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Come Home…to Orlando?

Orlando Team — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:09:02 +0000

You’ve waited and saved and dreamed; now you’re taking your family on the vacation of a lifetime. This year, you’re going to Orlando and doing it all! Still, when you think of nights in a cramped hotel room, with kids who are “wired,” cranky, or a nightmarish combination of both, you’re not as excited as you’d like to be. After all, adults like a vacation to be fun…but we also need it to be relaxing, too.

Fortunately, when it comes to Orlando vacations, you have a multitude of lodging options available. Terra Verde Resort, for instance. For the price of an upscale hotel room or average suite, you can rent a vacation villa with all the comforts of home–and more!

Located ten minutes from Disney World and five minutes from US 192, Terra Verde Resort is easy to find. It’s a gated vacation home community, in which homeowners rent properties out to vacationing families. The homes are freestanding–Terre Verde looks just like a very nice subdivision–and large, featuring 4-6 bedrooms and a corresponding number of baths. Most homes will sleep ten, and some will hold even more! This means that, by sharing a home with friends or relatives, you can lower your vacation lodging costs to below the price of a regular Orlando hotel room, yet still enjoy luxuries far beyond that price point!

So, what does Terre Verde have to offer?

First of all, security. Terre Verde is a gated community with security patrols. This keeps it family-friendly; you won’t need to worry about loud parties and guests misbehaving at all hours. Terre Verde features a club house with exercise facilities, an internet café, billiards, playground, basketball courts and nature trails. Your family can splash in the community pool while you enjoy a dip in the spa or a cleansing sauna. A concierge is available to help you with restaurant and entertainment information, as well as with any concerns that might arise.

Sounds nice, doesn’t it? But that’s not all. Most homeowners provide special amenities for their guests. Options vary by villa, but common perks include:

•Off-street parking
•Private pool, often with mosquito netting
•Pool safety devices, including covers and door alarms
•Pool toys
•Screen-protected patio
•Grill
•Fully-equipped kitchen (cooking at “home” saves money!)
•Stocked game room, with foosball, video game consoles and games, board games, etc.
•Books
•Children’s toys, including ride-ons
•Baby equipment
•Free local calls (some offer free long distance and international calls)
•Free wifi and office equipment
•Television, DVDs, music systems
•Theme-decorated bedrooms and bathrooms
•Golf clubs

The list of potential amenities is endless. No matter what you need to make your trip comfortable and enjoyable, you’ll find a villa owner who offers it.

You’re going to Disney World; of course the kids will have a blast. But Orlando vacations should be relaxing for Dad and Mom, too. This year, make it a real vacation, by renting a Terre Verde villa!

I want to buy a Disney park hopper pass, but how do I get from one park to another?

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:24:38 +0000

With Walt Disney World being divided into four theme parks, a Disney Park Hopper pass is the only way to go. The park hopper pass allows you to go from Magic Kingdom to Epcot to Animal Kingdom then over to Disney-MGM Studios in any order and as many times as you want during your stay. Now the question is “how do I get from park to park?” Below you will find FREE transportation options while visiting the parks.

Monorail:

The elevated monorail has two loops, one links TTC and Magic Kingdom and a handful of resorts the other is from TTC to Epcot. Each one passing by various rides and areas giving you an overview of what is to come.

Tram:

Trams provide transportation from the parks entrances to the parking lots. Be sure to write down or text yourself where you parked. After a long day of fun, shopping and excitement, you may not remember where your car is or even how you got there.

Buses:

Buses provide direct connections between the major theme parks as well as connections from all on premise resorts. Buses a low you to be dropped off at the turnstiles of each park. Go from Downtown Disney, Epcot, Yacht and Beach Clubs, The Caribbean Beach Resort, the Dolphin, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Boardwalk. This is the most convenient transportation within Disney.

Boats:

If you are staying in a water front resort or want to travel along the waterways of Disney, you can catch one of their many boats. Boats will carry you anywhere from Downtown Disney, Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake.

Car:

When you pay for parking at Disney World, keep your receipt… You can move your car from park to park if you do not want to use the free transportation provided by Disney. If you do move your car, be sure to remember which parking lot and which zone you moved your car to. The parking lot is setup with various themes to make it easy to remember where your car is. Again, after all the fun and excitement you may not remember where you parked.

Remember that all Disney World transportation is free!

What can you do in Orlando with a seven-day Orlando vacation package?

