The Advantages of Staying in a Villa
This is a question I am asked many times by potential guests. The first time we went to Florida we stayed in a hotel and although we thoroughly enjoyed it at the end of holiday we were beginning to feel a bit cramped up. During the next few years we ...
Viewed 371 times since 5 February 2011.
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Making the Most of Your Villa Part 4
One of the great advantages of staying in a villa is the flexibility to eat when and whatever you like.
We love getting up early that first morning (early can be 5. 00am! ) and going to Shoneys for an all you eat breakfast. After that we ...
Viewed 69 times since 2 November 2011.
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Cocoa Beach
If you fancy a day, or even a weekend, at the beach and do not want to drive too far head for Cocoa Beach. This beach is only an hours drive from Orlando on the east coast which is more popularly known as the Space Coast. It is located on a barrier i...
Viewed 281 times since 7 January 2011.
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Visit Jacksonville Zoo
A couple of years ago we had a few days near Jacksonville and whilst we were there we took the girls to Jacksonville Zoo. We spent the whole day there and they really enjoyed it.
The Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m 363 days...
Viewed 307 times since 5 February 2011.
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Carrabbas
You will find this casual chain of Sicilian-American of restaurants with their open kitchens churning out wood-fired pizzas and fresh-made pastas throughout Florida. Our favourite one is located not far from our villa at 7890 W Irlo Bronson Hwy (US19...
Viewed 855 times since 1 September 2008.
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Concourse Steakhouse Contemporary Resort
When you board the express monorail at the Transportation and Ticket Centre headed for the Magic Kingdom, you pass by the Concourse Restaurant as you drive through the Contemporary Resort. Most people do not realise it is there as they are busy looki...
Viewed 714 times since 1 September 2008.
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Tokyo Dining
Being from the UK where there is not a large selection of Japanese restaurants we decided on one of our holidays at the villa to visit Epcot and dine at Toyko Dining in the Japanese Pavilion. My Mother and I started our visit with Cherry Blos...
Viewed 602 times since 22 October 2009.
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Devenneys Irish Pub
When my parents returned from a visit to our villa in Orlando they were eager to tell us about a new Irish pub that had opened at the end of 2008 and was opposite Cagan Crossing which is about a mile and a half from our villa at Lindfields.
<...
Viewed 574 times since 31 December 2009.
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Shamrock Pub and Grille
We sometimes call into the Shamrock Pub and Grille on our way home from shopping at Possner Park. It is situated in Davenport not far for the junction with the I4 so is not far from Kissimmee. It is open Monday to Thursday and Sunday 11. 00am to 12. ...
Viewed 265 times since 1 October 2010.
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Pollo Campero
Several of our guests expressed disappointment when they heard McDonalds in Downtown Disney was to close at the end of April 2010. Most of these were guests who were traveling back to the UK with Virgin Atlantic and were going to use their early chec...
Viewed 506 times since 16 October 2010.
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Great Meals in Applebees on Highway 27
The more we go to this restaurant the more we are impressed with the service and the standard of the food. Our villa is at Lindfields situated just off the 192 about a mile before it meets the 27. Applebees is about one mile south on the 27 i...
Viewed 295 times since 29 December 2010.
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Great Meals at Applebees on Highway 27
The more we go to this restaurant the more we are impressed with the service and the standard of the food.
Our villa is at Lindfields situated just off the 192 about a mile before it meets the 27. Applebees is about one mile south on the ...
Viewed 399 times since 1 January 2011.
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Millers Orlando Ale House (6)
I must admit before the Millers Ale House opened last year near our villa at Lindfields I had never heard of them. When my parents visited there before Christmas they were very impressed by the venue, the service and the value for money of the food. ...
Viewed 909 times since 7 January 2011.
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Longhorn Steakhouse on the 192
We had never been to a Longhorn Steakhouse until one opened a couple of years ago at Rolling Oaks Common. This is situated on the 192 about two miles before it meets the 27 and is opposite the Orange Lake Complex. It is a good place for guests return...
Viewed 583 times since 7 January 2011.
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Part Two - Restaurants as the 192 approaches Highway 27
In Part One of this guide I listed restaurants as you leave the Parks starting at Angels Seafood Bar and ending with the Clay Oven Indian restaurant. This guide details the other restaurants as the 192 leads directly onto Highway 27.
In t...
Viewed 812 times since 11 January 2011.
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Dennys at Anytime
I expect when you travel around Orlando you have seen many Denny’s restaurants. We are fortunate that we have one about a mile away from our villa at Lindfields and we always have at least one meal there every time we go to the villa.
