Category: Orlando is America’s Number One Playground

If you’re ready to shop, get ready to discover the shopper’s paradise that is in Orlando and certainly available to you when you travel using one of Preferred Guest Resort’s promotional vacations offered on BestVacationsEver.com.You could spend an entire day of your trip to Orlando just touring the many retail options, from mega malls with high-end brands like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the largest outlet facilities in the Southeast, antique and art galleries and unique trendy, one-of-a kind treasures waiting to be discovered at out-of-this-world shopping options at complexes at all of the major theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort, Downtown Disney, Lake Buena Vista and City Walk which is part of Universal  Orlando Resort. Luckily, Preferred Guest Resorts has helped make sure that your accommodations are located within prime distances to Orlando’s myriad of retail options. If you’re looking for authentic merchandise from countries all over the world, you’ll find it at the many shops of each country at EPCOT’s World Showcase, plus unique boutiques around town that specialize in merchandise from countries such as Africa, France and Morocco, just to name a few.Orlando indulges those shopping cravings, with something for literally everyone and every size wallet. After hitting the malls, Orlando visitors also enjoy the scenic stroll, shop and dine experiences in trendy surrounding areas packed with gourmet restaurants, specialty shops and unique boutiques full of those hard-to-find items like in downtown Orlando, College Park, Celebration, Baldwin Park, and Winter Park. Orlando also is an antique-lover’s dream and home to a variety of antique shops, including College Park and a series of shops and warehouses near downtown’s Lake Ivanhoe area, a section of which is also nicknamed Antique Row. Mount Dora, a little further out, is a charming cultural city heavily concentrated on the arts and filled with galleries and antique shops, as well. Whatever your pleasure, you’re sure to find it during your Best Vacation Ever in Orlando, many within a short distance from your premium Preferred Guest Resorts hotels, resorts and luxury vacation timeshare rentals. Here are a few top picks when you’re craving indulgent retail therapy during your visit to Orlando:

ORLANDO MALLS

The Mall at Millenia on Conroy Road in Orlando

The Florida Mall on South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando

The Altamonte Mall in Altamonte Springs

Festival Bay Mall at International Drive

ORLANDO OUTLETS

Orlando Premium Outlets® on Vineland Ave. in the SeaWorld & International Drive south area

Orlando Premium Outlets® on International Drive in the Universal Orlando Resort & International Drive north area

St. John Outlet on International Drive in the Universal Orlando Resort & International Drive north area

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores on Apopka Vineland Road in the Lake Buena Vista area

ANTIQUE & OTHER BOUTIQUE SHOPPING

Orange Avenue’s Antique Row near Lake Ivanhoe

Park Avenue and Hannibal Square in Winter Park

Winter Park Village in Winter Park

Edgewater Drive in College Park

Celebration Town Center on Sycamore Street in Celebration

International Drive in Orlando

Mount Dora

ATTRACTION-STYLE SHOPPING

City Walk of Universal Studios Orlando

Downtown Disney® Marketplace in Lake Buena Vista

The shops of Epcot’s World Showcase in Epcot

Ron Jon Surf Shop in Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach

Pointe Orlando on International Drive

Old Town Shopping & Entertainment Complex in Kissimmee

ALTERNATIVE SHOPPING

The Main Terminal Shops at Orlando International Airport

Tharoo & Co. Fine Jewelry and Watches on International Drive near the Convention Center

Perfumeland Megastore on International Drive in the north area of Universal Orlando Resort and International Drive.

The Gift Shop at the Orlando Science Center

If you don’t have your Preferred Guest Resorts’ accommodations booked yet, call 800-656-2780 to speak with a friendly reservation agent at who will help make sure that your hotel, resort or condo rental puts you in prime proximity to all your Orlando vacation shopping.  You can also find other helpful tips by visiting BestVacationseEver.com  Be sure to mention your goal to visit a myriad of retail options, and ask how your representative can help you with your itinerary.