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:32:02 +0000

As a leading travel destination, Orlando is home to seven major theme parks in addition to water parks, other thrilling attractions, wacky museums, outdoor adventure, ethnic cuisine, themed dining and designer outlet malls. Whatever your reasons are for choosing to visit Orlando, there are probably some set destinations you have in mind. And no matter what you choose to see, you might want to plan an itinerary and book a vacation package that will meet your needs. Sample itineraries include:

Seven Days of Disney
Guests come from all around the world to experience the magic of Walt Disney World Resort. If you fit into that category, you may opt for this package that provides the ultimate Disney vacation. You will experience seven days’ worth of Disney fun. With a park-hopper option and ticket add-ons you can choose to spend time at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. Spend as much or as little time as you wish at each park. And to get a full Disney experience you may even choose to stay at a Disney resort where you can get shuttle transportation to the parks as well as a variety of other Disney perks. If you want a break in between park-hopping, visit Downtown Disney where you can see live performances, dine at a variety of themed restaurants, purchase souvenirs at specialty shops or take in the spectacular sights. Whatever you choose to do that is Disney-related, this package will allow you to do it with ease.

Disney and Universal
If you would rather split your seven-day vacation into Disney and Universal park time, this package will better suit you. With this option you can spend time at all of the Disney parks mentioned above as well as being able to see both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. And you can wind down with a leisurely stroll around CityWalk or Downtown Disney. Choose to stay at a Disney or Universal hotel for extra convenience, or choose a more central location like International Drive, which is an attraction in itself. Here you can have lunch with pirates, indoor skydive, take a helicopter tour and ride go-karts all in addition to being near the theme parks.

Ultimate Orlando Vacation
For guests who wish to experience all of Orlando’s major theme parks, this package is for you. Visit all of the Disney and Universal parks as well as SeaWorld Orlando. And mix and match however you wish. Whether you wish to spend a whole day or a half day in each park, or even just show up to the fireworks show at night, you can do it with the park-hopper options. And you can choose to stay at a resort on the property of one of the theme parks or choose a location like International Drive where you are central to all of the parks.

So no matter what you are seeking in Orlando, there is a vacation package that is sure to suit you!

What can you do in Orlando with a six-day Orlando vacation package?

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:52:55 +0000

Spending six days in the Orlando can be both fun and a bit of a challenge. With so much to do, how will you create an itinerary? What if the parents want to see one attraction and the kids another? How will you decide what to do? Simple. Do your research. Once you find out which theme parks and attractions exist, it will be much easier to pick and choose what you want to do. Here are some sample vacation packages that you may want to look into:

Six Days at Disney
If you are coming to Orlando solely for the Disney experience, this is a package you will want to check out. With a six-day, park-hopper ticket with Water Park Fun & More options, you will be able to visit all four major Disney theme parks as well as the two water parks. And you can come and go as you please. Start the morning with a nature walk at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, cool off on the water slides at Typhoon Lagoon, and then have a delightful dinner at one of the country’s in the World Showcase at Epcot. Spend another morning having breakfast at Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom, soak in the Florida sun at the Blizzard Beach water park and then see some behind-the-scenes magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However you choose to break up the days, you will have the option to see all that Disney has to offer. And if you stay at a Disney resort you will have the chance to experience perks like shuttle service to Disney parks, on-site Disney gift shops and even some character dining options. For the ultimate Disney experience, don’t forget to stop by Downtown Disney too, where you can visit Planet Hollywood for lunch, catch a live performance at House of Blues, buy some Disney souvenirs and then go dancing. This package allows you to do it all.

Disney and Universal
For visitors who would rather break up their vacation a bit and see both Disney and Universal parks, you may prefer a package like this. Mix and match ticket options so that you can see all four Disney parks, the two Disney water parks and Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. A package like this will provide you with endless entertainment. And you can choose to stay at a Universal resort or a Disney resort for convenience. After you spend your days at the theme parks you can also take advantage of the nightlife at Universal’s CityWalk and at Downtown Disney. Each offers a unique variety of fun—specialty shops, fine and casual dining, entertainment and more.

Ultimate Variety
Guests who wish to see all of Orlando’s major theme parks will love this vacation package. With a two-day, two-park admission to the Universal parks, a three-day, park-hopper ticket to all of the Disney parks and one-day admission to SeaWorld, you will experience all of the variety offered at the major parks. Spend a day with Shamu and check out the penguin exhibit and SeaWorld, spend a day at a Disney water park, one going around the world at Epcot and one riding coasters at Islands of Adventure. Mix up each day however you wish. And take advantage of CityWalk and Downtown Disney as well as tourist hotspots like the International Drive area.

So depending on what you prefer to see, there is an Orlando vacation package that is perfect for you.

