Orlando Florida 2004

Best Things Nearby:
The resort is located a little out of the way, but is VERY easy to get to. It's several miles west of where it's all going on, but is a very high-class resort and where we would stay again.

Best Things About the Resort:
The rooms were very nice. We had three two-bedroom condos that we exchanged into, and we called the resort and asked for all the rooms to be close together, and they actually did that for us. Normally one condo will be on one side of the property and the other condo on the other side, but here we were all in condos in the same building on the same floor. The resort staff couldn't have been any better, including the sales stuff.

Resort Experience:
The landscaping of the resort was very well done. Also resort maintenance was top notch. We noticed them out and about sweeping in the early morning.

We got a phone call the first day to make sure our room was working out for us. They had some very helpful information about the area as far as what parks to see on what days, directions, where to eat, and other helpful information about the area.

The rooms were nicely appointed and the most noticeable thing, though small, was the toilet paper wrapped into a ribbon. We had a great view of a nearby pond.

The resort offered many activities, but we were too busy at the parks to partake in any of them.

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

Best Things Nearby:
Lots of resrurant and shopping! Right in the middle of it all. Very easy to find. Just look for "TGI Fridays" and turn there.

Best Things About the Resort:
Secured entrance and a GREAT spa. Also the location for an off disney resort is also great. The resort is very well mannaged and well taken care of.

Resort Experience:
When you enter the resort, you cross over a small bridge and pass through the guard stop then on into the resort. The check in and recreation center is right in front. If you have kids or like to swim, the pool is awesome and is heated, so it is open year round. We were there in January and it was great. We didn't want to get out because it felt better in the water! Also if you need or like massages they are very good at that too. Even the smallest details made a difference like Bath and Body works soap, not the cheap wholesale brands that aren’t worth 10 cents. If I had to pick a resort off Disney to recommend, this would be it. Its very FAMILY friendly with several activities right there on site.

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

Best Things Nearby:
As far as location I think that this one is one of the best. It’s right off the main road where all the tourist shops are (Hwy 192). You can also walk to more than 5 restaurants with out messing with the busy Orlando traffic. The resort is just minuets from putt-putt courses, go cart tracks, restraints, knick-knack shops, and much more.

Best Things About the Resort:
Location is the resorts best feature, but I think that the rooms were larger than most and very well decorated.

Resort Experience:
After checking in the resort shared with us some of the activities and on site amenities that we could partake in which was very helpful in planning our vacation. They pointed out the restaurants that were within walking distance, showed us where to pools where and how to get to our room. I thought that the rooms were very nice and I liked the bright happy colors they used to paint and decorate the rooms with. I also appreciated the gated entrance and 24 hour security guards. I had to go to the car about 1 am to get a small bag I left in the car. Security was driving around and stopped by to make sure I was really supposed to be there. At first I was a little offended, but then I realized that if I wasn’t supposed to be there, as a guest I would have been grateful that he stopped a criminal from stealing my bag! To compare the resort to others in the area I would say that it’s average. I don’t think that there is any one thing that would make the resort stand out more so than any of the other resorts. It doesn’t have a golf course. It doesn’t have a fancy water park/pool. The only major thing going for it is the location to all the events and some VERY close restaurants. All in all, I would stay there again.

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

If you have to pick one park to go to I would choose Universal over Disney... (Oh my did he just say that?) Yes, that’s right. I would choose Universal over Disney. Here’s the reason: there aren't long lines, the rides are true "rides", a lot of Disney is standing in line to go on a slow-paced ride that’s more like a tour than a ride. When I go to the theme park I want to ride rollercoasters and rides that give you that thrill.

I would recommend riding the Hulk and Jurassic Park water ride. Yes, you will get wet, but it’s well worth it!

Blue Springs State Park has got to be on my favorite state parks in the country. The park itself is quite large but the main attraction is the Blue Spring, which runs all year long, flowing over 100 million gallons daily. In the winter manatees move out of the cold St. John’s River into the warm 72-degree water of the spring. We were there in January when it was a little cooler out so over 100 manatees were there. It is something else to see these wonderful animals in the wild and not in a pool at the zoo. The clarity of the spring water allows people to view without disturbing this unique gathering of endangered species.

I have attached several photos below that say all I need to say. It’s quite amazing to see them come up to the top of the water for a breath of air. We got close enough that we could actually hear the "phoof" sound they made. Do yourself a favor and plan about five hours and pack a picnic and spend the afternoon there with your family.