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ORLANDO TRAVEL TIPS

Tips for Guests staying at our vacation rental property

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Mini Golf Adventure at Congo River Golf

If you're planning an Orlando vacation, don't miss this exciting experience at Congo River Golf. With two locations in Orlando and Kissimmee, this mini-golf attraction offers great theming, live gator feeding, and fun for all ages.

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Immersive Theming

Congo River Golf transports you to an exotic adventure with its immersive theming. Both locations feature lush landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and intricate rock formations, creating a unique and engaging environment. As you navigate the challenging mini-golf courses, you'll feel like an explorer trekking through the African Congo, making every putt an adventure.

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Live Gator Feeding

One of the highlights of Congo River Golf is the live gator feeding. This exciting attraction lets you get up close and personal with real alligators. You can even feed them, adding an extra thrill to your visit. It's a unique experience that kids and adults alike will enjoy, making your mini-golf outing truly memorable.

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Fun for All Ages

Congo River Golf offers mini-golf courses designed for all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a first-timer, you'll find the courses both challenging and entertaining. The Orlando and Kissimmee locations each provide a variety of obstacles and surprises that keep the game exciting. Families, couples, and groups of friends will all have a blast navigating the themed courses.

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Convenient Location

The Kissimmee location of Congo River Golf is conveniently less than 20 minutes from our Orlando vacation rental property. This proximity makes it an easy and fun outing during your stay. After a day of exploring theme parks or relaxing at your rental, Congo River Golf is the perfect place for a lively evening activity.

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Plan Your Visit

In conclusion, Congo River Golf is a must-visit attraction for anyone staying at our Orlando vacation rental. With its great theming, live gator feeding, and fun mini-golf courses, it's a hit with visitors of all ages. Don't miss out on this unique and exciting experience, just minutes away from your vacation rental. Enjoy a mini-golf adventure that will be a highlight of your Orlando trip!

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Enjoy FREE Entertainment at Disney's BoardWalk

When planning your Orlando vacation, Disney is often a top priority. Disney's BoardWalk offers free entertainment, combining two words you don't often hear together: "free" and "Disney."

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Free Entertainment and More

Disney's BoardWalk, a charming, turn-of-the-century-themed promenade, offers free entertainment, including street performers, magicians, and musicians. Most shows we have caught have been in the evening around 7:30pm right after dinner and during sunset! Unlike the crowded theme parks, the BoardWalk provides a relaxed atmosphere perfect for families and couples.

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Fewer Crowds, More Fun

Enjoy the magic without the massive crowds. The BoardWalk's serene ambiance makes it ideal for a peaceful evening stroll or a fun family outing.

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Delicious Dining Options

With numerous dining options, from casual eateries to fine dining, there’s something for everyone. Popular spots include the Flying Fish for seafood and Trattoria al Forno for Italian cuisine.

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Free Parking

Enjoy the added perk of free parking, a rare find at Disney properties. Park your car and explore the BoardWalk without worrying about additional fees.

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Conveniently Located Near Our Vacation Rental

Our Orlando vacation rental property is just 15 minutes away from Disney's BoardWalk. This convenient location allows you to enjoy free entertainment, great food, and a relaxed atmosphere without the high price tag.

In conclusion, Disney’s BoardWalk is a fantastic, affordable addition to your Orlando vacation. Enjoy the best of Disney and make unforgettable memories just minutes away from your vacation rental.

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Epic Universe
Coming 2025

If theme parks are a core part of your Orlando vacation experience, you probably already know about Epic Universe, the newest and most exciting Orlando theme park opening in 2025.  With the location of the park just 25 minutes from our vacation rental property, get ready for thrills and fun for kids of all ages.  

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Check out this amazing preview video by Universal that breaks down the 5 lands, Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Ministry of Magic and How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk. 

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Pro Tip:  We accept bookings for our Orlando vacation rental property up to 365 days in advance.   We would recommend when the opening dates for Epic Universe are announced by Universal to book quickly.   We often get bookings 1 year in advance particularly around busy times and holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.  

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World Food Trucks with 70+ food trucks!

When you are travelling with a big family or maybe with multiple families it's hard to keep everyone happy.  When you are staying at our Disney vacation rental property,  there are so many great options nearby.   But when there are kids, parents and grandparents there are food allergies and preferences you need to take into consideration.   So when you are not up for cooking big meals for everyone at home, be sure to check out World Food Trucks  a short 15 minute drive from our property.   

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Don't just take our word for it,  check out Amanda in Orlando's review to preview some of the tasty eats.  Enjoy your Orlando vacation with some of the best food the world has to offer. 

