Great Florida Vacation Ideas

Posts Tagged ‘disney world resorts’

An Orlando Disney vacation is almost a requirement for anyone planning to visit Florida. And with all the options available these days, going to Disney for a holiday is easier than ever. Yep, an Orlando Disney Vacation is the perfect getaway to get a little magic back in your life.

If you’re going to Walt Disney World, I really do suggest that you stay at one of the resorts on the Disney property.  It really does make a difference!  That being said, here are some thoughts for you.

A Resort With a Wild Side

If you enjoy watching nature shows or avidly watch Animal Planet, then stop looking and stay in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. At this Disney resort, you stay in a setting modeled after Africa’s wilderness. And relatively recently, it also offerd its own wildlife reserve which means that you can check out and admire the animals in a whole different light. Just think of it as a mini-safari.

Life’s a Beach, Disney Style

If beaches tickle your fancy, you may want to check out Disney’s take on a seashore stay.  Your choices include the Beach Club Resort, Disney’s idea of a lakeside resort styled in 19th century.  Think of a turn-of-the-century (last century that is) waterfront resort, with all the luxury trappings.  But if a tropical vacation appeals to you more, try the Caribbean Beach Resort.  At the Caribbean Beach, you can even stay in one of the Disney Story Rooms.  Pirates of the Caribbean anyone?

The Great North Woods

What, the Pacific Northwest in Florida — no way!  Yes, you can stay at a Disney resort modeled after a Pacific Northwest lodge — Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Step into the lobby and you will see huge totem poles, and plenty of log trimmings.  Even the grounds make you feel that you are no longer in Florida.  Well, at least on any day but the hottest in the summer, at any rate.  It’s gorgeous and well worth a stay.

Daze (I Mean Days) at Disney

The reason to go to Disney World is to take a journey through its theme parks.  With four main parks, plus a few other attractions like the waterparks and Downtown Disney, there isn’t a shortage!

The Magic Kingdom is the oldest of the Orlando Disney theme parks (and the one I used to work at).  However, old doesn’t mean shabby — it’s constantly being updated and upgraded! If you want to satisfy your inner child, the lands that make up the Magic Kingdom are something you have to see.

The wildlife aficionado will appreciate Animal Kingdom. But be warned– this is a huge Disney theme park, and you will spend a lot of time walking.  Definitely wear comfy shoes!  As the newest of the parks, it’s got touches that the others don’t.

Lights, cameras, action — time to check out Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM).  Movie-lovers will revel in this Disney park.  It’s somewhat of a different “feel” than the other parks, but it’s well-loved by most folks.  And you just have to watch the variation on The Sorcerer’s Apprentice in the amphitheater in the evenings – truly different!

If you’ve always wanted to travel and see the world, then EPCOT may be your cup of tea (especially in the UK area of the park).  It’s also a large park, and is rather unusual in that it’s split into two.  FutureWorld is full of gadgets and attractions to make you think. The World Showcase highlights different nations and customs of the people who live in them.

Orlando Disney Vacation

Yes, there is plenty to do and see on an Orlando Disney World vacation — so much more than what I’ve mentioned in this post.

Disney World Story Rooms within the Disney resorts is getting another addition in 2012.  You can feel like royalty when you stay at Port Orleans – Riverside, in one of the Royal Guest Rooms.  Hmmm, but what is a Story Room anyway?  Read on and learn!

Yo Ho – There Be Pirates!

Back in 2009, Disney World decided that regular themed resort rooms were nice, but what about something a little more exciting?  To that end, they created the Pirate Rooms at the Caribbean Beach Resort (a natural choice).  It was a step beyond the normal theme, and is designed to get you even more into the spirit of things!

Imagine sleeping in a bed that resembles a boat, or checking out the casket and finding a fridge!  Looking for pillows?  Try the treasure chest.  You get the idea — it’s not just a Disney resort room, but an adventure!

As you might guess, the Pirate Rooms are modeled after The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, so you’ll see special touches to that end as well.

Disney Story Rooms – A Princess Tale

Pirates are great, but what if you want to be treated like a princess?  Disney will have something for you as well. You’ll be able to feel like one of the Disney Princesses when you stay in one of the Royal Guest Rooms.  The Port Orleans Riverside is getting an update with the rooms in the very near future.  So what will they be like?

How about fireworks over the backs of the beds?  OK, so they are fiber-optic, but the effect is still wonderful.  Think about beautiful draperies, scenes from Disney Princess movies (including Aladdin and The Princess and the Frog), and other touches that bathe you in the feeling of luxury.

And here’s something nice — the rooms are located in one of the Disney Moderate resorts, to hold the price down some.

Disney World Moderate Resorts

The Disney World Moderate are the mid-priced resorts on the Disney World property.  And while I haven’t stayed in one of the Story Rooms, I have stayed at Port Orleans.  I can heartily recommend Port Orleans, even if you stay in one of the regular rooms!  It’s located in the Downtown Disney area.

The Caribbean Beach Resort is located closer to EPCOT — you can see it from the Boardwalk resort area.  I haven’t yet stayed at the Caribbean Beach (I’m working my way through the various resorts), but I am looking forward to it.

So what’s your pleasure — singing “Yo Ho, Yo Ho” or “Someday My Prince Will Come”?  No matter which Disney Story Room you choose, I really think you won’t be disappointed.