The Orlando Eye – the Perfect Date

The Orlando Eye is a giant Ferris wheel just south of Orlando, and it’s the perfect starter for a date, or ending if you prefer to see Orlando by Night. Whether your date is one person or a family of seven, there is plenty to do in the immediate area of the Orlando Eye.

Hey – I have an idea! How about I take you on a date? What? Oh, you look fine. Let’s go!

The line doesn’t look too bad - this is the perfect season to visit. Check out all the stuff you can do right here! The entrance to the Orlando Eye is shared with Sea Life, the Orlando Aquarium and Madame Tussauds. Cool! There’s a food court too. Perhaps we can grab something from Ben & Jerry’s on our way out. Oh, we’re on the move.

We receive 3D glasses and enter a small theater. Here we get to experience a short special effects movie introducing Orlando with all its must-sees and must-dos. Now I know where to take you on our next date!

We move along and step into one of 30 capsules that will bring us up 400 ft. for a grand view. Ah – it’s air-conditioned, but best of all, we get a capsule all to ourselves even though they hold up to 15 people. As we slowly ascend we’re awed by the approaching twilight that bathes the splendor below in liquid gold. It’s peaceful up here. Is that Cape Canaveral in the distance?

We step off and I’m glad to see that you have a broad smile on your face. Say, are you hungry? All right, let’s see, we’re surrounded by plenty of choices: Paramount Fine Foods, Cowgirls, Tapa Toro, Outback Steakhouse, Naru Sushi Bar, Tin Roof or…I know! I’ve heard the Yard House has some deliciously unique items on their menu. Would you like to check it out? Okay – my treat!

Well this is nice – outdoor seating with a great view of the increasingly glowing Orlando Eye. It’s getting dark and the mood is festive. What is that you ordered? Wow, that’s an interesting looking Bloody Mary. A good spicy you say? Ginger and Bacon? Best Bloody Mary EVER? Wow! With a drink menu of over 100 beers on tap, I think I’ll try one of their custom crafted beers.

It’s so hard to pick something from this menu because I want to try so many interesting things: Blue Crab Cakes, Kung Pao Calamari, Crispy Duck Wings, Lamb Burger, Apple Cider brined Pork Chop…I’m going to try the Vampire Taco from the Street Tacos a la Carte. What’s that you ask? It’s a cheese crusted tortilla with carnitas, bacon chorizo, chipotle salsa, roasted garlic, cumin crema, guacamole, cilantro. With all this food, aren’t you glad you can bring some home and put it in the fridge at your vacation rental?

Mmmm, this vampire taco is a cheese lovers dream! What a clever dish! How is your Pepper Crusted Gorgonzola Burger? Burger Bliss you say? Oh my! Do you have room for dessert? Would you like to share a Mini Trio Sampler: crème brûlée, peach apple cobbler, chocolate soufflé cake? Just enough sweet to top it all off. Next, a short walk in the evening breeze feels good. Look at that beautiful light display of the fountain! What a perfect night it's been!

I’ll help you catch a cab back to the Reunion Resort. It’s not very far. Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow. Orlando is full of exciting things to do.

It must be nice to travel and still have a home to come home to at the end of the evening. What’s that you say? Oh, I agree, relaxing by the pool with a cool drink sounds like a perfect way to end the day.

It’s been a most excellent date – thank you! 

Smart Savings When You Stay in a Vacation Rental Versus Hotel Room

Sure you say with a yawn, but I’m about to blow you away! Ready?

You save A LOT by renting a vacation rental versus a hotel room. What’s even more amazing is that you get greater luxury, space and privacy when you choose a condo, town house or villa over a hotel.

Take a look at this beautiful condo with a double balcony, gorgeous view of the Independence golf course and the Disney fireworks. It’s located in the beautiful Reunion Resort, only 6 miles from Disney. It’s furnished to high standards and comes equipped with LCD TV complete with sound bar and PlayStation 4. Your spacious kitchen spares no expense with granite tops and a separate dining area. The master bedroom has its own wall mounted LED HD TV, and each of the other two bedrooms includes a wall mounted large LCD T.V. Complimentary high-speed Internet access is also available through out the condo. I could go on and on, but where were we? Oh yes – cost! Lower cost that is.

Here comes the exiting part!

Let’s break it down. This condo starts at $130/night during low season. Not impressed? That’s because you didn’t know the condo accommodates up to eight guests. 8 GUESTS! Let’s take a look at the price again. This means you can stay in this fancy condo for about $16/person. 16 DOLLARS per NIGHT per PERSON!

Talk about getting more for less. MUCH MORE, for MUCH LESS!

Reunion Vacation Homes has something for everyone. While some vacationers seek a luxury vacation staying in a large villa or mansion, some guests prefer to save and stay in a condo. It’s really amazing how much you save when you compare to the cost of a hotel room, especially if you are a vacationing group or family.

Give us a call to find out more. We’d love to have you as a guest in the beautiful Reunion Resort!

