Florida Resorts

Orange Lake Resorts Expands to Tropical Breeze Resort in Panama City Beach Florida

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Orange Lake Resort Panama City Beach Florida

It’s no secret that Holiday Inn Club Vacations Orange Lake Resorts are an extraordinary value for the money!

Orange Lake Resorts has been a leader within the timeshare industry for more than 30 years. Their flagship property in Orlando, located next to Walt Disney World Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson. A 1,450-acre golf, lazy river and sports resort, the flagship resort includes 2,478 villas with the ability to expand to 4,500 villas. Other member resort locations include Lake Geneva, Wis., Panama City, Fla. Brownsville, Vt., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Gatlinburg, Tenn., Marco Island, Fla., Las Vegas, Nev., and Galveston, Texas.

Orange Lake Resorts, just announced that it officially closed on a transaction to expand to Tropical Breeze Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida with the intent for it to become a part of the Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand in late 2012.  Tropical Breeze Resort, is a 37-unit resort featuring one- and two-bedroom luxury villas, all with gulf views from a private balcony or patio. Amenities include an outdoor, heated swimming pool, hot tub, kiddie swim area, fitness center and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet service. The resort offers direct beach access.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to expand their Member Resorts to top North American destination locations. For more information on Holiday Inn Club Vacations, visit hiclubvacations.com. Be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter to keep abreast of any specials.

Orlando Resorts

Food Pics from the Sandbar Restaurant at the Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando

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Yesterday I brought you water park fun from the Gaylord Palms all NEW Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park. Today I bring you food porn from the adjacent Sandbar restaurant. So many good things…we just had to sample it ALL!

One of my favorites was the BBQ Chicken Flatbread. Score two for the price of one when you order it. Nice surprise indeed!

BBQ Chicken Pizza Gaylord Palms Sandbar

Or if you’re more traditional like Resort Dad you might want to go for the Butcher’s Blend Bacon Cheeseburger and fries…

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Cheeseburger

You can’t go wrong with the house made chips that accompany the Tropical Chicken Sandwich with Mango Salsa…

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Tropical Chicken Sandwich

You can wash it all down with a non-alcoholic Citrus Mint Cooler…

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Citrus Mint Cooler

If you’re just looking for a light snack grab a beer and an order of the chips and salsa…

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Chips and Salsa

We also really liked the Chicken Quesadillas…

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Chichen Quesadilla

It went really well with the Burnt Coconut Cooler (1800 Coconut Tequilla, Bacardi Rock Coconut Rum, agave nectar with orange and lime juices)

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Burnt Coconut Cooler

Later on in the afternoon we grabbed a Margherita Flatbread…

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Margherita Flatbread

and I had to go for another one of those frothy adult beverages. This time it was the Orange Sunset (Grey Goose L’ Orange, Disarrono, vanilla ice cream and orange juice)

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Orange Sunset

Sweet tooth? The Sandbar has gotcha’ covered.  Since there were three of us we had to go for three different desserts to share.  Resort Dad opted for Chocolate Covered Frozen Chocolate Cheesecake…

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Frozen Chocolate Cheesecake

Resort Kid ordered the Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana Bites…

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Frozen Chocolate Covered banana bites

and Resort Mom went for the Frozen Key Lime Pop…

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Frozen Key Lime Pop

um…yeah…basically frozen key lime pie on a stick complete with graham cracker crust, dipped in white chocolate and rolled in toasted coconut. (wipe your chin)

Gaylord Palms Sandbar Key Lime Pie on a Stick

Want these noms? Book a room at the Gaylord Palms Resort online or call (407) 586-2000.

Special thanks goes out to the Gaylord Palms for hosting our stay and providing us with complementary food and beverages.  All opinions are my own.

Orlando Resorts

Photo Tour of the All NEW Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park at Gaylord Palms Resort

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Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park

Listen up Mom’s! If you’re looking for an amazing family vacation experience, the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida has upped the ante for fun with the opening of the brand new Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park. Last weekend my family and I spent 7 hours taking in the sun, sipping cocktails (leaded and unleaded), splashing, swimming, sliding and relaxing and all this without leaving the resort!

For families with smaller kids this zero depth entry pool is a godsend. Thoughtful for disabled guests too!

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

My daughter loved screening Kung Fu Panda on this Gigantor screen while floating in the pool.

Gaylord Palms Cypress Springs Water Park Pool

Don’t worry empty nesters…you’re covered with the adult’s only South Beach Pool.

Gaylord Palms adult only south beach Pool

Gaylord Palms South Beach Pool

Gaylord Palms adult only south beach Pool

Gaylord Palms adult only south beach Pool

Gaylord Palms Cocktail

The Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park is open daily from 7am – 11pm and is included with your stay at the resort.  For rates and specially priced packages visit Gaylord Palms or call (407) 586-2000.

Special thanks goes out to the Gaylord Palms for hosting our stay.  All opinions are my own.

Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Opening Sooner Than Expected

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Art of Animation Nemo SlideThe wings dedicated to the popular films featured at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will now be opening sooner than expected after the resort hotel’s grand opening May 31st, 2012.

“We are excited that the Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid wings at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will all open earlier than we originally planned, …” said Kevin Myers, vice president of resort operations for Walt Disney World Resort.

The Finding Nemo wings of the resort will open May 31; Cars will now open June 18 instead of July 31; The Lion King will open August 10 instead of September 30. The value rooms at The Little Mermaid wings on September 15 instead of at the end of this year.

The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo buildings will be entirely family suites, with 1,120 suites between them. The Little Mermaid buildings will feature 864 rooms in the “value” room category.

Orlando Resorts

Gaylord Palms Orlando to Open Brand New Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park

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Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park Gaylord Palms orlando

The Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando Florida has just thrown down $50 Million on a renovation that will make your vacationing head spin!

When it comes to staying in the heart of Central Florida’s incredible attractions and theme parks, plus getting to experience the best of Florida all in one place, no other resort shines like Gaylord Palms. And while their passion for creating unforgettable memories hasn’t changed, they are now investing in a host of magnificent renovations to ensure you, your family and friends have a Gaylord Palms experience you’ll never forget.

Through a $50 million grand renovation project slated for completion this Spring, Gaylord Palms is elevating the guest experience to a new level by creating two new spectacular pools, a one-of-kind new multi-level dining venue, extraordinary new amenities and activities, luxurious new guest rooms features, and non-stop over-the-top new DreamWorks experiences that even an “ogre” would enjoy!

For a real splash of WOW, your kids will absolutely flip over the thrilling new Everglades-inspired Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park (pictured above) showcasing a zero-entry swimming pool with four waterslides, a multi-level water playground, an active lagoon, a plunge pool, “dive-in” movies, and a huge array of exciting adventures (some with a DreamWorks twist!). And for your little escape, the new South Beach Pool will feature an ultra-chic and ultra-private tropical oasis with a dedicated cocktail bar, and sophisticated entertainment areas.

And for Gaylord’s beloved sports fans, the resort is tackling the unthinkable and designing the two-story Wreckers Sports Bar with a bar on each level, a dance floor, a multi-level 20 foot high video screen, and all overlooking the posh palm-lined waters of the South Beach pool.

Finally, to punctuate the grand renovation plan with the ultimate blend of comfort and style, they are updating each Guest Room with luxurious furnishings, flat screen TV’s, modern conveniences, all in a relaxing yet refined Florida décor to enhance your family’s glorious view of the Sunshine State at Gaylord Palms.

Resort Mom can NOT WAIT to check it out!