All the videos are hosted on YouTube and feature within the relevant sections of the FloridaBaby.co.uk website which is also packed with further information about travelling with babies and toddlers, and includes its own forum for visitors to share their own tips and advice.  All the videos can be shared with friends, and there are facilities to leave comments and video responses via YouTube.

The media event was sponsored by Orlando CVB and many of the major national press and parenting titles joined us at the launch, including The Sun, Sunday Mirror, The People and Junior magazine, along with representatives from Disney, SeaWorld, Orlando CVB and, of course, our friends at Travel City Direct.  Following the drinks reception, we all moved into the screening room to watch a presentation by Helena Beard from KBC PR & Marketing about the customer insight which led to the development of the idea for Florida Baby, the unveiling of the site itself, and a selection of videos from the site.  To see the videos and visit the site, go to www.floridababy.co.uk

Lisa Minot, The Sun and James Ellis, Express, Sun & Metro talk to Lucy Quilliam, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Helena Beard, KBC PR & Marketing, unveils FloridaBaby.co.uk to the media

www.floridababy.co.uk home page

'Who us? No, no way...'

Never work with animals or children, or so they say.  Well, what do ‘they’ know?  I’ve just come back from a dream press trip for Travel City Direct, taking four  influential journalists and their well – behaved (or was that the other way around?) children to the beautiful island of Antigua to see just what the best of the Caribbean has to offer to the discerning 10 year old.

The girls are gonna win it...

 

 

Quite a lot, so it turns out.  There was kayaking, sailing, and lots of snorkelling and swimming.  There was beach cricket, football matches in the sun and even a sandcastle building competition at the superb Rexplorers Kids’ Club at the Halcyon Cove by rex resorts. 

Watch out for the killer bees....

  There was whooping and splashing as they dive bombed off the back of a catamaran in a private beach cove during a circumnavigation of the island.  And there were the loudest screams ever to grace the Antiguan rainforest canopy as they soared through the trees on zip wires at the Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour. 

And that was just the adults.

Add to this, an unlimited supply of interesting fruity drinks, a memorable souvenir hunting experience in the vibrant markets of St Johns, and some of the biggest breakfasts (complete with pancakes and syrup, mmm…) they’d ever consumed, and we had four happy kids and four equally happy parents.

Check out the images and the videos below, and see what we got up to…For more images, see our Flickr page

 

Could get used to this working during daylight hours!

Over here....

The kids relax on the cat

Last day in the sun

If you thought staying in an on-site Disneyworld Resort hotel in Florida was a bit beyond your budget, think again!  Travel City Direct, the specialists in providing great value family holidays to Florida, has just made the magic even more affordable.

Book your stay at an on-site Disney hotel by 15 February 2010, and receive FREE 14 or 21 day  Disney Ultimate Tickets for the kids, saving £210 per child.  Plus, if you travel between 03 January and 18 May 2010, you’ll also receive a free Disney Gift Card, worth up to a whopping $1000.  This can be spent in the majority of restaurants, bars and retail outlets throughout Walt Disney World Resort.   Suddenly, your holiday budget will stretch a lot further than you thought.

Prices at Disney’s Pop Century Resort start from just £699 per adult with Travel City Direct.  Price includes return Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick or Manchester and is based on 14 night  holidays departing 04 Jan – 11 Feb 2010. Terms and conditions apply.  Prices are based on mid-week departures and are subject to change.

For more information and to book please call 0844 557 6965

Keep the excitement of Christmas going this January with a trip to the magical theme parks of Florida. With prices starting from £549pp there’s never been a better time to book. Travel City Direct is now part of the Virgin Holidays family and continues to offer the same excellent value for money they always have. Here are our offers of the week:

Banish the blues for only £549pp
Stay 14 nights at the Champions World Resort, Kissimmee from only £549pp. Price is based on two adults and two children sharing on a room only basis departing 5 January 2010. Price includes return Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick. Bookable exclusively at www.travelcitydirect.com. Terms and conditions apply, prices are based on mid-week departure and are subject to change. London Gatwick.