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With over 70+ food trucks to choose from, you are sure to find something for everyone!  

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See a Movie in Cinemark XD at Universal City Walk

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If you exhausted from the theme parks and want to just sit back, relax and enjoy a movie, the XD theatre at Universal City Walk Orlando is one of the best theatres you will ever experience. 

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Their Luxury Loungers are spacious, comfy and recline.  They are also nicely spaced out, so you won't feel like you are rubbing shoulders with your neighbour.  

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The picture quality of screen is clean and crisp rivalling some of the best 4K setups money can buy and the sound is some of the best sound you will ever hear anywhere.  

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So if you are looking for something more low-key, than the Disney parks on your family vacation,  be sure to check out Universal Cinemark

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Pro Tip: Parking at Universal Orlando is FREE after 6pm. 

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Use Genie+ to do Magic Kingdom twice a day in the AM & PM

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Have you ever heard people saying that they go to Disney World in the morning, leave midday and then come back in the evening and thought to yourself "Those people must be insane!"  Well we agreed, until we tried it ourselves. 

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Since our rental property is about 15 minutes from Disney, hitting the park in the morning and the evening with a break in between is totally doable!  You need Genie+ so that you have access to Lightning Lane.  At 7:00AM the morning you are planning to go to Magic Kingdom, go into Genie+ and book your first ride.   You can only reserve Lightning Lane for one ride at a time, but you will get an early time around gates opening.  You will likely be able to book 4-5 rides with Lightning Lane before your booking times start to push out 3+ hours.

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Around midday, once you have exhausted all of of your near term Lightning Lane rides, leave the park and head back to our vacation rental.   Enjoy the private pool at the property, or head over to the resort pool and lazy river to cool off.  

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Check your Genie+ app, and book your next Lightning Lane ride for the evening when you intend on returning to Magic Kingdom.   Head back to the park for a few more rides with minimal lines and enjoy the fireworks!

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Pro Tip: You don't need to pay for parking again on re-entry.

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Feed the alligators at Gatorland

If your family has decided to do something fun, but you want to avoid the crazy Orlando tourist crowds at Disney and Universal, Gatorland is the perfect place to check out.  You will see tons of alligators and crocodiles just hanging out.   

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You even have the opportunity to feed the gators for a small fee starting at $5 for 3 fishes!  It's super cool to watch the gators fight over your offerings. 

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In addition to gators and crocs, there are also other interesting animals scattered throughout the park. There are shows if you want to watch some brave (insane) dude risk his life by putting his chin on a gator's mouth.  It's like going to a small zoo that's really chill and laid back, but unique at the same time.  

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Located just 30 minutes from the vacation rental property, we would definitely recommend you check this out!

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Pro Tip: Seniors get a 50% discount

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Get Hot Mini Donuts from DonutNV

Just up the street from our vacation rental property in Kissimmee, Florida is DonutNV, where you can get some of the best HOT mini donuts we have ever tasted.   

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This is a staple for our guests as they cook the donuts fresh and made to order.   They come in a number of different flavours and toppings, but the powdered sugar always hit the spot. 

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You will be surprised (or not) at how fast a box of 2 dozen DonutNV donuts disappears when you open it up for family and friends!

 

Pro Tip: Order a dozen more than you think you need :)

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Rent a car from Sixt to avoid lines at MCO

If you are flying in from Canada, you are more than likely flying into MCO Airport.  One of the fastest ways to get your car quickly is to rent from a rental company that provides express check-in.   We had a great experience with Sixt.  

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Sixt allows you to upload your driver's license prior to your trip.  About 2 hours before pickup, you can also pick the exact make and model of your vehicle, or choose from a selection of upgrades.   As opposed to waiting in the dreaded car rental line, you just get off the plane and go directly to pick up your vehicle in the Airport terminal.  

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We booked off Expedia with some of the cheapest rates we could find on the site.

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Pro Tip:  Pay the extra $13 per day to have tolls included as it will save you lots of time getting to your destinations.

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Enjoy the Rides and Shops at Old Town

If you are looking for something quant and less crowded (read: NOT Disney), be sure to check out Old Town which is just 15 minutes down the road from our Orlando vacation rental property.   Don't be fooled from the looks of it from the street as you have to walk in a bit deeper to find the fun.

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There you will find a number of rides that cater to kids of all ages.    There are smaller rides that are appropriate for younger kids all the way up to large thrill rides and roller coasters for teenagers.

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You will also find a cute street lined with shops selling primarily clothing and other touristy things.  

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Pro Tip:  Save time by purchasing reloadable ride cards from kiosks around the corner from the ticket booths as opposed to standing in line. 

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