And other musings from this year’s Halloween Horror Nights
OK, we may not be first with the news in this instance, but we prefer to be right rather than quick (or some such nonsense). And, having recently completed our first trip to the epic production that is Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, we can say with some certainty that this is another rich tableau of the grisly, gory and downright fun.
With 10 haunted houses, four scare zones, two major shows and a scare-actor cast of hundreds (or so it seems), this year’s event – on select nights through November 1 – is packed with the gruesome stuff of horror movies, including, in a unique presentation, Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness. Yes, dear old Ozzy, who sadly passed away last year, finally gets his own House and well-deserved tribute haunt, and it is very much one of this year’s highlights.
But then, there are a whole bunch of highlights to enjoy in HHN35, including this year’s Tribute Store and a stunning live-action show featuring Britain’s fire-juggling Fuel Girls in Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir. Amazingly, they perform four times a night, and it is nothing short of breathtaking each time. Don’t sleep on the main show on the lagoon, either. A Rockin’ Stranger Things Rewind wraps up the hit TV series in suitably wild and eye-catching style, with a 12-minute performance that makes full use of the high-tech lighting, sound system and water features.
The performers of Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir go through their fire-juggling paces
The usual crew of chainsaw-wielding maniacs are also in good form, as are the scare zone denizens, especially from the macabre Downtown Clown Town and the freak show style of Sideshow of Decay, with a wild array of mis-formed and mutilated miscreants, making for a suitably scary backdrop of horror hangouts.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise, though, was before the evening’s event had even opened its ghastly gates. For the first time, we visited the evening CityWalk venue that undergoes a Halloween transformation from the Red Coconut Club to the aptly-named Dead Coconut Club, a live music bar-lounge that is open from 4pm each night and features some superb small-scale set-pieces that really add to the overall HHN style, as well as a live band who provide a rollicking soundtrack of well-known cover versions. This was a makeover Universal introduced in 2022 for HHN31 and it is now a key part of the Halloween scene and great fun while you wait for the main event to open.
The one thing we did find fault with, though, was the dining options for this year, which we thought were distinctly lackluster. There is certainly no shortage of places to get an alcoholic drink, but the food was a tad underwhelming, and the Minions Cafe remains a terrible idea in its use-the-App-or-go-hungry format. After trying numerous times to find the menu on Universal’s scattergun App website, we basically gave up and went for the sure thing of the Today Cafe, which continues to be some of the best VFM for food in the park, in our opinion.
But that one minor gripe aside, this was a thoroughly satisfying and entertaining evening out, and the live shows remain a real crown jewel in this gem of a presentation. And, for a true snapshot video of this year’s event, be sure to look up our new video of the Horrors in store:
What began as Orlando’s first boutique Irish music festival in 2012 is now a local institution at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs. The Great Irish Hooley kicks off for the 14th time just as the long Labor Day weekend begins on Friday, Sept. 4 and continues through midnight, Monday Sept. 7. This annual fiesta significantly adds to Raglan Road’s rep for the best of Irish song, dance, food, and drink, so check out all the details from their latest press release:
Six outstanding Irish bands, hailing from Glasgow to Galway and beyond, will rock the indoor and outdoor stages with traditional jigs and ballads, Neo-Folk, Celt grass, and pop tunes. Hooley guests can kick up their heels Sunday and Monday when the pub’s troupe of Irish dancers will lead Ceili step dances on the house floor. Entertainment kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday and runs all day the rest of the weekend from 11 a.m., to feature:
The Consequences
Driven by a passion for exploring the colors and complexities of Irish music, The Consequences are a new Irish traditional band eager to showcase their talents for Raglan Road guests. Hailing from around the United States, Lexie Boatright (Maryland), Jake James (New York), Cara Wildman (Texas), and Ryan Ward (New Jersey), come together at the Great Irish Hooley to create an original, dynamic sound.
