Where are all the Starbucks in Orlando?

I grew up (and currently live) in the mid-west and have become accustomed to having a Starbucks on pretty much every corner  - now that might be a bit exaggerated, but where I am from there is an excessive amount of Starbucks coffee shops in my neighborhood alone, not to mention the city of Cleveland itself. 

Having become so used to having a Starbucks planted on every corner in my neighborhood, I have also become a Starbucks addict.  My morning ritual includes, and has included for years now, a daily stop at the nearest Starbucks to my apartment (which is literally a block away) where the friendly employees know my name and what I am drinking.  And if for some reason I am unable to grab a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, I make sure that I allot time during my day to make an emergency Starbucks run. 

Now, seeing as though I am on “vacation” and have been for a week or two, I have temporarily abandoned my morning ritual I cherish so much and have substituted my coffee addiction for a more convenient Diet Coke addiction.  That being said, I must admit that I could EASILY make coffee for myself at my Orlando vacation rental as (mentioned before) all of Global’s resort properties (including Cypress Point Resort) come with fully equipped kitchens, including a coffee maker.  But making coffee at home just isn’t the same as a grande dark roast (with room for cream) from Starbucks!

After spending several days enjoying the area attractions, theme parks, water parks, and shopping in Orlando, the time had finally come to get my Starbucks fix.  It suddenly dawned on me though, that with all the driving around and different areas of the city I had visited I had yet to see a Starbucks!!  Again – having a Starbucks on every corner at home it struck me as bizarre that I hadn’t noticed a single one since I have been here.  I just don’t believe that this observation could possibly be true and began wondering if I had simply just missed them caught up in the excitement of whatever activity I was off doing that particular day. 

So, I ask the people of Orlando – where are all the Starbucks???

Jordan

The True Cost of a Vacation

The soaring gas prices, the surging cost of groceries, and a housing slump have been the continual topics of discussion lately.  We talk about it over breakfast, we debate about it at lunch with co-workers, and we hear about it as we watch the evening news at dinner.  Then, as we sit down to watch our favorite reality show, we see a commercial with a smiling family of four walking towards a magical castle - mom and dad holding hands, Johnny sitting on dad’s shoulders, little Suzie gazing with wonder at fireworks - and our hearts sink because the idea of a family vacation seems not just unlikely, but truly impossible.  As we reason to ourselves, we simply can’t afford it.

However, the reality is we can’t afford NOT to go. According to a report in the October/November issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, vacations are actually vital to our physical and mental health.  They protect our health by reducing stress. In fact, people tend to exercise and rest more while on vacations and they provide opportunities to interact with family and friends.

The Travel Industry Association of America has reported that the average American family of four plans on spending approximately $1000 dollars on their longest trip this summer, which is a 7% decrease from what they spent last year.  People are calling these vacations, stay-cations, and they are afraid to venture too far from home.  But, you don’t have to stay home this summer, it’s possible to still enjoy a wonderful vacation.

I can remember one of the best vacations my family and I ever enjoyed in Orlando was during a time we were on a limited budget, so we decided not to go to all the attractions that year and to stay on the resort property.  It was great!!!!  There was no rushing to get ready, no standing in line for hours with two tired toddlers, no spending $150 for hamburgers, cokes, and popcorn all in a day.  Instead, we slept in, my husband made his famous pancakes, and we ate our breakfast on our terrace.  We laughed, talked, and listened to one another.  We walked around the beautiful property, swam for hours in the pool, played family volleyball and challenged another family in an intense game of Ping-Pong.  We had friends over for dinner - everyone brought a dish, the kids watched movies, and the adults played cards. It was one of the best vacations and also one of the least expensive we’ve ever had.

Stay tuned for how Global Resort Homes can help you plan an affordable and memorable Orlando Vacation!

Dana

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