January 18, 2004 Dollar signs in your eyes? You should have: the US dollar is at an 11-year low. Mark Hodson reports on the resulting holiday superdeals

British holidaymakers booking trips to America were rubbing their hands with glee last week as the dollar hit an 11-year low. The US currency has now fallen by 27% against the pound over the past two years. In January 2002, the cash rate for tourists was $1.39; last week, it was $1.77. This is particularly welcome news for travellers tired of being clobbered financially in France, Spain and other European destinations, where the pound has fallen 13% against the euro in the past two years. Many families are opting for an American trip instead.

Can I get a good deal from a UK tour operator? Families going to Orlando can also save on theme- park tickets by booking online. Travel agents and operators have always insisted that British visitors are better off prebooking their park tickets, and in the past this may well have been true, but last week the evidence was unconvincing.

One of the most popular deals among British families is the 14-day Orlando Flex Ticket, which allows admission to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Wet’n’Wild. The ticket agency Keith Prowse (028 9023 2425, www.keithprowsetickets.co.uk) says that the ticket cost £150 (children £126) last year. This year, it has cut the price to £141 (children £117), and if you buy before February 1, you can get it for just £133 (children £111).

This appears to be an excellent deal — until you look at some of the prices offered by American agencies. UnderCoverTourist.com, based in Florida, specialises in selling park tickets to British visitors: it quotes prices in pounds, has a UK freephone number (0800 081 1702) and even offers free postage to the UK. Last week, it had the 14-day Flex Ticket for just £116.67 (children £96.62).

Similarly, a five-day Disney Park Hopper Plus Ticket bought direct from Disney in the UK (0870 242 4900, www.disneyholidays.co.uk) would cost £179 (children £143). At UnderCoverTourist.com last week, they were priced at £145.24 (children £114.85). For

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