What else can you say about Florida? For decades it’s been the perennial family holiday destination where fantasy is turned into reality and where dreams come true. Every year the major theme parks in Florida have something up their sleeves and this year’s no different, so here’s what you can expect when you rent a holiday villa in Florida this year.

SeaWorld Orlando will unveil a mind-blowing, first-of-its-kind exhibit called Turtle Trek. A 3D/360-degree dome shaped theater will plunge guests into a dazzling underwater world and will take them on a fascinating journey as you trace the life cycle of a sea turtle. The aquatic fun doesn’t end there though, as Discovery Cove will open Freshwater Oasis which features wading adventures and first-hand encounters with otters and marmosets.

Universal Studios Orlando has a variety of things going on in 2012, including a digital renovation of Islands of Adventure’s popular attraction, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman to make it sharper and more realistic than ever. In addition, Universal’s Citywalk has been expanded and will introduce its brand new Hollywood Drive-In Golf courses, however it’s the new 3D Despicable Me attraction that will take centre stage this year. In this brilliant exhibit, guests will have the chance to be trained by Gru, the world’s greatest villain and will be transformed into one of his mischievous minions.

Its set to be a big year for Walt Disney World as the Magic Kingdom will reveal the largest expansion in the resort’s history. The newly developed Fantasyland area will unveil brand new attractions like Under the Sea¬¬-Journey of the Little Mermaid, the Be Our Guest Restaurant and Storybook Circus. To wet your appetite, the Magic Kingdom will also introduce an interactive role-play adventure game where guests become apprentice sorcerers on a quest to defeat an army of Disney villains in January.

The new Legoland Florida is also joining in on the fun by adding a water park to its thrilling rides and amazing attractions. There’ll be wave pools, water slides, a build-a-raft lazy river and even a DUPLO splash safari that the whole family can enjoy.

Rent a holiday home in Florida this year and experience all the astonishing new attractions, exhibitions and expansions that have made Florida undisputedly the best destination in the world for a family holiday in 2012. Visit our micro site Villas Near Disney Florida.Com to have a look at the array of holiday accommodation in Florida available to rent direct from the owner. Click here to have a look at this property which would be perfect for a holiday to Florida’s theme parks.

This February proves to be one of the most exciting months of the year for Orlando with two top class sporting events wowing crowds of all ages. Both the Daytona 500 and the NBA All-Star Weekend will roll in to Orlando, media exposure and top draw sport in phenomenal abundance, providing vacationing families with an unrivalled opportunity to join in the fun and experience some of the best parts of American culture.

The NBA All-Star Weekend is a particularly glitzy event laced with the flamboyance and exuberance that only American’s can accomplish. Taking place from the 24th February until the 26th at the spectacular Amway Centre in Orlando the All-Star Weekend will see a whole host of exhibitions that are fun-filled and mind-blowing in equal measure.

The first event of the weekend is the ‘NBA Rising Stars Challenge’ showcasing the brightest talents in basketball in an exhibition match and always promises as many thrills and spills as Sunday’s grand finale. Saturday is one of the most mystifying chapters of the NBA All-Star Weekend with top NBA players taking part in four different competitions that show off their mesmeric skills. These events include the ‘Shooting Stars’ competition, the thrilling ‘Skills Challenge’, the ‘Three-Point Shootout’ and the main event of the night, the ‘Slam Dunk Contest’ which is always a good place to see some silky skills and extraordinary athletic ability. The climax of the weekend is no doubt one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world, as the best players in the NBA face-off in an exhibition match which is as dramatic and competitive as any cup final. The All-Star Game is bursting with entertainment from some of the world’s best performers and is flooded with celebrities making it a truly enthralling extravaganza.

For motor sports fans, the Daytona 500 is akin to a pilgrimage. Known as “The Great American Race”, it is NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most illustrious race featuring 43 of the best stock car racers in the world in a star studded event unlike any other. The Daytona International Speedway itself is like the holy land of motor sports as the enormous 480 acre complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the planet and is well worth a visit on any day of the week as there could be anything happening, from car shows to vehicle testing. This years race will not only provide a mesmerising display of motor racing but also gives fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the Sprint FANZONE where they can take part in a question and answer session with drivers, sign the start/finish line, view the pre-race inspection of vehicles and peak into team’s garages to see their last minute preparations.

