But besides the parks there is non-stop nightlife, plentiful shopping, dining and sports facilities throughout the Orlando and surrounding Lake Buena Vista, Kissimmee, Winter Park and Altamonte Springs.

Just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of Orlando's attractions, several destinations offer back-to-nature experiences and small town charm.

Travel to tiny, charming towns like Mount Dora and Bartow for antiques and other treasures. Mount Dora has often been called the "antiques capital of Florida," but it is also noted for its festivals.

There are 7 bedroom suites and 9 baths, a professionally equipped gym with weights and a variety of high-quality equipment. There is a home theatre with state-of-the-art sound and projection equipment. Also a games room professionally designed with pool and game tables, a bar and beer “on tap”. The Family Room is 39’ with 2-story open staircase to secondary bedroom suites. The Master Suite is 34’ with private staircase, luxurious marble bath and his & hers wardrobe rooms. There is a “Handsome Lakefront Gentlemen’s Library” with French doors opening to a marble terrace. There are 5 bedroom suites and a private guest suite with separate entrance on 2nd floor. The Media Room has a refrigerator and Entertainment Centre. Also included is a detached home or office/Guest or Staff quarters with parking and private entrance.

Glass walls span the entire rear of this sprawling estate to capture the panoramic views of the waterfront and landscaped gardens. Marble steps lead down to lush gardens, cascading waterfalls and exquisite night lighting. The dramatic “lagoon” heated swimming pool has a “disappearing” edge and heated spa. The terraced gardens lead to a large Boat House with hoist, water and electricity plus 6-car garage.

The price includes all art work, statuary, furnishings and accessories, boat and jet skis. There is an elaborate security system and fencing around the perimeter of the estate with interior monitoring system.

Property Price - $9.5 Million (£6.5m)

Agent's Website - www.oxfordrealty.com

The kitchen comes with all appliances. The house also features a separate games room. The master bathroom has a tub with separate shower stall. 3 bedrooms feature en suite bathrooms and there are 2 family bathrooms. Luxury features include hard wood floors, plantation shutters and French doors off the living room and master suite. Exterior features include a hot tub on the patio, covered porch/patio, landscaped garden and heated pool & spa plus 2 car garage.

Celebration Village is a development by The Walt Disney Company – the village is a man-made development aimed at creating a real community. It is environmentally friendly, has it’s own medical centre, schools, parks and sports facilities such as golf, tennis and basketball. There is also a lake and town centre (Market St), which is a mix of traditional architectural designs and modern facilities such as up-to-date cinemas, banks and shops.

Homes are also connected by their very own intranet system using voice, data and video communications. The intranet offers forums providing news on community events and civic groups. Also if children don’t turn up to school on time an email is automatically sent to the parents. The system is also directly linked up to Celebration Schools and Celebration Health as well.

Property Price - $699,000 (£450,000)

Agent's Website - www.billmwilcox.com

The apartment has a double bed, stylish sitting area, high-tech kitchen plus luxurious bathroom with shower stall.

All residences are furnished to 4 star specifications by a nationally recognised interior designer. With the purchase you receive membership to the Hammock Beach Club and Health Centre. The complex includes a spectacular water and swim pavilion, world-class spa and fitness centre. There is also a heated indoor pool, water slide as well as waterfront dining, night clubs, piano bar, concierge services and Championship Golf Course.

Property Price - $350,000 (£190,000)

Agent's Website - www.coldwellbankerteamrealty.com

Over 58 million visitors flock to Florida every year, bringing over $50 billion to the state’s economy. The sun, sand, sea and theme parks mean there is a healthy rental market. Over 47 million people a year, a 10th from the UK, visit the Orlando area and the big theme parks such as Disney. There are more than 12,000 vacation homes in the areas close to Disney. Demand falls rapidly if you are further than 20 minutes from the prime locations.

When Disney arrived in 1971, few had any idea of how Central Florida would be transformed. Around $600 million was invested initially and on one day traffic stretched back 40 miles out of Orlando. Swamps became homes and citrus farmers became rich as the scramble for land began.

