Walt Disney World

A December 2002 trip to Orlando by vharris

I have traveled to the Orlando/Kissimmee area for the past 17 years. Each visit of 10 days and often we have traveled here several time in a year. There is something for everyone no matter what the age is.

  • 7 reviews
For young children and adults as well, dine with the Disney Characters (call 407-WDW-Dine for reservations and info on where the characters are).

Universal's Islands of Adventures is more for teens and up. There are lots of adventure rides that younger children can not go on.

Universal Studios has mostly indoor rides/attractions.

MGM Studios is geared more toward the studios theme where you sit in theaters and watch the shows. There are a few adventure rides; we call this park our relax day park.

EPCOT can be taken many different ways. It is educational and fun. On our last visit, upon entering, we all picked up passports at one of the shops. You then visit each country, where the stamp your passport and write a quick, brief note in their native language. After all stamps have been gathered you show the passport and receive a special pen.

Quick Tips:

Character dining reservations are a must and are taken in advance. Buy your character autograph book at one of the souvenir shops outside the parks and purchase rain ponchos from Wal-mart -- they fit easily in a pocketbook. About 1pm, crowds thin out. Try to avoid the parks on Fridays; there are a lot of locals with long weekends. Saturdays aren't bad; it's the timeshare out/in day. We carry a couple of frozen bottles of water, avoiding the .50 bottles that are sold.

If parades are not priority, that's when you can easily get on demanded attractions quicker. Plan your day out and try to cover all attractions in one area before more to another.

To Parents: I've found that visiting the President's Hall of Fame in mid-afternoon will give the children a much needed nap.

Best Way To Get Around:

The road system is easy to drive and clearly marked; rent a car. Transfers from the resorts often pick up at more than one location and we have riden for over an hour trying to reach a park. Some people even had to stand.

Grand Beach ResortBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Embassy Vacation Resort at Grand Beach"

Best Things Nearby:
Right off of I-4 and approximately 3 miles to Downtown Disney; easy access to Hwy 192 and to all of the Disney properties. Numerous restarant and not far from Sea World and International Drive.

Best Things About the Resort:
Its floor plan and also the fact that every bedroom had its own bathroom.

Resort Experience:
The unit we stayed in was nearer to the lake than pool, however, there were well maintained concrete walkways all over the property. The elevators were wonderful since we were on the 3rd floor. The furniture and fixtures give you a tropical relaxed feeling. We spent a lot of time on our balcony at night. There were planned and carried through activities, no matter if only 2 showed to participate. The children loved this resort and so did I!

  • Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
  • Activities: Very Good
  • Amenities: Very Good
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by vharris on December 28, 2002

Grand Beach Resort
8317 Lake Bryan Beach Boulevard Orlando, Florida 32821
(407) 238-2500

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld Intl. CenterBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Hilton GV Club Seaworld"

Best Things Nearby:
Sea World and Discovery Cove are within walking distance and within a couple of minutes by car, International Drive.

Best Things About the Resort:
The layout and the grounds were great.

Resort Experience:
When we pulled in to register it looked as though we were in Bermuda. The clubhouse was finely decorated and the pool area was beautiful. My children enjoyed floating in and out of the waterfall not to mention jumping off the jump rock in the center of the pool. There seemed to be plenty of chairs and a area just for toddlers. Beside to pool was a croquet course that we played on many times. The snack shop had a great variety of food, fruit and snacks. We ate slices of watermelon consistently. Can't wait to go back.

  • Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
  • Activities: Excellent
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by vharris on December 28, 2002

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld Intl. Center
6924 Grand Vacations Way Orlando, Florida 32821
(407) 239-0100

Best Things Nearby:


Best Things About the Resort:
There was a small waterpark on the property.

Resort Experience:
This was not one of the nicest we've stayed in around the area. It seems to be a older property and there is alot of up dating that needs to be taken care of. Check-in was extremely slow and the units were small. The main pool behind the clubhouse has no area for toddlers so you have to walk to another pool area if you have small children.

  • Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
  • Activities: Poor
  • Amenities: Fair
  • Unit Satisfaction: Fair
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Fair
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by vharris on December 28, 2002

Liki Tiki Resort
77700 Bahia Drive Orlando, Florida

Orange Lake ResortBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Orange Lake Country Club"

Best Things Nearby:
Easy access to the Disney properties.

Best Things About the Resort:
The grounds were well kept and very clean.

Resort Experience:
Orange Lake's registion area was a little crazy, but while I stood in line my husband took the children to the play area located within seeing distance. It is a beautiful clubhouse where alot of the activities are planned and carried through. There was a pizzeria, ice cream shop, gift shop, tour desk, and arcade, just to name a few. The pool area is very nice with a childrens' pool off to the side. You could play putt-putt near the pool, rent a jet ski, or have a drink. This area can get quite busy. My husband and son played golf on property one day, also. The units were very spacious and offered everything a normal home would be stocked with. This property (and we stayed in the units beside the clubhouse) has been maintained really well.

  • Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
  • Activities: Excellent
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by vharris on December 28, 2002

Orange Lake Resort
8505 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway Kissimmee, Florida 34747
(888) 657-3529

Best Things Nearby:
Easy access to the Disney properties.

Best Things About the Resort:
Location: just off of 192, not a property that you need your car on. The main pool is beautiful with a small island in the middle planted with palm trees and other greenery.

Resort Experience:
All of the units are well kept and are within easy walking distance to the pool area. There is a separate children's pool with a palm tree in the middle and once the coconuts fill with water, they tip on the children. This is not one of the larger properties where you lose yourself. From some of the units at night, you can watch the fireworks at Sea World and the Disney properties. There is a snack bar by the pool that has cold & hot food items and also a vareity of drinks. There is also a happy hour every day. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

  • Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
  • Activities: Excellent
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by vharris on December 28, 2002

Silver Lake Resort
7751 Black Lake Road Orlando, Florida
407/397-2828

Best Things Nearby:


Best Things About the Resort:
Not only can you swim in the pool there is a beach area for swimming also.

Resort Experience:
The beach area has quite a few water activities available for a small usage fee. There is a water trampoline and a mountain to climb (very challenging). Also there is a pier for fishing. The pool area is large and activities are hosted here also. There is a grill fired up by the snack shack for hamburgers and dogs and a variety of mixed drinks as well. The clubhouse is grand! Our unit overlooked the lake area and there are sidewalks for those evening strolls along the lake as well as ample park benches. Loved this resort and can't wait to go back!

  • Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
  • Activities: Excellent
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by vharris on December 28, 2002

Summer Bay Resort
17805 U.S. Highway 192 Kissimmee, Florida 34711
352/242-1100

About the Writer

vharris
vharris
bastrop, Texas

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