Orlando fun

The grounds were impeccable, with occasional encounters with shore birds near the unit or pool, a pool that is to die for, and large reception areas. We would definitely stay here again; it feels so luxe.

We spent a lot of time at the pool and were thrilled to see the fireworks from Disney in the distance at night as we swam. Many of the nightly poolside activities were canceled due to the many thunderstorms that rolled through, a major bummer in this area in late summer, but not the fault of the resort. My husband and son greatly enjoyed the bicycle for two they rented to ride around the resort, and the many pools and the on-site restaurants make this a great family resort.

The layout of the unit is good, but the bedspreads and blankets seemed old and somewhat stained - I would not let my child lay on the bedspread to watch TV. The furniture is a bit rundown.

The lake is okay- don't be pulled in by the climbing area you have to pay to get your child or yourself into, only the small and lithest of climbers will have any success actually climbing these, and it will annoy and frustrate many adults and preteens. The pools are very nice and open late, making it a nice place to cool down after a day at the theme parks, but watch out for the mosquitoes and yellow flies, especially in the smaller pools - they will eat you alive.

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

The food is great, though a bit spicy for some tastes, and the atmosphere is fun and enjoyable for all ages. Often you will find balloon artists on stilts, live music on the deck, and the wait staff to match the enjoyable surroundings. Stop by the Margaritaville shop on your way out.

The food is beautifully presented, wonderfully prepared, and the desserts are dreamy. Mention that you are celebrating a bithday or anniversary, and the birthday boy may get a free dessert! This is one spot in the theme park worth the money.

Getting to the space center is not a bad drive from Orlando, but directions into the center get a bit difficult to discern as you get close and you may lose tour time riding in circles. There are a couple of opportunities for a sit-down talk with an astronaut, though frequently a lesser known one, and it is usually during the day, with limited time for questions and pictures, but this is a HUGE hit for any true space enthusiast. It would probably be worth the time and money to opt for the lunch with an astronaut on our next trip. I will probably have to leave my space-crazy husband there for a few days.