Folk Division
Galway, in the heart of western Ireland, brings us this vibrant band of young singers and multi-instrumentalists. The group features Aaron Killilea (guitar, vocals), Chloe Reilly (vocals), and Mary Duggan (fiddle/keys/vocals), bringing a blend of timeless Irish music with fresh, contemporary arrangements.
Plain Sailin
This dynamic four-piece Irish trad/folk band from Clare and Offaly features Ronan O’Connell (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Seamus Kinsella (Fiddle), Darragh Cuddihy (Percussion, Vocals, Whistle), and Graham Lynch (Banjo). Blending traditional tunes with contemporary genres and a signature Irish twist, the group creates a vibrant experience rooted in the spirit of Ireland
Men of Aran
Men of Aran – Photo credit Luis Silos
These two legends of the Irish traditional music world, Colin Farrell (fiddle & whistles) and Dave Curley (banjo & vocals) have toured, performed, and recorded with numerous traditional Irish music luminaries. They’re known for charming Raglan Road audiences with a potent mix of sublime musicianship and electric energy.
Adam Sheahan
This gifted Irish folk and trad singer-guitarist is a storyteller at heart who captures the true spirit of Ireland. Having appeared on stages around the world, Sheahan brings his authentic voice and timeless songs to the Hooley for guests of all ages.
Northern Crossing
This traditional Irish music ensemble from Glasgow and Belfast features Hannah McNeill (fiddle, vocals, banjo & mandolin) and Niall McIlroy (guitar, whistles, flute & vocals). Both are accomplished musicians who offer an exciting live show.
Raglan Road Irish Dancers – The pub’s award-winning Irish dancers kick up their heels and defy gravity before your eyes.
The Irish vibes and Hooley spirit wouldn’t be complete without new bites and sips, and Raglan Road will debut these fall and Halloween specials during the long weekend:
Samhain Sangria: The Whistler Irish Whiskey and Pinot Grigio shaken with apple cider juice and house-made cinnamon syrup, topped with a bubbly Magners Irish Cider float.
Irish Pumpkin Shake: Our signature Baileys shake ice cream chilled to thrill with pumpkin spice, topped with a creamy cinnamon cold foam.
Boooo! Pumpkin Cream Ale crafted for Raglan Road by 81 Brewing Tampa, Fla.
Bandaged Bangers: Mini sausages bandaged in golden pastry, served with bright, tangy cherry buffalo sauce.
Raglan’s Ghostly Guinness Pie A hauntingly good puff pastry pie, its spooky face tucking into braised beef, wild mushrooms, and a slow-cooked Guinness gravy, garnished with a sweet onion puree.
Black Barrel Whiskey Ribs Half rack of slow-cooked pork ribs, coated in a Jameson Black Barrel whiskey glaze, served with a side of Guinness glaze.
Proper Little Pumpkin Raglan Road’s signature cheesecake with a pumpkin spice twist.
In addition to its All-Day Menu, the restaurant will serve its weekend Rollicking Raglan Brunch at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, Labor Day, the pub will open at 10 a.m. with its All-Day Menu and brunch specials to include The Full Irish, Hipsters Lament and Bread Pudding French Toast, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. At the restaurant’s Shop for Ireland boutique, a selection of new Halloween T-shirts and hoodies will be available through October.
Reservations are recommended but not required; call 407-938-0300. Check out raglanroad.com, and plan to join us for the Great Irish Hooley!
OK, it’s Magical Dining season in Orlando right now, and that means a chance to sample a lot of restaurants we might not normally visit thanks to the special 3-course prix-fixe menu that is the fundamental part of this annual dining extravaganza.
This year’s Magical Dining program (Aug 14-Sept 30) features a record-breaking 180+ restaurants all offering their own MD menus, which make for a genuine cut-price treat when it comes to dining out during this 48-day period. In the course of the last 20 years, it has become a genuine local highlight, and a great reason to sample restaurants that might not normally feature in our budget. The restaurants come in two categories, those at a $40 fixed menu and a $60 group that offers a more rarefied experience.
