The Best Times to Visit Orlando

Having just returned from showing some people around SeaWorld, with the park near capacity, I realized that someone needs to get the word out on when the best times to visit the theme Parks in Orlando.  On certain days, Orlando guests plan to visit a park and arrive only to find that it is closed due to full to capacity.  Everyone I know that lives in Central Florida avoids the theme parks during these busiest periods like summer and spring break.  Most of us relish the slowest periods where you feel like you have the entire theme park to yourself.  The kids can get off a ride and get right back on it with no lines.

The ideal time to come and experience the parks is August 25 - December 15 (excluding Thanksgiving)  The weather is cooler than summer and you will experience very little traffic, no lines at restaurants and feel like you are royalty because everywhere you go there will be more staff than needed to serve you.

Another benefit of visiting Orlando during off-peak months is that Global Resort Homes offers incredible savings of up to 40% off our normal peak season rates.  Not only do we offer discounts for your stay but you will find that the parks also offer savings during that time - some even offer a second day free!

Privately owned vacation homes are one of the best ways to visit and experience Orlando.  Whether you are coming to golf, shop, visiting the parks or are planning a family reunion, you will be sure to find an Orlando vacation home to fit your needs.  Prices start at just $79 a night for a luxury 2-bedroom property. 

Come during the fall and experience Orlando in a whole new way! 

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

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

Little People, Big World

I was approached by a marketing firm from one of our associations to host the Roloff family as they were coming to Orlando to film a segment of their show “Little People, Big World”.  I must admit, I have not seen a lot of episodes, however, the ones I’ve caught were very interesting and I hugely appreciate the integrity, drive and tenacity of Amy and Matt – the mom and dad.

The marketing firm told me that the show draws about 7 million viewers per week on TLC (The Learning Channel).  They also said “TLC is dedicated to high-quality, intelligent and relatable non-fiction entertainment that inspires, engages, informs and unites the audience in the spirit of life’s possibilities. TLC intimately connects more than 94 million homes in North America. TLC is currently one of the largest cable television networks in the United States, producing more than 800 hours of award-winning original programming.”  After hearing this, I thought that it might give us a great opportunity to show the country what a vacation home from Global Resort Homes is all about.

Specifically, the Roloff family was looking for an Orlando vacation home that was handicap accessible.  We just started managing homes in Cypress Pointe and I had a home for them, which is fully handicap accessible.  The home has widened doors on the ground floor, level access to all external doors and a specially adapted bathroom with wheel-in shower, Toto toilet/bidet and drop down grab bars.  It also had a fully electric ceiling track hoist in the master suite between the bedroom and bathroom and an electric profiling bed with height adjustment.  The screened-in pool area includes a wide pool deck for safe and easy wheelchair use and an electric pool hoist which is positioned to allow access to both the 28ft x 14ft pool and the spa.

I heard that the Roloff’s had a great time in Orlando and that they visited Disney’s Magic Kingdom and SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove.  I am very anxious to watch the Orlando episode and to see how much fun the Roloff’s had staying in our vacation home.

Amy left this note in our guest book:

“Thanks so much for opening your home to us.  We had a wonderful experience and enjoyed every aspect of our stay.  The pool, hot tub, air hockey & pool table were the perfect compliment to our daily excursions in and around Orlando.  Staying in a house gave a new dimension to our vacation, and my family will enjoy the memories of our stay for many years to come.”

Amy Roloff
 

Spaghetti Night in Orlando

I arrived back at Windsor Palms around five o’clock after spending the day checking out Epcot center.  I was absolutely starving at this point (shocking, I know!) and decided to run up to the grocery store and make dinner at home instead of eating out.  I was craving some home-cooked food and the thought of saving some money by eating in was incredibly satisfying to me.  

I went up to the Publix and bought the ingredients I needed to make spaghetti for my dinner that night and a loaf of garlic bread I could stick in the oven.  Not too creative I admit, however I am Italian and as such spaghetti is one of my favorite foods.  (On a side note, I am ashamed to admit that I bought pre-made marinara sauce instead of making from scratch purely due to laziness and convenience.  I could just imagine the disappointment in my grandparent’s eyes if they knew that their Italian granddaughter took the easy way out and bought Prego!). 

As soon as I got back from Publix, I was ready to get started and began cooking immediately as my stomach began to aggressively remind me that I had not eaten all day!  Once I located all of the utensils and cookware I needed (all of Global’s Orlando vacation homes come with fully equipped kitchens), I began cooking.  To be completely honest, I was half expecting to have to run back out to pick up a strainer (or something along those lines) and for the kitchen not be “fully equipped” in the true sense of the word.  I am happy to report however, that I was wrong and everything I needed was right at my fingertips. 

My spaghetti turned out as good as can be expected having used pre-made sauce to dress my noodles and dip my garlic bread in.  I didn’t mind too much though – I was just happy to have been able to eat a home-cooked meal, save some money and relax in the comfort of my vacation home before heading out for the night. 

After dinner, I cleaned up and looked down at my watch, suddenly realizing it was already 6:30 and that I needed to begin to get ready for the night.  I had bought tickets to go see Cirque Du Soleil and the show began at 8!  I was incredibly anxious, to say the least, to see Cirque as I had heard from multiple sources – locals, tourists, friends, family members – that it was a fantastic show and a “must see” while visiting Orlando.  I really had no expectations for what the show entailed – all I knew is that everybody who has seen it has absolutely loved it. I was ecstatic that I was finally getting the opportunity to attend the show I have heard such great things about! 

I got ready in a hurry and headed towards downtown Disney, anxiously anticipating the start of Cirque Du Soleil…..

Jordan

 

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