So rent a holiday villa in Orlando this February to take advantage of it’s magical theme parks and these two gigantic sporting events. Visit our micro site Villas Near Disney Florida.com which has an amazing array of fantastic holiday homes in Florida, perfect for your dream family holiday.

This year for a truly once in a lifetime holiday for you and your family, rent a holiday villa in Florida and get swept away in the magical festive celebrations taking place in Orlando’s amazing theme parks.

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is already a magical place for the young and the young at heart and “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” will prove to beyond your wildest dreams. This stunning festive celebration is bursting with live entertainment, spectacular fireworks and is topped off with a dazzling Once Upon a Christmastime Parade that even features an appearance from Father Christmas himself. Experience a mesmeric winter wonderland where you’ll have the chance to meet your favourite Disney characters throughout the Magic Kingdom, enjoy complimentary cookies and cocoa and witness snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebrations have a plethora of fantastic festive shows ranging from Killer Whales to Sesame Street that will put the whole family in the Christmas spirit. But these aren’t the only attractions that will dazzle kids of all ages, as “The Polar Express Experience” and the “Sea of Trees” will take your breath away. In “Sea of Trees” you can take a walk through a glistening forest of over 100 Christmas trees that have been decorated with 9 miles of fibre optic cable and five tons of LED’s to create spectacularly choreographed illuminations. Meanwhile “The Polar Express Experience” sees the beloved Christmas classic come to life and offers you and your family the chance to journey to the North Pole and meet Father Christmas himself, but make sure to keep hold of that golden ticket!

Celebrate Grinchmas at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure this December where Seuss Landing has been transformed into a whimsical world of “Grinchmas” with festive storybook décor around every corner. As part of the Grinchmas Spectacular you’ll see Who’s from Whoville wandering the streets and you’ll even have a chance to meet the Green One himself. However, the star attraction has to be the heartwarming live show starring The Grinch that will put a smile on everyone’s face. You can also witness the marvellous Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios, with plenty of holiday spirit provided by a flurry of floats, balloons, marching bands and even Santa Clause himself. There are also plenty of fun shows to catch such as The Blue Brothers Holiday Show, whilst you can even explore the magical holiday village which is bursting with unique gifts and delicious festive treats.

Rent a holiday home in Florida this Christmas for an unforgettable Christmas holiday that will put the whole family in the Christmas spirit. Visit our micro site Villas Near Disney Florida.Com to have a look at our amazing range of holiday accommodation in Florida only a stone’s throw away from Orlando’s magical theme parks.

Escape the winter chill this year and rent a holiday villa in Fort Myers, one of Florida’s most laid back and friendly cities. Visit Fort Myers and while your days away on the glorious talcum powder shores of the Gulf Coast.

Known as the “City Of Palms”, Fort Myers also has a variety of activities and attractions to enjoy if you can manage to peel yourself off your sun bed. One of it’s principal attractions are the lavish estates of famous inventor Thomas Edison and industrialist Henry Ford who were seduced by Fort Myers’ tropical climate and sensational natural beauty and made it their winter getaway.

The massive estates of Ford and Edison are undoubtedly Fort Myers’ biggest tourist attraction, the 9th most popular national historic site in the United States, showcases 20 acres of historic buildings, gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Edison Ford Museum. The museum is a fascinating exhibition which pays homage to two of America’s most influential individuals and showcases some truly astonishing artifacts that displays their innovation and creativity, including the telegraph, the telephone and the x-ray machine.

Nearby Sanibel Island is enveloped by some of the best beaches in the world. Perfect for a luxuriously relaxing day trip, the island is also one of the best seashell collecting spots in Florida – a delightful way to lose a few hours. There’s more to the island than beaches too, like the rest of Florida, the nature on display here is unrivalled, in particular, the J N Darling National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 200 hundred species of birds, alligators, otters and a plethora of other animals. Walk, cycle or drive through this enchanting wonderland or even hop on a narrated tram which guides you through the 6,300 acres of land.

