Discover Lake Buena Vista Florida

Florida Mementoes - A Disney Watch

2009-05-07T16:48:00.004-04:00

If you've enjoyed a Lake Buena vista vacation and you want to buy a present for a loved one back home, maybe jewellery is the ideal thing (for example, see this heart earrings story for one idea).

But one thing that will always be linked to Central Florida and Lake Buena Vista is Disney World - so think about buying a Disney-related trinket.

And if dolls or stuffed toys aren't the right thing, how about a Disney watch? There's a lot to be said for them and they are highly popular.

They are a fun accessory and not just for kids - they are welcomed by people of all ages. They are available from major quality manufactures such as Seiko, Citizen and Lorus, so you can have some comfort that you're buying a long-lasting present.

And watches are available for any character you like - Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, whoever. Princess Cinderella watch? Yep. A Disney Mickey Mouse Floating Time Watch? Yep again, this time from Seiko. How about the Eco-Drive Mickey Mouse or a Snow White Princess children’s watch (Citizen).

You can even buy Disney pocket watches, and some people do this as a hobby.

Even if your vacation is over and you want to find a Disney watch, the Internet comes to the rescue. You can find everything from modern to vintage Disney watch styles, popular women’s Disney watches such as the Minnie Mouse Skinny Strap and the Mickey Mouse Crocodile Strap.

So don't give up on finding that special gift for someone near and dear to you - Disney watches are a great option and are perfect for everyone.

How full will Florida holiday villas and hotels be during the recession?

2009-04-29T14:23:00.005-04:00

Even for those of us living in the Sunshine State, the economic news is almost unremittingly downbeat or even depressing these days. Borrowing, spending, unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcies seem to be all that CNN, CBS and others can report. Even ABC, the parent company that owns the Magic Kingdom, has the same themes in its news programs and appears to have lost any semblance of Disney optimism. Almost every travel blog that I've read in the past few weeks has had some gloomy news on it.

So how has all of this impacted the Florida tourist industry?

Well, if you were around Central Florida during the recent Easter holiday you might not have thought that there was any impact at all. The roads were just as crowded in Kissimmee and the Four Corners area. Theme parks appeared to be just as popular as in previous major vacation times. And every restaurant that I visited had lines of customers waiting to get in for an evening meal.

And for another measure of how popular Central Florida still is, consider flight availability. For example, transatlantic flights and prices for Easter for UK tourists were at what appeared to be all time highs - and prices for the upcoming summer season remain very expensive. No signs of a big recession there!

But I have friends and relatives over in the UK for whom a Florida vacation is now much more expensive than it was last year. The weakening of the UK Pound Sterling against the US Dollar (it is now about twenty five per cent weaker than it's high of twelve to eighteen months ago) coupled with the rise in unemployment and the general "feel bad" atmosphere pervading the UK as well as the USA has certainly had an effect. Some of my contacts are definitely thinking twice before going ahead with a Florida vacation where they wouldn't have done before.

They are starting to favor European holidays a lot more - travel times are much shorter, availability is good and so the attraction is strong - so it is quite possible that Spanish holidays and Portugal travel packages and Greek and French vacations will become more popular for them. In particular amongst my friends, this Lisbon travel site has become a favorite.

On the other hand, Florida does still retain it's magic for a lot of people. The language is the same as the UK (well, almost), the concentration of theme parks and other attractions is unmatched and the wide range of restaurants to sample (still a lot less expensive than UK restaurants) has a lot of appeal.

Clearly a continuing recession will have vacation home owners and hotel operators reaching for the tranquilizers. But they shouldn't be too downhearted yet - if the economy starts to improve later this year, as some forecasters predict, the downside for the Florida tourist industry may be very limited indeed.

Lake Buena Vista Vacation Side Trips

2009-03-23T09:42:00.004-04:00

I've known some families that visited the Lake Buena Vista area for a vacation and then ended up spending their whole time exhaustively exploring the local theme parks (Disney World, Sea World and Universal). In particular I remember one close friend from the UK who came to stay with me a few years ago with his family, including two young children. It was his first time in the USA so everything was fascinating.

Urged on by his children, he spent virtually every day of his three weeks at one theme park or another. Once the Magic Kingdom had been fully explored, they went on to Animal Kingdom, then Epcot and so on. After the first round, they started all over again.

