Sunshine State

attractionworld.co.uk

It may surprise you to learn that

Starting in Louisville, visitors can embark on a four-day Urban Bourbon

thank them for the distinct style of cooking – Cajun – that is one of their

Mark, all of which hail from the fine

trail, which includes walking tours,

› Pizza in Chicago

Tastebud Tours

restaurants, with Alinea (alinearestaurant.

cocktail tastings, restaurant, museum and distillery visits. Mint Julep Tours

When it comes to pizza, the Windy City

(tastebudtours.

is home to the deep dish ‘pie’ – a thick,

com) and Chicago

com) hanging on to

buttery crust up to three inches deep

Pizza Tours

its coveted three-star

a private tasting with master distiller

that is packed with cheese and has

(chicagopizzatours.

rating again this year.

Fred Noe, a seventh-generation

chunky tomatoes on top.

com) are two

It’s said to have been invented at

companies you can

Pizzeria Uno (unos.com) during the

recommend to clients if

Second World War and now the chain

they want to find out more.

battles with Lou Malnati’s (loumalnatis. com) for local pie supremacy.

Discover America - Indulgence

For non-pizza palates, Chicago has 19 Michelin-starred

Discover America - Indulgence

Virgin Holidays offers four nights in Chicago with flights from Heathrow and accommodation from £865. vhols4agents.co.uk

(bourbontrailtours.com) even offers

member of the Beam family. Cosmos offers a 15-day Historic Trails & Blue Ridge Mountains tour including a visit to a working whiskey distillery, from £1,895. cosmostoursandcruises.co.uk

14 theme parks

theme parks 15

Parks and

recreation When it comes to thrills and spills, Florida is the capital of the world. Paul Blaney looks at the best options for families, and those who want gentler pursuits

Beast) and Storybook Circus (based on

half a dozen themed restaurants and

family-friendly entertainment, especially

the circus featured in Dumbo). What’s

there’s plenty of souvenir shopping too.

its theme parks. But which park do you

more, there are breathtaking shows,

seaworldparksagents.co.uk

recommend? Each offers something for

unforgettable character experiences,

In addition to Orlando’s parks, children

children of all ages, but here’s a handy

one-of-a-kind shops, spas and diverse

will love a visit to Florida’s Space Coast,

guide to help you match the right

dining options. Epcot combines

which is home to the Kennedy Space

theme park to the right clients.

technology with cultural adventure,

Center and Cape Canaveral. Both can

and then there are Disney’s Animal

be visited on a day trip from Orlando.

Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and

Driving time is about an hour each way.

Legoland Florida is just made for

water parks.

visitspacecoast.com

families with children aged two to 12.

disneytravelagents.co.uk

The 150-acre park, 45 minutes’ drive

Another great option, outside Tampa

south of Orlando and east of Tampa,

on the Gulf Coast, Busch Gardens puts

Best for...a family with teens

boasts more than 50 rides, shows and

the emphasis on the natural world with

Universal Orlando Resort is a must

a new water park. Clients will need at

kid-friendly attractions such as Treetop

for thrillseekers and has a new

least two days to experience ‘pink-

Trails and Sesame Street Safari of Fun.

attraction opening this summer in

knuckle’ rollercoasters, the Imagination

seaworldparksagents.co.uk

the shape of Transformers: The Ride,

he Sunshine State is

two new themed areas this year,

tours and hands-on interaction, make

renowned for its blue

Enchanted Forest (inspired by The

SeaWorld a learning experience as

skies and sea breezes,

Little Mermaid and Beauty and the

well as a fun one. Family dining is in

its warm welcome and

Best for…a family with tots

Zone and Lego City. The park also

which combines 3D media with flight

a range of restaurants and shopping.

Best for…a family with pre-teens

Most families stay in Orlando, while

SeaWorld Orlando combines rides,

opening next year, will also offer

many take advantage of the transfer

shows and exhibitions. Among the

moderately-priced family suites as

from Orlando Premium Outlets, which