Back on mainland Fort Myers, there’s various trendy boutiques and delightful art galleries to wander about, whilst you can also tuck into the local speciality Gulf Shrimp in a charming waterside restaurant or café. In addition if you fancy a taste of the big town essentials then Fort Myers won’t let down with big name brands aplenty in the Edison Mall, the biggest shopping mall in south west Florida.

Follow in the footsteps of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and choose Fort Myers as your winter getaway this year. Visit our micro site Villas Near Disney Florida.Com which despite it’s name has a tremendous selection of holiday accommodations in Fort Myers.

Congratulations to our competition winners Lesley Garlock, Alan Parks and Louise Spink who have won the opportunity for their fantastic holiday homes to feature in our TV advertising after they received the most likes in our Facebook competition.

Our hugely successful TV advertising is coming back this winter and will be broadcasted on European satellite channels after Christmas. Now that our competition winners have been selected, production of our brand new advert will begin right away and will also feature the benefits of our iphone, android and smartphone applications as well as our competition winner’s sensational properties.

Look out for our advert this winter and let us know what you think, if you can’t wait until after this Christmas to see our competition winner’s properties, then keep reading to find a short description and link to their amazing holiday homes.

FL-Paradise is a gorgeous two bed roomed two bath roomed condo in the Gulf Coast of Florida’s answer to Palm Beach – Naples. Blessed with breathtakingly peaceful views of the bay from it’s expansive sixth floor lanai, FL-Paradise is only round the corner from Vanderbilt beach and the Delnor Wiggins State Park. Rent a holiday apartment in Naples and experience this elegant beach town with its serene atmosphere, delicious seafood and sensational sunsets.

Cordoba Rest & Relaxation is a large renovated olive mill in the heart of the rural Cordoba province in Andalucia. This beautiful three bed roomed casita is the perfect place to get away from it all and with a large swimming pool, terrace and barbecue facilities you won’t even need to leave the grounds. The owners also live onsite and run a small alpaca farm where children can interact, feed and even walk the alpacas, dogs, cats and kittens.

Nestled in the Lecrin Valley in the Granada province of Andalucia, Casa Vinas De Vera is a luxurious four bed roomed property surrounded by olive and citrus trees with awesome panoramic views across the valley. Halfway between the cultural city of Granada and the coast, it’s a chance to see Spain as it has been for centuries. It’s also ideally situated with easy access to beaches and the city of Granada and is only forty-five minutes away from skiing on the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Click the links above to have a look at some of our most outstanding holiday properties as voted by our Facebook friends and book directly from the owner for a dream holiday come true.

This year Sarasota welcomes the second annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic sand sculpting competition to the blissful shores of Siesta Key. Sarasota has a rich tradition in the arts and the return of the sand scultping world championships is just another dazzling event that brings together two of the city’s greatest attributes; it’s beaches and it’s creativity.

Siesta Beach was recently named as the best beach in America by “Dr.Beach” and it’s 99% quartz crystal sand makes it perfect for sand sculpting, add a bewitchingly friendly atmosphere and sizzling temperatures, then you’ve got a fascinating and fun-filled festival on your hands.

The Classic really is an unbelievable and credible spectacle of art, it’s not just people turning up with buckets and spades; twenty-four of the world’s best sand sculptors battle it out for a big-money prize and produce some truly jaw-dropping sculptures. The event has many activities and side competitions going on, as well as live entertainment and plenty of food and retail stalls that create a delightful festival atmosphere.

The main competition sees the twenty-four “master” sculptors compete in twelve teams of two for the title of 2011 Doubles Division World Champions, whilst there are plenty of other highlights to enjoy at the event.  Group sculptures and speed sculpting competitions are some of the most popular events taking place at Siesta Key, whilst there are also sculpting lessons and chances to take a photo with a sculpture, which make tremendous Christmas cards. There is live music right on the beach right throughout the weekend, a professional beach volleyball tournament and an environmental education exhibit by Mote Marine Laboratory, who most of the proceeds are donated to.

