So many questions!

[Elaine311]

Hello all I've taken the plunge and booked a gorgeous villa for 3rd-19th July 2004 (sent the deposit cheque off this morning). I've even got the flights and car hire organised - how efficient am I?!

I'll be travelling with my partner, my 6 year old son and my parents. My Dad, bless him, is worried about crime. We're staying at Crescent Lakes (if everything goes according to plan!). My Dad obviously watches way too many US cop shows and thinks we're going to get mugged/raped/murdered the minute we set foot out of the house. I've tried explaining to him that I know lots of people who go to Florida every year (this is our first time) and who have never had any problem whatsoever. Anyone know of a way I can reassure him? Or have we reason for concern at all?

Also, on the subject of my Dad, I think he's going to rapidly tire of theme parks (whilst my son and I are theme park junkies - I'm a bad mother, got him hooked already - and will happily spend each and every day there. My son loves watching Mummy go on 'the scary rides' - although I've never been on one that's scared me yet!). What is there to do for my Dad, to stop him getting totally cheesed off? I'm sure I read somewhere about vineyard trips/visits? Or did I imagine it? He's more a 'sight seeing' type tourist than a 'let's go on as many fast rides as possible in a day' type tourist. He certainly wouldn't be content to sit around a pool or a beach all day either. I just want everyone to enjoy themselves!

Any advice gratefully received

Elaine

[janny]

http://www.lakeridgewinery.com
http://www.warbirdmuseum.com
http://www.leugardens.org/
http://www.geocities.com/flseaplanes/

A lot will depend if he's going to be independant in the travel department -will he drive/If so there are plenty of things for hime to do but here are a few ideas to get you started.

[chrisj]

I can vouch for Crescent Lakes being SAFE as we have just returned from a 2 week holiday, its
a lovely area, open and very clean.

Would he enjoy visiting the Space Centre, thats a nice place to visit and see the history
behind the Space Race etc, We went many years ago and thought it was brilliant

Chris

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

We own two villas on Crescent Lakes and have stayed there many times and never seen any problems at all. I would go as far as to say it's one of the safest places I've ever been to...everyone is very friendly and helpful and you will have a fantastic time .

The only time I have ever felt uncomfortable in Orlando was when we mistakenly ventured into downtown Orlando up the Orange Blossom Trail - we did not like it at all. I'm glad to say this is perhaps 20 or 30 miles away from the area all the villas are in and causes no problem whatsoever.

[chrizzy100]

quote:Originally posted by floridadreamvilla.co.uk

We own two villas on Crescent Lakes and have stayed there many times and never seen any problems at all. I would go as far as to say it's one of the safest places I've ever been to...everyone is very friendly and helpful and you will have a fantastic time .

The only time I have ever felt uncomfortable in Orlando was when we mistakenly ventured into downtown Orlando up the Orange Blossom Trail - we did not like it at all. I'm glad to say this is perhaps 20 or 30 miles away from the area all the villas are in and causes no problem whatsoever.

Whenever we traveled across the USA my dad always ends up downtown somewhere.....I remember thinking I'd be shot etc the minute I stepped out the hotel the first time I came to the USA.....but I've felt safer in a lot of place here than I did in the evenings in Portsmouth or Southampton coming home from clubs or shopping in the dark....

[Elaine311]

Thank you for your replies

John, I knew of at least one of your villas - I tried to book it but it was already booked for my dates! Hence the reason I got another similar (I hope!!).

Janny, thanks for the links. I've had a look at them and forwarded them to my Dad to show him that it's not all Mickey Mouse and scary rides

Please don't stop the suggestions!

Elaine

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

Thanks Elaine - we always hate turning people away - maybe next time you want to go to Florida?

Hope you have a great vacation .

[blott]

Elaine, I agree with the others that Crescent Lakes is a great place to stay (although we also have a home there so I'm a bit biased!).

For your Dad, if he likes wildlife, my Dad loved Seaworld and Busch Gardens at Tampa (and there's Animal Kingdom too although that wasn't built when he was there). You could split up at Busch Gardens and he could do the wildlife and you could do the wild rides! Epcot was another favourite and so was the Kennedy Space Center.

If you need any more suggestions, just shout as I'm sure we've got loads of others up our sleeves!

[chrisj]

wow

you all seem to have places in crescent lakes, mind you like ive said and this is from
an un biased person as I just spent 2 weeks there, its quiet, clean, open and the neighbours
I met were very friendly. Even spent a few hours with one having a beer out the front one
evening. Both my kids (12 and 8) even went off for walks on their own as we felt that safe
there

We are planning another trip at the moment and would love to stay there again, just the kids
now they have been spoilt seem to want more, ie bigger pool, games room, etc etc.


chris

[Elaine311]

Something else I meant to ask and forgot to - I've booked a full size car for our time there - will that be big enough for four adults and a six year old (and four suitcases)? Can't imagine anything worse than four sweaty adults and a tetchy child being squished in a too-small car! Also, what kind of weather can I expect then? I've been warned about thunderstorms but assured that they pass quickly.....

My Dad has seen on one of the links I sent him that he can take a hot air balloon flight at sunset - so he's really quite excited now! Apparently he's also said something about driving a tank????? I've also just realised that it's my Mum's birthday whilst we're out there. Any ideas for something special for her (or perhaps I'll just let my Dad take her up in a balloon!!)? She's very excited about going as she's not had a holiday abroad for many years - and she can't wait to see my son's face when we go to the parks. Would like to do something just a little bit out of the ordinary but not hugely expensive (not that I'm mean or anything!).

I'm sure that I'll think of loads more questions I've got till July to think of them!!

Elaine