No matter how long you’ve known someone, taking a big trip together as a couple, or even just as friends, can be extremely exciting. But travelling together can also be stressful, testing the strength and patience of even the best relationships. Travelling together presses the fast-forward button on a relationship, and can bring people closer together, or it can drive people apart, as it brings out the best and the worst in everyone. Crowds, lines, heat, differences of opinion, where to go, what to do, how to how much to spend, who buys what? The pressure can be daunting, and it’s a great opportunity to see how a person handles such stressful situations. Knowing what you’re in for and careful planning can increase the odds of a smooth, joyful trip together and the return of happy travelers with lifelong memories. The test begins the moment you decide to take a vacation and start planning where to go. For example, with a Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation package 0you can work together to pick a travel destination that offers activities and adventures that meet both of your goals. (Orlando, Daytona Beach, Napa Valley, Pigeon Forge, and a Bahamas Cruise are just a few of the destinations Preferred Guest Resorts offers.) With partnering hotels, resorts and luxury condo timeshare rentals, Preferred Guest Resorts even makes accommodation choices even easier so that you have a great vacation. Before you two hit the road, here are a few questions that should be answered before your journey:

1: Where Do You Want To Go?

Sure, it seems like an obvious question, but it is often the one of most contention. You may want to relax on a tropical beach, while your partner wants to tee up on the championship greens up north, or the children want to ride roller coasters at the Orlando theme parks. Explore the list of destinations on bestvacationsever.com and determine what type of trip has the most appeal. Make a list of what is most important to each person and look for destinations that offer activities and adventures that meet everyone’s vacation desires. Preferred Guest Resorts offers a wide range of opportunities that bring to light a wide variety of destinations that you may not have even considered before when you read about the area’s offerings and realize a destination can meet all of the objectives on both of your lists. Your Preferred Guest Resorts’ representative can work with you to find the best destination to meet your travel objectives.

2: Is Everyone Open to Compromise?

Traveling together is a test and lesson in patience compromise. Almost every decision you make on your trip requires some sort of compromise—where to go, where to eat, what to do, how much to spend, etc.  Inevitably each of you will have to compromise to some degree to make sure that both persons are happy. Will you be satisfied with compromises that don’t sacrifice your own happiness? If you choose a destination that makes everyone happy, with vacation adventures that meet each of your goals, it’s likely that you’ll agree on many of the aspects of your trip. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even end up happily compromising on everything. During the trip, some travellers alternate decision-making authority every other day, finding it a healthy way to ensure ensures that each person gets what they want out of the trip without one person playing “trip leader” all the time. If faced with the destination dilemma where, for example, one person insists on hitting all the golf courses and roller coasters in Orlando, but you want a beach trip, consider compromising with time spent in two destinations or and extended stay at the beach for the last few days of your vacation. Your Preferred Guest Resort representative can help you set up a dual destination vacation package, like a 4-nights Orlando with 2 additional nights in Daytona Beach, just 45 minutes from Orlando, to cap it off. That way you get the best of both worlds from the vacation time you have to spend.  Another option is to let one person select this vacation, and another person selecting the next.  However, please note, if someone in the party is unwilling to compromise in any way, or says, “It’s my way or the highway,” that should be a big red flag that more discussion is needed.

3. Are You Willing to Accept Each Other’s Individuality?

Many couples and/or families see travel, especially their first trip together, as an experience to share together and they feel uncomfortable spending time apart. Even in the early stages of a relationship or the best of friendships, 24-7 can be a bit overwhelming, A little alone time is healthy and enhances the relationship/friendship. Before you were a couple, family or even friends, you were and still are individuals with your own set of interests. If you each have desired objectives that don’t thrill the other, make sure you tell your partner you are willing to allow that person the time to spend doing those activities. For example: One may want to visit museums and shop, while the other plays a round of golf. The individual time not only allows that person to recharge his or her own batteries, it ensures each person has their Best Vacation Ever by doing what they really wanted to do, which ultimately strengthens the relationship. You show each other your encouragement and respect of their individual interests and desires so they will be happy.

4: How Will You Divide Up the Trip Responsibilities?

The perfect trip usually involves sharing or engaging in the planning duties. One person may be better at the logistics, while the other is better at planning the itineraries. Figure out who should be responsible for what parts of the vacation, so each person feels they are contributing to the overall enjoyment and decision-making of the vacation. In some relationships, one person makes all the decisions, with the other content to just go along for the ride. But the Best Vacations Ever usually happen when both parties are involved in the planning and the journey. Dividing up the responsibilities makes sure that neither person feels they did all the work, and the other feels guilty for doing nothing. Divvy up vacation duties that best fit your relationship style and personality types. If one is better at the budgeting, let that person handle all the financials. If one enjoys finding unique attractions, adventures or dining experiences during your journey, let that personal handle the basic itineraries, with compromise of course. It’s also important to determine and designate the person who is better at problem solving should any problems or emergencies occur, like lost luggage or cancelled flights, during your travel.