Thi...
Viewed 349 times since 3 February 2011.
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Favourite Meals in Florida
There is so much variety for eating in Florida I thought I would share just a few of our choices with you.
Breakfast
On the first morning we are at our villa we always go to Shoneys for an all you can eat breakfast. That first ...
Viewed 327 times since 3 February 2011.
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Breakfast at Celebration
Celebration is only three miles from our villa so we often go there to enjoy the tranquillity and get away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando and the theme parks. It is rarely busy unless they host special events and then it draws quite a crowd.
...
Viewed 414 times since 27 February 2011.
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Birthdays at Disney
While at Disney World there are lots of ways to make a little one feel special if it is their birthday whilst you are on holiday. To make the most of it though, TELL EVERYONE! And the cast members will do something for them. First make sure yo...
Viewed 700 times since 1 September 2008.
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Fantasmic
The first time my parents went to see Fantasmic they completely misjudged the time it would take to get there and only saw the last ten minutes of the show! It is located off to the right almost at the end of Hollywood Boulevard in the Hollywood Hill...
Viewed 839 times since 1 September 2008.
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New at Disney 2010
Disney never seem to sit back and be content to just go along with what they have already achieved they are always keen to satisfy their existing visitors even more as well as attracting new visitors. In early June 2010 they intend to bring b...
Viewed 562 times since 10 June 2010.
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New at Disney 2010/2011
As ever Disney never sits back and lets things get stale so once more they are planning new events and attractions. In early 2011 there will be a New Safari Experience at Animal Kingdom. The Wild Africa Trek will take small groups of guest on...
Viewed 326 times since 11 October 2010.
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Showcase of Citrus (8)
During many of our visits to our villa we had said we must do some orange picking yet never seemed to get around to doing it. Then a couple of years ago I decided to search on the internet before going on holiday and I found Showcase of Citrus. <...
Viewed 403 times since 8 January 2010.
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The Reptile Discovery Centre
If you are in the Daytona area and want to visit somewhere slightly different consider going to Reptile Discovery Center which is located just 15 minutes from Daytona Beach. The address for the Center is 2710 Big John Drive (U. S. Hwy 92).
Viewed 405 times since 12 April 2011.
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Mount Dora - A Great Day Out
When we are in Orlando we like to visit down town Mount Dora. It is around 44 miles from Orlando and gives yet another insight into Florida not to mention its quaint little shopping experience. There are some lovely old style shops that have gifts, a...
Viewed 656 times since 1 September 2008.
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Tin City Naples
Some holidays on our way to our villa in Orlando we stop off at Naples on the Gulf Coast for a couple of nights. We do this by flying into Miami and then going to the Gulf Coast along Alligator Alley. Much as we look we have yet to see an alligator a...
Viewed 267 times since 1 October 2010.
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A Day in Miami
You may have flown into Miami or are en route to other parts of Florida and have a day to stay in Miami and enjoy it.
If you want to just relax and enjoy the sun there are several beaches where you can do this.
Virginia Key Be...
Viewed 98 times since 2 November 2011.
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Sloppy Joes - Treasue Island
One cloudy day we decided to go to Treasure Island to see the “Bands on the Sands” festival they were having followed by a meal at Sloppy Joes which is on the beach. There a path along the beach that we strolled along stopping first at the Ti...
Viewed 435 times since 16 January 2010.
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Enjoy Anna Marie Island
There really is something very magical when you arrive at Anna Marie Island and you see the white sand you know you are in for few days of complete relaxation. There is not any need to plan your journeys for quite times to avoid the crowds because cr...
Viewed 261 times since 7 January 2011.
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The Pinellas Trail
If you have ever been in the Gulf Coast area surrounding Treasure Island, Clearwater or St Petersburg you will have seen signs highlighting the Pinellas Trail. We often spend a few days at the Gulf Coast and I became so intrigued by always seeing the...
Viewed 256 times since 7 January 2011.
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Enjoy Naples
Naples is located in Florida' s near-tropical southwest corner and is one of the more glamorous of Florida’s beach areas. It has beautiful white beaches, ample water access, and many upscale restaurants and shops. In the twenty years since we first s...
Viewed 257 times since 7 January 2011.
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Day Trip to Key West
My parents stayed with friends in Miami last year and decided that rather than doing the long drive to Key West in their car they would take a day trip along with their friends.
They booked their trip on the internet and had to give at le...
