ORLANDO AREA

INSIDER’S GUIDE

Nearby Beaches

Restaurants

Golf

Shopping

Nightlife

Dinner Shows

And Lots More!

October 2015

Orlando is the most visited destination in the United States. Visiting the Orlando

area can be fun and adventurous. With limited time, most families prioritize the

most important aspect of their vacation. This guide is designed to help you decide

on what is best for your family.

There is so much to see and do. This free guide will provide only a sampling of

things to do in the Orlando area and is provided to you from Tropical Paradise Villa

in the Emerald Island Resort and Sunset Palms Retreat in the Encantada Resort.

Major Theme Parks

Walt Disney World Parks

Magic Kingdom, Epcot,

Hollywood Studios, Ani-

mal Kingdom, Blizzard

Beach, Typhoon Lagoon

Lake Buena Vista, FL

Universal Studios Flori-

da & Universal’s Is-

lands of Adventure

6000 Universal Boulevard

Orlando, FL 32819

SeaWorld Parks

SeaWorld, Aquat-

ica, Discovery

Cove

Orlando, FL

Wet n Wild Water

Park, Orlando, FL

LEGOLAND, Winter

Haven FL

Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL

New Disney FastPass+ enhancement

“Now, not only can you reserve some of your must-do fun be-

fore you leave home, you can also add more during your visit.”

Here's how. Reserve up to three experiences before you arrive*.

Then, after your three selections have been used up, you can

make an additional "rolling" Disney FastPass+ selection at a Dis-

ney FastPass+ kiosk in the Park to use that day. And each time

you use your rolling Disney FastPass+ selection (or after it has

expired), you can select a new one.

You can even enjoy this new enhancement at more than one

park in a day. Just remember, while your rolling Disney

FastPass+ selections can be used at any one of our four Theme

Parks, they must be reserved at a kiosk in that park and are

subject to availability.

Here's an example...

You might plan to start your day at Epcot® and reserve your

three Disney FastPass+ Epcot® experiences from home. Then

once you've arrived and enjoyed all that fun (or your selected

time has expired), you can head over to Magic Kingdom® Park

in the afternoon, go to a Disney FastPass+ kiosk there and re-

serve another experience. And once you've done that experi-

ence, you can hit the kiosk and sign up for another. (Subject to

availability)"

*https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-Disney-experience/?CMP=KNC-

WDW_FY15_DOM_NGE_SitelinkMDX|G|4151322.NG.AM.02.01

The latest on the FastPass+

Any park-goer can use the

FastPass + using My Disney ex-

perience website or app or com-

pleted at FP kiosks located

throughout the park

If you have advance tickets you

can start planning your experi-

ence 30 days in advance

Magic bands are mailed to park-

goers when purchased online, or

you can purchase them at the

parks for $12.95

Purchasing Tickets

Directly through Disney

Reputable dealer displaying

this logo

Here is a link to one we recom-

mend: http://www.villadirect.com/

orlando-attraction-tickets/

Concierge services at Encan-

tada and Emerald Island club-

house

Beware of the roadside “cheap

ticket” booths. While some of

them are legit, many are not. Au-

thorities have been working hard

to prosecute those who are

scams.

Disney’s FastPass+ Wristband

There are hundreds of apps for the Disney area. You can find apps for any subject, such

as planning your trip, navigating the parks, line times and many more This article will fo-

cus on free apps for the iPhone. (Sorry, I do not have an android device to test for you).

MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE

This app is owned by WDW and for the price (free) it is the most comprehensive app avail-

able. You do not need to be a WDW resort guest to use this app.

Features for the app include: Purchasing tickets, link-

ing party tickets together for the FastPass+ experi-

ence, and planning your FastPass+ up to 30 days in

advance. Also included is a wait times list, ability to

manage your dining experiences, and creating a wish

list of attractions to see.

FAMILY FINDER FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD

All members of your party need to download the app to their iPhones. Each

member is given a My Finder Id. Link the ids of all the members to your de-

vices and you will be able to see where each member is located. The app

will update every two minutes to avoid draining your battery. It works for an

eight mile radius of the parks.

WALT DISNEY WORLD TRIVIA

This app is for those who like trivia. The questions are timed and a high

score can be recorded. This app would be great for tweens, teens and

adults.