5: How Should You Handle Money and the Trip Budget?

It’s no secret and cited in studies, that one of the number one reasons couples and families argue is money, and traveling with friends can lead to this same argument. It’s a sensitive subject that you may not be comfortable discussing, but it’s critical that the subject be addressed before you go so you know who is paying for what and how the budget will be handled. If the budget and money handling during the trip is not discussed before you go, it could lead to several unnecessary arguments and ruin an otherwise perfect vacation. Before you book your trip, decide individually how much you can afford to spend on the trip and how you want to spend while visiting your chosen destination. Determine your combined budget and what can be accomplished. If one half is willing to kick in more than the other, make sure there will be no resentments later. Then decide if you will pool all your money together or if you will each pay your own way, and how any extras will be financed. If you’re consolidating funds, make sure the stronger financial person handles the budget and tracks your spending.  Remember, traveling on a promotion vacation package, like those offered by Preferred Guest Resorts, often provide free accommodations, car rentals, or theme park tickets which can really help with your vacation budget.

6. What Are Your Triggers?

Travel is an amazing experience, but it can also be stressful when you are out of your own comfort zones. Long days at a fast pace, crowds, long lines, heat, fatigue and transportation issues can make even the most laid-back personalities tired and cranky. Unfortunately, it’s easiest to take that frustration out on the person/people closest to you. Talking about your triggers—what frustrates you—can help the other person/people know what to do or how to handle stressful moments. Sharing those with each other and knowing this kind of information before you travel can help avoid plenty of tense moments later on, so your time is spent enjoying your vacation.

Traveling can make for a lifetime of wonderful memories, especially if you take a proactive, pre-planning approach that offers a strong peace of mind. Preferred Guest Resorts has done part of the legwork for you, offering a wide variety of destinations and cruises that meet everyone’s hopes and dreams for a dream vacation with reliable, premium lodging vendors in everything from budget hotels, luxury resorts and vacation timeshare rentals. Call a Preferred Guest Resort reservation agent at 1-800-656-2780 for help planning and booking your Best Vacation Ever. And don’t forget, your representative can help you build a vacation with more than one stop for magical journey that makes everybody’s dreams come true.

You’re getting ready for your magical Best Vacation Ever to Orlando, Florida – the happiest place on Earth—and planning your itinerary of activities. By now you’ve hopefully called your Preferred Guest Resorts representative and booked your family vacation along lodging at one of our premium hotel, resort or vacation timeshare rental partners, too. Soon you’ll be falling under the spell of the Orlando Magic, no pun intended and making the most of your itinerary of adventures. If you have the kids in tow or you’re like most Orlando visitors, you’re also planning your trips to the theme parks. Unless you’re a local or a regular visitor, you haven’t picked up a few tricks of the trade when it comes to a day at the theme parks. Preferred Guest Resorts has done the legwork for you and collected the 10 best tips from regular visitors so you can make the most of your day trip to one of the Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort theme parks:

