Florida flowers and Caribbean cruising - the trip report! THIS SECTION COMPLETED 4/12 - Page 15 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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What's this about cashless toll roads? Last time we were in Florida was 2013 - so only two years ago - and I already feel that so much has changed! (Most importantly My Magic Bands but also small things like this)
Don't worry - absolutely nothing has changed if all you're planning on doing is central Orlando and/or out to a Disney cruise. The cashless toll roads are generally much further south and you can clearly see them on a map at the car rental desk. It's just I know that Carolyn (silvercat) got the hard sell about this when she picked up a rental car from Dollar and she'd already checked it, knew she didn't need it, so I was prepared for that.
You've arrived! I think those cows were definitely there to welcome you as on all our trips I have never noticed any cows.
We've noticed a lot more cows on our last couple of trips and figured that maybe Orlando is moving more into, I guess, beef farming, as I'm not aware of any dairies around that area.
Friday 20 February – part six: our own Treehouse Villa!
We made our way over to Saratoga Springs…
… and Mark dropped me off at the Carriage House, and I went to check-in. The woman I had wasn’t the best. I couldn’t understand some of her questions, and she didn’t seem to understand why we didn’t already have our MagicBands. I explained about three times it was because they don’t ship to the UK.
Finally sorted out, I headed back to the car, getting a few photos along the way…
When you were in the sun, it felt quite warm, but it was starting to set, and it was clear that it wouldn’t be long before it was gone, and I had no doubt that it would be a lot colder at that point.
We made our way back to the main road….
…. and headed over to the Treehouse Villas.
I must admit I found it a bit irritating that they have a separate entrance, and the only way of getting between the two parts of the complex is to walk. We’d been told it was a 10 – 15 minute walk from the back end of the Treehouse Villas, but as it turned out we were in one of those closest to the main road, I figured it would easily be more like half an hour. Not something we were about to do in our exhausted state.
We quickly found ours, next door to another one, and complete with two parking spaces out front, which was very convenient. I was so excited to finally be here.
We headed up to ours, and made our way inside. Of course, the first thing I had to do was explore thoroughly and photograph everything, although I did try and help Mark out with the suitcases in between.
The living area
The kitchen area, which is part of the whole living area
The balcony area outside the entrance to the villa
The master bedroom
The master bathroom
Bunk beds in the second bedroom
The third bedroom
The second bathroom
The view outside to the back of the villa
Although it was very spacious for the two of us, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like at maximum capacity. Sure, there were plenty of places to sleep, but the living area is all very close together. Maybe I’m being unfair, as that’s what it’s like a one bedroom villa too, but I guess maybe I’ve just been spoilt by the tours of some of the Grand Villas, where you have more than one living area.
The Treehouse is beautiful in't it. I found it really relaxing being there. The only problem we had was the bunk bed was too short for Peter and he was still 14 at the time. I think a family of 5 like us is probably the maximum size comfortable there.
Although I love the Treehouse's I'm not sure I could stay there for a long time. It was there we had all the stress with getting Gemma into University calling Scotland every morning and when i saw your photo of the 2nd Bedroom I could see her lying there calling and getting no answer.
Saratoga is a beautiful resort though, glad you made it safely. I guess you'll need food next?
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Scottish Hogmanay (with a stolen Picture)
Last edited by Thomhazel; 03-14-2015 at 05:49 AM..
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Just got caught up as I've just gotten over what sounds just like your illness. Glad you arrived safely and were greeted by some friends of yours! Saratoga Springs looks really nice and I like the look of the Tree house villas
The Treehouse is beautiful in't it. I found it really relaxing being there. The only problem we had was the bunk bed was too short for Peter and he was still 14 at the time. I think a family of 5 like us is probably the maximum size comfortable there.
That sounds about right.
Quote:
Although I love the Treehouse's I'm not sure I could stay there for a long time. It was there we had all the stress with getting Gemma into University calling Scotland every morning and when i saw your photo of the 2nd Bedroom I could see her lying there calling and getting no answer.
I can understand that - that was such a horrible time for you guys.
Quote:
Saratoga is a beautiful resort though, glad you made it safely. I guess you'll need food next?
Yay, you finally arrived! I imagine you guys are just wiped out at this point as it's way past your UK bedtime! And I also can't imagine anyone staying there and not having a car. That's crazy to say that you could walk from the Treehouse to the lobby/food areas.
Very cool inside of it though - I love that table made of tree trunks to look like Mickey ears!
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Tanya
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Last time we were in Florida was 2013 - so only two years ago - and I already feel that so much has changed! (Most importantly My Magic Bands but also small things like this)
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