Maximise your letting potential by buying a brand new four bedroom property with a pool, air-conditioning etc, within 15 minutes drive of Disney World. Make sure the zoning regulations for your area allows short-term lets. Different local laws may affect how long you can rent out your holiday home for. For example, the competition apartment at Southern Dunes is worth $150,000 and is 20 minutes from Disney World - anticipated £250 a week rental. Other examples: Florida – two bed apartment close to beach £100,000. $495 a week rental. Four bedroom home close to Disneyland. Own pool. £186,000. $700 a week rental. A yield of six percent, based on a 75 percent mortgage and a 35 week letting period is reasonable.

Favourable exchange rate: The dollar has fallen over the past year from around $1.60 to nearly $1.90 to the pound. Florida property prices are rising, but the weak dollar means in real terms they are falling for the British purchaser. A $140,000 three bedroom villa in Central Florida would have cost around £88,000 in sterling last year. Now it will cost under £75,000. Florida does anything from $90,000 to $10 million, if you are in the Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman buying bracket in Naples for example.

You can buy a four bedroom villa five minutes from Disney for £130,000. With prices rising at least 10 percent a year, or even higher in some areas. The closer you are to amenities, airports, golf courses and beaches, the more you can make from rental and therefore more you pay to buy.

Base your rental income on 30-35 week season. Rental income must be declared in the US and the UK, but double tax agreements ensure the income tax paid in the US is deducted from any UK tax liability. There is no state income tax in Florida.

Tightening of immigration procedures: The British currently can enter US for 90 days at a time without a visa. This could change to having to apply for a visa in person.

Most real estate agents represent the seller, not the buyer. Safeguard your interests by arranging an exclusive agent agreement where the agent acts for the buyer.

There is a consumer friendly Multiple Listing Service with access to all listed properties for sale in the area, regardless of agent.

You can set up your mortgage in dollars or sterling. Sterling better if buying for own use. But if for investment and rental, a dollar mortgage will allow you to match income to expenses in a single currency.

Maximum Mortgage Loan: As a non-national in Florida is 80 percent. Currency used to buy the property should, as rule of thumb, be the same as the currency the asset is valued in.

Total Buying Costs: Including legal, taxes, stamp duty, insurance etc between three and six percent of price of property. Costs include property tax of 1.5 - 2 percent per annum of appraised value of your home.

Appoint your own lawyer: You need to decide who is the best owner for tax purposes. Minimise tax liabilities by taking expert advice. Inheritance tax can be very high. You need to check the title of the property and that there are no debts attached to it.

In a boom market, there is pressure to sign a reservation contract or risk losing the property. Still take legal advice before signing, however tempting. The deposit on pre-construction of a new build property can be between 10-30 percent, with the balance paid on completion of the property. You can, if checks on the property prove unsatisfactory, pull out of the contract without penalty. But again get the small print checked.

Living in Florida as a non-resident you will have to pay local property taxes and any state income tax deriving from US activities, such as rental income.

Driving & Public Transport
Having a car in Florida is very useful as public transport in vertically non-existent. Although there are buses in the Disney World complex, elsewhere is very limited. Car Insurance can be hard to obtain at a reasonable rate in your first year, but you will need it in place before you are able to drive away that all too necessary car. Again, it is worth making contact prior to your move for advice on those elusive insurance policies. For example, the incorrect explanation of the British, automatic penalty point system for speeding, to an American insurance agent can significantly increase premiums.

Employment
Many British people have been extremely successful in operating businesses in America; that is having done a lot better than had been the case in Britain and have truly discovered the land of opportunity. On the flip side, there are some who have found things very different and lost a lot of money. All too often you are not given all the essential facts of a business, as it is taken for granted that you have the same knowledge as an American buyer would have. It is imperative to find a good business broker. For permanent residence & employment a green card must also be attained.

Health Care
It is imperative that you have health insurance coverage from the second you enter the USA. If you are being sponsored by your company and have a copy of the policy, fine. If not, you are advised to obtain coverage. Do not depend on your British holiday coverage, as it will not be valid. Eventually you will qualify for American insurance companies. Some will be able to obtain immediate coverage. If not, there are a number of excellent other policies, that have found clients very satisfied with. Beware of certain policies that do NOT provide coverage in the strict sense, but are actually a medical discount scheme. This is not always evident. In the event of a medical claim running into thousands of dollars, a 10% discount obviously does not cover the other 90% of the bill.