1. Pre-plan your park trip and know what to expect. Your Preferred Guest Resorts agent can tell you the high and low seasons and best times to visit Orlando for your Best Vacation Ever. Make sure you book your resort, hotel or vacation timeshare rental that fits your itinerary and is within close proximity to all of your planned adventures. Know what to expect during the time of year you are visiting, especially if your trip is during the high season and most crowded times. Ask you Preferred Guest Resorts representative about information or websites that can tell you about theme-park information, prices, wait times and lines when you arrive in Orlando. Note: You may also call the theme park and ask about wheel chair or stroller rentals and if you need to reserve a reservation ahead of time, especially during the peak high season.
2. Wear comfortable shoes. Leave the stilettos and decorative sandals at home; you’ll regret anything but comfort with hours on end of extensive walking. Your best bet is a good pair of walking shoes or sneakers, not only for comfort and foot protection, but also for keeping up with fast-paced, over-excited children. Even flip flops are a bad choice (unless they are cushioned for walking) as they can rub between your toes and fly off on rides or break, leaving you to purchase whatever they have at the merchandise shops at usually hefty prices.
3. Where loose, comfortable clothing. Again you’ll be walking around a lot and should be dressed to sweat from the exercise. Consider the time of year you’re visiting Orlando and check extended forecasts before you go. The summer months can be unbearable hot and breathable clothing that absorbs sweat quickly keeps your body cooler. Year-round sunshine and moderate temperatures in spring and fall are a major draw and, but summer can be beastly. There have also been a times temperatures have been quite cold at night yet very comfortable during the day in winter, when people love to visit for elaborate Christmas decorations and special events. Consider the season you are going, average temperatures and check the extended forecast right before you pack: Dress in layers you can easily stow away in a back pack if it gets too warm, or bring a sweater you can throw on if it gets cold. If you are bald or eye sensitive to the sun, wear a hat and sunglasses. Daily rain during the hot summer months is also common, and buying a cheap plastic poncho is easy to stow in your purse or back pack. You won’t get wet form the rain and you can wear it to keep your clothes and cameras dry on any water-based rides.
4. Wear sunscreen. Just because you aren’t at the beach, it doesn’t mean you won’t get burned. Lather up exposed areas, including the tops of your feet if wearing open-toed shoes and, of course, balding heads.
5. Buy a lanyard for tickets. A lanyard with a plastic holder for tickets and fast passes can be a great way to avoid loosing tickets, especially if you have children. When stored in back pockets run the risk of them getting dropped out when you reach for your wallet or other items. Having them in the plastic holder on the lanyard around your neck has them at easy access at any time, and the plastic keeps them from getting wet.
6. Bring your own bottles water. Check theme-park policies to see if you can bring in your own bottled water. Then store a few in the freezer the night before so you have ice-cold water that gradually melts for hours and the bottle can be refilled at water fountains throughout the park, saving you a lot of money instead of new water bottles You can even buy belt loop bottle ring holders that allow you to keep your hands free as your water bottle conveniently stores on your belt loop holder. The ice-cold bottle also is a great way to cool down in summer months. Holding it on the back of your neck, which is the fastest way to bring down you body temperature. If you are from up north or not use to intense heat and humidity, drink a lot of water to say hydrated. NOTE: Listen to you body: If you stop sweating, get over fatigued or feel faint, the heat is getting to you and you need to get hydration and possible medical attention at the park’s first-aid office. Don’t take any chances when it comes to heat stroke.
7. Pack a comfortable mid-size backpack instead s a purse. It’s ten times more comfortable to carry than a purse, better for your back and has plenty of room to store all the mentioned items and souvenirs you may collect along the way.
8. Pack long-line decoys for children. Bite-sized snacks, sippy cups and small entertainment toys or hand games for toddlers to help entertain kids while waiting in in long lines for them-park rides and satisfy their needs for snacking in between meals. A pocket electronic game may be beneficial with older child. An extra set of clothing and plenty diapers for small children and babies are also recommended for any accidents. If certain attractions have policies against water bottles, you can bring powdered formula packets for babies that you mix into purchased bottles of water.
9. Buy fast passes for must-do rides as soon as you arrive. If you don’t have express package options to purchase at a heftier fee per person, be sure to get their and park early and collect your fast passes or express rider passes as soon as you arrive for the rides you absolutely must ride during your trip to the park. IF you wait too late to get the passes, you run the risk [during crowded peak periods] of them running out of passes for the day time at even 2 or 3 pm. Not all rides have fast-pass or express options, but many do and it’s well worth it, especially if you have a large group, so you’re sure to experience the ride you really counted on riding. A fast or express pass allows you to a short window of time you can return to the ride and walk right through a special express line with other people in that time frame that get to go into the ride without waiting in the standard line. It’s a lot like booking a reservation. You cannot go early or go after. Do not miss your time; passes are checked and taken. You can get additional fast passes for the same ride a few hours after collection of the first set to ride again. Check the time frames.
10. Try local tips for best times to ride. Locals and regular Orlando visitors say that the best time to ride the rides are during lunch time when people are resting and eating, during the big parades and during the fireworks show closing the evening out. Lines dwindle down as spectators enjoy the events, especially during the fireworks. If you don’t mind missing some of those events or go a second day, some travelers have reported being able to ride, for example, Space Mountain at Disney repeatedly with minimal to no waiting. Locals also say if you don’t have small children to ride with and don’t mind separating from group to opt to take the single-rider line. You get through much faster and get set up a meeting spot for everyone outside the ride when everyone is done. NOTE: We cannot confirm or deny the tips provided by regular Orlando theme-park visitors, but they were collected from more than one visitor.

