Florida fun: Death-defying rides to kissing whales, Orlando's a great place to hang out

Orlando is a place that creates such happy, lasting memories. I went there on a summer holiday with my family in 1996. I was 11 and my brother was a couple of years older, so we were the perfect age to go and we absolutely loved it.
We visited SeaWorld and Disney World and adored the whole atmosphere. I’d never been to America before; we had obviously heard about the rides at Disney and about all the amazing animals in SeaWorld.
But you really have to go to Orlando to experience it – when you’re up close to the creatures in SeaWorld, for example – then you discover the real magic.

Busman's holiday: Beth can't resist a twirl on a high bar at the Iceploration show at Busch Gardens

A few years later I was chosen for a gymnastics training camp that took place in Orlando at what is now the ESPN Wide World of Sports – and that was also a very special experience.
My most recent trip to Orlando came after the London Olympics this summer. It allowed my mum and dad and my boyfriend Steve and me to get away from the crazy period after the Olympics.

A whirlwind of different animals: Beth met a giraffe at Busch Gardens in Tampa... and a beluga whale at SeaWorld Orlando

Although it had been a wonderful experience – especially winning the bronze medal at the final Olympics of my gymnastics career – it had left us all emotionally drained.
You could say that I’d been training for the London Olympics for 20 years – however, it became very serious following the 2008 Olympics and got even tougher before the World Championships in October 2011.
I haven’t had any time off really since July 2011. I trained 30 hours a week. It was pretty full-on, but getting the medal made it all worthwhile.
So going on holiday gave me the chance to do normal things at last – such as choose what clothes I wanted. For the longest time I had to stick to team colours or team kit.
Now I don’t have to liaise with someone in the morning to check what outfit I’m allowed to wear.
In Orlando we stayed at the excellent Renaissance at SeaWorld which, as its name suggests, is very handily located for the SeaWorld theme park and the nearby Discovery Cove and Aquatica water park.
We visited Busch Gardens, my mum Ann’s favourite park. West of Orlando, it is more like a traditional park –  similar to Woburn or Longleat in the UK. Mum didn’t like the big theme-park rides – what she loved about Busch Gardens was the opportunity to interact with the animals, having the chance to enjoy the monkeys and giraffes – it was like a mini-safari.

Champion kisser: Smooching a dolphin at Discovery Cove Orlando

She loves animals so much she’d have her own farm in the back garden if she could, so for her to get up close and feed the giraffes and see all the zebras and the cheetahs was really special.
My mum was wise to keep away from the thrill rides. When it warns ‘You may get soaked’, they’re lying – you get drenched!

 

You come off dripping, so put your bikini on for those! SheiKra at Busch Gardens is a white-knuckle ride I had to go on alone as no one would come with me. It’s a ‘floorless dive’ coaster that climbs 200ft to the edge of a 90-degree drop that inches you mercilessly over the edge – and stops.

Ray to go: Beth gets up close to the residents of Discovery Cove

Then you dive down into a 70mph coaster whirlwind with a loop, a second dive into a tunnel and a splashdown finale that drenches everybody in the queue for the ride. It was great to be recognised there – it’s surprising how many Brits go to Orlando, many of whom came up to say ‘Congratulations’, which was really nice.
The Olympics followed by a wonderful break in Orlando? Life doesn’t get much better than that.

Travel Facts

The Discovery Cove Ultimate Package includes a one-day reservation at Discovery Cove (with 30-minute dolphin-swim experience, all meals, snacks and beverages) plus 14 days’ unlimited entry to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica. Prices start from £160pp.
Virgin Holidays (0844 557 3859, www.virginholidays.co.uk) offers seven nights in Orlando from £999. This includes return flights from Gatwick, accommodation at the Renaissance SeaWorld on a room-only basis and car hire.