Orange Lake Resort

...8 days, 7 nights, in Orange Lake Resort & County Club, in Kissimmee, in a villa, with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, that sleeps 8.

So on Sunday 27th February we headed east. It takes us around 2 hours to get there. We came to the entrance of the development and there were loads of cars. Check in time was 4.00 p.m. and it was 3.30 p.m. We drove past the gate and headed to the West Village Clubhouse, were registration was. I was pleased ...
...about these 3 villages in Orange Lake Country Club, but all I will say is, if you get a chance to stay here, then go for it.

I checked out rentals on the Internet and saw a week in March for $1,500 (850 pounds). We got ours for 7,500 points, which is about $70 (40 pounds) of our maintenance fee, and an R.C.I. exchange cost of $149 (85 pounds). For $219 we got a bargain.

It is only Wednesday and we still have 4 days ... more

This year has been really difficult for me. I work with the elderly and so many have passed away. I have been working long nights in client's homes, and so wanted a vacation.

We purchased points from R.C.I., and were told we could use a free V.I.P. week each year, or if we booked 45 days or less in advance, we could get a week's timeshare for a third of our yearly points. I had been phoning R.C.I. for a month prior to our vacation, and then several times a day, the week before our dates. Finally, on the Wednesday prior to us leaving, I was able to pick up a week in Florida. I didn't care where, as I already live here, and didn't want to go north. It is too darn cold.

I was given 8 days, 7 nights, in Orange Lake Resort & County Club, in Kissimmee, in a villa, with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, that sleeps 8.

So on Sunday 27th February we headed east. It takes us around 2 hours to get there. We came to the entrance of the development and there were loads of cars. Check in time was 4.00 p.m. and it was 3.30 p.m. We drove past the gate and headed to the West Village Clubhouse, were registration was. I was pleased to see that there were check in desks on both sides of the entrance. We only waited a few minutes and a very helpful member of staff took our details. He gave us information, brochures of the complex, a parking permit, and the number of our room. He told us it wasn't ready, but it was guaranteed for 4.00 p.m. We could just come up and get our keys at that time.

Len sat down and waited. I took a walk around the Clubhouse. There was free popcorn and lemonade, an activities area for the children. I went down some stairs and saw the shuffleboard court, the video arcade, an eating area, and the Internet room. I went inside and was told that I could use my laptop in my room, with free dial up, or go down there and pay for D.S.L. I didn't come on vacation to be on-line, so decided not to take this option.

I went back upstairs and found Len. It was till early so we decided to head to Publix supermarket, which is at the entrance of the vacation property. We did our shopping and got back to registration just after 4. Our keys were ready for us. We were in the East Village.

We drove passed the West Village, North Village, and then found our village. We parked in front of our building and found the elevator. We were on the 5th floor. Carts were in a recess next to the elevator.

We opened our front door, and this villa is bigger than a lot of houses I have been in. The hallway is beige ceramic tile. To the right is the master bedroom. The first thing I saw was the king size bed. In front of it was a unit. We opened it up and there was the television. Below it was plenty of drawer space. Then going around the room, a desk and chair, a lounge chair, several lamps, chest of drawers either sides of the bed, and a nice size closet.

I then walked into the bathroom and fell in love with the oval Jacuzzi bath. It has a headrest and arm rests, which makes it so comfortable. The vanity was huge with one basin in the middle. Next to it a nice size shower unit. Finally, I saw a door with the toilet behind it. I suddenly realized that these doorways were really wide. We had been given a handicap villa.

I headed across the hallway and opened 2 doors. Here I found a full size washer and dryer. Opposite it was the second bedroom, which we will not use. It had 2 full size beds, a television, chest of drawers, closet, and lamps.

The second bathroom, which Len put his toiletries in, consisted of a 6 foot vanity, with one basin, a slightly smaller shower, and a toilet.

I went back out into the hallway and passed the a/c unit. This is just great, as I can't stand hotel rooms with those noisy units. It is also our central heating system, which we have needed this week.

The kitchen runs about 18 feet. It has so many cupboards and drawer space. Then every appliance you can think of. This is coupled with enough dishes, glasses, silverware, and other items for 8 people. We will just load the dishwasher every couple of days, and no in-between having to wash something because we need it.

The living area has a 7 seater sectional that converts to a queen size bed. Opposite it, set into the wall of the kitchen is a 35-inch television. Then occasional tables, armchair, and bar stools. Moving over to the dining area is a table for 6. 4 chairs are around it, and then the wall side has a built in booth seat for 4 people.

The view from the living room, and our screened in room, is of the Legend's Golf course. Arnold Palmer designed this course, and the going rate for 18 holes is $105. There are 3 other championship golf courses on site. There are golf clinics and private instruction by some of the top teachers.

There is live entertainment every night of the week. We saw the 'Blast of the Past', which was 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's music. Last night was county and western. They had a dance contest during the evening, and Len and I won it. I just love to dance.

Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday's there is live music too. Thursday evening is the Hawaiian Luau show given by the cast of SeaWorld at no cost to owner's and guests.

Each village has a clubhouse, restaurants, and pools. The East village where we are staying is still being built. The other two villages have amazing pools. One has a slide, 2 have the mushroom shape middle, with water flowing down from it. There is an Olympic size pool, and one shaped like a lagoon. The West village has a man made beach next to the lake. Here you can hire jet skis, kayaks, paddleboats, speedboats water-skies and wake-boards.

All day long there are activities for adults and guests. There is a theater, which shows 3 different movies each day, and doesn't repeat them during the week. There is no charge.

I could go on and write at least another 1,000 words about these 3 villages in Orange Lake Country Club, but all I will say is, if you get a chance to stay here, then go for it.

I checked out rentals on the Internet and saw a week in March for $1,500 (850 pounds). We got ours for 7,500 points, which is about $70 (40 pounds) of our maintenance fee, and an R.C.I. exchange cost of $149 (85 pounds). For $219 we got a bargain.

It is only Wednesday and we still have 4 days left to enjoy ourselves. The only problem being the weather has got cold. For Florida, we are down in the high 50's during the day with winds of 15-20 miles an hour. Still I am not complaining, I am having a great week.

Thanks for coming to Orange Lake Resort & County Club with me. Today it is Thursday, 52 degrees, and raining. We went over to the West village and had a few games of table tennis. I hadn't played in about 40 years.

Friday the weather improved, and we left Saturday straight after eating breakfast in our villa.

This is a 5 star resort with the quality of the villas and the amenities it provides. However, the layout is such that we have to drive 2 miles, for the live entertainment in the West village. Luckily Len doesn't drink. I could see that Orange Lake may get too big. There is no way you can walk to these venues. I never managed to get to see the fitness center, and that is always my favorite place to spend a rainy afternoon. This development is just too big, and spread out over a huge area.

They do have shuttle buses running through the development, but it picks up every 30 minutes. Then it may stop at each building in the villas, and other points in the North and West villages. Even the driver said they needed more vehicles for it to work.

Orange Lake Resort & Country Club,
8506 Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, (Hwy 192)
Kissimmee,
Florida.
Telephone 407-239-0000.

Final thoughts:

This property backs onto Disney's Animal Kingdom. Watch the fireworks from your screened room. Absolutely beautiful villas and grounds. .

Susie.


 

...less