Fam Trip to Florida

Sandpearl Resort

Hotel | "Wait for the bell to ring for sunset!"

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This was a beautiful property! They really do help you enjoy a fully relaxing vacation! Even to the extent of having flags that you can put up while at the pool to signal you need something! They also have cabanas which are nice to rent. At sunset they ring a bell signifying sunset which is an added quirk that just draws you to this place! Who would want to miss the beautiful Florida beach sunsets. They have a great little restaurant called Tate Island Grill that serves great wings and steak! loads of fries as well! The Bahama mama I ordered was a probably the only bad thing about this place. The rooms were spacious and bright and had everything you would need to have a no stress vacation! Gotta lov...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 18, 2012

Sandpearl Resort
500 Mandalay Ave.
Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
(727) 441-2425

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Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

Hotel | "Check out the Casita!"

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Wow this place is great! They are so conveniently located right near downtown Tampa and in a place where you can still enjoy the views of the water! Plus you're minutes from the airport-so perfect for both those headed for leisure or business! They rooms are spacious and the restaurant has great food! Plus there is a rooftop restaurant that has great views and is so elegant! But I prefer to stay at the Casita here- they are like your own little townhome! perfect for families! They usually have great rates for them as well! you have your own pool area and a fire pit area! Just a fantastic place!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 18, 2012

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
2900 BAYPORT DRIVE
Tampa, Florida 33607
813-874-1234

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Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa

Hotel | "Spectacular! "

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Oh Goodness! Where oh where to start! This place is spacious, luxurious, in a great location, and just an all around a winner! The style is contemporary beach and just has a relaxing feel to the place! The view from the pool deck was gorgeous and I loved watching the dolphins from there! Wasn't the right temperature for the pool but it was still a great place in the resort to see wildlife! They have a fantastic kids room with tons for them to do from toys and games to arts and crafts! The beach is right out the door of the hotel which is so convenient! There's plenty of shopping and food options available on the property or in the vicinity! So grab the family and get ready to enjoy a great vacation at...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 18, 2012

Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
301 South Gulfview Blvd
Clearwater, Florida 33767

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Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort

Hotel | "Great location!"

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The best part of this property is the views! It is in a great location where they offer wonderful views from the rooms! The rooms are very spacious and the property is very easy to get around! They have activities for the kiddos and plenty of shopping and food options in the area! Plus you're on St Pete Beach with a white sand beach that you can grab a snack right on the beach which isn't possible at all properties! It's so nice to just be out at the beach with the family all day and get hungry and not have to go searching far to find it! They have a ping pong table just outside the door heading to the beach, and overall a very bright tropical feel! Great place to stay!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 18, 2012

Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort
400 MANDALAY AVE
Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
727 461-3222

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Renaissance Vinoy Resort

Hotel | "A bit of Romance at the Vinoy"

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This hotel will definitely be visited again in the near future for a romantic getaway. It was the perfect place to just relax and enjoy a luxury vacation while at the same time being surrounded by so much history! It is centrally located which is a huge plus and just gorgeously decorated. They recently did a renovations that gave the hotel a new modern feel yet at the same time kept the historic feel. They have a section in the hotel where they have some memorabilia from the hotels history which was very neat to go over. They even found china during the renovations that is from the original days before they closed for some years. Such a great find. The rooms were beautiful and elegantly decorated a...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 16, 2012

Renaissance Vinoy Resort
501 Fifth Ave Ne
St. Petersburg, Florida
(727) 894-1000

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Sirata Beach Resort

Hotel | "Beach Vacation fun!"

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The Sirata is a beautiful beachfront hotel located on a great white sand beach about 10 minutes from the center of town! The have plenty of options of rooms with a view of the Gulf which is a big plus for me! Loved the tropical feel they provide in the lobby as well as in the guest rooms. The rooms were very spacious and were pleasantly clean. Nice in room amenities and if you do get a view of the gulf there's not much you'll complain about! The staff were kind and knowledgeable. Pool had a great layout and had it not been so cold would have been the perfect place to lounge after a couple of hours at the beach. Nice property for a weekend trip or even a family vacation.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 16, 2012

Sirata Beach Resort
5300 GULF BLVD
St Petersburg Beach 33706
1-727-363-5170

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Don CeSar Hotel

Hotel | "Oh the Don!"

