Posts Tagged ‘Disney World Florida’

Alamo now on-site at Tampa

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Great news for British Airways passengers into Tampa. Not only will there be two extra flights per week from March 27th 2011, but now car hire clients can collect their Alamo cars from the terminal without having to get a shuttle!

BA is to move two of its weekly flights from Orlando to Tampa in March, this will provide daily service from the UK to Tampa for the airline, for the first time. Tampa International airport is only an hour or so away from the Walt Disney World / Kissimmee area and flights can often be a little cheaper than flying into Orlando. Because the airport is not as busy as Orlando, overall times of processing at Tampa are usually much quicker.

During November Alamo car hire moved its desks into the terminal area and its cars into the on-site car parks. Because Alamo are currently cheaper than the other providers on our website with almost identical packages, this makes them a very attractive proposition at the airport now.

If you would like to check what is included within your Alamo insurance package do please give us a call when we will be happy to fill you in.

Animal Kingdom on course for new attraction

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Navigating a rickety footbridge over a river chasm can be dicey enough for explorers. In an all-new Disney adventure, what lurks below that bridge may quicken their step to get to the other side: Crocodiles!

A ravine of menacing-looking crocs, pools of hippos, bushwalks along untracked terrain and other thrills await guests on Wild Africa Trek, a unique wildlife experience scheduled to launch in early 2011 into the deepest, most-remote reaches of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Reservations can now be booked for the three-hour, expert-led adventure that will immerse guests in the realms and wildlife thrills of far-off Africa – without leaving Walt Disney World Resort. In small groups, guests on the Wild Africa Trek will enjoy an “up-close-and-personal” experience with African wildlife species that make their home in Pangani Forest as well as other areas of the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve. As part of the adventure, guests will clip onto a lifeline as they step to the very edge of a cliff to get amazingly close to the hippos and crocs waiting just below. Talk about cliff-hangers!

Adventure-minded guests will have the experience of a lifetime as they get immersed in an authentic African safari experience that only Disney can deliver,” said Michael Colglazier, vice president of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “We are thrilled to be offering this unique outdoor adventure aimed at active vacationers, taking interactions with the incredible animals that inhabit the Harambe Reserve to the next level and literally blazing new trails in our park.”

Highlights of what’s in store for guests on this add-on adventure:

  • Navigating through fern and vine forests on a bushwalk that sets a course for adventure.
  • Trekking with experienced guides through areas of Harambe Wildlife Reserve that aren’t explored during regular Disney’s Animal Kingdom experiences.
  • Clipping into a harness attached to a safety line, crossing a seemingly precarious rope bridge over the Safi River and cliff-hanging at the edge of gullies that are home to hippos and crocodiles.
  • Experiencing the thrill of “over-landing” in customized open-air vehicles following the edge of a magnificent, wide-open savanna.
  • Unwinding from an unforgettable adventure at a private safari camp for wildlife viewing. At this station elevated above the savanna, guests savour sample tastes of Africa as their adventure draws to a relaxing and satisfying close.
  • Wild Africa Trek will be offered several times daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Groups will be kept small, consisting of no more than 12 trekkers per safari.

    Reservations for Wild Africa Trek can be arranged by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). Pricing for this unique adventure will vary seasonally. Guests who reserve a booking from Jan. 16-Feb. 26, 2011, may take advantage of an introductory offer starting at $129. Park admission is required for participants.

    While Disney Transportation is always available and complimentary, it can involve quite a bit of waiting about for buses.  At certain times of day like park entry and closing the buses can be overwhelming.  Consider hiring your own car for some flexibility – you don’t have to pay for parking if you are staying on site – and then you have access to cheaper shops and restaurants away from Disney World.  You could well save the cost of your car hire in cheaper meals and food by going off site a few times!

    Hyperion Wharf – new attraction at Walt Disney World

    Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

    Work will soon begin on a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island and other one-of-a-kind experiences as Walt Disney World Resort continues to bring new stories to life at Downtown Disney. Combined, the projects are expected to create an estimated 1,200 new jobs over the next three years.

    “We have made great progress since first announcing our vision to bring new shopping, dining and entertainment experiences to Downtown Disney, many of which can’t be found anywhere else and have already become guest favourites,” said Keith Bradford, vice president of Downtown Disney. “We look forward to providing even more ways for our guests to enjoy Downtown Disney, while at the same time creating new jobs for Central Floridians.”

    A nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier will evolve Pleasure Island into “Hyperion Wharf.” By day, the bustling port district will draw guests in with its stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland. Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district also will feature a relaxing lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. Its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.

