Anything we should know/do before our Lifestyle Visit?

[Junebugs]

Is there anything we should know/do before we come for our Lifestyle preview visit next month? Thanks for all the great advice -- looking forward to our visit.

[uujudy]

1. Bathing suit and sunscreen so you can try out the many pools.
2. Dancing shoes for the town squares every night.
3. Elastic-waist pants for all the wonderful restaurants. You can diet after you return home.
4. Sweater for the air conditioning.
5. Get a Recreation guide at one of the rec centers or in the Thursday Daily Sun.
6. Channels 2 and 20 on the TV for Villages info.
7. Free WiFi at the regional rec centers. You can print your return boarding passes at the Savannah Center.

That should do it. I'm sure the other great folks at this forum will have suggestions for you, too.
Welcome, and prepare to have the time of your life!
Judy

[graciegirl]

Many of the residents have printed "calling cards" to exchange with new people that they want to see again. You might have some printed to bring with you.

[Bryan]

TIME - you won't have enough of it! Not much you can do about that except move here.

[salpal]

Bring your checkbook, you will want to buy......

[redwitch]

1. Take the trolley tour.
2. If a cart isn't offered with your residence, don't rent from The Villages Golf Cart -- get it from Jim Followell or GrandmaGrandpa or skip getting a cart entirely. They're pretty confusing at first and you'll get places quicker by car.
3. Have fun, talk to everyone you can -- ask what they like and don't like about TV.

[Indy-Guy]

A while back I posted this to a similar question. I tweeked it some since the last time I posted it.

1. If you have not been here before first thing is take a trollley ride to get a feel for the place. Then get a good map that shows the golf cart paths. Use your golf cart that is what this place is all about.

2. As you use your golf cart remember do not cross or drive on a 4 lane road. If you find yourself in this situation stop and go back where you came from and look at all of the other carts and see where they are going and adjust your route. When in doubt pull out a map and look lost within 30 seconds your will be offered help.

3. The best nights at Lake Sumter Landing are Tuesday and Thursday. These are the nights of the best entertainment and the Vendors are there those nights that is why they have the best entertainment.

4. The best nights at Spanish Springs are Monday and Wednesday. These are the nights of the best entertainment and the Vendors are there those nights that is why they have the best entertainment.

5. To me the best night at Katie Belles is Monday night. (2 shows on Monday) You need to make reservations so check with your host to find out how to do this. By far one of the best shows in The Villages and is a must. Also there is a good show on Wednesday night as well. Won't hurt to catch both.

6. Karoke at RJ Gators on Wednesday and Saturday nights is a must. Oh I know Karoke your kidding. These people are great! These singers are the best Karoke you will possibly ever hear and worth the time. I took a friend there and he said he liked to sing karoke after the third song he said he wouldn't think of singing there because these are the best he has ever heard.

You need to have a seat by 8:15 PM to get a good seat. They start around 8:45PM. Need to sit in the bar area.

7. Urban Flats has a great outside bar. On Thursday night they have a guy named Just Mike who is very good he starts at 9:00 PM just after the square stops their entertainment. He plays outside by the bar. Very enjoyable as he puts on a great show. Check at Urban Flats to confirm when he is there.

8. See what shows are at the Savannah Center and ask your host to make reservations for you if it is not sold out The Villages will comp you great seats. You have to ask!


9. If you are playing golf have your host schedule you on Palmer and be sure you play Riley Grove. When you see the videos you can say I was right there.

10. If you want to play golf other than the freebees that The villages offer simply call the courses after 6:45 AM on the day of play and ask about open tee times. They will set you up and you will pay the rate of a Villages Resident. Drop by any Pro Shop and they can supply you with phone numbers or check out The Villages Phone Book. Same for the Executive courses but don't waste your voucher on an Executive Course if you play both use the voucher on the Championship Course and pay for the Executive course.
Below is a link to the phone numbers of all the Golf Courses and the Country Club Resturants.

http://www.golfthevillages.com/images/telephonedirectory.pdf

11. You will have food vouchers for Cane Garden, Arnold Palmer, Light House and Varenda all are good. Use the Varenda for Breakfast the rest are for lunch and dinner.

12. The servers will tell you how to maximize the most of your vouchers if not ask them. You will find that two can stretch their vouchers by paying a little and using only one at a time instead of wasting both of them.


13. Happy Hours at Cane Garden and Arnold Palmer start at 3:00 PM and are great prices. Cane Garden happy hour is done at 5:00 PM I think Palmer runs a little later but someone else may help us out there. Mallory Hill also has a good happy hour and starts earlier that 3:00PM and runs till 6:00PM. Mallory has good Pizza. Glenview has a good happy hour also. Sit at the bar and meet the people who live here we are easy to talk to and ask questions to. My opinion is that the best happy hours are at the Country Clubs. Some are 2 for 1 and some are half price so simply ask and some don't include bottled beer only draft.


Hope this helps and enjoy your visit.

[Junebugs]

Thank you so much for all of your great advice --- I am going to print these out to bring with us!