Orlando Still a Thrill

Orlando has never lost its thrill or its appeal to me.  As a native New Yorker, going to Orlando was always the trip of a lifetime for us northern folk’.  It took a year or more of planning, saving, scheduling and rescheduling.  I remember vividly, marking my calendar, counting down the months, weeks, days, even hours, until our blessed trip.  Ok, that’s a little melodramatic, but the point is, my Orlando vacation is part of some of my most cherished memories - it’s made an indelible mark on my life.

The Orlando vacation was the trip to see Mickey, palm trees, orange groves, princesses, castles, and rockets!!!  I remember the magic, the excitement, fireworks, and oh, the food.  I felt as if I had found America’s Neverland, where time stands still, and people, all people, from every land, culture, background, economic status, color, and age, all shared this unspoken bond of hope and joy.

Disney so poignantly describes the Magic Kingdom as “the place where dreams come true.” I believe that can be said of Orlando itself.  It’s more than a vacation destination, but it’s a dream vacation, when for maybe a week or two, there is wonder, family, and did I mention, food????  Suddenly, life doesn’t seem as serious, and there’s a recollection of lost feelings, feelings of security, safety, pure happiness, and love.  It may be a certain fragrance in the air, or a familiar landmark, or a giant Mickey cookie that causes these feelings to rush back to our hearts and minds.

Five years ago, when my family decided to relocate to Orlando, Florida I was elated, but also a bit apprehensive.  Would Orlando now become commonplace to me?  Would the trip to Disney still hold a sense of awe and magic for my children, who now only live 25 minutes away?  Would my Neverland become a distant memory of childhood lost?

Yet, here I am five years later, still in awe of Orlando.  I work for a company, Global Resort Homes, which allows me to share in the making of so many new and beautiful memories.  I have the opportunity to see the faces of so many children, who much like me when I was child, have counted down the months, hours and days for this trip.  I also get to tell them that I know Mickey personally….and that we’re actually neighbors.  In any given day, I can speak to a person from Ireland, South Africa, Spain, or Japan.  I get such joy when I see their faces light up as I tell them about all the area attractions in addition to Disney, that Orlando offers.  As I describe the incredible water slide at Windsor Hills, or the dancing water splash pool at Oakwater, or the plasma TV and PlayStation 2 that is located in their own personal game room at Cypress Point, I know that I am playing a small part in the making of a memory.  For so many of our guests it’s one of many new memories to be made, for some our guests it’s some of their final memories, but they all share the same expectation - everyone wants to see a dream come true!!!!

Dana Broadway

Moving Day: Cypress Pointe Resort

As I mentioned in my first entry, I was asked by Russ (Global’s General Manager) to come and stay at a few of their Orlando vacation homes and write about my experiences and opinions about their various vacation homes and the Orlando area in general.  Up until now, I have been staying at an amazing, 6 bedroom vacation home in Windsor Hills Resort.  As much as I loved my accommodations, I knew if I wanted to get the “full” feel for all the properties Global Resort Homes has to offer its guests, I would need to stay at a few different communities.  As such, it has come time for me to relocate to Cypress Pointe Resort, Global Resort Home’s newest community made up of 4, 5, or 6 bedroom detached vacation homes.  

My first observation as I pulled into Cypress Pointe Resort was that the community was quaint and quiet – Florida wetlands and mature trees form the background for most of the homes in Cypress Pointe, offering its guests a sense of privacy and tranquility while being only miles away from Orlando area attractions.  Every home comes with its own pool, spa, and game room in addition to a fully equipped kitchen, spacious bedrooms, and all the luxurious of home.  As I settled into my new Orlando vacation home, I knew (yet again) I was in for a totally different experience then if I were to be staying at a typical Orlando hotel or resort. 

As I unpacked and settled into my new home I began planning what I would do the next day.  After much thought, I decided I would go check out Wet ‘N Wild as I had yet to experience any of Orlando’s renowned water parks.  I checked the weather and it was predicted to be another beautiful day in Orlando so I headed to bed and set my alarm for 8am so I could hit the water park bright and early!!  Waterslides and sun – what could be better???

Jordan

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