Every meal served during this Visit Orlando-inspired event, presented by Orlando Health, also benefits a variety of deserving local nonprofits. Since 2009, this initiative has raised nearly $3.3 million for various charities, and this year sees OCA (Opportunity, Community, Ability) as the main beneficiary. It empowers individuals with autism and other developmental differences — from as early as 18 months through adulthood — while also supporting their families, many of whom face financial barriers to care and long-term services. OCA partners with organizations like Special Olympics, United States Tennis Association, A Gift for Teaching, Orlando Family Stage and Central Florida Vocal Arts. Proceeds from Magical Dining ($1 from every $40 meal and $2 from every $60 meal) will go toward therapy scholarships, helping increase access to critical services and support, as well as programs that guide adults with special needs in defining life after high school with purpose, independence, and meaningful connection.
So, we have every reason to feel good about all our dining out for this extensive six-week period!
Now, our latest venture into Magical Dining territory is well worth recording, as it provided the perfect excuse to head out and sample a place we have been meaning to try for years, but have never quite got round to (mainly because it is quite a drive from the main Orlando tourist area). But, as we soon discovered, the Mission Resort + Club is well worth seeking out, notably for a special occasion. We didn’t have special reason to seek it out, but we decided it was just well past time to visit!
Now, it should be pointed out that you do need to make a significant effort to get there. It is nearly 40 miles and a 45-minute drive from Walt Disney World, into neighboring Lake County, where you’ll find the pretty town of Howey-in-the-Hills (and yes, there ARE some hills in Florida!). The Mission Resort is just to the north of this lovely lakeside location, set in more than 500 acres of private, landscaped grounds that include two championship-quality golf courses and a blissful Spa.
As the photos immediately suggest, this is a resort beautifully styled in classic Mission style, redolent of its Spanish Mediterranean roots and the Colonial style popular in southern California in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its graceful colonnades, tiled roofs and elegant architecture are a treat for the eyes, while the hotel part of the resort includes 176 rooms and two restaurants (plus an extra one, Grove House, in the golf clubhouse). It is also officially one of the Historic Hotels of America.
In the midst of this low-key grandeur lies the Conquistador Bar + Restaurant, which is brand new on the Magical Dining list for 2026. This was originally La Margarita Restaurant and El Conquistador, now consolidated into one with a super-chic bar and separate dining section, overlooking one of the pleasant courtyards around the property. There is a lovely outdoor terrace and then the main building, on the second floor, with the bar area immediately evident from the terrace.
Step inside, and there is a light, airy dining room, incorporating an unusual mix of cowhides, warm wood cabinetry and vibrant greenery. The bar boasts hand-crafted intricate tilework accents and surrounding architectural details, with a doubled back bar displaying high-end tequilas. Overall, the open, flowing floor plan includes pleasant, intimate nooks and a contemporary feel that still pays homage to the resort’s heritage.
You’ll notice we’re providing a LOT of specific detail about the restaurant as it’s definitely the kind of place you’ll want to sit and admire the decor and the ambiance. We were one of only four tables dining on this particular evening, hence it was pretty quiet and subdued, but we can easily imagine this being quite a lively room at peak periods as there are only about 15 tables in all, plus the terrace and the separate bar area. It has all the charm of communal dining for large families and groups, plus a more intimate arrangement for couples.
When it comes to the food, at least for Magical Dining, their menu covers a wide variety of bases, so it shouldn’t be hard to find something you like. The appetizer choice includes Caesar Salad (baby romaine, parmigiano and brioche croutons), Chorizo & Asparagus Bisque (aged manchego with a creamy finish), the Hunter & Gatherer (a vegetarian salad of spiraled beets, goat cheese, crispy pancetta, pickled onion and balsamic vinaigrette) and French Onion Soup. We chose the Hunter & Gatherer and the Bisque, albeit without the goat cheese for the veggie dish, as it’s not one of Susan’s favorite tastes. There was also a mini baguette for the table, which went extremely well with the soup. The salad was virtually an entree-sized portion, which immediately showed that we weren’t being short-changed on the prix fixe menu!