Preferred Guest Resorts is committed to bringing you the most valuable insider information when it comes to destinations and the attractions. A few simple steps can make your theme-park adventure much more enjoyable and maybe save you some time and money.  If you haven’t booked your family vacation to Orlando, call your reservation agent today. Ensure your get the prime locations and preferred partnering hotels, resorts and vacation timeshare rentals right in the middle of the action so you can start planning the itinerary of your Best Vacation Ever. Visit us at bestvacationsever.com or call a BVE representative 1-800-656-2780.

So you’re planning a family vacation to Orlando, the theme park, family-fun capital of the world. Visitors fall under the magical spell of Orlando vacations and return regularly for its host of options. There’s been much written about the rivalries among the main theme parks of Walt Disney World® Resort which includes   Magic Kingdom® Park, EPCOT®,  Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, SeaWorld® Orlando, but which is best for your family’s treasured vacation time? Much of what is written is myth more than fact.  For those of you who have booked or are ready to book your Preferred Guest Resorts’ promotional vacation package, rest assured you will be right in the heart of the action, so you can take advantage of all of Orlando’s many adventures and theme parks and witness the amazing differences for yourself.  Remember, no trip to Orlando would be complete without visiting both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, as well as SeaWorld, if your itinerary allows it. Preferred Guest Resorts wants you to have your Best Vacation Ever, so here’s a little bit of the history when it comes to the main ambassadors.

RIVALRY

The rivalry between Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort is based in theme park myth and legend, created largely by the fans of both parks. In fact, when Universal Orlando opened in June 1990, Walt Disney World Resort took out a full-page ad in the Orlando Sentinel, welcoming Universal Studios to the neighborhood. The close proximity of these two main theme park resorts, along with the pressure from other area parks like SeaWorld Orlando, has forced both parks to strive for visitors through continuous reinvention, but both know that they can attract the same groups of vacationers who want to visit both parks. SeaWorld Orlando’s advantage comes from being a water-based, marine-animal park and its two water-based parks (Aquatica® Water Park and Discovery Cove® Orlando), which have very little resemblance to the two mega parks, though it is not exempt from reinvention and techniques to draw visitors as well.

THE BIGGEST MYTH

A perpetuated myth for years has been that Walt Disney World Resort is best for small children, while Universal Orlando Resort appeals to teenagers and adults. The truth is both parks were founded on the premise that the entire family should be able to have fun together. Both offer a healthy mix of thrills and chills, children’s play areas and attractions appropriate for everyone in all age groups. The best part if that they are totally different in many respects; you just have to visit them to notice the distinctions.

Walt Disney World Resort is based on the most famous mouse, Mickey Mouse, and Walt Disney’s vision for a family dedicated theme park based on Mickey Mouse and all his friends that children and the young- at-heart have grown to love and appreciate. The art of animation and bringing those characters in a way that makes every visitor of every age leave feeling enchanted.   Coming soon:  Walt Disney World Resort is in the process of remodeling parts of the Magic Kingdom Park’s Fantasyland® Area.

Universal Orlando Resort is based on the movies and the fun of the silver screen over the years, with everything from popular old to contemporary movies, all set amid an Old Hollywood ambiance. Each has a distinctive appeal and any rivalry seems to come from visitors who judge it by the thrill rides alone. New at Universal Studios Florida:  Despicable Me Minion Mayhem®

Many Orlando visitors enjoy the calm stroll through EPCOT as opposed to riding roller coasters at Islands of Adventure, and some naturists enjoy the wildlife and adventures in Disney’s Animal Kingdom as opposed to loud, raucous dinosaur simulators. The fact is, each place offers unique options to appeal to visitors, hoping to get their business.

 PARK VS. PARK

Walt Disney World Resort has four separate theme parks:  Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Universal Orlando Resort has two: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, which has more of the coasters and thrill rides. Each park has an individual theme, such as Universal Studios Florida’s movie back lot, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park’s blend of zoo animals and high-tech attractions. While both compete for visitors, both aim to be different and offer their guests unique experiences that appeal to families of all ages.