Pre-Christmas shopping from only £399pp
There’s still time for a pre-Christmas treat with Travel City Direct this December. Head to Florida for a magical £399pp staying 14 nights at the Champions World Resort, Kissimmee. Price includes return Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick, is based on two adults and two children sharing on a room only basis on selected departure dates until 9 December 2009. Bookable exclusively at www.travelcitydirect.com.Terms and conditions apply, prices are based on mid-week departure and are subject to change.

Book now for next summer – family villa from only £625pp
Travel City Direct is offering 14 nights in a four-bed Classic Home in Orlando from only £625pp based on 4 adults and 4 children sharing. The house sleeps eight, so is great for two families or friends. Within a 20 minute drive of Walt Disney World Resort, this is a great base for exploring central Florida and the theme parks. Price includes Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick departing between 13 – 27 September 2010 and includes car hire with fully inclusive insurance. Bookable exclusively at www.travelcitydirect.com.Terms and conditions apply and prices are subject to change

For media enquiries contact the Travel City Direct Press Office 01825 76 36 36
Becky.Hartfield@kbc-pr.com

Travel City Direct, the Florida specialists, offer great value holidays to Florida. Now the industry experts are giving you their great tips on saving money on the rest of your Florida holiday:

Make sure you do your research thoroughly before buying your theme park tickets. Remember if you don’t use all of your days on your ticket, hold on to them, you maybe able to use them for future trips up to a year after.

On arrival pick up a free city guide at the airport, hotel or tourist office to get money off vouchers on places to eat and attractions.

Visit one of the many outlet malls to save money on great named brands such as Nike, Guess and Gucci. Give your teenagers a budget before you let them loose in the mall!

Buy children’s souvenirs at the end of the holiday. Let them make a note of what they liked, how much it was and where they saw it and then wait until the end of the holiday to buy what they really liked.

Stock up on snacks and drinks in local supermarkets before entering the theme parks.

Look out for offers on free Disney Dining packages. These include free snacks, meals and drinks meaning you can budget before you travel.

If you fancy eating out but don’t want to drive, take advantage of the I-ride trolley which is available until late and costs approx $1.25 per person each trip.

Look out for restaurants that have outdoor facilities like mini golf or park activities, which mean children will be having fun lots of free fun, whilst you enjoy your food.

If you’re lucky enough to experience a Florida shower due to a water ride or weather conditions, take your raincoats rather than spending money buying ponchos at the parks.

Book with Travel City Direct from only £399 per person staying 14 nights at the Blue Palm Hotel, International Drive. Price is based on two adults and two children sharing on a room only basis departing 17 – 30 November 2009. Price includes return Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick or Manchester. Terms and conditions apply, prices are based on mid-week departure and are subject to change.

For more information and to book please visit www.travelcitydirect.com.

For further information, to discuss a press visit or to arrange an interview, please contact Becky Hartfield at KBC PR & Marketing. Tel: 01825 76 36 36 Email: Becky.hartfield@kbc-pr.com

Travel City Direct has introduced three and four night shopping breaks to Orlando new from 1 November 2009, so why not treat yourself to a great value short break and save money on those all important Christmas presents.

A report states that the average spend on Christmas presents per child is £177, which equates to $282, and with many toys being the same price or cheaper in US dollars to pounds, you’ll be able to get considerably more for your money. The new girls’ craze Go Go Hamster wheel and tunnel can be brought for $15.99 but in the UK is £14.99 – saving almost £5. The boys’ craze this Christmas is Bakugan, and the Battle Play Set is only $16.99 in America compared to £19.99 in the U.K saving almost £8. Guess Who Extra is a must for family fun this Christmas – purchase in America for only $16.99 compared to £19.99 in the UK – saving £9.

Plus, with over ten shopping malls in Orlando alone you’ll be spoilt for choice, making Christmas preparation even easier and a lot more fun this year!

Stay at three nights at the Monumental Movieland Hotel, International Drive starts from £519 with Travel City Direct.  Price includes return Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick or Manchester and based on departing on 16 and 30 November or 7 December 2009. Terms and conditions apply, prices are based on mid-week departure and are subject to change.

For more information and to book please call 0844 557 6965

For further information, to discuss a press visit or to arrange an interview, please contact Becky Hartfield at KBC PR & Marketing. Tel: 01825 76 36 36 Email: Becky.hartfield@kbc-pr.com