For our main courses, Simon had the Piquillo Salmon (piquillo pepper cream and sauteed spinach on a parmesan risotto) while Susan opted for Chicken Rigatoni (seared chicken in a shitake garlic cream with dry sherry and herb oil), while we could also have ordered the vegetarian Paella Jardin (saffron rice, peas, garbanzo beans, asparagus, pepper medley, capers and olives) or the Heritage Pork Chop (in a sweet potato puree with apple-bacon jam and brussels sprouts). Susan really liked the garlic cream, as well as the spiced rub on the chicken and generous size of the portion, while the salmon really hit the jackpot for Simon with its charred top layer, succulent fish underneath and the wonderfully tasty pepper cream.
For both of us, there was just slightly too much for one sitting, but we will enjoy the other half of the rigatoni for lunch at some stage this week! There was a short wait between the appetizers and entrees, but that suited the surroundings and the occasion. Finally, the dessert selection was possibly the hardest of them all – but the most memorable. From the choice of Peach Compote (orange sponge, melba syrup and vanilla ice cream), Seasonal Gelato & Sorbet (a rotating Chef’s selection), Creme Brulee (Madagascar vanilla bean with a caramelized sugar crust) and Seasonal Bread Pudding, we selected the latter duo and were richly rewarded by some of the best flavors of the evening.
Susan went so far as to say it was the best creme brulee she has ever had (and we’ve enjoyed some pretty fancy versions over the years), while the classic bread pudding hit all the high notes for Simon, who is a genuine aficionado of this traditional dish. He’d rate it alongside that at Raglan Road at Disney Springs, which has been his gold standard for bread pudding ever since the authentic Irish bar/restaurant opened in 2005. We each enjoyed a coffee with our desserts, while we also had a mocktail and glass of chardonnay to start with, bringing our total bill to $113. However, in full disclosure, we did have Visit Orlando vouchers for the meal, hence our outlay ultimately was $33, plus tip.
Dinner took a fraction under a leisurely two hours, which suited us perfectly, and we had the benefit of seeing the courtyard below us light up for the evening to complete a totally refined dining experience. All in all, we would definitely go back at some stage in future, perhaps for a wedding anniversary or birthday, and we’d be highly tempted to book a room for the night as well, to make it a really special occasion.
That’s the full review for now, but expect more restaurant reports from us soon! And, for YOUR Magical Dining experience, be sure to look up https://www.magicaldining.com/.
OK Brit Guide fans, this one’s expressly for you. Although our long-running guidebook died a slow and painful death in 2024, we have been quietly working to salvage the content and find a new home for it. And find a new home, we have.
The 29-year run of the Brit Guide was something of a phenomenon in guidebook terms, taking on the well-established big-budget travel series and coming out on top year after year as the UK’s best-selling guide to any destination. But now it has a successor. Step forward the Best Orlando Villa Holiday Guide.…!
Yes, we know, it’s a bit wordy, but the new UK-based publisher is well aware of the ever-growing market for villa holidays in Central Florida, hence they wanted to be right up front with this aspect of things. And, if we’re honest it’s something we should have done a while ago. The villa market is a real speciality in the Kissimmee area, and we needed a specialist to cover this area, hence the well-travelled Lizzie Best was recruited to write this section. We have to say, the information, and the way it is presented, far exceeded our expectations (and our ability to replicate it!).
In fact, with new layout and design, we think it looks even better than the days with our previous publisher. The colour is sharper, the design is more imaginative and the content has a bit more zing to it, having been given a complete overhaul and rearranged in a number of sections, including a month-by-month guide to what’s happening in terms of events and sports, as well as the weather (!).
