Sunshine and scary rides

Orlando, the third most popular US destination for UK holidaymakers just gets bigger all the time. When Sanford - the city's second international airport - opened in 1999, it was as if Orlando had let its burgertightened belt out a few notches.

Full package-tour flights show 11 September hasn't dampened British enthusiasm: main tourist areas Kissimmee and International Drive (I-Drive) are buzzing with mall cash registers and Brits in search of golf, 300-plus days of sun and family fun.

Peter and Jill Bird of Croydon have been virtually yearly for a decade: "They say 'Have a nice day' and mean it," says Peter. "We were supposed to go to the South of France," says London Ambulance Service officer Stephen Colhoun, "but we couldn't guarantee the weather, so we came here."

Sam, Tony and Bernice Spicer of Gillingham say their villa stay in Kissimmee would be their "last family holiday together". Sam rates Universal's Tower of Terror lift-drop ride, though "it didn't bounce as much as last time".

Theme parks are the reason the Brooker and Johnson families from Wallington chose Orlando. Best? "Swimming with sharks at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon."

ON THE BEACH...

New Smyrna, 60 minutes northeast of Orlando, is a local favourite - crowd-free, safe swimming; fine beaches at Florida's Space Coast, east of the city by Kennedy Space Center. Discovery Cove (6000 Discovery Cove Way), SeaWorld's latest park, has created a powder sand beach: swim with stingrays and tropical fish on its artificial reef or hug a dolphin.

WHAT THEY'RE READING...

Pastures Nouveaux, Artemis Fowl, Daily Mail Florida edition, mall discount voucher booklets.

PARKS AND RIDES 2002

Disney's Animal Kingdom, Universal's Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld's Discovery Cove have opened in recent years. Entertainment complexes include: Universal's CityWalk and Disney's Downtown, next door to the main parks. SeaWorld (7007 SeaWorld Drive) has the Kraken: Orlando's highest, fastest coaster; feet dangle to make things scarier. Dueling Dragons at Universal Islands of Adventure (1000 Universal Studios Plaza) is two intertwined coasters: you fear you'll crash headlong into the other. Aerosmith Rock and Roller Coaster at Disney MGM Studios (1000 Lake Buena Vista Blvd), fires you to 60mph, blasting rock while you loop in the dark. Height limits on all.

Young kids: instead try Honey I Shrunk the Audience at Disney's Magic Kingdom, don 3D specs, get shrunk and pursued by a 100ft high dog. 3D thrills also at Universal's Terminator 2 and Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure. Queue-jump with free fast passes from machines at rides: book a specific time, return later.

Tickets: Discovery Cove (www.discoverycove.com) $219: Disney (www.disneyworld.com), $48, kids (3-9) $38; SeaWorld (www.seaworld.com), $44.95/$35.95; Universal (www.universal studios.com) from $49.95/$40.95. Tickets can cost less on your international flight; beware cheap theme park tickets on I-Drive; you might need to buy a timeshare to get them.

LAST-GASP DEALS

Availability to Orlando to is extremely tight, with major operators reporting no deals until September. However:

? Departs Gatwick Monday, seven nights at any of Disney's All-Stars Resorts cost £3,634 for two adults and two children (aged two to 11), through Walt Disney Travel Company (0870 24 24 900, www.disneyworld.co.uk); roomonly, return BA flights, car rental and unlimited Disney admission.

? Departing Gatwick on Wednesday, Airtours Holidays (0870 241 5339) has 14 nights room only at the 4A Wyndham Orlando, from £819pp (based on four sharing); or at a 3A property in the I-Drive area allocated on arrival, from £679pp, including return flights.

? Departing 26 August, Virgin Holidays (0871 222 1900) has a fortnight at the Quality Inn Maingate West for £669pp (£349 under 12 sharing); B&B, with Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick.

Mark Frary travelled with JMC Holidays (0870 555 0440; www.jmc.com), which has seven nights at the Hawthorn Suites Universal Orlando for £740pp in September(based on four sharing), with Gatwick flights. For further information on Orlando call Orlando Tourism Bureau on 0800 018 6760 or visit www.orlandoinfo.com.