WDW MAGIC

I find this app to be most useful for the latest news, however

there are other components to the app. The most useful to me is to watch for

park closings and openings due to maximum visitor capacities. They also

keep up-to-date on rides closed for refurbishment. I also like the forum sec-

tion. Here you can find lots of information regarding all things Disney.

Do you have a favorite app? We would love to hear about it. Email us with your information to

contact-us@allenrentalhomes.com

We are beta testing a new online Welcome Package for our guests.

When you book with Allen Vacation Rental Homes, we provide

you with an interactive online Welcome Package that contains

a wealth of local and household information.

Features:

Direct link to Google maps- just type in your destination and

Google maps will automatically take you to and from the home

Links to area entertainment venues and theme parks

GPS addresses to local venues

Check-in and departure information

Helpful hints to keeping your family safe

Household and pool information

We can add information for you while you are on the go and it

updates immediately right to your device

Accessible from any mobile device or PC

If you prefer a PDF for printing, we can provide that too

TROPICAL PARADISE VILLA

New carpet in September

New side and cocktail tables for the great room

Added Disney themed elements to twin bedrooms

Added desk and chair to great room

Added ceiling fans to master and second master bedrooms

SUNSET PALMS RETREAT

New dining table and bar stools New chaise lounges and pads for the pool area Extensive pool work completed in November Had all floor tiles professionally cleaned and sealed

THE LATEST NEWS

2014 was an exciting year for us. We are approaching our first year anniversary in busi-

ness and we have enjoyed every moment. Here are some of our highlights:

Permitting has been approved for the resurfacing of Tropical Para-

dise Villa pool to take place in Spring of 2015

New enhanced features will be coming to our website! Stay tuned.

WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE Updated our website to prepare for a more user friendly

experience that will be coming in 2015

New interactive posters with QR codes for google maps

and local information will be hung in the homes.

Added online booking portal to our website.

RESTAURANTS

Fine Dining

Morton's Restaurant, Steakhouse, Dr. Philips Blvd,

Orlando $$$$

Brios, Italian, Millennia Mall $$

Rangetzu, Italian, 8400 International Dr., Orlando

$$$

Melting Pot, Swiss, Dr. Philips Blvd, Orlando $$$

Antonia’s, Spanish, 649 Front St, Celebration $$

Le Cog au Vin, French, 4800 South Orange Ave.,

Orlando $$$*

* not suitable for children

Fun Fact:

Did you know there are over 5000 restau-

rants, and more opening every day. If you ate

at a different restaurant for all of your meals

everyday, it would take you more than five

years to eat at every restaurant.

Family Restaurants

TGI Fridays Formosa Gardens Pla-

za, Kissimmee

Carrabba’s Formosa Gardens Pla-

za, Kissimmee

Outback Steakhouse Formosa Gar-

dens Plaza, Kissimmee

Ruby Tuesday’s 13145 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando

Rainforest Café, Downtown Disney,

Lake Buena Vista

Planet Hollywood, Downtown Dis-

ney, Lake Buena Vista

Tony Roma’s 8560 International

Dr., Orlando

Hard Rock Café 6050 Universal

Blvd., Orlando

Logan’s Roadhouse 5925 W. Irlo

Bronson Memorial Highway, Kis-

simmee

Our Family

Favorite

East Coast Beaches

Cocoa Beach, driving time:

about 1 hour, 5 minutes.

Daytona Beach, driving time:

about 1 hour, 7 minutes.

New Smyrna Beach, driving

time: about 1 hour, 8 minutes.

Canaveral National Seashore,

driving time: about 1 hour, 9

minutes.

Melbourne Beach , driving

time: about 1 hour, 24

minutes.

Gulf Coast Beaches

Treasure Island (Near St. Pe-

tersburg) driving time: 1 hour

57 minutes.

Clearwater Beach (Near Tam-

pa ) driving time: 1 hour, 59

minutes.

Fort De Soto Park (Near St.

Petersburg) driving time: 2

hours, 3 minutes.

Caladesi Island State Park

(Near Tampa ) driving time: 2

hours, 7 minutes.

Anna Maria Island (Near

Bradenton) driving time: 2

hours, 17 minutes.