Viewed 250 times since 3 February 2011.
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Places to visit near Miami
We sometimes stay for a day or two in Miami either because we have flown in there or are on our way to the Florida Keys. We like to explore whilst we are there so I thought I would try to list a few places near Miami that you might like to visit.
<...
Viewed 352 times since 3 February 2011.
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Big Pine and Lower Keys
If you are traveling to Key West and you have time try to explore Big Pine and the Lower Keys you will be amazed how good it is to get away from a busy and crowded world and completely relax.
If you want to dive you can board a dive boat ...
Viewed 377 times since 7 February 2011.
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Explore Venice
If you are ever on the Gulf Coast it is well worth spending a day in Venice. Despite traveling along the Gulf Coast for many years last year was the first time when we were traveling from Orlando down to Naples we decided to break our journey there. ...
Viewed 365 times since 9 February 2011.
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Tips for your First Night in Orlando
Visitors from the UK usually arrive in Orlando anytime between 3.00pm and Midnight. When we first started staying in a villa a late arrival meant there was only just time to pick up milk, water and biscuits (the first morning nearly always includes a...
Viewed 747 times since 1 September 2008.
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Visit Prime Outlets
Some holidays on our way to our villa in Orlando we stop off at Naples on the Gulf Coast for a couple of nights. We do this by flying into Miami and then going to the Gulf Coast along Alligator Alley. Much as we look we have yet to see an alligator a...
Viewed 462 times since 1 October 2010.
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Shopping and Eating at the Loop
On our last visit to our villa in March 2011 we decided to have a restful day away from the Parks enjoying a day out together and strolling around the shops before eating so we headed for The Loop on St John’s Parkway. I do not remember which day of ...
Viewed 93 times since 2 November 2011.
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Arriving in Orlando
We usually travel by Virgin Atlantic from Manchester and arrive at Orlando International Airport between 2. 00pm and 3. 00pm. It always amazes me that when the seatbelt sign is turned off everyone jumps to their feet and stands there for the next 10 ...
Viewed 369 times since 3 February 2011.
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Direct or In-Direct Flights
This is always a quandary and there are for and againsts about both flight options.
In- Direct Flights
Our nearest airport is Birmingham (UK) so if we want to fly from here on a scheduled flight we do not have the option of fly...
Viewed 347 times since 3 February 2011.
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Enjoying Jaws at Universal Studios
No visit to Universal Studios is complete for our family without going on the boat ride Jaws. No matter how many times we go on this ride although it is a little bit cheesy we always manage to scream a little as well as laugh a lot. I believe it orig...
Viewed 91 times since 2 November 2011.
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Enjoying Kidzone at Universal Studios
If you have younger children try to leave plenty of time to go around Kidzone at Universal Studios. If possible try to go to this part of the Park early in the day as it does get very busy and there is nothing worse than having to queue in the heat w...
Viewed 74 times since 2 November 2011.
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Easy Tips for Visiting Parks
Every time we visit the Parks I seem to think of a tip I must remember for our next visit to Orlando.
If you going to visit a Park more than once in a year investigate buying an Annual Pass. I am not sure if non residents can do this for ...
Viewed 492 times since 7 January 2011.
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Tips to Save Money on your Disney Holiday
Florida and the magic of the Theme Parks brings visitors back year after year. I thought I would put some money saving tips I have learnt over the years in this guide. I have also written “Money Saving Tips for Planning your Holiday” as another guide...
Viewed 488 times since 15 January 2011.
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Staying All Day at a Park
When you get to Florida lots of families want to maximise the time spent at Parks – you can always sleep when you get home!
I must admit when the girls were small we did not stay out all day at the Parks because they just became very tire...
Viewed 476 times since 21 March 2011.
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Hoop Dee Doo Show
We have never been to this show but friends of ours took their 11 year old daughter for her birthday and say they would highly recommend it both for the food and a great evenings entertainment. Apparently this Review is one of the longest runn...
Viewed 620 times since 1 September 2008.
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Lat 2010 In Downtown Disney and Epcot
I love going to Downtown Disney at anytime of the year but especially in November when the annual Festival of the Masters takes place. This artisan Festival which takes place over a weekend (between 9. 30 and 5. 30pm and admission and parking are fre...
Viewed 267 times since 16 October 2010.
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Entertainment at the Boardwalk
As our girls have become teenagers we find we spend more and more time at the Boardwalk whether it be in the day or evening. Entertainment here can differ from day to day. At holiday times you will find midway games, jugglers, entertainers, h...
