Being a bit spontaneous, my strategy is to plan very little in advance and take things as they come. The thing you will find is there is so much activity available that you will have no trouble keeping busy and entertained. Some of my favorites, as a wanabee are:
Breakfast at TooJays (also lunch) and I favor the one at Sumter, though the one as SS is good as well. Katie Belles Sunday brunch buffet is a favorite and Golden Corral is stellar as well. Cracker Barrell is always a good breakfast choice as well.
All of the country clubs have excellent food; I feel that Lopez, Glenview, and Palmer are slightly more upscale, while Mallory and Cane Garden are slightly more relaxed and informal. Mallory has great lunch and dinner specials imho.
Bonefish Grill, The Lighthouse, and Red Lobster are all good for seafood, with Bonefish holding the lead for us.
Redsauce for Italian, Ay Jalisco (sp?) for Mexican.
Instead of taking my word for any of this read the gourmet club reviews.
http://home.comcast.net/~thevillages...lub/page1.html
The town squares are a must if you like live music, dancing, people watching, and cheap drinks. Eat early and go, or do like I do and enjoy happy hour with several drinks, then chose a nearby eatery later.
Visit several of the big Rec Centers, Lake Miona, Seabreeze, and Laurel Manor are my favs -- all are beautifully decorated and appointed.
Karaoke at McCalls at SS is fun and the restaurant has decent bar food. You won't beleive how many really good singers are in the Villages!
If you want to take a few practice swings, the driving range behind (north of) Wal Mart off 466 is very nice. I think it is Buffalo Ridge.
I would recommend playing two of the Championship courses if they offer two rounds with the LSP, as they did when I took it. If you use the two round on executive courses you are shorting yourself, unless you simply want to play quick, short courses. I played Palmer and Cane.
Go to market night at least once at each square, and check for other special events such as Cruise In ( old cars ) or Yesteryear club (tricked up golf carts).
As has been mentioned, take the trolley tour as soon as you arrive in order to get your bearings.
There are dozens of open houses every day - we like to go to four or five a day to get familiar with different styles, floorplans, neighborhoods, etc.
As has been stated, go to the neighborhood pools and talk to people there and at the squares to get the skinny on what folks think about the lifestyle. If you get less than 95% enthusiastic positive feedback, you will be the first!
TV is a Golf Cart friendly community, take advantage of the complimentary cart and explore, explore, explore.
Have a ball, I know you will!!!!!!