And at the end of the week he went home completely exhausted. He almost needed some time off to recover from the vacation! They had all had a great time, but later on they felt that if they had built in some more relaxing days, the vacation would have been even better. And it's fair to say that, with such a lot to choose from using Lake Buena Vista as a vacation base, there are plenty of relaxing alternatives to provide that variety.

For example, if you want to see some of Florida's oldest wildlife residents then a trip to Gatorland will enable you to get up close to the alligators that can be found all over the State. Here you will learn fascinating facts about these prehistoric creatures when you visit the Gator Jumparoo and be able to have a close encounter with gators and other animals.

If you want to be really entertained, make sure you visit the wrestling show where the trainers take on the animals. Then you can cool off in the splash pool but of course you need a change of clothes for the rest of the day. You can reach Gatorland in about fifteen minutes from most Lake Buena Vista locations, so give it a go! It only takes about half a day to enjoy all that the place has to offer, so the rest of the day can be spent laying by the pool.

Slightly farther away but also worth adding to your list of highlights is Jungle Adventures. This is a nature park and a zoo and will allow you to get very close to baby alligators, snakes and other wildlife. There are about 200 alligators altogether and some of them like to wrestle! Jungle Adventures is on Highway 50 to the east of Orlando.

One thing that sets it apart from Gatorland and makes the longer journey worthwhile is the wide range of animals you can see. Raccoons and exotic birds are side by side with the rare Florida Panther. The place also features a replica of a Native American Indian village including ancient tools and implements made by present day Native Americans.

If you prefer a more gentle and relaxing experience then a visit to Historic Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales would certainly fit the bill. You can wander through the magnificent gardens with their meandering paths enjoying the perfume of the flowers and looking out for the many different birds and butterflies that are attracted to the Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is loved by its many visitors for the peace and tranquility available throughout. Take a stroll and experience the calmness of the place, bring a picnic and rest on the grassy areas or the benches or enjoy a meal at the Carillon Cafe. It's all just very relaxing.

At the center of the Sanctuary and on the highest point in Florida (less than 300 feet above sea level!) is the Bell Tower. Marble and coquina construction materials were used to create a beautiful carillon tower that is used to produce music every hour. Pinewood Estates, built as the winter retreat for Bethlehem Steel Vice President Charles Austin Buck, is also available to tour and it still contains many of the original furnishings.

And if the natural environment and a peaceful spot to relax are your ideal, also try Lake Louisa State Park, about thirty minutes from Lake Buena Vista and just a few miles south of Highway 50 on Highway 27. Wildlife is abundant, including butterflies, deer, opossum and wild turkeys plus lots more. Full enjoyment requires use of the mature trails hiking so bring your hiking boots and you're also likely to need lots of sunscreen and lots of insect repellent.

There are six lakes in the Park with fishing available in four of them (as long as you make sure to get a license). It is possible to swim in Lake Louisa so make sure you bring the right clothes and towels and take note of the warning signs advising you to steer clear of those parts containing dangerous wildlife (alligators anyone?). You will need your own food and drink because no catering facilities are provided, although there are many benches and tables to use.

And there you have it: as you have seen, a Lake Buena Vista vacation can be far more varied than even Walt Disney and the Universal attractions can dream up - so there's no need to exhaust yourself with Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck or Universal's Jaws every day!

Our First Lake Buena Vista Vacation

2009-03-12T10:16:00.001-04:00

It is 27 Years since we came on our first Lake Buena Vista vacation. The children were seven and five years old and although they were used to flying, we had taken them on foreign trips since they were babies, we had never done an eight hour transatlantic flight. We were having a three week vacation and planned to spend a week "doing" the theme parks and two weeks relaxing in the sunshine.

As you can imagine we were all very excited to be visiting America for the first time and going to Disney World. Of course in those days the only Disney Park that was operating was Magic Kingdom although Epcot was due to open its doors in October of that year and we did see Spaceship Earth from the outside.

On our first visit to Magic Kingdom we set off early so we had time to see everything. After parking the car we took the monorail to the main gate and we were fascinated that it went through the middle of the Contempory Hotel. Then we saw Cinderella's Castle and the magic really began.