A sample page from the new book
The chance to look at all the various Brit Guide content from a fresh perspective has led to a number of changes in the general flow of the book as well, while we have been able to add a lot more practical content when it comes to preparing for the holiday and getting to grips with matters like ride-share transport, toll roads in Florida (of which there are a lot) and travel insurance. We’ve added a section on Tampa Airport, in addition to Orlando and Melbourne, and boosted the Getting Around chapter with more advice and insight on child car seats, the essential Visitor Toll Pass and other driving practicalities. And the detail on villas, and all aspects of choosing the right villa and villa community, is second to none, with a comprehensive look at the logistics, value and places to stay, as well as things like grocery shopping and using barbecue grills.
Another big change is with the theme parks chapters, perhaps not surprisingly following the opening of Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe park, which is quite stunning. Now, all the main attractions are grouped together in one mega chapter, while a second chapter looks at other attractions, like Wild Florida and Mount Dora, that are all worthwhile Days Out in and around Orlando.
The full Epic Universe panorama
Of course, there are still chapters devoted to the essentials of Shopping, Dining and Sport, while we have re-worked the old Beyond Orlando section to give it a Florida Beaches focus that should have extra appeal to all our UK visitors.
In many ways, we’re grateful for the chance to re-work large parts of the old content and make it seem fresh again, and we thoroughly enjoyed the full write-up on Epic Universe, which is simply gorgeous to look at. There’s more in the pipeline, too, so be sure to follow all our updates on our Instagram account.
So, a final farewell, then, to the Brit Guide; and hello, Best Orlando Villa Holiday Guide (phew!).
An artist’s rendering of the new-look Magic of Disney Animation courtyardat night
OK, that headline sounds like a bit of gibberish, but it’s accurate – Walt Disney World is reimagining its current Animation Courtyard area in Disney’s Hollywood Studios as The Magic of Disney Animation, an all-singing, all-dancing area of characters, animation and classic fun, with a firm nod to Walt and his original Burbank studios.
Starting September 25, 2025, the Studios park will shut down the Courtyard area (with the exception of the newly reopened Little Mermaid show) and re-open it in late 2026 as a complete character-fest. Here’s what they say:
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (July 22, 2025) – A brand-new animated adventure is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026. “The Magic of Disney Animation,” will debut in the building that currently houses Star Wars: Launch Bay. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, and the Emmy award-winning and heartwarming short film “Once Upon a Studio,” guests will step into a whimsical twist on the real-life studio building, but this time, when the animators are away, the characters come out to play! Topped with Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat, the space will invite guests to explore different studio departments brought to life by Disney characters.
The redesigned outdoor courtyard space will become a tree-lined plaza full of Disney characters
In the Production Gallery, portraits come to life just like in the 2023 short film “Once Upon a Studio,” while in the Screening Theater, guests can get inspired by a short film the whole family will love. Additionally, they will have the chance to learn how to draw fan-favorite characters and greet them in real life.
Families with younger children will also delight in “Drawn to Wonderland,” an all-new indoor playground inspired by the whimsical concept art for “Alice in Wonderland” created by Disney Legend Mary Blair. This imaginative play area will feature an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area.
Beyond the building, Animation Courtyard will be reimagined into “The Walt Disney Studios,” a newly designed outdoor space offering shaded seating, playful landscaping and fun surprises, ideal for relaxing, snacking or spontaneous fun.
Walt Disney Animators and Imagineers are working hand-in-hand to bring the wonder and nostalgia of Disney animated films to the whole courtyard in new and immersive ways families will love.
“Our film came from the heart and from a desire of all the Disney Animation artists wanting to celebrate our artistic accomplishments and a passion for the studio’s legacy,” said “Once Upon a Studio” director, Trent Correy.
“Working on this film was the highlight of my career – the most fun I’ve ever had,” recalled his fellow director, Dan Abraham. “And now, to collaborate with the wonderful talents at Walt Disney Imagineering to bring the short and our studio to guests in this exciting way is beyond our wildest dreams.”
In addition to the new offerings, the exteriors of several existing buildings will be reimagined with design elements inspired by buildings found in Burbank. To prepare for the transformation, Animation Courtyard, Star Wars: Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close beginning Sept. 25, 2025. Guests can continue to enjoy “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and Walt Disney Presents while the transformation is completed.
