5 Reasons Why Orlando is the Hub of Spring Break

Orlando is the entertainment epicenter of Florida and it knows how to have a good time. Whether you're traveling down here with your family, significant other, or just getting a group of friends together there is plenty of options

1) Centrally located to some of Florida's most beautiful coastlines and popular beaches.

• Space Coast The Space Coast offers the closest beaches to Disney World and Orlando's attractions. Visit well preserved and breathtaking beaches such as the Canaveral National Seashore or enjoy shopping and the energy of tourist popular beaches such as  Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Jetty Park, and the Indialantic Beach. 
• Nature Coast If you're looking to avoid the crowds especially found in the neighboring Sun Coast beaches, Nature Coast offers a laid back alternative. Beaches such as Pine Island Park have often been called "laid-back local country beaches". 
• Sun Coast Home to the thriving and popular St.Pete and Clearwater Beaches, known for their sugar white beach sand and crystal clear turquoise water. Your visit will bring you close to the Tampa metropolitan area and Busch Gardens. 

2) Orlando is world renowned for its family-friendly theme and water park attractions. This is how they're celebrating Spring Break.

• Universal Studios Mardi Gras Orlando's longest (50 days) Mardi Gras party goes from February 4th- March 25th, Enjoy great Cajun food, live music from popular artists, spectacular street performances, and a nightly street parade. 
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival goes from March 1- May 29th. Enjoy topiary and flower gardens, outdoor kitchens, outdoor music venues, and great food at the iconic Epcot World Showcase.
• Seven Seas Food Festival runs from February 11th through May 16th at Sea World Orlando and features live music, craft beer, and culinary options from across the world. 

3) Florida has a wild and wonderful natural side.

• Wekiva Island Located north or Orlando, Wekiva Island is a great destination by itself with fun cultural events and live events or as a place to embark on a canoe, kayak, paddleboard down the beautiful Wekiva River.
• Blue Springs State Park is an hour and a half (and well worth the journey) from Reunion Resort. Blue Springs State Park covers 2,600 acres and has the largest spring of the St.John's River and a designated manatee refuge. Boating activity during Manatee Season lasts from mid-November through March and water activity is restricted during this time. During the swimming season, which covers the remaining part of the year, swimmers, boaters, and fishers are attracted to the springs 73F temperature, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities. 
• Little Manatee River State Park Explore sand pine, oak scrub, and oxbow wetlands on foot, horseback, or lazily floating down the 4.5-mile long Little Manatee River in a canoe. Little Manatee River State Park is a nice little secret tucked in Hillsborough County. This park is located an hour and a half from Reunion Resort.
• Ichetucknee Springs State Park Spot white-tailed deer, raccoons, wild turkeys, wood ducks and great blue heron as you float across 6 miles of shaded hammocks and wetlands. Inchetucknee Springs State Park is a popular attraction for picnickers, snorkelers, cave certified scuba divers, canoers, and swimmers. 
• Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park boasts 20 distinct biological communities and is the perfect place to spot alligators, wild bison, horses, and 270 species of bird. 

4) Downtown Orlando is a cultural and entertainment destination. Think of it as Spring Break Base Camp.

• Orlando Caribbean Festival - Saturday, March 18, 2017.  Helicopter rides, horseback rides, great Caribbean food, and reggae music. Great for the entire family.
• Downtown Food and Wine Festival - Takes place around Lake Eola and goes from February 25-26th and features exquisite dishes from 30 local Orlando restaurants. 
• Orlando Jazz Festival will be held at the stunning Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, located in Downtown Orlando, on March 10-11 and will feature jazz greats. Check out the line-up here.

