Another Great Disney Trip!

Disney! Disney! Disney! Orlando actually has so many great things to do, including Universal Studios, Sea World, dinner theaters, spring training for profesional baseball teams at Disney Sports Complex, the NBA's Orlando Magic, etc.

Quick Tips:

You can save some time and money by buying snacks and breakfast foods at a local grocery store. Also, most stores outside of Disney carry Disney clothing and/or souvenirs that are much cheaper. Much of it is actual Disney outlet items. Also, take a day away from the crowd and go to Coca Beach and relax. Find out if there is going to be a NASA shuttle launch and head to Cape Canaveral, or better yet Coco Beach, where you can get yourself a margarita at one of the local beach pubs and turn on your camcorder. It is usually dark when it takes off, which makes for a spectacular sight.

Best Way To Get Around:

I would suggest renting a car if you fly in. There are just too many things to do around the area, and resort shuttles often cost as much in the long run as renting a car.

Best Things Nearby:
Are you kidding!!! Disney World is right next door.

Best Things About the Resort:
While the first time you go to Disney it is important to live the full experience which includes driving through the main entrance, you can from that point take the back way into Disney. In a matter of a couple minutes and virtually no traffic you can be in front of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Is it really that close you ask? From many of Silver Lake's units you can go out to your balcony or look out your window and see the Tree of Life and on the upper decks can watch fireworks above the Epcot Center after dusk.

Resort Experience:
While the resort isn't what I would call "plush" it is clean, attractive, and comfortable. The layout of the resort is very user friendly and the hub of leisure is the large pool area. The cabana has good fast food type food and snacks and also a wide variety of adult beverages. We liked having kitchens in our unit where we could buy our own snacks, fruits, breakfast foods and drinks at a local grocery store. The resort plans activities but with so much to do in the Orlando area it is not as well attended as I feel other resorts may be.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Excellent

While better food may be found elsewhere, you won''t be able to beat the atmosphere at Downtown Disney''s Rainforest Cafe. Nestled under what appears to be an active, rumbling volcano, the appearence draws you right into it. Each table is surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungle, which includes life-sized jungle animals that magically come to life. The food is good, but not great, and as you exit the restaurant you are led through its fantastic gift shop, which is just what a tight budget needs!!!

Disney is so big that you can be at each park the entire day and not see all of it, particularly if it is during the heavy tourist season. Disney has tried to eleviate the long wait in lines by offering Fast Passes, which allow visitors to ride a ride between a specified amount of time and with virtually no waiting.

The great thing about Silver Lakes location right next door to Disney is that it is easy come back to the resort during the hot part of the day, relax in the pool or take a nap, and go back to Disney when it begins to cool down. Be sure to buy the multi-day passes, some will include the water parks, sports complex and the like.

Though it was great fun, I can honestly say the first time I went to Disney, a few years ago, I was a little disappointed. Growing up in the 60's watching Walt Disney World I expected "just short of heaven" type stuff! On our second trip my expectations weren't as high, which allowed me to see the wonder of it all.