18 FEATURE
orlando
PENGUINS AND BELUGAS A NATURAL DRAW BY JEANNINE WILLIAMSON “Although the outside temperature was already nudging 30C, I felt decidedly under- dressed in the usually obligatory Orlando uniform of T-shirt and shorts. But in the world’s theme park capital there’s always a surprise waiting around the corner. Welcome to Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. Following a sign to the South Pole (with a pointer to London 17,039 km away), I took the gentle family ride through an ice cave before stepping into the stunning new home for SeaWorld’s 250-strong penguin colony. After walking past the snowy surroundings mimicking their natural habitat I went back out into more temperate climes to watch the penguins swim and dive in the fantastic two-storey underwater viewing gallery. To help clients make the most of their time agents can pre-book SeaWorld tickets through Attraction World and Do Something Different. VIP visits, behind the scenes tours and a Beluga whale encounter, available through the same providers, also make great add-ons.”
“Both Disney and Universal give residents staying at their on-site hotels the opportunity to start early and stay late in the theme parks” NICK TALBOT, MARKETING
MANAGER, FUNWAY HOLIDAYS
for the USA & Canada at Virgin Holidays. “We are seeing the family market continue
to favour early booking as a way to secure the trip of a lifetime. In addition, we are also seeing more couples heading to Florida to explore both Orlando and beyond.” Jetsave General Manager Shona Swain added: “With new attractions this year, it’s the perfect time to visit the Sunshine State.” Away from the new rides and attractions at
Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Legoland, there are a host of different experiences on offer, from the Space Coast to the great outdoors. A twin-centre break with a relaxing beach stay
after a busy week at the theme parks is a great way to sell the two very different sides of Orlando. Active clients will love state parks such as Wekiwa and Rock Springs Run, where canoeing,
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horse riding and cycling are on offer. Between October and March hundreds of manatees gather in Crystal River on the Nature Coast and visitors can take boat tours, snorkel and dive with these gentle aquatic mammals.
As well as being a guaranteed client pleaser there are plenty of reasons to sell Orlando. Visit Orlando has launched an enhanced Orlando Travel Academy (
orlandotravelacademy.com) and agents can use the online tool to keep up to date with news and qualify to become an Orlando Travel Expert.
Agents completing the programme can
win one of 50 places on a
week-long fam this autumn and benefi t from exclusive agent-only deals.
Visit Orlando also runs
nationwide training events and workshops with its theme park partners, and agents benefi t from discounts on accommodation, attractions, shopping, dining and more during the Travel Industry Deal Season
(
visitorlando.com/hospitality) from August 15 – September 30.
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