GO WITH THE FLO
WE’RE sipping Budweisers on the patio, the kids are enjoying the private pool and the American Dodge RT Charger is parked on the drive…
Minutes after arriving at our Florida rental property we’re already easing comfortably into the all-American lifestyle of sun and star-spangled fun.
Setting the tone for our stateside social is the spacious four-bedroom, three-bathroom crib – 9165 Wedge Drive, on the ChampionsGate Golf Resort in Orlando – which we found through luxury rental company 5 Star Villa Holidays.
With gleaming granite worktops, marble top bath tubs, supersized beds and a jumbo couch opposite a mighty wall-mounted flatscreen, we are in bountiful real estate heaven.
Outside in the sunshine, the pavements are scrubbed clean and litter-free, the lawns neatly clipped, and there’s a holiday vibe too.
Residents of the ChampionsGate billion-dollar community get SUSAN HILL automatic access to the glamorous Oasis clubhouse with tiki bar and restaurant, two huge swimming pools with cabanas and waiter services, a splash park and a tree-lined lazy river.
There’s also a pristine 18-hole golf course, a movie theatre, games room, organised children’s activities, fitness suite and sports courts – all within a five-minute stroll.
Eating like an American proves to be a major part of the fun. Stopping off at classic diner Denny’s for Oreo milkshakes and buttermilk pancakes, picking up sugary treats at Dunkin’ Donuts and even stocking up on Cool Whip at Walmart are novelty excursions in themselves.
For our nine-year-old daughter Scarlett, spending her dollars at the pre-teen store Justice at Orlando International Premium Outlets is a major thrill.
Meanwhile, our son Albie, eight, impresses the locals with his bottleflipping skills on the pavement outside the 7-Eleven. ChampionsGate is also the ideal choice for families visiting Orlando’s theme parks. After a short drive on the I-4 highway, we begin a thrill-ride quest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
High above the resort, Expedition Everest – a roller coaster with a twist – speeds daredevils through a mountain to avoid the Abominable Snowman before sending them backwards down an 80ft drop.
Another favourite is Kilimanjaro Safari where animal explorers are taken on a 20-minute jeep safari through “Africa” to see zebras, rhinos, lions, giraffes and elephants in their natural environments.
We arrive at the Magic Kingdom in time for the steam punk-style Disney character parade, which features everyone from princesses and Disney Pixar pals to baddies.
Disney Fastpasses are included in our tickets and can be used to beat the queues. We used ours for a special backstage meet-and-greet experience with Mickey Mouse in his dressing room.
Getting that all-important crowdfree selfie and a high five with the world’s most-famous mouse is a big highlight. At Epcot Park we are