Unforgetable Accomodations Orlando

We always find that everytime we go to Orlando area, it is never the same twice. There is so much to do there. We never go for less than two weeks as we drive 30 hours to reach our destination. The theme parks are great fun, very busy during peak tourist season, so expect many delays, even with fast passes now, there is no guarantees. Make sure if you have children you keep an eye on them. The crowds at times can be overwhelming. Strollers can be rented for /single or /double, so bring your own to save some money, and in all the years we have visited the parks we have never had our personal belongings taken.

If you are only going for a week, you should carefully consider if you really want to spend all your days at the theme parks. We had friends who came with us once for a week, and they had purchased seven day hopper passes for all four of them. Turned out to be a waste of money, because coming down from the snow to Florida, all the kids wanted to do was swim in the pool. So plan yourself carefully. Don't be enticed to buy and see it all just because the travel agent told you to!

We always like to play a few rounds of mini-golf. There are many Pirates Coves in the area that provide an hour of 18 holes of up and down challenges. Keep an eye out for coupons for discounts. My memorable moments are always usually of my husband and nine-year-old daughter having a blast together in the pools and at the theme parks. They don't get to spend a lot of quality time together at home (my husband is self-employed, by the way that is why we got into timesharing as it forces us to take a family vacation every year - very important!). Anyway, they always create such a wonderful bond on holidays, and it also gives me a little time to relax and catch a few rays.

Believe me every moment is memorable, after all you're in Disney World and Orlando and that's what it is all about - "MAKING MEMORIES"!

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to see all that one could possibly see is by car. Everything seems to revolve around some main streets that all connect in one way or another. US-192, otherwise known as Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, is full tourist strip that connects to Disney World area. State Road 535 goes into Lake Buena Vista and International Dr. (Sea World and Universal Studios area). We also tried the I-Ride Trolley (goes up and down International Dr.). Stops at pickup /drop off posts every 15 minutes and for /adult/day you can get on and off all day. Kids are free!

We had a great ride there but had a real crabby man on the way back. Don't think we will use it again because of this one driver, he was quite rude. Also can get very full of passengers and seems to not have enough seats considering it runs along one of the busiest tourist strips in Orlando.

We needed a hotel to stay for one night as we didn't check into our unit until Saturday afternoon. We arrived on Friday, so I booked this place online for US$35. It was very clean, with a nice warm pool, and was a great bargain for one night.

Best Things Nearby:
Everything: it's set in a fabulous location, 2 miles to Seaworld, 4 to Universal Studios, and down the road from Disney World, etc. Across the road is a Publix grocery store and a Walgreens, not to mention a fabulous outlet mall, with all the top designer names in the world. Shop, shop, shop!!!

Best Things About the Resort:
Again, everything. First of all, the security is very tight, so you feel very safe here. The staff is very friendly and accommodating--we arrived at 2pm (check in is at 4pm) and there was no line up! I asked at front desk if a unit was available by the pool (keep in mind that all of the buildings are near the pool area, but you have to walk around a pond if you're at the back of the pool) and she told us, no problem, we could stay in building one, fourth floor.

This building is directly beside the pool, but it wasn't ready, but we decided to take that one and wait anyway--it only took another 10 minutes.

By the way, there are elevators in all buildings.

The grounds are also very beautiful--you wake up on a pool to one side and walk out your front door to cows on the other! Yes, cows! In Orlando!! We had such a laugh.

The Vistana Villages are also smaller as far as the number of buildings is concerned-- there are only eight buildings in all, which makes the resort so much nicer, what with there being less people and less traffic inside the resort area.

Resort Experience:
Our unit was incredible: the beautiful lime-green decor and real wooden furniture gave us a feeling of pride. The master bedroom was very large, with a corner jacuzzi right beside the bed. The shower was large enough for the entire family. This developer has put alot of thought into the Villages to definitely make it a home away from home.

At first we didn't want to touch anything as it all seemed so perfect but, once we moved in, it really felt comfortable. We had no problems--everything worked and we never had to call maintenance for anything.

The resort itself is very pleasant. The employees are very friendly and courteous; they make great smoothies at the bar and an excellent Caesar salad, too. Our daughter participated in many of the activities, like tye-dye shirt-making, Krazy pool games, sand bottle art, etc.

We enjoyed it so much here that we decided to spend only one day at the theme parks and enjoy our other six at the Villages. The pools and the hot tub are also open until 1am every night, which is nice if you're a night hawk!

At book said that local calls cost 75-cents but we made, I think, two calls, and were never charged for them. We liked it so much that we think RCI should let us go there again, and never mind the 1-in-4 rule!

It will be hard to beat this timeshare resort!

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

Best Things Nearby:
Disney World is the closest theme park, but you are also close to Downtwn Disney, and the Pleasure Island area.

Best Things About the Resort:
Silver Lake is great for families as they offer alot of activities to keep kids busy like tennis, basketball, a games' room, and movie theater.

They also have an internet room for you to check email and a golf simulator if you want to practice your swing.

The security was good, but the buildings aren't enclosed, which means outsiders have easy access.

Resort Experience:
The second week of our vacation ended with just the three of us, so I asked to downsize the unit and was told NO! I found this quite strange. We were put into building 600, which is close to the pool area, but we found the unit to be very big for us--plus there were no carpets anywhere, so everytime you talked or watched TV there was an echo. We were on the third floor with no elevators, which was hard when carrying loads of luggage.

The unit was well decorated with turquoise walls and white rattan furniture. It was OK, but there are mirrors everywhere--I am not sure why, because the place does not need to look any bigger.

We had a huge, square jacuzzi in the master bedroom and, again, a shower big enough for the family. Everything worked, so maintenance was never required. The one thing I didn't like is the lack of mid-week housekeeping services. This is the first resort we have ever stayed at that did not have this and we were constantly washing towels, etc.

The security people at the gate are extremely friendly. We had a few nice chats with them.

Again, the book said 50-cents for local calls, but I was not charged. I found check-out to be rather impersonal--no "thanks" or anything just. "here's your bill, goodbye."

All in all, though, we had a good week at Silver Lake Resort and would probably exchange there again if it became available.

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

Ponderosa restaurants in the Orlando area are a great bang for your buck. For us, our daughter eats off the hot/cold buffet for $3.99 and we can have steak and buffet for $9.49, get coupons anywhere and receive 10% off the price, which pays for your drinks. Also, kids under five years of age eat free with a paying adult.

We like the buffet-style restaurants as our 9-year old can eat all she wants and try many different foods and make her own decision as to whether she likes it or not. We never had a dinner cost more than $30 for the three of us (except when we went to Red Lobster--my birthday treat from Rick--and the cost was $85 including an alcoholic drink).

We always try and stick to family restaurants, as there is always someone else's child who is louder than yours!!!

Magical place, yes it can be, but during high tourist season the crowds, line ups, etc., can be very overwhelming. Make sure you pack frozen water so you can sip it all day.

Head for Adventureland/Frontierland first, so you can ride Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. Most people seem to head to Tomorrowland for Space Mountain. Try and fast-pass it if you can, but remember that you could get your fast pass at 9:30am and be told not to return until 6pm! Make sure you do not miss the 3pm parade -- it's magical!!!