What can you do in Orlando with a five-day Orlando vacation package?

admin — Sun, 30 May 2010 07:23:41 +0000

Planning a five-day Orlando vacation can be somewhat overwhelming. There are so many attractions to choose from and you probably want to please everyone you are traveling with. The good news is that there are plenty of Orlando vacation packages available, and each one appeals to a different guest. Whether you want to spend more time with Mickey than Shamu, get a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood, spend all of your time with animals or be exposed to all of these things, there are vacation packages that will allow you to do it all.

Five-day Disney
No matter how many people are in your party, if you’re booking a five-day trip to Orlando you wish to spend your entire vacation seeing everything there is Disney, this package will sure to please you. With a five-day park-hopper option, you will be granted admission to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Come and go as you please. Spend the morning strolling through trails and stopping by a petting zoo at Animal Kingdom, the afternoon going inside the iconic golf-ball structure at Epcot and the evening seeing the fireworks display at Cinderella Castle. A package like this is perfect for true Disney fans. And you may even opt to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel too. If this is the case, you will be provided with shuttle service to theme parks and have extra Disney perks like on-site Disney gift shops and character breakfasts. After you’ve spent time at the theme parks and your hotel, you can even stop by Downtown Disney where you can dine, shop, catch a live show or even have a cocktail.

Disney and Universal
For guests who want to divide the five-day trip into Disney and Universal parks, this option might be best for you. Spend three days at the Disney parks listed above—and make it a park-hopper option for the ultimate experience—and then spend two days with two-park admission to Universal Orlando Resort where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at movie magic when you venture to Universal Studios and then ride coasters and see your favorite cartoon characters brought to life at Islands of Adventure. Choose to stay at either a Disney or Universal hotel, or opt for a neutral hotel located in the tourist districts of 192 or International Drive. Each offers an array of fine, casual and themed dining as well as shopping and entertainment experiences that are sure to excite you. And while you’re at the theme parks, be sure to head to CityWalk, at Universal, and Downtown Disney to grab a bit to eat, buy some souvenirs or simply just take in all of the scenery.

Disney and SeaWorld
Maybe Universal just isn’t your thing. There’s always the Disney and SeaWorld package. With such a package you can get a four-day pass with a park-hopper option to all four Disney parks and then spend your fifth day watching animals perform at SeaWorld. This package is perfect for Disney enthusiasts who want to break up their trip a little bit but not stray too far from the Disney experience. By just taking one day to spend at a non-Disney park, you will be getting variety and also still leaving yourself plenty of time to spend at Walt Disney World Resort.

Ultimate Five Days of Fun
For guests who want the most variety, you will probably enjoy this package that allows you to visit all of the major theme parks. Get a three-day, park-hopper Disney ticket that grants admission to all four Disney parks at your leisure, then spend one day with a two-park admission to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida while you spend the fifth day at SeaWorld.

However you choose to spend your five days, you will definitely be able to see a lot!

What hotel amenities are normal in hotels in Orlando?

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:36:44 +0000

Orlando Hotels

The Orlando area is home to more than 400 Orlando hotels. Each one offers a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay for each guest.

So what are some of the standard amenities you might be interested in when staying at a Orlando hotel?

Complimentary shuttles. Since so many Orlando hotels are located just minutes away from theme parks, you will find that many of them offer free shuttle transportation. Some Orlando hotels also offer transportation to Orlando International Airport. Be sure to ask about this if you do not have a car with you.

Pools. Most of the hotels have pools. Some even have waterslides. Others have multiple pools and slides. And you’ll even find Jacuzzis. What better way to take in the Florida sun than to swim around the hotel pool?

Internet Services. Complimentary Internet Access and some even offer business centers and meeting rooms~Most Orlando hotels offer in-room broadband access and some provide business centers and even meeting rooms}. If you have some work to finish while you’re on your vacation, it will nott be an issue.

Quality concierge services. A lot of local offer visitors concierge services. If you need assistance booking dinner reservations, finding the best spa or getting advice on which Orlando theme parks to visit, the concierge can help you out.

In-room coffeemakers and ironing boards. Most Orlando hotels offer these amenities, this way you can be sure to start your mornings off free of any stress. In addition to coffeemakers, many of the hotels even provide free coffee to guests.

Cleaning services. This is probably understood. You will find maid service and staff who will help your family with any housekeeping concerns you might have.

Gift shops. At the themed hotels and resorts, you’ll find themed gift shops. But at many of the Orlando area, you will find some kind of souvenirs.

Washers and dryers. Not all of the area hotels have washer and dryer services, but some do. And some are free. This is definitely worth looking into—especially if you’re planning on staying in Orlando for a few days. Also, some Orlando hotels provide dry cleaning services.