More details about new offerings, characters, and experiences coming to this new area will be shared in the coming months.
Farewell, Launch Bay and its Star Wars theme – there’s a new theme a-c0ming!
We are rarely smitten by relatively simple rides in our theme parks, but we have to admit to being bowled over by the Constellation Carousel at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe park. It’s hard to imagine anyone could come up with anything new or really compelling for such an “old-fashioned” ride, but Universal’s designers have really reinvigorated this formula with their take on a classic carousel. Check out our video of the ride here:
Arriving at Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort, the 84th and final stop on our great Year On The Road RV adventure
All good things come to an end, as Chaucer once wrote, and, for us, it was arriving at Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort on the 52nd and final week of our grand A Year On The Road adventure across the US (and back) by RV. It was the culmination of a 12-month odyssey to discover more about the country, and expand our travel-writing horizons beyond merely Florida. It was successful in that aim in every aspect, and it was exhilarating to finally be back in our home town, and enjoying the inimitable Disney hospitality (especially at this rural and laid-back resort that most Disney guests never see).
Our campsite set-up in Fort Wilderness, in truly idyllic rural surroundings
We had started our final month in Biloxi, Mississippi, and traveled east and south via Gulf Shores and Mobile in Alabama, and then Navarre and Tallahassee in Florida’s “Panhandle,” the extreme north-west of the state, which is full of fabulous beaches and eye-catching coastline. The final 270-mile drive south from Tallahassee took us back into familiar territory once again, and the iconic signage that lets visitors know exactly where they are…
Gateway to “The most magical place on Earth,” Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Having set out from home on May 14, 2023, we walked back through our front door again on the exact same day a year later, having traveled more than 35,000 miles in our combination of Winnebago Sightseer and Ford Fiesta (our trusty tow car), a journey involving 23 states, 16 National Parks and a lifetime of memories. In many ways, we’re still processing where we went and what we saw (it was a LOT), and we still have the appetite for more, albeit it won’t be for a while! The full trip gave us more food for thought than the previous 10 years combined, while also serving to underline the benefits of home and the myriad of places that are right on our doorstep.
It would probably amaze most Magic Kingdom visitors to know that this is the vista little more than a metaphorical stone’s throw from the theme park!
Of course, having completed the journey meant we were duty-bound to conclude our exclusive journal series for the travel pages of The Independent newspaper, a roughly 17,000-word diary of road-going exploits across the most remarkable country in the world. It was a real pleasure being able to highlight the month-by-month narrative of our RV exploits, especially the awe-inspiring scenic nature of most of it, and we hope people enjoyed riding along with us, and are also inspired to try some of it for themselves, especially by RV. This truly is The Big Country, and there is so much more to see apart from the obvious. For now, it is time to relax and reflect – but we WILL be traveling again in future! To read the final part of our Independent series, see this link: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/north-america/usa/road-trip-usa-mississippi-alabama-disney-b2688413.html
Our spacious and blissful campsite at Fort Wilderness, surrounded by nature
If you would like to go back and enjoy the previous 11 instalments of our epic trip for The Independent, check out these links:
It is with sadness that we announce, officially, that we have severed ties with our publisher of the Brit Guide to Orlando, which we have written for the last 29 years. It has been a while in the works after some deep disappointments in the past few years, concluding with the publication of the 2024 edition in black and white, against our knowledge or even consultation.
It has been a good run, though. For much of the 29 years we have been the best-selling travel guide of any kind in the UK, and we have sold in excess of 250,000 copies in all. We have been a big part of many visitors’ Orlando holidays and have had some wonderful feedback and made lifelong friends as a result.
We will still be happy to meet up with people when they’re here, and we will continue to post on various social media about our work here in the Theme Park Capital of the World. And our work definitely won’t stop. As the old saying goes, as one door closes, another opens, and that will certainly be our intention going forward.