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is a wonderful family event beginning on the 10th of November, admission is nominal and provides a weekends worth of dazzling entertainment fun for all ages. Book a holiday villa in Sarasota for an astonishing weekend and bucketfuls of family fun.

Visit our micro site Villas Near Disney Florida.Com which has a wealth of amazing holiday accommodation all over Florida to book your holiday home.

Get behind the scenes and immerse yourself in a magical world of your favourite movies, stories, myths, cartoons and comic-book heroes in Florida’s eye-popping Universal Orlando Resort.

Its 26 rides spanning across two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, are the principal attractions for any visitor and provide a thrilling and unforgettable experience. One of the most popular rides at Universal Studios is the exciting and hilarious The Simpson’s Ride, found in The World Expo Section of the park. This gripping four and a half minute ride is four and a half minutes of sheer comedy as you’re launched on a side-splitting tour of Springfield. For some real high-octane thrills, hop on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit for a master class in stomach churning. You can also pick a soundtrack to listen to whilst you’re tossed around seven stories above the ground at 65 miles per hour.

Shrek 4-D is a delightful alternative to the adrenaline pumping rides of Universal Studios. Its astonishing 3D effects combined with physical effects like moving seats, wind, mist, sprayers and lighting to make you feel like your right in the thick of the action. Who knows, you might even stumble across a real film crew, and then you will be in the thick of it.

Islands of Adventure is an extraordinary park where the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter mingles with Marvel Super Hero Island and your favourite cartoon characters of Toon Lagoon mix with the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park. There are some fantastic rides in the park, however ambling around and exploring the magical worlds that exist only on your TV screen is a consuming and jaw-dropping way to spend the day.

One of the most entrancing areas of the park is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which only opened last June and is bursting with thrilling rides and attractions. You can wander round Hogwarts Castle, browse the shops of Hogsmeade and even try food and drink from the wizarding world’s most renowned establishments. CityWalk is the place to be when evening comes around, you can do anything from having a delicious meal to catching a concert in this buzzing part of the park. CityWalk is home to the NASCAR Café, Hard Rock Live and Bob Marley’s Club amongst other booming venues that host loads of special events throughout the year.

So get down to Universal Orlando Resort now for a fascinating and fun-filled family holiday. Book a holiday villa in Florida from our fantastic micro site Villas Near Disney.com which has loads of amazing holiday villas only minutes away from Florida’s mind-blowing theme parks.

Normally you don’t need much of an excuse to book a holiday to Florida, however with the opening of Legoland Florida this October and a myriad of fun-filled Halloween themed events taking place in the sunshine state, you’ve got a very good one.

Opening on the 15th October, Legoland Florida promises to be an enthralling and fun-filled addition to the countless theme parks that families can enjoy in Florida. And even though it’s a 45 minute journey from Orlando, its 150 acre site bulging with over 50 rides, attractions and shows have enough to keep you going for the whole day.

Built on the site of the old Cypress Gardens theme park in Winterhaven, the fifth Legoland Park in the world will retain an essence of its predecessor, with the Lake Eloise Ski Stadium being converted into an entertaining pirate-themed water stunt show and two of it’s roller coasters being modified to fit into the park’s “pink-knuckle” aesthetic.

Legoland Florida is a dazzling interactive world where children can become whatever they want to for the day. They can pass they’re drivers test at the Ford Driving School, fight fires at the Lego City Rescue Academy or even vanquish the Dragon Coaster and lose themselves in a time of knights, princesses and castles.

At the heart of every Legoland Park in the world, Miniland transforms children into giants as they stride through iconic cityscapes and loom over famous buildings built from millions of Lego bricks. Even though there’ll be recreations of Las Vegas, New York and Washington D.C. like in Legoland California, Legoland Florida’s Miniland USA has a Floridian twist to it. As well as a tremendous pirate-themed area where two pirate ships battle it out on the high seas, the Florida section of Miniland encompasses the whole state and also includes an astonishing extended area for a Kennedy Space Centre and the magically interactive Daytona International Speedway racing experience.

