Those of us with one eye on a 2009 getaway and the other eye on their wallet should tune in to our webchat which is completely dedicated to Orlando this coming Friday to find the ultimate solution to next year's holiday quandary. While we've all got to keep an eye on our spending these days it doesn't mean we have to wave goodbye to our dreams of the perfect holiday break.

It has long been a much-loved family holiday destination famous for its cartoon characters and world class attractions and with a new rollercoaster at Universal planned for 2009 and a Harry Potter ride for 2010, its reign as the family favourite looks set to continue.

However, did you know that it is also filled with unique adventures for those wanting an adrenaline fix as well as world class dining experiences? With 52 million square feet of shopping space, Orlando has also boldly emerged as an international shopping dynamo. What's more, as travellers place a greater level of importance on rejuvenation for their families and themselves, Orlando can offer the ultimate respite with its 19 spectacular spas.

Log on to our exclusive webchat with Donna Taliercio of the Orlando Tourism Bureau, to find out why a visit there in 2009 promises to be as exciting and fulfilling as ever. Donna will be taking your questions and revealing in detail the treats that Orlando has to offer everyone looking for the ultimate holiday experience next year – so log on for your passport to pleasure...

H: Host, Jayne Constantinis
D: Donna Taliercio, Orlando Tourism Bureau

H: Hello and welcome to the Travel Show, I'm Jayne Constantinis. While we've all got to keep an eye on our spending these days, it doesn't mean we have to wave goodbye to our dreams of the perfect holiday break. On today's show I'm joined by Donna Taliercio from the Orlando Tourist Bureau. Donna, thank you very much for coming in to –

D: Thank you for having me

H: To talk to me. And of course we're live, so if you've got any questions for Donna type them on the box on your screen and send them to us with your name of course, and we'll get through as many as we can during the course of the show.  So Donna, Orlando – most people will think of theme parks. Is that really what it's about?

D: Well yes we are world famous for our theme parks. We have Walt Disney World Resort which includes Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We also have Universal Orlando Resort which includes Universal and Islands of Adventure. And then we also have Worlds of Discovery which includes Sea World and Discovery Cove, and we also have a brand new park that just opened this year called Aquatica, and that's a water park that brings a little bit of the ocean to Orlando

H: So it is constantly evolving, because I was going to say perhaps people who've been there before will think oh I've done that, you know done that, ticked that off – but there are new things coming on stream all the time?

D: Oh yes, every year there's something new at the parks. This year at Universal Orlando we saw the opening of the Simpsons ride. At Walt Disney World we saw the opening of Toy Story Mania, and of course at Aquatica, at Worlds of Discovery we have the new Aquatica park

H: I mean I must say I've been there, albeit briefly because I was filming, and my jaw was literally on the ground, it's hard if you've never been there, it's hard to explain the scale of the – and that sense of sort of magic. How they created this world, it's – it really is quite a thing isn't it?

D: It really is amazing and it's something that is new every time you come to visit it. I think that – the first time that I visited Orlando I was a child and then if you come back as a teenager and as an adult, you have a completely different experience every time you visit

H: Well we've talked about if for a few minutes, let's just have a little look at some pictures of what it's like

D: Sure

Video footage

H: Wow that was beautiful. Donna was that you coming down that water slide –

D: No

H: In that skimpy bikini? No it wasn't you

D: No, unfortunately

H: Oh that weather. We could all do with a bit of that at the moment. What is the weather like, is it warm all year round?

D: Yes – that's one of the great things about Florida and Orlando, it's - there's sunshine all year round, right now it's in the winter months it's in the '70s, and in the summer months it gets up to the '90s. 

H: That will do nicely. But when would you say is the best time to go?  Obviously a lot of people are restricted to school holidays. When in your opinion is the best time to go?

D: Really any time that you're available to visit Orlando is a great time to come. A lot of people will come over during the school holidays, and then a lot of people will pick a time that's a little less crowded, so any time you want to come is great

H: Because of course we've talked a lot about families and it really is the perfect family destination, because you can – when you have got children and you're thinking about holidays your mindset is completely different, because it's – I've got to get – make sure they're happy and then I'll be happy, and then of course they're going to be aren't they?  But it's not just about families is it?  What is there for couples and single people?

D: Well the thing that people really don't know about Orlando is while we are famous for our theme parks, we have over 100 attractions outside of the theme parks, so whether you're a young couple, an older couple whether you're doing a girlfriend getaway or you know doing a guy's adventure weekend, we have something for everyone

H: Is that girlfriends going away together or boys getting away from their girlfriends?

D: Either one, either one!

H: Let's have a look at this first question from Jane Winney, hope I've pronounced that right. She says she's booked to go to Orlando next summer, '09, are there any hidden gems that are a little off the tourist track that she and her other half can visit?