      

5) Extreme and unique adventures for the brave and bold

• Gator Land- is home to thousands of gators (including four rare albinos) free flight aviary and a petting zoo. Other activities include Gator Feedings, Rookie Gator Wrestling, a Gator Night Shine, and Trainer-for-a-Day programs. 
• Zipline Safari at Forever Florida - two and a half hour zipline safari adventure at Forever Florida, a 4,700-acre wildlife conservation area.
• iFly Indoor Skydiving Indoor skydiving simulates true freefall conditions in a vertical wind tunnel and is suitable for beginners and competitors alike with expert trainers on staff.
• Orlando Tree Trek "aerial adventure park is an elevated obstacle course" located close to Disney World and is a popular spot for dates, families, and corporate group.
• Wallaby Ranch is a place where you can experience tandem hang gliding instruction for all ability levels and flights. 

Why pay a ton of money on a small hotel room over multiple nights when you can rent a beautiful vacation property that will fit your budget and give you room to breathe? Reunion Vacation Homes has what you're looking for, so you get the most out of your vacation at the best price. Properties are booking quickly, make your reservation now for the best rates. 

Five Things to Do in Orlando Valentine's Day

Orlando is full of fun and unusual things to do Valentine's Day. 

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and if you're in the area and making last-minute plans you're in luck. Orlando is for Lovers. Your options are boundless. Whether you're a traditionalist or more receptive to trying something outside the "tried and true" you're bound to find something that will work its magic. You will need to make your reservations soon- as you can imagine the demand.

Here are 5 easy ideas to get you thinking and hopefully planning. 

# 5 Melting Pot Valentine's Day

The Melting Pot is a staple found in many cities and fashions itself as a place where "interactive fun meets casually upscale dining". What does this mean? Fondue. Sitting around a large pot of bubbling cheese, or chocolate, savory or sweet morsels to skewer and "take the plunge". The first course is a pot of their signature cheese fondue of your choice, followed by one of their signature salads. Choose one of their aptly named Valentine's Day menu items: the Cupid's Feast (filet mignon, scallops, garlic & herb chicken, Key West shrimp, chicken potstickers and teriyaki-marinated sirloin), and the Lover's Delight (cold water lobster tail, filet mignon, garlic & herb chicken, teriyaki-marinated sirloin, Key West shrimp & wild mushroom sacchetti). End your sumptuous meal on a sweet note with their amazing chocolate fondue. Vegetarian? They will accommodate. To make things a little more romantic you can pay a little extra for candles and rose petals. 

#4 Exclusive Singles Valentine's Day Speed Dating Mixer

Valentine's Day seems to be biased against those whom might be single during the holiday. There are options available, however, which reveals that it can be a little more inclusive. Speed dating might not be for everyone but it can be an interesting and inviting experience for the bold. This is the way they describe it "Our speed dating experience will bring together attractive, intelligent, successful, like-minded Orlando singles in one unforgettable night." So drink specials, briefly meeting new people (though there is a mini date option), and an email with Exclusive Matches, and Dating Feedback, so you will know how well things turned out. 

You will have a chance to win tickets for you and your lucky date to ride the Orlando Eye.

#3 Running For Love

Valentine's Day doesn't have to involve sitting and talking. Love is an action word and for some, that might involve a nice run contributing to a worthy cause. The Running Heart is a virtual event (you can run wherever you like) that is celebrating its second anniversary. The $20 entrance fee covers the cost of a custom medal set and two bibs for you and your running partner. You will be running for love while raising money (15% of the proceeds) towards Heart to Heart International an organization that "strengthens communities through improving health access, providing humanitarian development, and administering crisis relief worldwide". 

#2 Rustic Valendine

Share the beauty of the natural world with your date as you sit and relax under the stars by a warm fire. Before dinner, take a stroll around the wild and wonderful trails of Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge and talk with their guest wildlife ambassadors. Be comforted by the soft ambient lighting and decor as you listen to live violin music played by local musician Brianna Shirin. Enjoy specialty hors d'ouevres and a gourmet buffet by Local Chef Catering.

#1 The Great Escape Room

The Great Escape Room is a huge departure from your typical Valentine's Day routine and will certainly create an experience that will leave a lasting impression. Part scavenger hunt and part problem-solving challenge, you will hone your deductive reasoning and your teamwork abilities while making your way through one of three themed rooms based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mystery series.