Orlando Archives - Jen is on a Journey

5 Best Orlando Theme Parks for Adults

August 26, 2014 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

orlando Image via Flickr by meshmar2

Orlando is known as Theme Park Capital of the World, and it’s not just for kids. There are plenty of theme parks where the adults can have just as much fun as the younger generation. Some even offer activities just for adults.

Fun for Adults at Epcot
Epcot is geared toward adults with its cultural and scientific themes. Explore techy-themed attractions in Future World, enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the park’s architecture, or shop through the Nations of the World Showcase. Epcot even has a Drinking Around the World Showcase where adults can sample a tasty libation from each country. There are also kiosks through the park serving up a variety of craft beers. At the La Cava Del Tequila, adults can quench their thirst with a delicious avocado Margarita or a blood orange Margarita.

Adrenaline Thrills at SeaWorld
While the beluga whale, bottlenose dolphin and polar bear shows are exciting, adults can have some heart-pumping fun on the thrill rides at this theme park. The Kraken is a beastly roller coaster like no other. This coaster rises high, drops fast, and spirals. It’s sure to deliver both thrills and terror. The Journey to Atlantis is a hybrid ride with a roller coaster and flume. Head down a thrilling, watery flume and discover dark passages through the sunken city of Atlantis. Fly, skim, spin, and glide like a giant ray on the Manta. With a face-down inverted nose dive, it’s an adrenaline rush that adults are sure to enjoy.

Adventure at Universal Studios Hollywood
With restaurants, cinemas at CityWalk, shows, working movie studios and thrilling theme park rides, those over 21 will be delighted with the action-packed entertainment at Universal Studios Hollywood. At Universal CityWalk, there are three blocks of entertainment, dining, and shopping. Stop in at one of the six hot nightclubs for a drink and show. Experience a wave of explosive action at WaterWorld. Plane crashes, massive explosions, and firefights feel real in 3D.

Signature Experiences at Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is a slice of paradise for both kids and adults. Adults will enjoy snorkeling The Grand Reef to discover colorful fish and paths that lead to hidden grottos. Relax and unwind at Wind-Away River as you float past cascading waterfalls, dense rainforests, and underwater caves. Slip into the warm waters at Serenity Bay or just soak up the sun in cozy lounges that surround the pool. Get up-close excitement as you come face to face with sharks through panoramic windows at Sea Venture. It’s an undersea experience that is sure to thrill all ages. For more information be sure to check out a travel guide for Orlando and Walt Disney.

A Walk on the Wild Side at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park is home to more than 1,700 exotic animals. Book a three-hour safari where you can see hissing crocodiles and sleepy hippos as you trek across a rope bridge. Ride in a rugged jeep and view massive rhinos and towering giraffes. At the Dawa Bar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, adults can sip on South African wines, beer, and specialty cocktails. Without a doubt, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a treat for both adults and kids. With so many theme parks in Orlando geared with both activities for the young and old, people of all ages can enjoy some good wholesome fun.

Guest post provided to Jen is on a Journey, these Orlando theme parks are on my family’s bucket list!

Where to Stay in the Vacation Capital of the World – Orlando, Florida

February 28, 2013 by The Mom Jen 5 Comments

Orlando is one of the best vacation destinations to visit with the whole family, because there are so many things to do and see. There are also an infinite number of lodging options to choose from, which can make deciding where to stay a bit overwhelming. The type of accommodations you choose may depend on the length of your trip, your budget, and whether you’re traveling alone or with a group. For example, if you’re traveling solo or as a couple, a hotel or inn might work just fine for you. However, for traveling families, renting a timeshare resort through an owner is a very affordable and comfortable option for a variety of reasons.

Spacious Accommodations: When traveling with the whole family, more space is always better. Have you ever stayed somewhere that had too much space? Probably not. Timeshare resorts typically offer much more space than your average hotel room, and often include multiple rooms with plenty of sleeping options to meet the needs of larger groups.

Convenient In-Room Amenities: Many timeshare rentals also include separate living rooms and/or eat-in kitchens, which allow for in-room cooking and dining. Eating in once or twice during your vacation could save you a couple bucks. However, if you’re not interested in cooking or doing dishes, it’s at least nice to have the option to keep some snacks and juice in the fridge for a mid-day munch.

Great On-site Amenities: Many timeshare resorts feature swimming pools, playgrounds, recreation rooms, health clubs, on-site restaurants, spa services and personal concierge services, so there’s plenty to keep everyone occupied without even having to leave the resort. This is great for if you have a late start to the day, the weather isn’t perfect, or if someone isn’t feeling well. And, when traveling with a family, one of these things is bound to happen at least once during your vacation, so you might as well be prepared for it!