D: Well it sounds like they're going next summer, they're going to look for some outdoor adventures. Some of the things that are very popular and a little bit different than the theme park experience are our nature adventures.  We've got the Headwaters of the everglades start in Orlando, so you can do things as varied as going for an air boat ride, down the Headwaters of the Everglades. You can visit Gator land and see some of our native gator wrestlers, you know

H: Yes

D: And also the alligators and birds that are native to natural environment. And there's also some adventure experiences such as hand-gliding or indoor sky diving. Skyventure, indoor sky diving is very popular for –

H: And of course if you're not that adventurous and you're not looking for the outdoor experience there's plenty of shopping!

D: Oh lots of shopping. Any brand that you want, that you're interested in you can find it in Orlando. We've got luxury malls, we've got boutique shopping and then we've also got outlet malls

H: Oh great, love those. Hayley has also sent a question in – is there something in Orlando for a stressed-out mum looking for some rest and relaxation? Maybe not the outdoor activities, but rest and relaxation?  What about that?

D: Sure, we've got – Orlando is very quickly becoming a great spa destination. We've got very good hotels and spa resorts including the Ritz Carlton, Grand Lakes Spa. They have one of the best spas in the country.  We also have Mandaro Spa and a number of also day spas as well. 

H: Great. The Ritz Carlton sounds expensive, I don't know if it is but I'm just wondering if there's a way of enjoying Orlando for all budgets, you know for people who really are counting the pennies next year. Can you do it at an affordable price?

D: Absolutely. We have something for everyone in Orlando and that includes both the luxury high-end as well as the family visitors

H: Great

D: And we've got hotels and restaurants for – at every price point

H: Ah yes to food – I mean how can we not – how can we not mention food in America because it's another experience isn't it? I mean there's such variety

D: There is a huge variety, and in fact Orlando is becoming known as an epicurean United Nations. We have almost 50 million visitors coming to our city each year, and they come from all across the globe and no matter where you're coming from, whether it's the UK, or China or Brazil, you can come and find food that is familiar to you, and I think that's great because when you do come you can find something that – for whatever your tastes are, and also we have a range of options from celebrity chef restaurants to the more economical family buffets

H: Great. And another question here about nightlife – Hayley and her friends are planning a trip next summer. What's the nightlife like?

D: Oh we have some great options for nightlife in Orlando, we have – Universal City Walk has some really fun, exciting things to do at night. Downtown Orlando is going through a revitalisation and you can visit Xian Saloon, or Savice Tapas bar, there's quite a few varieties down there. And whether you like dancing or you like duelling pianos or just you know having a few drinks in a lounge, we've got something new in Orlando called Ice Bar where you can go and put on a parka and have a martini, a vodka martini in sub zero temperature –

H: Shaken not stirred I hope?

D :Yes

H: And what about clubs, and she may be thinking more about late –

D: Absolutely –

H: Later night life, yes

D: Yes Universal City Walk and downtown Orlando we have some great options, and in Point Orlando, in that area, we have some great places to visit – BB Kings is great for music, and the varieties are – the options are limitless

H: Because I think some people who want to go for an adult visit might be thinking that it's just going to be full of screaming children everywhere and how can they get away, but it sounds from what you're saying

D: Oh yes

H: That it's very possible to do that

D: Yes there are nightlife options, both within the theme parks and then outside if you feel like getting away, so some of the places like Universal or City Walk, you can actually bring your kids to see some of the street performers and you can also, you know separate from that scene and go in and just kind of go disco dancing or to a reggae club or – that sort of thing

H: Great. Hettie has sent in an interesting question. She's thinking of going over Christmas as a surprise for her children – wow, lucky them. Is this a good time to go?

D: Christmas is a great time to go. There are a lot of holiday specific events that go on at Christmas and even though it's Florida we have – in Magic Kingdom you can go see Mickey's Christmas parade and it's actually snowing. It's not real snow but - because it's Florida - but you can definitely get the Christmas experience there.  And don't forget the shopping.  The shopping is amazing and you can get some great bargains at the outlets and the different malls.

H: What is – I know you live there, obviously. What is your favourite aspect of Orlando? Maybe something that's a little bit off- off the beaten track?

D: Good question.  There's really so much to do and I think that that is probably my favourite part about Orlando is no matter what you feel like doing that day, whether it's you know if it's raining or if you feel like doing something adventurous or you feel like relaxing there really is something to do. You know a variety of options that you can participate in

H: So you're not thinking of moving any day soon?

D: No, no no

H: Great. Well listen it's been fantastic talking to you, thank you for bringing those wonderful pictures as well so we can get a flavour or what it might be like

D: Sure

H: And we'll see you again I hope some other time, thank you very much. And of course if you want to find out a little bit more you can go onto the website which is orlandoinfo.com/uk. Thanks very much for watching and I hope you have a great holiday next year wherever you go.  Bye bye