NEARBY BEACHES

Cocoa Beach Pier

Clearwater Beach

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Kennedy Space Center https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

Cirque du Solieil http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/lanouba/default.aspx

Gatorland http://www.gatorland.com/

Air Boat Tours http://www.bcairboats.com/

Balloon Flights http://www.orlandoballoonrides.com/

http://thompsonaire.com/

Wide World of Sports https://www.espnwwos.com/

iFly Orlando http://orlando.iflyworld.com/

Horse World Riding Stables http://horseworldstables.com/

P51 Stallion Flights Mustang flight ops

http://www.stallion51.com/p51-flight-

ops/p51-orientation-flights.shtml

Did You Know

Approximately 59

million travelers arrive

in the Orlando area

annually

For about 60% of the

travelers, the primary

reason to go to Orlan-

do is to go to the

theme parks

Magic Kingdom is the

most visited park,

followed by Epcot in

second place

The Orlando area

consists of three

counties equally 2538

sq. miles

The Orlando area is

split into seven re-

gions: Orlando

North, Orlando South,

Orlando Central, In-

ternational Drive,

Lake Buena Vista,

Kissimmee West,

Kissimmee East

There are an estimat-

ed 1.25 million alliga-

tors living in the state

of Florida. It is said

that every body of

water has at least

one alligator. It is

against Florida State

law to feed or catch

alligators and other

wildlife.

WHO WE ARE

We are the Allen Family and we live in the Northeast where the winters are long and cold. The warm Florida sun is a

great break for us. Our children love the theme parks, so Orlando was the ideal destination. We found ourselves travel-

ing to the Orlando area over and over again.

Over time we found that hotels did not meet our needs and we wished for more space and a kitchen to prepare home

meals. I have several dietary restrictions that make it extremely difficult to eat out. Our children were getting older and

wanted their own private space. Renting a vacation home was

the ideal solution.

In the fall of 2013 we purchased Sunset Palms Retreat as an

investment home for our family. This home is located in the gat-

ed Encantada resort about 5 miles from Disney. It is a four bed-

room, 3 bath, lakefront townhouse with a private screened-in

pool. We love the Encantada Resort because it is a tropical

oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the area. The resort

clubhouse has plenty of amenities to keep us active during our

stay (when we are not in the parks!).

Owning Sunset Palms Retreat worked out so well for us, in the

winter of 2014 we purchased Tropical Paradise Villa as our fu-

ture retirement home. This home is located in the exclusive

Emerald Island Resort. This single family home has four bed-

rooms, 2 baths, a game room and a private screened in pool

and is about 2 1/2 miles from Disney. This resort is a lot busier

and active than Encantada, yet we have our own space to relax

in.

These homes are special to us because we can relax by the pool after a long day at the parks, have family time togeth-

er, and also have plenty of space to spread out. Everyone gets their own bedroom and space. There is room if Grand-

ma and Grandpa want to come along, and we are so close to everything we need; shopping, restaurants, groceries,

theme parks, the beach, and more.

Golf Courses

Here is just a sample of area

golf courses. We list links to

many more in our Welcome

Package that you receive

when you book with us.

Celebration Golf Club

407-566-4653

Champions Gate Golf Club

888-588-9301

Disney courses

407-939-4653

Eagle Creek

866-324-5342

Orlando is home to over 170 courses that allow all skills of golfers to

enjoy the game. Because there are so many other activities for the

rest of the family, the golfer in the family can play without feeling guilty!

When my family and I trav-

eled to the UK last sum-

mer, we found links like

these to be very useful.

A USA Tourist site

Traffic signs and what they mean

Currency Exchange Converter

Nearby banks that will do curren-

cy exchange

Mercantile Bank 7801 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy Kissimmee, FL 34747 (407) 397-2771 TD Bank 3090 Formosa Gardens Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34747 (407) 396-0523

Voltage Adapters

If you bring any electrical appliance to the

USA, you may need an adaptor to fit the US

electrical receptacles. You may also need a

converter to change the voltage from 110 volts

to 220 volts.

A HELPFUL TRAVEL HINT

Many of the roads in the area

are toll and Florida has many

un-manned toll booths. Not all

rental cars provide the Sun

Pass Transponder.