So, stay tuned to us here on the Veness Travel Media blog, and Follow us on Instagram, BlueSky Social and YouTube. You never know where we will turn up next!
The Mississippi coast proved a true delight to travel along, with its long fringe of gorgeous beaches
Louisiana and Mississippi proved to be the perfect territory for the later stages of our epic Year On The Road RV adventure, providing rich cultural and recreational influences. From laid-back Lafayette to surprising Biloxi, we took the road less traveled and reveled in the sights, sounds and tastes of this pretty Gulf Coast region. And you can read all about it in the latest instalment of our exclusive series for The Independent, a story of crawfish, beignets and beaches:
Waveland, Mississippi, was Ground Zero for Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and these steps are all that is left of the home that once stood on Coleman Avenue, where only one building survived the storm surge
This is the penultimate instalment of our unforgettable 35,000-mile road trip, which opened our eyes about much of the country and underlined the fact that the only real way to SEE America is to travel, widely, and off the beaten track. We would never have discovered places like St. Martinville, Kaplan and Waveland if we hadn’t been in our trusty Winnebago, and we absolutely adored this close-up view of the country and its many attractions. Stay tuned for Month 12, and a grand finale in our home stomping ground in Orlando…!
Like Louisiana,Mississippi served up some delicious food, like this succulent barbecue plate from the rustic The Shed in Ocean Springs
As we come to the end of another year in the life of two weary-but-happy travel writers, we are able to look back on a truly remarkable 12 months, culminating in the launch of our latest book, 111 Places In Orlando That You Must Not Miss.
Making sure our local Barnes & Noble store has a signed copy of the book!
Back in January, we were holed up in Donna, Texas, at the beginning of the homeward leg of our grand A Year On The Road RV adventure across the USA, taking a breather as we figured out the final four-and-a-half months of the trip. In the end, we continued with Plan B (our re-routed itinerary after discovering New Mexico gets a fair bit of ice and snow!) to travel the full length of the Texas coast and then hop through each of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama before returning to Florida. It all worked out well, albeit, we lost our beloved Ruthie the Rescue to an ongoing medical condition (and old age) in May.
A happy dog – Ruthie did so well on our big RV trip, but then faded quickly on our return home
The rest of the year has been devoted to getting our Orlando lives back in shape, catching up with work back in The Theme Park Capital of the World – and launching our new book. The 111 Places guidebook was a happy coincidence of a contact on LinkedIn flagging up an opportunity for us, and we were delighted to dive into a different side of Orlando, the non-theme-park side, for what is now our 52nd book. While part of an existing – and highly popular – book series by German publisher Emons, it gave us the opportunity to spread our wings and delve into a completely different side of The City Beautiful, one which doesn’t get a lot of publicity.
The 111 Places in Orlando team – us with photographer Kayla L. Smith
The simple fact is, there is more to this huge tourist destination than meets the eye – much more, in fact. There is a wealth of history, art and culture, as well as a thriving downtown district scene, and some unique restaurants. All of this, plus some of the quirky and offbeat places that most cities can boast, and more can be found between the pages of the new book, studded as it is with wonderful photography by Orlando photographer Kayla L. Smith. This is a book we are immensely proud of, and we hope everyone who buys it discovers something new, exciting and captivating about the city we call home. There are 111 stories just waiting to be discovered (along with another 111 that are linked to the main Places!).
How our epic Year On The Road adventure started – with driving lessons!
And that’s our (basic) story of 2024, at least for now. There will be more new adventures in 2025, although we don’t know what they will be yet. We are probably going to take a step away from our Brit Guide work for the immediate future, but there will be another edition in Susan’s Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World series in the not-too-distant future, plus more about our Year On The Road adventure. We’re hoping to get back to Europe for some (long) overdue travels there, and we also want to see more of the USA’s east coast. We do plan more RVing at some stage, but we might need an extended break first! In the meantime, we’d like to wish all our family, friends and followers the happiest of Holidays, and a peaceful and prosperous New Year –