We didn't know where to start there was so much to see and do. After checking the map we decided to go to Fantasyland to start with however, all the shops on Main Street were compelling but we decided we would save that pleasure for later. The rides have changed slightly but we enjoyed favorites such as Dumbo, the Mad Hatters Tea Party, Peter Pan's flight and It's a Small World. Have you noticed that once you've done that ride you cannot get the tune out of your mind and you spend the rest of the day singing it! You always know who's been on the ride because you can hear them humming or singing "it's a small, small world"

Our children thoroughly enjoyed the magic of Disney believing that they really did go on a spaceship to Mars and on a submarine 20,000 leagues under the sea with Captain Nemo (these rides are no longer there). They were not too keen on Big Thunder Mountain and Daddy was the only one who ventured on to Space Mountain. I think we tried to fit everything in but realized that to do all we wanted to do we would have have another day there as we were just so exhausted. It's great to see that some of our favorites from back then are still as popular today such as the Jungle Cruise, Prates of the Caribbean, Country Bear Jamboree and one of our son's favorites the Indy Speedway.

Apart from Magic kingdom the only other theme park in the area when we came on our first Lake Buena Vista vacation was Sea World. Again there was just the one park and it didn't have the kraken ride or Journey to Atlantis but we spent a wonderful day there. We had never seen dolphins before and didn't know how clever and athletic they were. As it was so hot we decided to sit in the splash zone for the Shamu show. I don't think any of us realized how wet we would get! Our son was not very keen on the walk through the shark encounter.

Another thing we all really enjoyed was the miniature golf courses. Although there are miniature golf courses in the UK, we call them "crazy golf", they are not as prevalent and the weather is not as conducive to outdoor pursuits as it is in Florida. I think most nights after we had been out for dinner we ended the day with a game of golf.

Things have certainly changed since our first Lake Buena Vista vacation there are now so many theme parks that you could spend a three week vacation just visiting the parks! But however short or long your stay you are certain of a magical time.

Lake Buena Vista Florida Shopping - Orlando Premium Outlets

2009-03-03T13:15:00.001-05:00

Orlando Premium Outlets in Lake Buena Vista Florida is one of my favorite places to look for clothes for my three year old grandson who lives in the UK. It is also the one I recommend to visitors, especially those from the UK, as a good place to look for designer clothes.

First stop for me is usually Polo Ralph Lauren Children where they have some really cool clothes for babies through to kids. I have been going to this store since my grandson was born and have picked up some real bargains. Now that my grandson is getting older he looks really cool in the polo shirts and sweater "the preppy look". My daughter and son-in-law love it when I buy clothes from here because the same clothes in the UK are so expensive.

Another favorite is Carters, especially for anything to do with babies. This shop is a must when I know anyone is having a baby as they have such a good choice of outfits, bibs, blankets and gifts for both baby boys and girls and their prices are affordable. I have bought some really cute baby clothes here for friends and relatives and when I send them to the UK they love them because over there no one else has the same outfit as their baby.

There are other children's stores in the mall such as OshKosh B'gosh, Hartstrings and Oilily. They have recently opened a Gymboree Outlet and J.Crew/Crewcuts so if you are looking for cool, cute designer baby or kid's clothes Orlando Premium Outlets at Lake Buena Vista Florida is definitely a good place to go.

It's not just a great place to look for children's clothes. I love the fact that you've got a selection of designer and high street stores selling clothes for every occasion at great prices. There are also a variety of stores that sell accessories, jewelry, shoes and bags to complete your ensemble.

But I think my very favorite store is Le Gourmet Chef. I love places like this that sell every possible kitchen utensil you can think of as well as great dipping oils, cookware, cookies, wine glasses... the list is endless. It is also one of the few places I have found that sells English tea pots, a must for an ex-pat like me! I can spend ages looking round this store and it always reminds me of my father as he would have loved it too.

Just as in any other shopping malls new stores open and some old favorites close down. One of the other stores that was a "must see" for me on any visit to Orlando Premium Outlets was Country Clutter which sold collectibles, gifts and unusual trinkets. Sadly it is no longer in the mall and a search on line has just given me the information that the nearest store to me is 537 miles away in Tennessee! Oh well, maybe I won't be out as long at the mall next time I visit.

Lake Buena Vista Florida Hotels

2009-03-02T13:20:00.005-05:00

If you're visiting Florida principally for a Disney World visit, one of your main problems isn't the lack of choice of Lake Buena Vista Florida hotels - just the opposite! There are so many hotels in Lake Buena Vista, or at least very close by, that choosing the right one is a very difficult task.

