Looking for theme-park alternatives?

Most people visit Orlando because of its theme parks. After all, Orlando's collection of attractions is truly second to none. But if you're someone who's only lukewarm on roller coasters and water slides--or if you've simply "been there, done that"--you may enjoy this post from the Global Grasshopper.

The "Grasshopper" outlines a number of very cool options in and around Orlando:

• Café Tu Tu Tango on International Drive -- which bills itself as "Orlando's best and most entertaining restaurant"
• Lake Eola Park -- which gets some great reviews via Yelp
• Winter Park's Historical District 
• Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens (also in Winter Park)
• Wekiwa Springs State Park -- a 7,000-acre Florida State Park in Apopka, Florida

Which one of these will you and your family be checking out? During our next trip to Regal Palms Resort, we will definitely be checking out Lake Eola. It looks beautiful...and who doesn't love feeding swans and ducks? :)

Need Somewhere to Stay in Orlando?
If you're looking for spacious, comfortable and affordable accommodations, take a look at our four-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse at Regal Palms Resort. If you have questions or would like to make a reservation, call Susan toll-free at 1-888-353-6600 or send us an email.

How to pinch pennies in theme parks

Do you read the posts and/or books of personal finance expert, Liz Weston? She's one of our favorites: clear, direct, thoughtful, and thorough. She's a great writer, too.

You can be sure we took note of her post entitled Penny Pincher Guide to Theme Parks. And we thought we should share it with you, too! She talks about the best (and busiest) times to visit various parks. She also discusses the pros and cons of staying on-site at resort properties versus saving a few bucks at a hotel farther from the parks.

Although she didn't mention it, another great penny-pinching option is a self-catering townhouse--like our four-bedroom, three-bathroom unit at Regal Palms Resort. For less than the nightly cost of a Disney or Universal hotel room, you can spread out...stay on top of your laundry...save a fortune on snacks and meals...and still enjoy a hotel-class pool complex!

Ready to book?
Summer is filling fast! If you're thinking of visiting the Orlando area in Summer 2013, check out our website and then call Susan toll-free at 1-888-353-5500!

Coming Soon: Disney Springs

We've told you before: Downtown Disney is one of our favorite Orlando-area destinations. According to this announcement from Disney, it's about to get even better!

Disney says that Disney Springs will be launched in phases--with everything complete by 2016.

We can't wait to check out the new attractions as they're unveiled. And we certainly hope we love Disney Springs as much as we've enjoyed Downtown Disney over the years...

Planning a trip to Orlando?
If you're looking for spacious, comfortable and affordable accommodations, check out Susan & Steve's Vacation Villa at Regal Palms Resort. It's only 15 to 20 minutes from Walt Disney World--including Downtown Disney/Disney Springs. Check rates and availability at our site, or just call Susan toll-free at 1-888-353-5500.

Great Roundup of 'What to Do' In and Around Kissimmee

Regal Palms Resort is just minutes from Kissimmee--which made us take note of this fantastic write-up of "What to Do" in this fave Florida town. Here's a quick summary of the writer's  recommended attractions:

1. Walt Disney World ('Nuff said!)
2. Wild Florida for Orlando Airboat Rides and Tours
3. Chocolate Kingdom: Factory Adventure Tour
4. Gatorland
5. Arabian Nights Dinner Show

The bottom line? There is NO shortage of places to visit and things to do near Regal Palms Resort.

If you're ready to learn more--or book your stay--please visit our website and then call Susan toll-free at 1-888-353-6600.

A Fresh Perspective on What Orlando Offers

Before purchasing our Regal Palms Resort vacation villa in 2005, our family had already made several trips to Orlando for business and pleasure.

Since 2005, we've been visiting Central Florida--and all of its attractions--at least twice a year. We've found it impossible to run out of things to do. In fact, we feel like we've barely scratched the surface!

As veteran Orlando vacationers, it's refreshing to hear from someone after their very first trip to Orlando. That's exactly what we found in a great blog post from an Australian travel blogger.

Read about The Aussie Nomad's first experience at the theme parks of Central Florida... and consider when you'll be making a trip to the area (whether it'll be YOUR first, too, or your 40th!).

Regal Palms Resort
If you're looking for spacious and affordable accommodations near Disney and the other Orlando attractions, be sure to check our our four-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse in the Regal Palms Resort. We're fully booked in February and ALMOST fully booked in March. Dates still remain in April, May, and June. Call Susan toll-free at 1-888-353-6600 today to learn more!

Coming to Orlando: Mango's Tropical Cafe!

If you've spent time in Miami, you may have visited one of the city's landmark attractions: Mango's Tropical Cafe on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. Mango's is a bastion of great entertainment and food... and Miami's Community Newspapers reports that Mango's is going from Ocean Drive to International Drive. 

"Mango’s is a South Beach staple, a must-see for tourists and a favorite of locals," writes Miami's Community Newspapers. "Mango’s exudes everything that is Miami Beach--its tropical theme, its location next to the beach and its Latin flair."

When we stay at our four-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse at Regal Palms Resort, we almost always take a ride over to International Drive. We're fans of the open-air shopping at Pointe Orlando and have enjoyed dining at Capital Grille, Cuba Libre and Taverna Opa. We're excited about the prospect of another dynamic destination in Orlando.

According to Miami's Community Newspapers, the Orlando Mango's is slated to open during the third quarter of 2014. So while the new Mango's is a little ways away, before you know it, there will be yet another reason to vacation in Orlando!

If you're planning a trip to Orlando and would like spacious, affordable accommodations for your family--up to 8 people, to be exact--check out our Regal Palms Resort website or call Susan toll-free at 1-888-353-6600.

MyMagic+: Wonderful convenience or scary invasion of privacy?

Disney is making big waves with its announcement of MyMagic+--a program that merges an interactive website and mobile app with an all-purpose electronic bracelet. This "magic" bracelet acts as a guest’s room key, theme-park ticket and payment tool all in a single device. The bracelets, dubbed MagicBands, will also track which rides visitors use, which characters they interact with, where they go and what they buy within the park.

According to Disney, the perks of the program include unparalleled convenience and a more personalized experience (imagine Mickey or Minnie greeting your child by name, or a ride employee knowing where you're from as you approach the platform). However, according to some experts, the program has more benefits to Disney than to its customers. They cite the massive quantities of data that Disney will be collecting about those wearing the "magic" bracelet. Using powerful analytics, Disney will be able to transform all that raw data into powerful information about the effectiveness of its offerings, pricing, product placement, and much more.

And privacy experts are flat-out worried; one called the entire program a "slippery slope" that could contribute to an entire generation considering such tags "normal." Others assert that the bracelets will lead consumers to spend even MORE time and money at the Disney parks.

The program, which is supposed to roll out this spring, will be optional. After reading several of the articles, I'm not sure we'll be signing on for this program. While it would be a sweet moment to have a character greet our daughter by name, I just don't like the idea of her being "tracked" and monitored by Disney. Part of the magic of vacation is getting away--and getting a little "lost" in the action. I'm not sure you can do that when an inventory tag is strapped to your wrist.

No high-tech bracelets--just lots of space at an affordable price
If you're planning a trip to Disney and Central Orlando, consider our four-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse at Regal Palms Resort. It's just minutes from Disney...and we don't monitor your whereabouts. ;-)