1-866-314-7386

Keep your New Years Resolution at Reunion

It’s wonderful to eat, drink and party the year away and bring in 2016 with a bubbly. Once the hangover of 2015 resides, we awaken to a new fresh beginning with new hopes and promises. It’s that time of the year when we feel more motivated than ever to make improvements in our lives, and at the top of the common list is the desire to live a healthier lifestyle.

While staying at the Reunion Resort during your Orlando vacation, there are many simple things you can do to feel good about the new year. The Florida climate is mild in the early mornings and perfect for a nice run. Perhaps you can take a detour and enjoy one of the many nature trails the Reunion Resort has to offer. If your rental property doesn’t include a swimming pool, there are many other resort pools available where recreational play gets a checkmark for aerobic exercise, and the large pools are great for laps. Play some tennis or work out in the fitness center. You can rent a bicycle and tour the resort’s beautiful surroundings. Grab your family for a game of Volleyball.

Now that you feel good from your activities, you will want to eat lite and continue to enjoy the healthier new you.

Reunion ResortRestaurants:

Eleven

Eleven sits atop the Grande in the Reunion Resort with an amazing view of the surrounding landscape. You can enjoy the Disney Magic Kingdom fireworks display here.

Eleven caters to a cultivated palate with an assorted menu aimed to please any inclination, including that of the health conscious. Perhaps you can start your dinner with a lite serving of Poached “Shrimp-tini” in a Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce over Watercress. Their Soup & Salad menu includes several healthy or lite options, such as the Mission Fig & Field Greens on Chopped Hazelnuts, Crumbled Goat Cheese and a Toasted Hazelnut Vinaigrette. Skip the fatty Béarnaise Sauce or red meat and try the Bronzed Grouper with Lobster & Shrimp Ragu, Organic Grits, Orange Cajun Sauce and Asparagus for your main course. Don’t you feel better already? Look for their gluten free and vegetarian menu item icons.

Forte

Forte is located at the main floor of the Grande in the Reunion Resort. This Italian restaurant includes one of the most impressive wine cellars around. Ask your waiter for a nice dry wine to go with your healthy selections from the menu. When we think of Italian food, it is easy to think of all the fatty pasta and pizza dishes and forget that Mediterranean cuisine is also known for its many healthy aspects. Start with a lite portion of Littleneck Clams with Artichokes, Sweet Sausage and Tomato or navigate to the Soup & Salad menu where you can find a refreshing Watermelon Soup Feta Crema with Toasted Almonds and Olive Oil. Are you still in the mood for pasta? Skip the heavy meat sauce and treat yourself to a fresh Lobster Cappelini with Tomatoes & Basil.

Grande Lobby Sushi Bar

It’s a real challenge to eat greasy food when your pickings are from a sushi menu, but if you are in the company of someone who cringes at the thought of eating healthy, the Lobby Bar Menu includes classics such as Buffalo Wings, Flatbreads and Burgers. If you are trying to eat low carb, choose Sashimi over traditional Sushi, or swap your white rice for brown rice. Add a seasoned seaweed salad, the Hiyashi Wakame, or some Edamame for that splash of green on your plate.

Reunion Clubhouse and Grille Restaurant

You can find your American all Day Dining at the Clubhouse. Enjoy a nice view of the driving range next door. An American menu may seem challenging if you wish to eat healthy. The trick is to curb the flow of dressing and gravy, to pick healthy options such as sweet potato fries over regular fries or broccoli as a side dish – and stay away from that Texas Toast! If you are having the Plum Tomato Basil Bisque for a starter, order the small cup. An American menu often includes a great selection of healthy salads. The Clubhouse Salad with a Spring Mix, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Carrots, Cheddar Cheese with Citrus Vinaigrette makes for a tasty and healthy option, and you can always order it without the cheese. You can add chicken, shrimp or salmon and still feel as if you’re keeping to your New Years Resolution. Adding more fish to your diet is a good way to eat healthier – ask about the catch of the day! The clubhouse also serves an Apples & Citrus Chicken Breast dish with Granny Smith Apple Relish, Cranberry, Pecan and Citrus Brown Rice that beats the traditional burger plate by a long shot on our health-o-meter. The Clubhouse also marks their dishes with gluten free and vegetarian indicators.

The Grille at the Reunion Resort Waterpark

Shed those pounds as you become a kid for the day at the Reunion Waterpark. Splash, swim, and climb the stairs to go down the slides. When you get hungry, the grill has lots of healthy options such as salads, vegetarian dishes, and fresh fruit platters.

The Cove Restaurant at Seven Eagles Pool

Drift into a Caribbean influenced theme at the Cove restaurant after loosing track of your laps in the glittering pool under the warming Florida sun. Order the Fruit Boat to quench your thirst and hunger. If you want something more filling then a salad, bite into their Veggie Boca Burger.

Best of all is of course, that you can buy, store, and cook your own healthy food when you rent a vacation home. Call us today to find out more: 1-866-314-7386