 SPECIAL EVENTS

Both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort celebrate holidays and festivals year round. Walt Disney World Theme Parks host elaborate Christmas festivities throughout all four parks and dozens of highly regarded events, from EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Other popular Walt Disney World Resort events include the spring’s International Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT, the summer Star Wars Weekends fan convention at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the fall’s International  Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT.

Universal Studios created the horror film genre, its annual and world-renowned Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights® – featuring eight haunted houses, four stage shows and hundreds of street actors create an intense and immersive event, and its other popular festivities include incredible events such as Mardi Gras in the spring, a fantastic Summer Concert Series, and the wildly green and fun Grinchmas™ and Macy’s Holiday Parade™ celebrations over the holidays.

Preferred Guest Resorts has offered a brief breakdown of what to expect on your theme-park adventures to the park while vacationing in Orlando. The best part is that your prime accommodations with Preferred Guest Resorts’ premium partners of hotels, resorts and vacation timeshare rentals puts you at close proximity to run over to the park for a few quick rides, or a day of individual or family fun at any number of Orlando attractions. If you haven’t booked your Orlando vacation and accommodations, call your Preferred Guest Resorts reservation agent now at 1-800-656-2780 or visit us at bestvacationsever.com for a magical adventure to Orlando that could be your family’s Best Vacation Ever.

Preferred Guest Resorts is not operated by, nor affiliated with Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, or SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.  As to Disney artwork: ©Disney.  Universal Orlando Resort elements:  ©Universal Orlando Resort.  SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Elements:  ©SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment.

If you’re looking for a resort-quality vacation on a budget, promotional vacations are an excellent way to get away to a sophisticated resort-style setting or a safe and friendly family environment—without breaking the bank.

What’s a Promotional Vacation? 

With promotional vacations, you book a complete package before you even leave the comfort of your living room. In return for coupons, free resort lodging, tours, or other high-quality incentives, you agree to attend a short promotional tour of the resort or facility where you’ll be staying.

Many of our resorts offer full walk-through tours of their extensive facilities; others offer virtual tours in a presentation-style setting. Our family-friendly resorts even offer secure childcare services so that the adults can enjoy a little restful time while strolling our resort environments.

For more details, you can check out our video blog post on “What to Expect on a Best Vacations Ever Promotional Vacation.”

Florida Vacation Packages

We offer three promotional packages in Orlando, Fla., through Preferred Guest Resorts—perfect for a break from the winter blahs. Whether you’re a college student ready to leave the books behind, or parents of children chomping at the bit to get away over the break, the Florida sunshine is calling.

Barefoot’n Resort

Located near the undeniable pull of Disney®, Barefoot’n Resort is a gated luxury condo resort in Kissimmee, by a lake and a wooded area that gives you a secluded feel that is only minutes from Central Florida’s major attractions.

Our condos feature fully-equipped kitchens, whirlpool tubs, washer/dryers, and flat-screen TVs with cable. Our grounds are teeming with a children’s playground, a heated swimming pool, a a hot tub and is complete with a children’s pool equipped with bubblers, on-site grills, and basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts.  Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway or a family vacation, Barefoot’n resorts has a package for you.

Calypso Cay Resort

Calypso Cay is one of the few hotels in the area to be awarded the Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel destination. The Country Inn & Suites Orlando Maingate at Calypso Cay is conveniently located within 4 miles of Walt Disney World® and close to Universal Studios®, Islands of Adventure®, and SeaWorld.

Calypso Cay offers a full amenities package that includes complimentary continental breakfast with waffle stations, four outdoor pools, three water slides (including a children’s pool with its own waterslide), hot tubs, an 18-hole mini-golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, free high-speed Internet access with resort-wide Wi-Fi, a fitness center, a game room and scheduled shuttle service to the major theme parks.

Their room amenities include fully equipped kitchens, whirlpool tubs, washer/dryers, flat-screen TVs with cable, and on-site grills. This family-friendly resort destination is sure to bring smiles to your children’s faces and to your own.

Rosen Plaza Hotel

At the Rosen Plaza, guests enjoy all the amenities available at Barefoot’n or Calypso Cay, along with prime location on world-famous International Drive, within walking distance to the recently renovated Pointe Orlando entertainment complex, which features open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a Spring Break romp with friends, Rosen Plaza Hotel combines the convenience of walking-distance restaurants and entertainment with short drives to some of the area’s biggest theme park attractions. 