Great Prices: Timeshare owners can’t always use their weeks, and in order to recoup some of the costs, they will rent out their timeshare units at very affordable prices. Sometimes these prices are extremely discounted because owners are just looking to cover their annual maintenance fees. If you can find them, there are some pretty amazing deals out there.

Top Orlando Timeshare Resorts

If you’re headed to the Vacation Capital of the World, you might try staying at one of these top Orlando timeshare resorts:

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld International Center

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld-1

The Hilton Grand Vacations Club at SeaWorld International Center is a condo-style timeshare resort offering studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom timeshare accommodations. As far as proximity to where all the fun is, it doesn’t get any better than this. It is right across the street from SeaWorld! The kitchens are gorgeous, and the resort offers more than you’ll ever have time to explore. There are three heated swimming pools, two children’s pools and five whirlpool spas, and that’s just for swimming. The resort also offers supervised children’s recreation programs, which can be great for days when you don’t have anything planned. You shouldn’t have too many of those days, though, with so many attractions nearby, like Disney World, Busch Gardens, Gatorland, and many more.

Sheraton Vistana Resort – Cascades Villas

Sheraton Vistana Resor-Cascades Villas-2

Sheraton Vistana Resor-Cascades Villas-1

The Sheraton Vistana Resort – Cascades is located just a few minutes from all of Orlando’s attractions. The accommodations include a living area with sofa bed, dining area, breakfast bar, and a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, blender and dinnerware. There’s also a washer and dryer for doing a quick load here and there if you want. The resort complex also has a ton of amenities geared towards families, including child care, a children’s pool, three game rooms, Pizza Hut and Haagen Dazs, four children’s playgrounds, two full service restaurants, a snack bar, an 18-hole miniature golf course and a video rental library. It’s virtually impossible to be bored here. Plus, the resort offers free shuttle services to Disney’s theme parks, so you don’t have to worry about driving and finding parking, etc.

Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Lakes

Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Lakes is surrounded by all of the fun theme parks, every type of water sport you can imagine, great dining, shopping and golfing, so again, there’s something for everyone to do. The resort offers 2- and 3-bedroom villas, deluxe villas and multi-level townhomes, so you can choose the type of accommodations that best fit your family’s needs and budget. The kitchens are fully equipped with everything you need to cook and eat in (or not), and there are 42” flat panel televisions and DVD players for endless family entertainment. There are 2 pools, a waterslide, and fire pits and barbecue areas for outdoor eating and relaxing. Plus, as a guest of this resort, you can access the amenities of the adjacent JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes and the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, so you pretty much hit the jackpot with this one.

With so many on-site amenities and nearby attractions, you really can’t go wrong at any of these Orlando resorts. It just depends on what type of accommodations you’re looking for, how big your family is and what you like to do for fun. Each of the resorts above is high quality and family-friendly, so you are likely to be happy with whichever one you choose.

Have you had experience with renting a timeshare please feel free to comment!

Thanks to Sarah from sellmytimesharenow.com for this guest post.

Kissimmee, Florida Entertainment: Capone’s Dinner & Show

December 21, 2011 by The Mom Jen 6 Comments

What are 5 mom bloggers looking for a fun night out in Kissimmee to do? Capone’s Dinner Show, of course fahghettabout anything else! From beginning to end, the gangster era actors wine, dine, and make you laugh in a more than reasonably priced entertainment package!

As the pinstriped suit-wearing mobster leads you through the front doors, you walk right into the gift shops. Hats, feathered boas, toy guns, and more give you even more of a taste of what’s to come that night. The girls and I posed for photos in the hats, giggled, and got ourselves into character as we waited for a few others in our party. As we gave the secret code word, we stood in a spot where our picture was taken as if we were in a lineup. I think everyone was to scowl since were were “getting questioned” but I am sure I smiled goofily forgetting my imagination. While we waited for the show we enjoyed a cocktail up in the lounge where the bartenders were also in character.

We came down for dinner and it was a buffet of delicious Italian food including salads, pastas, a scrumptious lasagne, and some fresh homemade breadsticks! Poor Louise kept getting teased about the Gelato Neopolitano, by “Vito!” During the night, and included in your admission, soft drinks, wines, beer, rum runners, vodka cranberries, rum and coke, coffee and tea are all UNLIMITED! You have that right, over the 4 hours we were there, Vito came around often to top off my vodka cranberry, be careful you will have a fabulous time!With the show you have comedy, singing, dancing, a great slapstick storyline, and even more comedy. The cast of characters from outside the doors, to the lounge, to the waiters are all a part of this huge show that truly knocked my socks off! I mean really, look at the GUY in the coconut bra!

