Our First Trip

This was our first trip since buying the timeshare. We enjoyed the Jungle Queen dinner cruise, the beaches, and a Marlins game. While we were checking out the Riverwalk, we saw the Blue Angels practicing for the upcoming air show.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

We rented a car so we could go all over the area.

Best Things Nearby:
Sawgrass Mills Mall and Florida Marlins Baseball.

Best Things About the Resort:
Whirlpool tub.

Resort Experience:
Since this is the model type that we purchased, we were interested in checking it out. It was great to have a full kitchen, including an ice-maker and a dishwasher! We used the whirlpool tub every day -- it was so relaxing.

We didn't use the pool, but saw it during the pancake breakfast and it looked nice. The tennis courts are nice – it costs $10 for resort guests to play and the resort provides equipment.

A car is definitely worth having to enjoy the area. If you want to spend all your time on the beach, there are better locations. But if you want to check out everything in the area, this place is great.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Not Available
• Service: Very Good

The Jungle Queen is a must-do in Ft. Lauderdale. Hop on the Jungle Queen river cruise and sail up the New River, with a tour guide to point out all the great mansions and yachts along the way. Then stop off for an all-you-care-to-eat BBQ chicken, ribs, and shrimp dinner with all the fixin's. After dinner is a variety show and then head back on the boat. It's kind of an experience in opposites: from the exceedingly rich multi-million dollar vacation mansions and even more expensive yachts to a down-home meal.

This is our second time on the Jungle Queen because we enjoyed it so much. This year's variety show wasn't as good as last year's, but there are birds, monkeys, and alligators to check out if the show isn't your thing. The boat ride is very relaxing.

I would recommend making reservations if you go during a busy time or on the weekends (so you can get a good seat on the boat for sightseeing). This year we went on a Wednesday, which wasn't very crowded and we got good seats an hour before departure. Boarding is at 6:30pm and the boat leaves at 7.

An activity for a couple or the whole family is to check out a Florida Marlins game at Proplayer Stadium in Miami. We went to a game and relaxed while checking out all the excitement live baseball games have to offer. The stadium is very easily accessible from Vacation Village at Weston and there's plenty of free parking. The stadium also converts for football.

This place has something for everybody. Let the shoppers shop till they drop. Or you can probably find a good deal on that one thing you're looking for. It's big enough that you'll get your exercise just walking around the place. There's a movie theater, too.

And there are several restaurants -- we recommend The Cheesecake Factory. Make sure you save room for cheesecake (remember you can take half of your entree back for tomorrow's lunch since you have a kitchen!). The Jamaican black pepper shrimp is a very tasty entree.

We also ate at the Rainforest Cafe, which is neat, especially for kids, with big aquariums and moving animal sculptures.