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Extraordinary! This property was just pure luxury. I can honestly say that there is not a single bad comment I could make about this place! Beauty reached the entire hotel from the lobby to the spa! To start at the spa, the staff was fabulous and the smells inviting! Make your way to the rooftop patio area to see a gorgeous view of the ocean that you won't want to miss. Take a night in for dinner to try the food in the restaurant, it was to die for. I had the filet mignon and it was cooked to perfection and if you've got room have the chocolate mousse with sea-salt caramel ice cream. You'd never believe this place has been around for so long with the great renovations they've done to the place! But ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

Don CeSar Hotel
3400 Gulf Blvd.
St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706
(727) 360-1881

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Guy Harvey Outpost, a TradeWinds Beach Resort

Hotel | "Meet Guy Harvey!"

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Good ole Guy Harvey, a wonerful artist, angler, diver, scientist and explorer! He did it all so why not visit an outpost for him! This property was nice, the room was ocean view and spacious, the bed area was a bit cramped! But it was clean! Which is surprising for a beach front property!

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

Guy Harvey Outpost, a TradeWinds Beach Resort
6000 Gulf Boulevard
St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706
(727) 360-5551

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TradeWinds Island Grand Resort

Hotel | "A bit of Tradewinds at the Beach!"

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This Tropical theme decorated property was very beautiful! Very clean and the staff were very welcoming! Loved that they were pet friendly and even had a designated pet area which was too cute! The beach is right out the hotel and they have wonderful beach cabanas for you available, if you’re not into the salt and want to relax by the pool it’s definitely worth it. For a small fee you can even rent a nice cabana! They’ve got great kid activities and for a bit older some paddleboats available too! After a long day in the sun stop by the spa and enjoy some relaxation the pampered way! If you’ve forgotten some beach gear stop in Tommy Bahamas, although pricey if you know the brand, great quality! The roo...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

TradeWinds Island Grand Resort
5500 Gulf Blvd
St Pete Beach, Florida 33706
727-367-6461

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The Dali Museum

Attraction | "A Dali Experience!"

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It's Salvador Dali, no need for much more explanation! Such a creative man and to know he started so young is just astonishing! The museum was nice and easy to find, easy to navigate through and filled with great art. A great tid bit to know is that they never have to move the art for a storm, the building is hurricane proof! Oh and don't forget to ask about the tree out front that contains your entry wristbands once you're done with the museum!!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

The Dali Museum
One Dali Boulevard
St. Petersburg 33701
(727) 823-3767

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Fort De Soto Park

Attraction | "Kayaking!"

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Welp, no manatees were seen! Other than that very sad note, this was a great time! We went in a big group and paddled our kayaks out to where the waterway opened up! Saw some birds, a horseshoe crab and normal sealife but no manatees, we did ask when the best time to go out to catch them was and we were referred to return in August! Better believe I'll be there!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway South
Tierra Verde, Florida 33715
(727) 893-9185

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Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

Hotel | "A Splash of Spectacular"

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This hotel was wonderful! From the alluring aroma of White Tea in the lobby to the smells of the scrumptious food of the Bluezoo Restaurant located right downstairs in the hotel. If you've not already tempted yourself with the dessert at the restaurant, head around the corner to the candy shop for a quick treat. This property was nicely situated within in a short walking distance to the boardwalk where you can enjoy the convenient shopping, eating and dancing options. You'll enjoy this great stay in comfortable beds, I suggest a room with a balcony so you can wake up to the beauty of hot air balloons floating in the distance. With this hotel its hard to go wrong. For a property located in the Disney...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 5, 2012

Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
1500 Epcot Resort Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32830

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WhirlyDome

Attraction | "Wonderful World of Whirly Ball!"