Want something a little more exotic? Or a little closer to home? From Cabo San Lucas to California, from Mexico to Missouri, we have a vacation package that’ll make you dream of sand, sunshine, and down time. Check us out online or follow us on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.

In general, vacationers envision spring break and the summer months as peak vacationing seasons. But some of the best U.S. vacation spots have surprisingly good winter attractions.

Napa in Winter

Napa Valley in the winter months is one of the United States’ best-kept vacation destination secrets. The country’s wine professionals book their sojourns to this Mecca of the grape in the first part of the year, when the vineyards are golden with wild mustard and the crowds are thinnest.

For a fraction of the price you’d pay in, say, August, you can enjoy the relatively mild temperatures of a California winter; glorious accommodations at reduced prices; and some of the best food in the country. Wait times are short, prices are low, and staff has the time to be solicitous and the motivation to be truly glad to see you. Slow season customer service is often the best there is, especially in high-class establishments.

The Food

Napa Valley offers some of the best restaurants in the United States, catering to wine aficionados who love to pair a pricey wine with pricey food. In the off-season, Napa’s legendary food offerings tend to become more affordable, so your culinary dollar goes further.

The Wine

No place in the country is as known for quality wines quite like Napa Valley, where the right climatic conditions combine with the right imported vine stock to grow truly world-class grapes for truly world-class wines. In this part of the country, generations of winemakers have honed their crafts and now operate Old World wineries side-by-side with upstart new vintners that are taking the blending of grapes in irreverent new directions.

During the winter months, they’ll all have a little more time and energy to show off their best offerings for you at tastings and pairing events. Take it from us – you’ll learn twice as much on a winter trip to Napa as you will in the summer… and probably enjoy yourself twice as much, too.

Mustard Season

For about the first three months of the year, the floor of California’s Napa Valley is an explosion of golden-yellow flowers. According to legend, a Spanish friar once explored the deepest reaches of California, scattering mustard seed from south to north as he went.

On his return, he followed a carpet of yellow blooms back home from north to south. Spanish Mustard has since naturalized in this part of the world, and now blankets the quiet slumber of the vineyards in a profusion of color.

Many vineyards use the “Mustard Season” or “Mustard Festival” to bill their wintertime events. Winter in Napa is a time of food, wine, and show-quality events designed to boost business, which create a festive atmosphere without the bumper-to-bumper crowds of summer (and the accompanying bumper-to-bumper traffic).

If you’ve caught on to the appeal of Napa’s winter wine wonderland, let us show you just how beautiful it can be. No matter what your vacation preference, you can find help planning your trip from Best Vacations Ever. Check us out online, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.

Here at Best Vacations Ever, we pride ourselves on offering useful travel tips.  Packing for a range of climates can be tough, especially when you’re making multiple stops on a long trip (say, hiking in the Carolina Mountains on Monday, and then spending the weekend at the beach).

Anytime you need to plan for a range of temperatures and climates, you’ll need to balance bulk with need, functionality with style. We know you want to look your best during your vacation, but you won’t want to lug two suitcases in order to make it happen! Here are our best tips to keep you feeling your best when you’re on the go.

Start with the shoes. Except for jackets and coats, shoes will be your bulkiest items to pack. By picking shoes that match the same color scheme (say, all blacks or all browns), you can design your clothing choices “from the ground up” with mix-and-match pieces that work with your footwear.

Start by picking at least one pair of dress shoes, a pair of comfortable but presentable sightseeing shoes, and tennis shoes if you plan to work out. Plan to wear your heaviest pair of shoes on the plane or in the car to minimize the size of your luggage.

Pack complete outfits. Instead of stuffing your bag with a variety of items you “might” wear, take some time to plan. Make sure every piece that goes into your bag has a place and will be used at least once.

Layer. Choose pants, skirts (for you ladies), tops, sweaters, and jackets that can mix and match. Think short sleeves that work at the beach that can pair with a jacket or a cardigan for that mountain adventure. Bring at least one coat that can handle rain or serious cold, so that you don’t find yourself out of luck when you need it most.

Reduce, reuse and recycle. Go through your bag one more time before you leave. If you’re not convinced you need it, leave it behind. Plan to wear items at least twice; if you’ve brought wardrobe choices that can mix and match, you’ll have the option of wearing your favorite pants twice with two different tops, or a jacket over three different outfits.