And that’s not all, Legoland Florida has so much to explore including, Duplo Village where toddlers can fly a plane, drive a car, or explore a town, or the Imagination Zone, where kids can build and create anything from cars to computerized robots. And if that’s still not enough there are plenty of magical worlds to discover including Pirate’s Cove, Land Of Adventure, and Fun Town that are bursting with fun rides, enthralling shows and interactive fun by the bucketload.

So get yourself down to Florida this October for a great half-term holiday. Book a holiday villa in Florida from Villas Near Disney and take a day trip to the brand new Legoland Florida, whilst kicking back on a beach or having some Halloween fun in Disneyland, SeaWorld or Universal Studios. Or why not have a look at some of our favourite holiday homes in Orlando in Westridge, Hampton Lakes and Town Centre Reserve

Even though a holiday in Florida without a trip to Disney or one of the other theme parks of Orlando may seem like sacrilege to some, especially the kids, there are countless activities and days out that will have the kids saying “Mickey Who?”

Florida has many weapons in it’s tourism armoury aside from theme parks, theme parks, theme parks. And one of it’s big hitters are it’s beaches. Constantly ranked amongst the best beaches in America, the sheer range is astonishing, going from the sleek celebrity-strewn sands of Miami to the family friendly shores of Clearwater, Siesta Key and St.Pete’s, there’s something for families of all ages.

Many beaches in Florida are well served with plenty of bars and cafes where you can grab a bite, supermarkets where you can throw together a picnic and a myriad of water sports and activities to enjoy.

However it doesn’t end there as Florida does everything bigger and better than anyone else and many beaches are only a stone’s throw away from some magnificent days out. Panama City’s Gulf World Marine Park has unforgettable live shows and hands on interaction, and the kids can also get up close and personal with playful dolphins and river otters in Clear Water Marine Aquarium. For something a bit more scientific, head to the Calusa Nature Centre and Planetarium and the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science.

Alternatively, if you and your family fancy a quiet day relaxing on idyllic beaches building sandcastles and watching dolphins spurt from the surf, then there are plenty of options, most notably Siesta Key. However, Hutchison Island has a languid shallow lagoon where you can also feed and stroke the stingrays at the Florida Oceanographic Society. Whilst in Fort Lauderdale, along with its 23 miles of glorious beaches you can take a serene gondola ride amongst manatees down twisted network of canals, lakes and waterways and see why it is nicknamed the “Venice of America”.

Florida is tailor made for family holidays. Dazzling day-trips, beautiful beaches and extraordinary natural beauty make for an eye-popping holiday for families of all ages. Go to the Villas Near Disney Florida website which has some fantastic holiday villas in various areas throughout the sunshine state and uncover the real magic kingdom of Florida.

If you’re planning an assault on some of Florida’s fun-filled theme parks this year, why not make it a holiday to remember by renting a holiday villa in Vista Cay. The luxurious Mediterranean-style resort is situated only a stone’s throw away from the multitudes of popular parks in Florida; Sea World is only 2 miles away, and the magical kingdom of Disney World is a meagre10 miles away. You’ll also find that the rest of Florida’s top attractions are right on your doorstep; Aquatica and Discovery Cove only 2 miles away, whilst the tremendous Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks are only 5 miles away.

The resort overlooks the picturesque Lake Cay and is located on the famous Universal Boulevard, an area being championed as Orlando’s new “downtown”, and with International Drive, the main tourist strip in Orlando, just around the corner there’s plenty to see and do.

The Vista Cay resort itself is a beautiful complex littered with palm trees and lush landscaping creating an idyllic Mediterranean atmosphere. There are loads of top quality amenities on site, like the large infinity edge pool and children’s splash pool to cool yourself down in after a long day of theme-park-busting. There’s a state of the art fitness centre, movie theatre room, basketball court, DVD and video games rental, ATM machine and games room equipped billiards tables and arcades games to keep you occupied. For the golfer in the family, there are 20 top class courses in a 10-mile radius, not to mention the stunning Shingle Creek Golf Club which is just across the road.

To take a look at some of our stunning holiday villas in Vista Cay Resort, available to rent directly from the owner, simply click here and set the wheels of your dream holiday in motion by booking today!