    “Hyperion Wharf will offer guests of all ages a vibrant atmosphere and new experiences that can be enjoyed by day or by night,” said Bradford. “Whether looking for a great place to dine with the whole family or a place to relax and enjoy live music, Hyperion Wharf will provide the perfect setting for guests to make new memories with us.”

    Downtown Disney is a free-entry area of the Walt Disney Resort in Florida and is a great destination for evenings and lazy days whether you are staying in Disney World or not.

    To get the most out of your stay, hire a car in Florida so that you can access all the attractions at any time, at your own convenience!

    Drivers under 25 – a new option!!

    Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

    We have great news for all our drivers under 25, now you have a new option to choose from! Alamo has released its own Young Driver Package for this age group which works exactly the same way as the Budget Young Driver Package we have previously discussed.

    Drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 must book the car in their own name, and use the Diamond insurance package only. Once you have chosen your car, proceed to the next page and make sure the Young Driver box is selected with a tick. If you then press continue, the website will add up the total cost of your order for you and you can book the car.

    Unlike Budget, where the lead driver must also have a credit card in their own name, Alamo is happy to accept a VISA debit card so this really expands the options we have available to clients and is great news. Alamo has many locations around Florida, particularly Central Florida and the Disney area where it has the Disney Car Care Center, amongst others. The cost is currently £62 per day, and as it is all paid up front and includes the fuel you will have nothing else to pay on arrival!

    As with Budget, other drivers over 25 can be included at no extra charge making this a great option for parties with a younger driver, or families with older children requiring some freedom…

    Alamo is a popular choice with many clients because of its ‘Choice Product’ where you choose the car you want from the available models in that category, a really useful feature for making sure you can fit all your luggage in.

    Christmas is coming… Get your booking in!

    Monday, December 14th, 2009

    I am sure you have noticed the signs, the shops are full, there are carols on the radio, and festive decorations everywhere – Christmas is coming!!
    If you haven’t yet made your Florida car hire arrangements for the holiday season you may wish to attend to it as a matter of urgency. Popular 4 x 4 vehicles are nearly sold out, as are many of the larger, luxury cars.

    Budget Rent a Car have recently taken delivery of a new fleet and we have clients reporting cars with less than 10 miles on the clock. That is like having a brand new car for Christmas!

    If you do book a Budget car, don’t forget to take advantage of the pre-registration facility. You don’t want to be spending your precious holiday queuing up at the hire desk in the airport. Pre-register at least one week before arrival and then you can swan over to the car park booth at your leisure to collect your car. You will be at Disney World before you know it!

    If you need any help selecting your car please give me a call on 01428 741438, or drop me an email: admin@carhireflorida.net.

    What size car?

    Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

    Choosing the right size of car is important for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, you need to be able to get all of your luggage into it when travelling to and from the Airport, particularly on the way back when your luggage is now full of souvenirs!!  The second reason is that as Florida is a ‘drive through’ state, you will be probably be spending quite a bit of time in the car.  Unless you are staying ‘in resort’ at Disney World, or Universal, you will most likely need to drive to shops, restaurants, attractions and you may fancy a day trip to the beach.  If you are all crammed into the car you will need to be extremely familiar with the other members of your party.

    In the current climate no one wants to spend more than they need to on a car, but a few extra pounds for the next size up, may turn out to be the best holiday investment you have made.

    The Florida car rental companies put the onus on you to select the appropriate size vehicle, and rather than being sympathetic, they will rub their hands together if you can’t all get in – they get to upgrade you, and you get to pay for it!!

    The choice is made slightly more tricky as the vehicles used to illustrate each category are just examples, and particular models vary as to how much luggage and elbow room there will be.  Another reason to be generous on your sizing’s.

    You may wish to consider a 7 seater minivan – these are hugely popular, and justly so.  Even if there are only 4 or 5 in your party, the people carriers offer so much flexiblity as to where people sit, who has to sit together, elbow room when you are hot, fold down seats for luggage, etc, etc.  They also offer a raised driving position and view on the road, you may find this helpful in an area when the majority of cars are huge!

    Conversely, couples travelling with small amounts of luggage can take advantage of the smaller, cheaper cars.  Companies such as Alamo, Budget and Dollar actually have limited numbers of Economy category cars which get booked out quickly.  We have many regular travellers who consistently book the smallest car confident that they will be upgraded when they arrive.  Of course you do take the chance that, just this once, they do actually have a 2 door economy car, but many are happy to take a calculated risk.  This is not advisable though if you have more than two in your party and actually require a bigger car.

    If you would like help with choosing the most appropriate size of car, please give us a call in the office on 01428 741438