Be prepared and have a few

dollars in quarters handy if you

do not have the Florida Sun

Pass.

I have seen countless times the

desperate traveler stuck at the

booth exiting the highway only

to find out they do not have

quarters.

FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS

The Mall at Millennia

4200 Conroy Rd

Stores include: Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales,

Chanel, Tiffany, and many fine restaurants.

SHOPPING

Pointe Orlando

9101 international Drive

Pointe Orlando has a wide selec-

tion from designer clothing to toys

to gifts.

Premium Outlet Mall

8200 Vineland Avenue

and

5259 International Drive There are two outlet malls with many designer shops, such as Calvin Klein and Nike, at discounted prices. Seri-

Florida Mall

located at the intersection of Sand Lake Rd

and

S. Orange Blossom Trail

This is Central Florida’s largest mall and has

Saks, JC Penney, Dillard's, Nordstrom, and

lots of eateries. Be sure to stroll through the

Food Court before lunch for lots of samples.

Pleasure Island Downtown Disney

The Coolest Bar in Orlando has over 20 tons of ice sculpted into

tables, chairs and barstools. Cool off from the Florida sun for an

evening of chilling fun! Located at 8967 International Dr.,

Orlando, FL.

The best nightlife is found in Pleas-

ure Island at Downtown Disney

(soon to be called Disney Springs)

and at Universal Studios City Walk.

Choose from a variety of restaurants

and bars and music venues.

Universal Studios

City Walk Universal Studios

Medieval Times 4510 W. Vine Street

Kissimmee, FL

Capone’s 4740 W. Irlo Memorial Hwy

Kissimmee, FL

Sleuth’s Murder Mystery 8267 International Dr.

Orlando, FL

Pirates Dinner Adventure 6400 Carrier Dr.

Orlando FL

DINNER SHOWS

It’s Time To Play

“What’s my Villain?”

Who is the villain and what movie were they in?

1. "I think it's time to say goodbye to Prince A-boo-boo."

2. 'You get down there and find the big diamond, or you will never see that teddy again"

3. "How very clever. These beads....they give it just the right touch. Don't you think so, Drizella?"

4. "A most satisfying day."

5. Thirsty? Have a drink!"

6. "Aneee-ta-daahh-ling!"

Answers on back cover

Did you know....

That your little one can write to a favorite character and they will

receive an autographed picture in return? Here is the address:

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TROPICAL PARADISE VILLA AT EMERALD ISLAND

Four Bedroom, Two Bath Single Family

Home with a Private Pool and Game Room.

Located 2 1/2 miles from Disney. All Resort

Amenities are included.

http://www.tropicalparadisevilla.com

SUNSET PALMS RETREAT AT ENCANTADA RESORT

Four Bedroom, Three Bath, Lakefront

Townhome with a Private Pool. Located

5 miles from Disney. All Resort Amenities

are included.

http://www.sunsetpalmsretreat.com

We hope you have a

great vacation in the

Orlando area. See

you soon!

There have been several an-nouncements made as to new at-tractions coming to the Orlando area. We will keep you posted!

Spring 2015

I-Drive 360 will be Orlando’s newest

entertainment destination. Popular

attractions and establishments will

include the Orlando Eye, Madame

Tussauds, and Sea Life Orlando

Aquarium. No official word yet for

opening dates. The Skeleton Muse-

um of Osteology is slated to open

March 7th.

2016

Disney Springs (expansion of the

current Downtown Disney)

2017

AVATAR at Animal Kingdom. Here is

an article on the progress.

Contact Us

Allen Vacation Rental Homes

978=928-9154

9AM-9PM EST

Please leave a message

www.allenrentalhomes.com

www.tropicalparadisevilla.com

www.sunsetpalmsretreat.com

Contact-us@allenrentalhomes.com

Be sure to visit us on social media for up

-to-date events in the area.

Have you visited the Orlando area

recently and want to share an ac-

tivity or restaurant?

Email us at

Contact-us@allenrentalhomes.com

1. Jafar ; Aladdin

2. Madame Medusa; The Rescuers

3. Stepmother; Cinderella

4. Maleficent; Sleeping Beauty

5. Queen; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

6. Cruella de vil- 101 Dalmatians