Attractions

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World

The most popular destination on the planet, DisneyWorld is Florida's crown jewel. Across 47 square miles, Disney consists of four theme parks, two water parks, multiple golf courses, ESPN, and lots more! Our magical vacation homes are literally located in one of the closest neighborhoods to Disney! Just a 2+ mile drive to Disney's West Maingate, and you're in! In fact, we're about 10 minutes to each of the Disney theme parks, and typically our guests can arrive at the Disney parks faster than those guests who are staying at Disney resorts on Disney property! Magic Kingdom is certainly the most popular of it's parks, and the MUST-SEE attraction in Orlando, featuring the iconic Cinderella castle, and popular rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World, Tea Cups, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, and Peter Pan. Don't miss performances by Disney characters on the castle fortress, and the "Happily Ever After" projection and fireworks show each evening on and over her exterior castle walls is absolutely enchanting, with images of Disney movies from childhood and today. (Click on the title to read more!)

Disney Springs

Disney Springs

Entrance and parking are FREE to this giant outdoor shopping mall, although with nearly 200 upscale shops, attractions, and themed eateries.....you'll have plenty to entice your spending. The best section for families is all around the lagoon anchored by the World of Disney store (Lime parking garage). At least a dozen Disney stores sell everything Disney--souvenirs, toys and costumes, clothing, treats and snacks, fine art, home collectibles, jewelry, and Christmas decor. Take your daughter for a princess makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Lego store encourages you to build and buy your own Lego minifigures on site. A huge T-Rex themed restaurant offers great ambiance for kids and families, with three different themed dining areas with enormous animatronic dinosaurs. Planet Hollywood is also in Disney Springs, along with movie theater dining, an anchored hot air balloon ride, splash pad and carousel, arcade and bowling, and Cirque de Soleil acrobatic shows. Truly, there is something for EVERYONE here!!! Spend several hours, or all day! Particularly during school holidays and summer, parking may fill to capacity on weekend nights, so arrive early (4-5PM ish).

Day-trip Beaches

Day-trip Beaches

Just 70-90 minutes drive can take you to dozens of beautiful beaches! Whether you love to bodyboard in the bigger, crashing waves of the Atlantic, OR you prefer the warmer bathtub-like relaxation of the sea on the Gulf Coast, we have all your beach gear stored inside our rentals for you! Be advised, drive times are dramatically affected by rush hour traffic. Also, during the summer, almost every beach will get later afternoon rains around 4-6 PM, so hour-by-hour weather is most helpful. We typically check weather and drive times to each beach in the morning, and then select the best destination for that particular day. (Click on the title to read more!)

Legoland

Legoland

The ingenuity of Legoland charms guests young and old, although the rides are specifically designed to thrill kids from ages 2 to 12, with their families. With life-sized Lego characters for every fan base, and more than 55 attractions and rides, this park is kid-heaven! Shows, meet-n-greets, and activities cover the interests and energy levels of all young kids. A water park, play areas, Peppa Pig themed area, and hands-on Lego building areas will keep them entertained for the whole day, or even more! Legoland has holiday events for Halloween and Christmas, as well, but never the crowds and waits that are standard at other theme parks. Pricing is very low compared to other theme parks as well, especially if you buy in advance online or through big box warehouses or Florida tourist venues. Expect an hour's drive from our vacation rental properties.

Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando

Just 25+ minutes drive to the most exciting theme parks for Harry Potter fans--Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure! Two separate theme parks, adjoined by either a quick walk through Universal's CityWalk outdoor dining and shopping, or by train ride on Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express from one park to the other (requires a park-to-park ticket to allow entrance to both parks).  Immersive theming in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is unmatched. And in 2025, Epic Universe will open with a third area for the Fantastic Beasts movies. Volcano Bay is Universal's waterslide park, and it is absolutely INSANE!  Gorgeous landscaping and a huge volcano make a phenomenal backdrop for the ridiculously thrilling/terrifying slides and enormous wave pool.  If you're going to be in Florida during the summer, this is a fantastic park to cool off for the day, and also has great areas for younger children. But although Universal seems to be creating more attractions for younger kids, height requirements may prohibit young children from many of the rides at any of the these parks. (Click on the title to read more!)

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando

Voted the BEST THEME PARK for several years in a row--Come for phenomenal shows with sea animals, the BEST roller coasters in Orlando, awesome water rides, and in-person interactions with favorite ocean animals. If you haven't been here for a while, Sea World has upped its game for adults and kids! Just 20+ minutes drive from our villas. This park is our best recommendation for a budget-friendly option that will not disappoint, even if you're coming to Orlando during a crowded holiday week; even the roller coasters typically have less than a 10 minute wait on a busy holiday evening!!!  Get up close and personal with penguins, feed sharks and touch manta rays, watch dolphins and killer whales perform flips out of the water in unison!  Ride all six UNBELIEVABLE roller coasters, including MAKO (Ranked amongst the best roller coasters IN THE WORLD), with speeds up to 73 mph and up to 200 feet high!  Take your kids down memory lane with you on Sesame Street's immersively themed area, with half a dozen rides for families with young children, and dance to the parade with Big Bird, Bert & Ernie, and all their friends. (Click on the title to read more!)