ADA Friendly Orlando Vacation Home

Previously, I wrote a blog about the Roloff family as they were coming to Orlando to film a segment of their show Little People, Big World.  The Roloff’s requested a handicapped accessible home so we reserved them one of our Orlando vacation homes in Cypress Pointe Resort. For this blog, I would like to expand a little more about this vacation home as it is really quite impressive and gives many people an opportunity have a great vacation in Orlando.  The owner of the home is a full time wheelchair user and went through a lot of effort ensuring that all features were functional for handicapped and non-handicapped guests alike.

The home has a minimum of 32’’ wide doors on the ground floor and has level access to all external doors allowing easy wheelchair access.  The master bedroom is spacious and has fully electric profiling twin beds (queen sized together) with height adjustment and a backrest that sits up to 85 degrees (bed rails can be fitted upon request).  What makes this house truly unique is the fully electric ceiling track hoist in the master suite between the bedroom and bathroom.  The track hoist enables effortless transfers from wheelchair to bed, bathroom and shower seat. (Capacity: 400 lbs)

The master bathroom is specially adapted with wheel-in shower. The tiled floor has a level access shower area with two showers, one on a flexible pipe and a wall mounted shower seat with grab bars.  There is also a Toto toilet/bidet with an automatic lid.

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. There is a US to UK transformer for use with wheelchair/medical equipment battery chargers (please ensure you bring your own battery charger).  Additionally, there is a manual hoist for use throughout the villa.

In addition to being handicapped accessible, this home offers many amenities to make your Orlando vacation truly special.  There is a full size billiards table in the upstairs game room and an air hockey game in the lower level.  There are 4 bathrooms and 6 spacious bedrooms, all having their own television.  The home boasts a large, fully furnished kitchen with a breakfast bar that seats four and a formal dining room that seats eight.

Cypress Pointe Boulavard 1001 in Cypress Pointe Resort is a truly unique vacation home for disabled and non-disabled guests alike.  Please call Global Resort Home to find out more information at 888.426.0472.

Cirque Du Soleil Lives up to the Hype

After cleaning up from spaghetti night, I raced to get dressed as I was running late for the 8pm Cirque Du Soleil show I had bought tickets for.  I hopped in my rental car and sped through Windsor Hills Resort, going much faster then the mandated 15 mph!

All my worrying turned out to be wasted energy as it took me no time at all to get to the venue (which is in the Disney’s West Side) and I ended up arriving 30 minutes early for the show.  I grabbed a Bud Light and some popcorn and took my seat, watching two mimes entertain the crowd as we all anxiously awaited the curtain rising.  The mimes were fairly amusing, however I have a small fear (okay, a large fear) of mimes so I was a little uncomfortable especially as they inched closer and closer to my row targeting unsuspecting audience members to poke fun at!  Luckily they did not choose me to prey on so I was able to relax a little and laugh at the people that became victims of the two mime’s shenanigans.

After what seemed like hours, when in actuality it was less then 30 minutes, the curtain finally rose.  I cannot even begin to explain how amazing the show was.  There was so much going on at all times and I saw some amazing stunts, tricks, and talents.  From tight rope walkers to BMX bikers to people flying around on curtains to trampoline gymnasts there was never a dull moment.  Cirque has so much visual stimuli at all times that there was not one second of the show that I was bored or not entertained by.  I wish I could better verbalize how great the show was, but unless you have seen Cirque it is hard to grasp what it’s all about and words simply just don’t do it justice when trying to describe the actual experience

The show lasted around an hour and a half and when the curtains went down I felt like it had only been watching for 20 minutes – it went by so fast and I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to see more!  I will be honest; I initially thought that the 80 dollars I spent on the ticket was a little steep, but now having seen Cirque I believe that it is worth every penny.  So, as so many people advised me before, I will now give the same advice to those reading this:  Do NOT leave Orlando without seeing Cirque Du Soleil!

Jordan

Global Resort Homes 15th Anniversary Celebration!

Receive an unbelievable 15 % off any Orlando vacation rental when you book your stay in a Global Resort Home property between April 15th and May 15th in honor of Globals’ 15th Anniversary!  Wait, there is more… stay during the celebration month and save an additional 15% off.  That’s right, stay in an Orlando Vacation Home from Global Resort Homes between April 15th and May 15th 2008 and save a total of 30% off. 

Global Resort Homes was founded by Guy and Robyn Bouchard in May of 1993 and over the past 15 years Global has set the standard in the industry and established themselves as the premier Orlando Property Management Company.  By offering an unparalleled service and an incredible alternative to staying in a cramped hotel room, Global gives Orlando Vacationers a perfect variety of choices for their next trip to Orlando. “We are simply a different type of company” says Robyn Bouchard. By staying true to our original vision and only managing in select communities, we can offer the best in location, amenities and properties.  This way we have onsite staff and can offer a much higher level of service to our guests and our owners alike. The best thing is, we take the guess work out of it for our clients!”

