Starting in Orlando

You're already sorted on arriving into Orlando, so this page is more about messing about here for a day or so while you get your bearings, then getting yourselves out of Dodge! Commercialism can kill any holiday and who wants to see Mickey anyway!

You're staying at the Day's Inn, located just off of Kirkman Drive, at Major Blvd, on Caravan court. If for any reason you think you're becoming lost, the Days Inn is at the entrance to Universal Studios.


Located at the hotel is a Denny's restaurant. It's open 24 hours a day and has fantastic economical meals. Just be sure that if you're ordering scrambled eggs to ask the waitress for 'real' eggs. She'll just shrug and wander off to place your order.

Do keep in mind that in restaurants such as Denny's the waitresses rely upon gratuties as their income. Wait staff earn approximately USD$1.60 an hour! Honest! The rest of their income is comprised of tips!! So they all have an incentive to serve and do their jobs well.

Note: the late night menu is limited, but has plenty to enjoy.

Warning, do NOT buy any tickets, time shares, or any other crap from the service desk outside the entrance to the restaurant.

And whilst we're at it, the same thing goes for the 'service' desk inside the hotel. You'll over pay and you'll contribute to a new set of tyres for the seller's mobile home.

You know you're in the deep south when the people you see have their homes on wheels and their cars on blocks!

Getting to the hotel:

As you travel on Interstate 4 (I-4), you will need to get in the left hand lane to exit onto Kirkman Road (Universal Studios). As you come off of the freeway (I-4) onto Kirkman Road, immediately get into the far right lane. The first intersection you will come to is Major Blvd. Turn right there.

You will see on the left the Doubletree Hotel. Drive straight about 500 metres. On the right you will see both the Denny's signage and the Days Inn signage. Turn right and pull into the hotel. Park anywhere. Parking is free.

When you check in, you will see at the right hand of the reception desk a free directory of Days Inns. Take one and use it during your journey.

Also, when you check in, if they don't give it to you in advance, ask if there is a welcome pack available. It's nothing special, but has some helpful little things in it.

Important Safety Tips:

In an emergency you have two options: Dial 911 (rather than 999) or contact the local police: (see phone directory for Dunkin Donuts).

Daddy says always leave the television on in your hotel room when you go out. If the maid has already cleaned your room then also leave the do not disturb sign on the door. That way people think you are in there and your room is safer. Love Mary

Special Note: Your room will have an electronic safe. Please use it. You will be charged USD$2.00 per day for the use of a safe and local phone calls. To dial local numbers from American hotels, first dial '9' then the number including the area code. For example, if you want to phone a taxi, dial 9, and listen for a new dial tone, then dial 407 422 2222

Need a chemist? The 'Boots' of America is either Walgreens or Eckerd's. The closest one to your hotel is a five minute walk along Kirkman (turn right onto Kirkman & walk through the carpark of the Doubletree Hotel). Again, it's worth the visit. :-)

One final word on safety: If you find yourself in such an unfortunate situation as to be facing someone being aggressive towards you, forcing a gun in your face, spitting on the side of your car, and intimidating you.Try as best you can to get to the rear of your car, because the police officer’s patrol car camera will record all of this! And you'll be able to order a copy of your holiday through the courts!