Lounge and restaurant. Most hotels in Orlando have a lounge and restaurant. Some even offer happy hours, free cocktail receptions or free breakfasts.

Fitness centers. Whether it is a small gym or a larger fitness center, most Orlando hotels accommodate guests who desire to stay in shape. The facilities are normally free to guests but it does not hurt to check with the Orlando hotel before booking your stay.

Wake-up phone calls. These are usually offered free of charge.

Each Orlando hotel offers unique amenities, but these are just the main ones that you’ll see across the board. If you are looking for something specific, do not forget to inquire about it before getting your reservation.

Universal Studios Orlando Changes Tickets

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:41:01 +0000

Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios in Orlando has rolled out their new ticket-pricing this past Monday. It was created in an effort to take advantage of an expected increase in attendance this Spring, when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens its gates for the first time in 2010.

The changes included adding new three and four day tickets which were not available before. The price for two day tickets increased but the one day ticket did not have its price changed. The one day ticket currently sells for $79. If you choose the three or four day ticket option, the per day park price drops significantly. With the three day ticket, your day at the park will cost you $42 and if you choose the four day ticket, each day at the park will cost you $34.

Visitors to Universal Studios Orlando will also have the option of going to all the parks on the same exact day. This upgrade is comparable to Walt Disney World’s Park Hopper option which allow park visitors to hop to all of the major Disney theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot Center) all in the same day. The main drawback with Park hopping at Disney World is that their theme parks all take to or 30 minutes to get to so hopping from park to park is quite a task. Those who choose to do so at Universal Studios will be able to visit the various Universal parks much more quickly.

Meeting Disney Characters in the Parks

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:35:56 +0000

Tigger

When I took my two year old out going daughter to Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, I was a little concerned with how she would react to the Disney characters that make appearances in the theme park. After all, she was only two. The characters all are friendly, of course, and they will take the time to pose for family photos and will sign autograph books and memorabilia. At any given time, you can find famous Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Tigger, Captain Hook and a host of other characters throughout all of the Disney parks.

Anyhow, while we were at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios I noticed Tigger not to far from us, and before I could grab my daughter, she ran off to him. She was not intimidated in the least. Once she got to him, she just stood there and looked at him. I think she wanted a hug or to be picked up by him. Her response really surprised me because smaller children can tend to be afraid of the characters especially the Disney villains. Tigger was kind enough to take a picture and sign her autograph book for her. Now, our daughter is a teenager and really does not remember meeting Tigger, but we have a picture, memories, and autograph to prove it.

Save with an Orlando Vacation Package

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:27:53 +0000

Orlando Vacation Package

My husband was sharing with me the other day about a fairly new concept for booking a vacation to Orlando. Most people book their theme park tickets and Orlando hotel or vacation home separately from one another, but their a few select companies out there that will combine your accommodations with your Orlando theme park tickets into one convenient Orlando vacation package. It truly is one stop shopping.

The theme park tickets that you purchase can be to the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center, Universal Studios Orlando and Sea World Orlando. You can purchase tickets for both adults and children and you have plenty of multi-day ticket options. Now, when it comes to accommodations, you can select either a vacation home, condo, villa, town home or hotel in the Orlando area. All of the accommodations are pretty close to the theme parks. Some are just about 5 or 10 minutes away from them.

What’s great about purchasing an Orlando Vacation Package is that when you combine your tickets and lodging, you get them at one low price so it really does offer your family the best option for saving money on your Orlando vacation.

Sea World Orlando and Busch Gardens Concert Series

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:01:17 +0000

Sea World Orlando

Sea World Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa have a new concert series at their theme parks entitled “Bands, Brew & BBQ.” The name pretty much says it all. The concerts combine great bands, with Anheuser-Busch beer and some tasty barbecue. The good news for visitors to Sea World Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa is that there will not be an additional charge for the concerts. They are part of the regular ticket price. The concerts can be seen at Sea World Orlando on Saturdays and at Busch Gardens Tampa, the concerts are on Sundays.

The bands scheduled to perform at Sea World Orlando include LeAnn Rimes on February the 6th, Montgomery Gentry on February the 13th, John Rich on February the 20th and Yes on February the 27th.

For Busch Gardens Tampa, the bands are Dennis DeYoung, of Styx fame, on February 7th, Willie Nelson on February the 14th, Huey Lewis and the News on February 21st and Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo on February the 28th.

So, if you are traveling to the Orlando area for vacation in February, be sure to drop by Sea World Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa to catch one of your favorite bands.