Even after 15 years in business, Guy, Robyn and the entire Global Resort Homes team continue to remain committed to maintaining the same vision that began 15 years ago and to carrying out Globals’ mission statement by being committed to excellence.  “We continue to hear outstanding feedback from our guests and this is what we strive for” says General Manager, Russ Kraft.  “Year after year as the same guests return and send their friends and family is the exact thing we look for to know we are doing things right.” 

Guy, Robyn and team remain committed to participating and giving back to the local community as well as engaging on global mission trips.  The team has not only made an impact here locally but has traveled to New Orleans and Jamaica to help people in need.  They are embarking on trips this year to include Mexico and possibly South Africa along with other destination to lend a hand. “Giving back is at the core of who we are”, says Guy Bouchard.  By being in a service business it doesn’t only means servicing our guests and owners but also serving and helping others when they are in need.            

So, in honor of this incredible milestone and the accomplishments Global Resort Homes has achieved the past 15 years, we are launching an unprecedented offer for a limited time only.  BOOK your Orlando Vacation Home from April 15th – May 15th, and receive 15% off! Stay with us between April 15th – May 15th and receive 30% off.  Either way, book now and help celebrate Globals 15th Anniversary this year.  Come, experience the Global Difference!

*Offer excludes bookings for less then 5 nights, bookings made for the months of July, and bookings between December 20 – January 3rd 09 and April 7-19 2009.

A Day at Epcot

I was overwhelmed by the many areas of Disney World and didn’t quite know where to start.  I chose to spend the day at Epcot Center – a choice I should of considered and researched more carefully.  I left my Orlando vacation home around 10am and arrived at Epcot a short ten minutes later.  I was amazed at how close Epcot was to Windsor Hills Resort and how easy it was to park once I arrived. 

Epcot Center did not embody the characteristics I imagine when I think about Disney World and I was genuinely disappointed as I roamed the park looking for things to do.  There are no roller coasters, no water rides – essentially nothing I was hoping for when I chose to hang out at Epcot Center for the day.  Now I may be naïve and should have known that this was the case, but I am not all that knowledgeable about Disney World and what the different areas of the park offer.  I was under the impression that almost all areas of the park had roller coasters.  Clearly, this is not the case.

I decided to check out “Test Track”, which puts you through a simulation of the tests that GM’s crash test dummies go through.  The line was long and I ended up waiting almost two hours before I reached the front.  At least there were historical exhibits of all things GM related to keep me entertained as I waited.  Once I actually got on the ride, I did enjoy the simulation and was very interested in all the safety measures GM puts their cars through. 

Next I decided to check out “Mission Space”.  Same deal as “Test Track” - long line (about another 2 hours) but interesting exhibits to keep me entertained as I waited.   “Mission Space” puts you through a simulation similar to what astronauts go through as they launch into space.  Very cool experience and I was happy I waited the 2 hours for this ride. 

After spending almost 4 hours of my day waiting in line, I decided that I was done with Epcot and would go home and research the areas of Disney World that had actual roller coasters.  Epcot would be great to take younger children to for the day – the rides aren’t intense and each ride offers educational value related to the themes of the ride.  However, if you are looking for thrills and roller coasters, Epcot is not the place to go!

Jordan  

Rev It Up in Orlando!

I moved to the Orlando area from Minnesota about 7 years ago and besides seeing the daily news reports, most of my family still lives there, so I know what a harsh winter the North has experienced this year. 

Most people think of Disney World, Universal, and all things theme park related when considering vacationing in Orlando.  Such tunnel vision is a missed opportunity in my opinion.  If you like to ride motorcycles and you need a break from winter’s cold and snow, consider coming to Orlando and staying in one of our Orlando vacation homes. Rather than parking your ride outside all of our homes and some of our townhomes come with a garage so you can park your bike inside.  No more having to load and unload your gear after each trip. 

The great thing about Florida is that you can ride 365 days a year.  Like I said, I’m from Minnesota so (in addition to understanding how brutal the winters are), I am used to flat lands.  Florida has some incredible rides with some great vista views - My favorites being a ride that takes you through Mount Dora.  It is very hilly and scenic and takes you through vast orange groves and if you have never smelled an orange grove then you’re missing out on something special. 

Another added bonus about staying in Orlando is that it’s centrally located.  You are only a little over an hour away from both coasts so you can get to some awesome ocean views in very little time.  My only caution is to try to plan your rides so that you stay off I-4 and Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, known as US-192.  These are very heavily traveled roads with many tourists who are not necessarily looking out for bikers. 

So get down to Orlando/Kissimmee and stay in one of our spacious Orlando vacation homes.  If you would like some help planning your trip email me at russ.kraft@globalfl.com and I will personally give you some tips on some back-roads for you to experience the great state of Florida. 

If you don’t own a bike but would still like to experience this type of vacation you are ign luck!  There is a Harley Davidson Dealership located in Kissimmee (located only a few miles from our resort communities) that you can rent a Harley from for the day!  Visit Orlando Harley or call 407-944-3700 for more information. 

Russ

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