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Talk about fantastic! This place is where to go to enjoy some Non-Disney activities. Located conveniently off International Dr in Orlando, this hidden wonder offers an awesome game of laser tag, Bowling, and most importantly, Whirly Ball. Some may be saying "what the heck is this whirly ball game?" I know I did, But it is something I will never forget now. It was a great game. Anytime you can use bumper cars in a game I think it's a win! And for you adults who want to have a good time while the kiddos play, there's a bar situated right next to the Whirly Ball court where you can watch the game and relax.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 5, 2012

WhirlyDome
6464 International Drive
Orlando, Florida
(407) 212-3030

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B.B. King's Blues Club - Orlando

Restaurant | "SOULFUL :)"

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Oh B.B. Kings, how I enjoyed every minute at this lovely Orlando dining option. The band was fantastic and played a great assortment of music from Katy Perry to Isley Brothers. I had to have a taste of the fruity concoction they call the "Soul Bowl." Our table ordered a little of everything to give it all a good taste test. From Crawfish Bites to Fried Pickles, this place really couldn't go wrong. The Fritters definitely have a kick so beware, but delicious all the same. From the conga line around the dance floor to my full belly, I'd rank this restaurant AMAZING- emphasis on the ZING!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 13, 2012

B.B. King's Blues Club - Orlando
9101 International Dr. #2230
Orlando, Florida 32819
(407) 370-4550

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Nickelodeon Suites Resort

Hotel | "Are You Ready To Get Slimed??"

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First and foremost for this resort you need to ask yourself, do you have children? Or are you still a kid at heart and enjoy the sounds of children. This property is a great family friendly resort, from the slides and Water Park to the Nick after Dark for the parents to enjoy some time without the kiddos to regroup. They even have a room for the teens to play some air hockey and enjoy some time with others around their age group. My favorite part about this resort vs others in Orlando was the character breakfast, the characters were very active and even had a cute autograph so the characters could "sign" something for you. I also enjoyed hearing that it was very safe. They do a background check on the...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 13, 2012

Nickelodeon Suites Resort
14500 Continental Gateway
Orlando, Florida 32821
(407) 387-5437

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Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando

Hotel | "Sheratastic!!"

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Oh the Sheraton Vistana! Such a great resort! Gotta love a resort experience you can enjoy without the fee. It was one of the cleanest resort properties I’ve seen to date. They have all you would ever need all in one place. Great dining options, mini golf for only $5, great pools which are open late a big plus, a market with Starbucks ;) My only issue was with the cleaning staff. One lady smelt so much like smoke that it got to my sinus’. Other than that one flaw, I’d say this resort was stellar!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 14, 2012

Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando
8800 Vistana Centre Drive
Orlando, Florida 32821
(407) 239-3100

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Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

Hotel | "Just a taste!"

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We stayed at the Walt Disney World Dolphin and it was too tempting not to go and take a peak at the Swan! It is wonderfully located- as well as the Dolphin- right by the boardwalk with so many restaurant and entertainment options. They have a nice ferry shuttle located right in between the two resorts. A wonderful establishment!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 14, 2012

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
(407) 934-3000

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Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa

Hotel | "StayCation Destination"

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Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa, now this is a resort we viewed on our trip that I was sad I didn’t get the opportunity to stay at. Just putting a hand on the beds I could feel the pure comfort I would have sunk into. This property had all the right details for a perfect staycation in my mind! They had a nice pool with a pirate ship for the kids with a tiki bar for the adults. There were a few families enjoying their vacation sunbathing while the kiddos splashed around in the zero entry pool. Right next door is a great Irish pub! The rooms have a quaint personal touch to them. From the towel animals created on all the beds and in the bathrooms to the convenience of any kitchen item you could ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 14, 2012

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
8113 Resort Village Drive
Orlando, Florida 32821
(866) 539-8117

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SeaWorld Orlando

Attraction | "A Day In The Life Of A Sea Turtle!"

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I am a Sea World gal! We have a SeaWorld located in my home town of San Antonio, TX, but this Sea World certainly out-does ours! The dolphin feeding is even different. The dolphins were more playful, we had a dolphin slide up onto the ledge and let us play with her belly. If dolphin feeding isn't your thing then there is also a wonderful adventure you can go where you go through an aquarium type adventure on your way to a dome where you are given 3-D glasses and you get to experience the life of a Sea Turtle. It was one of the most unique experiences I've ever been in. You're surrounded by all the sea life and you see everything through the sea turtle's eyes starting from hatching! It's very educati...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 14, 2012

SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World Drive
Orlando, Florida 32821
(888) 800-5447

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Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort

Hotel | "Location! Location! Location!"