Viewed 381 times since 17 October 2010.
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Best Things to Do at Disney
There are so many things that I enjoy at Disney but I thought I would try to list some of my favourites.
Go to Lion King at Animal Kingdom. When you get to the Park your guide map should give you the show times but be sure to get there at...
Viewed 337 times since 7 January 2011.
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World Of Disney - Downtown Disney
No visit to Downtown Disney is complete without a visit to Disney’s famous World of Disney Store. However be prepared you may well be at least a couple of hours in here!
This really is the ultimate Disney Character store and here you will...
Viewed 259 times since 7 January 2011.
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Space Mountain Refurbished
Although Splash Mountain is still our favourite ride at Magic Kingdom the newly refurbished Space Mountain comes a close second. This is a Fastpass attraction and is usually very busy. I recommend that when you arrive at the Park you look at the attr...
Viewed 285 times since 11 October 2010.
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Mission Space
On our last visit to our villa we managed to persuade my Mother to go with us to this ride at Epcot. We went after spending the afternoon at the Park so it was quite late in the evening when it was not so crowded. The reason we managed to per...
Viewed 433 times since 29 December 2009.
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Soarin' at Epcot
This really is a “must do” at Epcot and I do believe this is one ride that you should get a Fastpass for as the queues can be very long. Apparently since we rode on it Disney has introduced new technology to make the wait in the standby queue...
Viewed 568 times since 31 December 2009.
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Epcot Flower and Garden 2010
This will be the seventeenth time the flower and Garden Festival has taken place when it started in March 2010. My Mother had her birthday whilst in Florida last year and so qualified for free entry to one of the Disney Parks. As she was busy on her ...
Viewed 348 times since 10 June 2010.
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Epcot Festival Welcome Center 2010
If you go to the 2010 Epcot Food and Wine Festival (you will need to pay Theme Park admission) be sure to pay a visit to the Festival Welcome Center which is situated in the former Wonders of Life Pavilion. It is open daily 9 am to 9 pm and has lots ...
Viewed 435 times since 1 October 2010.
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Via Napoli At Epcot
This restaurant has opened since we last visited Epcot and we were delighted when some guests at our villa told us about their experience there. Apparently it is owned by a large restaurant group which has more than fifty restaurants in America. ...
Viewed 516 times since 17 October 2010.
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Shopping at Hollywood Studios
Whenever we visit a Theme Park we always seem to return to the villa with someone lamenting “I forgot to go to such a shop”. Therefore I thought I would try to detail the shops I am aware of after our many visits to Hollywood Studios. When yo...
Viewed 275 times since 18 October 2010.
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American Idol Experience
An avid follower of American Idol on ITV2 at home, I headed straight for the American Idol Experience at Hollywood Studios. You can audition here or simply take a seat and become part of the judging process. However, I think the auditionees take it v...
Viewed 141 times since 2 November 2011.
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Festival of the Lion King
We had not been to this show in Animal Kingdom for a couple of years so decided on a half day visit earlier this year with friends to go and see if it lived up to our memories of it. We were not disappointed. This is the most popular live sho...
Viewed 503 times since 29 December 2009.
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Short planned Visit to Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is probably one of the easier Parks to do in half a day with careful planning. This is a great idea if you have children getting tired and therefore bad tempered and if you do the trip in the morning you can spend the rest of the day l...
Viewed 425 times since 19 October 2010.
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Information and Tips for Visiting Seaworld
Be sure to note the location of you car in the car park before you enter the Park. This is often hard to remember at the end of a long day we usually put it in one of our mobile phones.
Seaworld one day Passes allow a second day entry fre...
Viewed 391 times since 9 February 2011.
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Disney Golf
Walt Disney originally opened in 1971 and there were just 60 holes of golf. Oak Trail started originally as a 6-hole course later becoming the first 9-hole course. You will find it at the Shades of Green in a corner of Magnolia. MAGNOLIA – The...
Viewed 735 times since 1 September 2008.
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Typhoon Lagoon Refurbished - Part 5
When you all leave your loungers together it is always advisable to leave some non valuable items on them to ensure you do not come back and find someone sitting on them!
We like Leaning Palms for lunch and sometimes when Typhoon Lagoon h...
Viewed 125 times since 13 July 2011.
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Fishing on the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys is a fisherman’s paradise with many types of fishing available. Apparently more saltwater world records have been established in the Florida Keys than anywhere else in the world
If you are staying in Orlando and want to v...
Viewed 552 times since 3 February 2011.
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