Bring at least one lightweight scarf – they’re great to dress up an outfit, to add a little extra warmth over the shoulders, or to wear with a coat if the weather goes south.

Ready to pack for your next vacation? No matter what climate you’re after, you can find help planning your trip from Best Vacations Ever. Check us out online, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.

When you hear “top family vacations,” does your mind jump to visions of prohibitively expensive weekends in Tahoe or Vermont? Top family vacations aren’t necessarily top-dollar family vacations. With a little planning, you can have a truly memorable experience with a surprisingly reasonable price tag. At Best Vacations Ever by Preferred Guest Resorts, our job is to organize packages and do the planning for you so that you can enjoy time with your family.

Winter Mountain Vacations

If you like to ski or snowboard, or even just thrill at the thought of a warm fire and a hot drink while the world sparkles outside, you’ll love the holiday feel of a winter mountain vacation. From the Carolina Blue Ridge to the Smoky Mountains to California’s National Parks, the winter offers adventures and experiences that your family will remember for years to come.

The Carolina Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains that cross the western end of North Carolina are part of the Appalachian chain, some of the oldest mountains in the world. Several major ski slopes are located here, from Beech Mountain’s new ski resort opening its doors this December to Sugar Mountain, which features a number of early-season Winter Value Packages.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Asheville, N.C., is a cultural hub in the heart of Appalachia, home to countless small shops and restaurants, to Biltmore Estate’s lavish Christmas displays—this area offers a bountiful range of family-friendly museums and tours.

The Smoky Mountains

Over the state line in Tennessee, just far away enough away from Asheville to make the trip seem somewhat long sits the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smokys are a beautiful getaway at any time of year, with trails and mountain views to take the breath away.

Equally attractive, especially in winter, are the vast array of indoor, family-friendly winter options available in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. From the Ripley’s Believe-It-Or-Not Museum to stage shows to art galleries and a broad range of dining experiences, you’ll find something to please every member of your family in Gatlinburg.

California’s Mountains

Yosemite National Park is a glorious winter destination that offers all the beauty and excitement of a mountainous environment with downhill skiing at Badger Pass, as well as ice skating, cross-country skiing, and ranger-led tours. Need a break from the mountain air? Go down the hill into the valley for a hike. In that sliver of time when winter begins to turn to spring, it’s worth a trip to the valley just to see the waterfalls swelled with spring melt.

Mammoth Lakes, squirreled away in California’s Sierra Nevada, is a resort town designed with the family in mind. Built around the epic skiing available on Mammoth Peak, Mammoth Lakes looks like a little Alpine Village tucked away at the mountain’s base. Dog sledding, sleigh rides, and snowmobiling are other magical-memory activities that Mammoth Lakes offers only during the coldest times of the year.

If you’ve caught on to the appeal of a mountain getaway in winter, let us show you just how beautiful it can be. Share your top family vacations spots! No matter what your vacation preference, you can find help planning your trip from Best Vacations Ever by Preferred Guest Resorts. Check us out online, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.

Timeshare and vacation club presentations are an excellent way to receive free tickets to local attractions, complimentary accommodations and other incentives. The gifts you can receive range from run of the mill to spectacular, all with the intent to encourage travelers to sit through a presentation. Before you attend this kind of event, you need to be prepared. Here are the things you’ll need to bring with you, if you decide to make a purchase:

The Right Mindset

You realize that timeshare and vacation club presentations are for making a sale, so approach the event with an open mind. Let the presenter know before the session begins that if you’re interested, you will certainly make a purchase, but that you’re not interested in being pressured into buying something you know you don’t really want. This will allow you to enjoy the presentation without as many pressures from the presenter.

Readable Intentions

It’s a waste of your time and the presenter’s if you lead them on, pretending you’re interested in a particular product just to let them down at the very end. If the timeshare they bring up sounds interesting to you, show your intentions. If you’re not interested in that particular property or product, make it apparent so you can move on to something that is of interest.

Knowledge of Timeshares

Do your research ahead of time so you know how timeshares work and what you like about them. Then, when the presentation begins, you can tell the presenter that you’re more interested in learning about the amenities of the resort rather than the ins and outs of timeshares. This decreases the presentation time and brings the session to the point more quickly.

You may not have attended a timeshare and vacation club presentation before, but if you’re even remotely interested in what the presentation offers, it’s certainly worth attending. Connect with us on Twitter for more information!