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Wonderfully located within a short walking distance of Downtown Disney Marketplace where dining, shopping and activities are! This property is centrally located to Disney with easy shuttle access to the parks. Not only are they great for location but they also have the BEST character breakfast I've ever been to and I've been to quite a few! The characters were very hands on and gave each child so much time and attention. Goofy danced around with a 3 year old little boy and played games with him for a good amount of time which was enjoyable to all. The food here was also good, they sold mac and cheese for breakfast which was unique to me. The property itself however was just your average property. Not...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 14, 2012

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort
1850 Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
(407) 828-4444

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Floridays Resort

Hotel | "Wonderful Family Property!"

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A wonderful Sea World Partner 2 to 3 bedroom condo property, located conveniently to all parks. They do have scheduled transportation service for easy access to the parks. All kitchens are fully equipped with all the necessities you could think of minus the food, but they have a convenient pantry and concierge service available for you. The rooms were very spacious and the beds had nice comfort. The bathroom in the Master of the condo had a large walk in shower and a Jacuzzi tub which makes it a great property for relaxation and ease. It’s an easy place to have a staycation or a nice family vacation for all ages. Great pools as well! There is a large zero gravity pool with kids area and a bar for ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 14, 2012

Floridays Resort
12550 Floridays Resort Drive
Orlando 32821
(407) 238-7700

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Coco Key Hotel and Water Park Resort

Hotel | "Wonderful Kid's Hotel!"

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This kid friendly property is wonderful for families! It is in a great location off I Dr, perfect for the parks and dining and shopping. So much to do in the area, however spending time on site is also very nice! They have a great Water Park that's partially covered and open. Which for me is very nice because the younger kids can play without the worry of sunburn. They had plenty of lifeguard supervision which was excellent as well. This hotel is not going to be a place to go if your looking for a relaxing luxury resort but if your going to Orlando for a budget its just right! The rooms were average, this is an older model hotel, but clean. They had a room for kids birthdays available for a fee and a...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 14, 2012

Coco Key Hotel and Water Park Resort
7400 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819

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Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort Villas, I-Drive/Orlando

Hotel | "WOW! WOW! WOW!"

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WOW! If I could tell you all about this property in one word it would be wow! Seriously from the easy check in to the closed in porch balconies this property had my mouth dropped! The pool was fantastic with a gorgeous waterfall right when you walked out of the lobby., with convenient bar and food and small shop right there. There was not one but two hot tubs in the main pool area and that was a nice surprise. I couldn't resist going under the waterfalls which is rare for me but it was like they were calling my name. The large king size bed was so comfortable I had no problem with falling fast asleep once I laid down. The couch was wonderful as well which was where I sat down for a break and the ser...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 14, 2012

Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort Villas, I-Drive/Orlando
12401 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32821
(407) 238-5000

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Westgate Lakes Vacation Resorts

Hotel | "A Westgate Vacation!"

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Wonderful property! They are currently in the process of doing some renovations to their 1190 rooms to make the resort much more modern and I think that is definite must. The difference before the renovations and after is quite a bit different. That is probably the only negative I have for this property. Other than that they are very convenient and spacious and keep up with the property very well. They have a shuttle that helps you get around the 130 acres which is nice for those who truly want to take advantage of a vacation and no work. This resort is perfect for a large family vacation or even a staycation. I know I could see my family enjoying a vacation here because they have plenty of pools...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 14, 2012

Westgate Lakes Vacation Resorts
10000 TURKEY LAKE RD
Orlando, Florida 32819
407-345-0000

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The Peabody Orlando

Hotel | "Elegance with Ducks, A win win!"

