How Zonta International Convention will be hotter than Jennifer Lawrence!

Right now, here in Canberra, it's freezing.

Dead of winter.

Frosts everyday.

Polar fleece, gloves, blankies, central heating. I'm a wuss. A cold wuss.

Crap! Look at next weekend! -5 c (23F) to only 6 C (43F) And it's described as "COOL" - WTF?

Whilst this time of year in Orlando, it's a tropical heatwave!

Mr Ice Cream Man! You've come back to me!

How do you deal with the summer weather?

Here's a couple of my suggestions you could try:

Pace your Day
Get up early in the morning, go back inside at lunch time, and then come out again for dinner and the evening.  Guess what? Most people on vacation stay up late and SLEEP IN. Beat the heat and the crowds with early morning starts.

It is really hard to do 12 hours out in a theme park, at the pool or kayaking the swamps.  So get up early and do your outdoorsy stuff first up, then retreat - away from the crowds and have a nap or a swim or at least get into the air conditioning. Staying on site at WDW makes this strategy really easy - just hop on the monorail or a bus back to the hotel, when the crowds are really starting to arrive in the middle of the day.

Come out for dinner and then you'll have the evening for a theme park or wandering Downtown Disney in the cool.

The Rain is OK
June is the beginning of the wet season. It's not hurricane season, but you will have those afternoon short storms. Rain isn't going to stop any of the sights so you can keep going.

You'll rarely see an umbrella (they are too difficult to manage). The rain outfit of Orlando is the plastic poncho!  Top of the range are the Disney ponchos - I bought these for $8 in 2006 and they are still in perfect condition. You could go to your local $2 shop - or - yes - there are plenty of people who punch a few holes in those green garbage bags.

At least Mickey has a hood - beats the garbage bag every time.

The problem part about being in the rain is that your feet may get wet. Wet feet in wet shoes is a recipe for blisters. If rain is likely, carry a change of foot ware, put it in a locker when you arrive and then you change into dry shoes when needed. 

Bring your own air conditioning
There are a bunch of options in this category:

• Disney will happily sell you a misting fan - full of icy water and batteries, this baby is will mist you and keep you cool for a whole hour or so - until the water reaches ambient temperature. Then you have to go around and beg the vendors for ice for top ups.

$15 will get you the top of the range tepid water fan cum mister

Then you'll discover that they are too big to fit in the freezer portion of your hotel room bar fridge, too big to shove in a carry bag or even carry easily - esp. when getting on and off rides; and too big to take home in your luggage.  (not bitter at all)

If you must have one of these, go to Walmart and choose a smaller, cheaper version.

• Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads - these hi-tech fabric scarves, bandanas and cloths come in a range of shapes and colours, and are reasonably inexpensive. When wet they become super cooling and are re-usable. Better still - they fit in your luggage!

Similar to chilly pads are these odd cooling vests. I hope you can keep up the ice supply in your little bar fridge freezer!

Use the Available Resources
Take advantage of the trees, shade, ice cream vendors, air conditioned stores and restaurants as much as you can.

• instead of walking down the middle of Main Street USA, walk through the air conditioned stores.
• instead of catching the open air boats, ride the air conditioned monorail and buses
• do the outdoor rides early or late and do the indoor air conditioned shows, movies and rides in the the hot times
• book lunch indoors in an air conditioned venue
• remember your sun screen and hats. Use rated rashies when at the pool.
• go and have your spa or salon treatment in one of the resort hotels
• take advantage of the giant misters in the parks

Ahhh .... cool misty goodness..... I wonder if the water is recycled?

I know everyone has their heat beating tips and hints .... and we'll be wanting to know them all next June!

Do you know where your laptop is right now?

All over the world, Zontians are boarding airplanes and jetting to Torino.

Many of them are carrying a bundle of electronics including laptops, smart phones, cameras and tablets. Including all the requisite cables, adapters and plugs.

Damn it - I'll plug in my Mickey toaster somehow! (source: gaicharisma)

And it turns out huge bunches of people don't know how to maintain their ownship of these items when travelling.

Fortunately you are all going to Torino which barely rates a mention on Absolute Software's 2011 Computer Theft Report.  No Italian airport was included on their Top 20 "most likely to have your laptop pinched" list.

So it is highly likely that in 2014 you will arrive in Orlando with that same laptop - and lose it there.

Orlando came in 4th in the USA list. And for god's sake, whatever you do - watch out in Atlanta!

Additionally, Absolute tell us how the laptops get lost:

Basically everywhere

So what does this mean when you are travelling through airports, and in particular among the millions that go through Orlando?

• Don't pack your laptop in your suitcase.

I am astonished at the frequency with which people do this. Ask Schapelle Corby about the trustworthiness of baggage handlers. Your bags are handled by many people from several companies - the airline, the airline's outsourced handlers, the airport staff, govt inspection service, and this occurs through every airport. Your bag is scanned after you check it in and that is one point where your electronics clearly show up.

And BTW - since it is dangerous to put lithium ion batteries in the cargo, unless you remove the battery, then it is illegal to pack your equipment in your checked baggage. Take all electronical equipment as carry on.

• Don't leave your equipment unattended.

At the coffee shop. At the boarding gate. This includes at the security check. When you put your laptop on the conveyor belt make sure you are not wearing anything that will set off the alarm and keep you away from your goods waiting sadly alone on the belt.  Buy your coffee before you sit down.

• Don't leave your equipment in a car, and preferably use the hotel room safe.

Don't stick it under the driver's seat and don't assume the hotel will take your side. You could consider using the "Do not disturb" sign - if you are happy with a dirty hotel room.

• Stay Alert

Like pickpockets, you may find yourself the subject of a group of organised thieves who distract you. So walk the terminal with purpose. Sit down when texting your mates, so you can't be suddenly surrounded. If you let the kids use the equipment, be alert that they are keeping it safe too.

Although texting in an airport is safer than texting whilst carrying a missile launcher in a crowd

So treat your electronic equipment as if it is cash. You wouldn't leave a wad of cash lying on the backseat of your car.

• Keep it with you
• Keep it in appropriate and safe carry bags
• Store it safely

That way, instead of doing police reports, you'll be enjoying your pictures and your catching up on your email with friends.

(source: business review australia)

Geez - have I been tough enough already???

(if on the other hand, it's time to upgrade that sucker, well .... )

Why Orlando?

Lots of Australians ask me why I repeatedly go to Orlando for my holidays. So here are a couple of the reasons why Orlando is great for women, even solo, on holiday.

1. Customer Service is fantastic!! And it is everywhere!!

Towel Animals! Disney 'mousekeeping' go the extra when you are not looking

Disney set the benchmark and it is quite astonishing how far they have taken the concept. The Disney Institute train staff (and other companies) in excellence in quality service and focus on areas such as "anticipating guest needs", "people first" language and "respect all guests - core and secondary".

Due to the level of competition for the tourist dollar, this high quality service spills across Orlando where ever you go.  On arrival at a Disney resort, the valets, bellhops and reception people will say "welcome home" - not "welcome to our hotel (insert commercial name here)". From that first contact the intention is to generate a positive reaction and make you feel part of living there.

Keep reading after the jump below: