Is There More to Orlando than Disney

by David Leonhardt

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Discover the beautiful and exciting Orlando that you just won't see on a Disney theme park post card ... the wonderful gems hiding in the shadow of Big Mickey.

Orlando is one of the top tourism destinations in the world. It features Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. People come from every continent to take in these famous theme parks, and especially to meet Big Mickey.

But there is another Orlando, a city full of unexpected smaller attractions, that you might want to take in when you want something a little different or just a break from the crowds at Disney World.

Kissimmee Rodeo.
No, that's not a misprint. The rodeos of the west have come to the south-east - and they are just as much fun. Try this for something different.

Inland manatees.
People often forget that Florida is more than just one big theme park and the host to spring brake excess. It is also home to many natural wonders. Blue Spring State Park is tucked in between Orlando and Daytona Beach. Although it is an inland park, they have 153 manatees this season, more than ever before.

Private Villa Rentals.
You don't have to crowd the family into a cheap motel room in the Orlando region. Nowhere in North America are there so many private villas for rent (vacation home rentals). Look also for rental villas in Orlando.

Mystery Dinner.
Half way between Orlando and Disney World, it's no mystery why this show packs a full house. This is your chance to participate in a real murder mystery

Farm animal adventure.
Every child loves to pet animals. No, it does not replace Walt Disney World, but it might make a nice little break in the middle of the Disney excitement, and it is just a short distance south of the Disney park.

Ahoy there, Captain.
Not just the manatees have found their way inland. There are pirates in Orlando, and they offer an interactive family dinner spectacle.

Riverboat Cruise.
It's not the Mississippi, but the "Rivership Romance" cruises along the St. Johns River, providing a first-hand connection with Florida's rich, natural heritage. Dining and dancing accompany the natural beauty.

A taste of Chicago.
Don't be surprised if you wind up eating with a gangster or two. Or if the police burst in on your dinner to make a bust. This is a living tribute to the legendary Gangland Chicago, and you are invited to participate in the action.

It's a pity that these gems hide in the shadow of Planet Earth's biggest theme park . You won't want to miss Walt Disney World, but take some time out to see what others have missed. Your friends back home will be impressed.

ABOUT THE WRITER

David Leonhardt is a freelance writer near Montreal, Canada, who is building his own vacation villas listing site and a related online vacations directory.

Choosing a web host based on price? Don't!
3 reasons why price should not dictate the web host you choose
By David Leonhardt

It's tempting. There are so many companies offering cut-rate hosting - loaded with astounding post-futuristic techno-gizmo features ! - that it just makes sense to save a few dollars, right?

Think again. First, consider how much you would be saving. If you run a business site, saving $5, $10 or even $15 a month is not a big saving. No going concern will become a stopping concern on account of even $15 a month. But the wrong web host can stop a business cold.

Here are three reasons to look beyond price when choosing your web host.

Usability. Confession time: I chose my first website host based on price. The control panel was not easy to use, and I often found myself traveling in circles trying to enter it. I switched to my second web host based not just on price, but on usability, and I instantly became a pro. Well, not quite. But I was able to manage my email accounts and learn about CGI, and check my traffic stats and edit my html files right on the server. Not bad for a newbie who couldn't even find his files on his previous host's server.

Service. I thought my second host had great service. They even answered my emails. Until the dreaded day that some guy with a chip on his shoulder filed a phony spam complaint. I was out in the cold. In fact, they would not answer my emails or even speak to me at all. Meanwhile, my ISP responded to the same phony complaint immediately, sharing with me a copy and giving me a chance to deal with it. That ISP is now my third web host. I pay a little more, but the personal service is worth it. I have no hesitation recommending Phastnet small business web hosting to anybody who wants the assurance that they won't be hung out to dry at the first whiff of somebody in a bad mood.

Reliability. When that phony spam complaint struck, my website was down for four days. Ouch! But there are many other things that can bring down a site. What is your web host's uptime? And how reliable is its reporting and your monitoring? Other things can happen, like a form not functioning - meaning lost sales. Worse still, what if Google comes crawling just when your site is down? Search engines don't like sending people to unreliable sites. Website monitoring networks can often help avert such catastrophes, and the cost is nothing compared to the cost of lost sales.

Sure, save a few bucks on hosting, and pay a whole lot more in lost sales and increased stress. Your web host is your Internet landlord. Take as much time choosing your web host as you would the place you live in. Price alone just is not enough.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Leonhardt is a Canadian website marketing consultant in Ottawa. Read his SEO book and tips and his media relations plan.

Article Source: www.homehighlight.org

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Is There More to Orlando than Disney

by David Leonhardt

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