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The Peabody is best described as Elegant! This property really has some great unique features that just make it stand out in your mind! They are full of wonderful amenities and décor that really had me impressed. First off the beauty starts in the lobby, they have amazing art décor surrounding the property. The restaurant smelt so delicious and I heard great things from people about the food. Never had a chance to try it but will definitely give it a try next time in Orlando. They also have a cute little diner that is 24/7 which is a great feature for those night owls and not to mention those with a sweet tooth because they had a scrumptious array of goodies that will satisfy that sweet craving. T...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

The Peabody Orlando
9801 INTERNATIONAL DR
Orlando, Florida 32819
407-352-4000

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Pirate's Dinner Adventure

Attraction | "Argh Matey! "

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Fabulous! Now I have to admit when someone said we were going to a pirate show, I was a bit skeptical. But boy was it worth it! This little hidden treasure located right in the middle of the fun in Orlando was fantastic. The drinks were great when waiting, and then they bring out appetizers while you’re waiting to be taken to your color section. And if that’s not a good enough beginning already they start the show with a cute dog show which leads into the start of the storyline to your journey. Once seated the pirates really get you into the show and ready to enjoy, making sure the audience is involved every step of the way. The show begins while you’re eating but the servers are very quick and get...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

Pirate's Dinner Adventure
6400 Carrier Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819
+1 407 248 0590

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Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Resort

Hotel | "Fantastic Décor! "

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A great site to see! The Royal Pacific is one of the great Universal properties and boy was it a good one! They have a great breakfast buffet with a great variety of food! The shuttle service to the parks is very convenient; they also have a kiosk located in the resort for the Universal Express Pass which allows you to jump in the quick line to bypass the lines. Do note however that there are four attractions that don’t allow fast pass entry which are Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in USF, Pteranodon Flyers at IOA’s Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Ollivander’s at IOA’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The passes are a huge plus of staying at a universal resort. They have a great a...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Resort
6300 Hollywood Way
Orlando, Florida 32819
407-503-3000

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Universals Hard Rock Hotel

Hotel | "Let’s Party Rock at the Hardrock!"

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Such a great atmosphere for a vacation! This place is awesome and if you’re lucky enough to catch them when they have a concert in the lobby, YES, I said concert in the lobby then you’re definitely rocking! They’ve had anyone from Ron White to BB King. They have of course stellar décor throughout the entire property that is so unique and when I say unique I mean you’ll never see their decorations anywhere else because they are one of a kind artist memorabilia. Take a trip out to the pool and enjoy the rad design and don’t you worry about hearing the music, because they’ve covered that little detail with speakers under the water! Before taking the shuttle to the park which is in view-able distance whe...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

Universals Hard Rock Hotel
5800 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32819
(407) 503-7625

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Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel, A Loews Hotel

Hotel | "Ciao Bella! "

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It’s like being in Italy without actually needing a passport! Universal and Loews have teamed up to create a masterpiece! I fell in love with this resort the moment I walked in! They really have captured the feel of Italy! I have been and I can say that it so well replicates it that I kept having to remind myself I was in Orlando! The details are amazing! They have cute mopeds spread out throughout the resort (which are great for photo ops by the way), cobblestone walkways, great restaurants, and gorgeous villa style rooms! And if the rooms and just walking round the resort isn't enough for you take a stroll to the pool and check out the fantastic job they did! Gotta love the zero entry sandy beach la...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel, A Loews Hotel
5601 Universal Blvd
Orlando, Florida 32819
(888) 430-4999

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Legoland Florida

Attraction | "Ever Seen the World Through Legos?"

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Definitely not the Legoland in Copenhagen but it was a close second! This wonderful place is perfect for the kiddos aged 3-13, they have a great hands on robotic experience for the older kids that is very educational, the Lego Mindstorms and the Duplo area which is perfect for the little ones! There is so much to see and do at this great property that I would definitely say allow a full day! Don't worry about food because the food options here are great and they have wonderful prices. They have a nice Water Park available for those hot days and some cool roller-coasters that look as though they are made entirely of legos! We got there when they were setting up for Christmas and they even add a huge C...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

Legoland Florida
1 Legoland Way
Orlando, Florida 33884
(877) 350-5346

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Lake Eve Resort

Hotel | "Boardwalk was the Best part!"

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Wonderful boardwalk that takes you out to the lake was such a surprise! It's located right past the pool area which is nice as well with a hot tub! The rooms here are 2 to 3 bedroom condos and they are very spacious! Was actually impressed with the size of the rooms! Rooms smelt wonderful and the kitchens had all you would need on a nice family vacation! They are in a great locations and offer scheduled shuttle service to the parks! Wasn't expecting to be able to see this property but definitely glad I did!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 15, 2012

Lake Eve Resort
12388 International Dr
Orlando, Florida 32821
877-662-6988

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