Do you want a five star place with all the luxuries possible, or do you need to cater to a budget and look for four or three star accommodation? Do you want to be on Disney's doorstep and right in the heart of Lake Buena Vista, or are you happy to be a short drive away if it means saving some cash? The choice is yours (and your family's).

One option is to go for an owned and operated Disney World hotel and if that is within your budget, you should take a good look at what they have to offer. For visitors who want to spend as much time as possible enjoying the Disney magic, they are a great choice. We won't cover them in detail here, because we'll probably put together a specific posting on them later, but do check out the costs versus the benefits to make sure they give you what you want. They have lots of advantages, but some disadvantages too.

Instead we want to cover just a few of the other nearby hotels to give you a flavor of what you have available. We have no affiliation or connection with any of these places and we cannot guarantee what sort of experience you would enjoy - we're simply providing this information as an assistance to your research and so that you can make your own mind up.

So having said all that, some of big hotels to consider are:

The Orlando Vista Hotel

To quote fro the hotel's PR: "so near the Walt Disney World Resort® you can almost feel the magic" - that's in addition to being convenient for Interstate 4 and the Florida Turnpike! Close to Downtown Disney, the hotel caters for familes, couples and business travelers alike (its only six miles to the Orlando Convention Center). There is complimentary scheduled shuttle transportation to all four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom). Theme park tickets are available at the hotel. Other features include:
246 guest rooms and suites
Complimentary high-speed Internet in the lobby
Complimentary fitness facility
Outdoor heated pool, children's pool, and hot tub
State of the art game room
Car rental and airport transportation (additional charge)
In room spa services

Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista

Embassy Suites are great places to stay - that's not PR, that's my experience over a number of years. The atmosphere and layout in most of them that I've visited have been excellent. In Lake Buena Vista Florida, The Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista hotel is just one mile from the Walt Disney World® resort. It offers complimentary scheduled transportation to and from Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and transportation hub to all other Disney parks, a facility to puchase attraction tickets at the guest services desk, and close proximity to some great shopping at Orlando Premium Outlets Mall & Restaurants. There's also a complimentary fitness room, kids' playground, heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool and sauna, basketball and tennis courts and video arcade. Oh, and you get a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast every morning.

Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village

Again from personal experience, Courtyard Marriott hotels offer excellent value for money and are a good choice. The Courtyard Lake Buena Vista, Florida Hotel is situated only one mile from Walt Disney World Resort®, so it is close to other top Orlando attractions. It has a cafe, a Food court and a bar - plus it is within one to two miles of half a dozen other restaurants or more, including an Olive Garden and a Bahama Breeze. If you haven't bought your theme park tickets before you arrive, you can buy them in the lobby, where you'll also find the shuttle service. In case you don't get enough exercise at the parks or at one of the Malls, you can make use of an indoor/outdoor pool or get a good workout at the Fitness Center.

That’s all for now – please check back as our plan is to add to and refine this list regularly.

Lake Buena Vista Florida Shopping

2009-02-27T15:40:00.005-05:00

Lake Buena Vista Florida is ideally located if you’re planning to visit the Disney theme parks, because you could almost (but not quite!) walk to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot or Hollywood Studios. Even Universal is just a few minutes away by car or taxi.

But what if you want to sample the local shops as part of your Florida vacation enjoyment? Maybe you need a break from the nonstop attraction entertainment or perhaps you’ve just run out of some necessary supplies. Possibly you need a few more casual clothes after getting soaked to the skin at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon.

Or perhaps you’re one of the many visitors from overseas, especially Europe, who regard the opportunity to fit in a shopping expedition as a highly valuable part of their Florida vacation, particularly while the US dollar exchange rate has been as advantageous as it has in the last year or so.

So what shopping opportunities do renters of Lake Buena Vista Florida hotels, or even those lucky enough to be staying at a Disney resort, have available?

The closest strip mall is probably the Crossroads at Lake Buena Vista. The address is 12521 State Road 535, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830 and it's about half a mile north of Exit 68 of Interstate 4. It's situated just across from the Buena Vista entrance of Disney World and features about 25 specialty shops and restaurants, including Goodings Supermarket, Foot Locker, Sunglass Hut (and even a Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf course if you really can't do without some fun amid all the shopping). The Pebbles Restaurant there is also worth a visit.