During the show the stars incorporate the audience quite a bit, there were some youngsters there and some older teens, but the show is very much for adults. Not only would my kids not quite “get” the humor or period banter, but there is some sexual innuendo that isn’t for little ears. Although my daughters are dancers and there are some fun numbers in there, I’d choose to not bring my children, make this a fun couple’s night out or a girl’s night for ensuring fun for all!

Thanks to Capone’s and Kissimmee CVB for hosting this event. All opinions are mine. Thanks to Louise at Momstart for the photos!!

Orlando, Florida: Why You Should Choose Global Resort Homes over a Hotel

December 19, 2011 by The Mom Jen 11 Comments

One of the most important things when you travel is having a comfortable, reasonably priced, and relaxing place to stay, a place to call your “home base.” I want to take my family across country and back to Florida where I just spent a fabulous long weekend, our home base will absolutely be a Global Resort Home! Don’t get me wrong, we stay in hotels and resorts, but now that I’ve stayed with Global in Kissimmee, I can’t stay anywhere else! Here are my top three reasons to stay with Global Resort Homes over an Orlando Hotel.

1. It’s Like Home (even better): When you go on vacation with your family, long drives, flights, and unfamiliar surroundings can make children and frankly parents nervous. Global Resort Homes provide you will all the comforts your own home and more. Personal touches like murals of Mickey/Captain Jack Sparrow/Disney Princesses and stuffed animals in the bedroom, children’s themed plates in the kitchen, and the garage-sized game area, complete with gaming systems/pool table/air hockey and more, often have the kids so eager you have to drag them to the theme park! Let’s not forget their own bed, own room, own television, own space, things you cannot get squeezed into a hotel room. Each individually owned home has special touches to truly have their customers coming back year after year.

2. Perks: Right outside the kitchen door, you can walk right to the pool and spa at any time of day! Covered to protect from bugs and gated for safety, the pool and spa can be utilized after a long day of activity to relax and unwind when you want to, and there are no limits on time or space. Mom and Dad can enjoy the spa at night while the kids are just inside, and pool time for the kids doesn’t have to be an independent activity that you need to stop everything else to do.

No, you don’t want to think you have to cook, do dishes, or keep a kitchen clean on your vacation! But having the option to stock the fridge with drinks and snacks from the grocery store versus buying them at 3X the cost at a theme park will keep you to your budget. Global Resort Homes also contracts with a personal chef that will cook for you or prepare meals ahead of time! Coming home after an activity, you can pop a pre-made meal into the oven while you shower and the kids nap, and have it ready when you are. These perks allow you and your family to comfortably multi-task, spend quality time with family or friends, without over-spending or added stress!

3. Affordable: Traveling as a family of five adds dollar signs to each planned trip. Often hotel and resort rooms have a maximum occupancy of 4 people. Although my youngest is small, squeezing us all in a small room with 2 beds leaves someone on the floor if a pull-away couch isn’t included. Our only other option is paying up to double for a suite or an adjoining room. Global Resorts can offer rental homes with up to 7 bedrooms, all the amenities of home and more, all for comparable or lower prices than hotels with similar amenities. A Global Resort Home with:
-4 bedrooms
-4 full bathrooms
-full Kitchen
-living room
-dining room
-laundry room
-game room
-pool
-hot tub
-sleeps 10
will run from as low as $383/night, which is phenomenal. Smaller families can vacation with friends and literally split that cost to save you money!

My Take: My experience with Global Resort Homes, specifically 2542 Archfeld Blvd. in Windsor Hills, is my first of many to come. I loved that the homeowner adds special touches to each room of the house to make guests feel welcome and important. Just before our stay, the home we stayed in was adorned with a lighted Christmas tree inside and decorated the tree in the front yard with lights. Being away from my kids and husband around the holidays was brightened by this special touch. The décor was beautiful and not to the point where I felt I couldn’t relax and put my feet up on the couch. I enjoyed the hot tub one night as well as the pool and it was refreshing and I didn’t have the pressure of getting out at a specific time, swim with strangers or be modest.

Though I didn’t use the washer/dryer due to opting for an early bedtime the night before I left, I think the main plus is going home with clean laundry! That’s one less chore to do! Homeowners that work with Global take pride in their rentals and appreciate feedback both positive and constructive. I will leave a suggestion for our owner (on his personal Home Away listing page) for a towel bar near the shower on the downstairs bathroom. I’ve been wanting to bring my family to Orlando and Global Resorts are perfect vacation homes near Disney, no doubt about it!

To learn more, follow them on Facebook to hear about the latest promotions and deals or on Twitter.
Thank you to Global Resort Homes for a 4 night stay, Kissimmee Guest Services for providing snacks in our home, and for the Kissimmee CVB for flying me to Orlando. All opinions are 100% my own.