Slightly farther away, but much more of a shopaholic's dream, is the Orlando Premium Outlets Mall at 8200 Vineland Avenue, Orlando, FL 32821. At around a mile from Exit 68 of Interstate 4, it is ideally placed and is an attraction to many visitors. There are 150 stores including Ann Taylor, Burberry, Diesel, Gap Outlet, Giorgio Armani, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger and because it's an outlet mall, prices are good. There is a shuttle service available from hotels in Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee, plus a daily shuttle service available from all International Drive Hotels every 15 minutes - so that tells you how popular it is. We've known some UK tourists who have the Mall at the top of their list on their Orlando vacation planning, even ahead of theme parks or beach trips, because of the great prices, so take a look yourself and see what bargains you can find.

And finally, for those prepared to travel a little farther or who just can't get enough retail therapy, Lake Buena Vista is within a short drive of two excellent "standard" malls:

the first is the Florida Mall at 8001 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida 32809 (from Lake Buena Vista, use Interstate 4 and go six miles east to Exit 74A, then go east on Sand Lake Road until you reach the Orange Blossom Trail and you'll find the Mall on the south-east corner).

the second is the Millenia Mall at 4200 Conroy Road, Orlando, Florida 32839, next to Exit 78 of Interstate 4, ten miles east of the Lake Buena Vista junction.

Both include the mix of niche, designer and department stores that you would expect to see in any major US city plus restaurant and snack bar facilities to make sure you can keep shopping as long as possible. The Millenia Mall is the newer of the two and is considered more upscale, but the Florida Mall is well worth a visit also.

So within literally just a few minutes of almost any Lake Buena Vista Florida hotel you have more shopping than you can probably afford - just make sure you spend wisely!

Introducing Lake Buena Vista Florida

2009-02-24T12:15:00.004-05:00

Lake Buena Vista Florida is a city that is visited by millions of people each year - but many of them don't even realize it! Even those that are conscious of the place probably don't know that it owes its name to the Disney development almost fifty years ago.

Why is it so unknown?

Because for most people it is the entrance to the delights of the Disney World empire in Central Florida and most of the people flocking to the theme parks focus entirely on directions to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon or any of the other attractions, ignoring altogether the city that forms part of Orange County.

Originally named the City of Reedy Creek when it was formally created by the Governor of Florida's signature on Chapter 67-1965 of the Laws of Florida in 1967, it owes its existence to Walt Disney's expansion plans.

After making a success of Disneyland, which opened in 1955, Walt Disney Productions decided to open a second theme park and a location in the east was the goal. Walt Disney was still in charge of the company and he wanted his second "monument" to have a lot more room to expand. Market research and analysis had shown that more than 70% of the USA's population lived east of the Mississippi River. Florida was one of the ideal locations.

Sanford, a small city just north of Orlando, was one option in the early 1960s but the city council turned down the chance because they feared a rise in crime. How different the city would be today if they had made a different decision. Instead, the opportunity fell to Lake Buena Vista Florida.

Despite the Sanford rebuff, the Central Florida area still appealed to Walt Disney because of the road infrastructure (apparently Interstate 4 and the Florida Turnpike were around even then!) and the airport that eventually became Orlando International Airport which was close by (it started out as McCoy Air Force Base, which explains it's international airport designation letters of MCO).

Unfortunately Walt Disney died in 1966, five years before he could see his Florida Project dream come true. But the project had started by then and his company carried out an enormously successful plan to acquire the land and develop the area into the Walt Disney World complex.

Initially, the development started when the Reedy Creek Improvement District was formed with two cities inside it. One was the City of Bay Lake and the other was the City of Reedy Creek. In 1969, boundaries were redrawn and the City of Reedy Creek was renamed the City of Lake Buena Vista, taking over some Bay Lake and other land in the process. It is believed that the name "Buena Vista", meaning "good view" in Spanish, was copied from a street close to the Disney corporate offices in California.

In the next forty years, the area expanded to an incredible degree as the theme park became an international success. In 2009 the area boasts hotel rooms, good shopping facilities and an economy that is second to none. On this website we aim to describe in more details some of the features of the area for all who care to read.

Lake Buena Vista Florida Information

2009-02-24T10:37:00.004-05:00

Welcome to our new blog about Lake Buena Vista Florida. It enjoys many thousands of visitors each year and it's right in the center of Florida but the name is unknown to many. So the purpose of this blog is to make the name Lake Buena Vista Florida known to all!

Please leave us a comment if you have any questions.

Thanks.