Maximizing our visit
 

Hello All. My wife and I will be visiting TV on the Lifestyle Preview 6 day program at the end of May. Any suggestions on getting the most out of our visit. We don't play golf yet, but there seems to be lots of activities. Thanks.

What to do.
 

Go to the neighborhood pools so you can meet the people who are already here. They'll be happy to share with you why they're here. Go to the squares and see what people do to relax and have fun. Go to the country clubs for a meal and entertainment. The activities are posted in the local paper on a daily basis. If you feel you want to look at a few houses let your rep know, there is no pressure. There is also sports available at the Rec centers. Bocce, tennis, pickelball, volleyball, water volleyball or just lay in the sun and relax.

If you have access to golf cart with your preview make sure you get out in the cart and check out the areas via golf cart too. Go down to the squares and listen to the entertainment. You will be busy just looking at things. Enjoy.

Rent a cart -available at Villages Golf Cars for $18 - and buy the $5 map at Banner Mercantile. Use both of these items extensively.

My wife and I and two friends were there is April for a six day LSP, and for better or worse, we drank the kool-aide. We are returning for the months of Jan/Feb to Tall Trees Village and will look for a permanent home then. If you are doing the Lifestyle Preview, they should provide you with a cart and 2 bicylcles, as well as a couple free meals at country clubs, and two or three other free meals, and movie tickets. You will also get two free rounds of golf and two buckets of range balls. Even if you don't play, you could try the range if you know anything at all about the golf swing.

We had a fabulous time, usually leaving our creekside villa by 9 am and not returning until 9-10 pm. We went to the squares every night for the entertainment and dancing, went to the neighborhood pools (not the one at creekside, as that will be all visitors like yourself, and not a great source of information), went to the movie, and the flea markets (if that's the right terminology), viewed the yesteryear cart club show and the vintage car show, and took in a Polo match. We also went to several of the rec centers - loved the Lake Miona, and Seabrook decor - and generally rode the golf cart all over the Villages. The first day we took the Trolley ride to get a lay of the land, and would recommend that as a must do. The beauty of TV, in my mind, is the vast array of activities and things to do, that makes it unique in all the world. There is no reason to ever be bored or wondering what to do -- it's all there for you to enjoy.

We just returned from a Home Purchaser's visit and we stayed in Creekside Landing which is where you will be staying also. It is quite nice. It is very close to Lake Sumpter Landing. There is a golf cart and two bicycles and helmets furnished with each house. There is not a BBQ grill so don't plan on "shrimp on the barbe." I also planned to have folks over and serve spaghetti. The largest pot was one quart. Since this was the only pot (there was one frying pan,) I had to be creative with my cooking. There is a pool in Creekside which they will show you on the map. We were very busy house hunting and signing our names one thousand times, so we weren't home too much, but it was quite comfortable. There is also a Sweet Bay grocery store right down the street. The only thing that we needed to drive for was a Walmart or Target.
We never got around to taking a Trolley tour or a Boat ride on Lake Sumpter but it did look like fun. You may consider them. They leave from Lake Sumpter Landing. Enjoy!!!:beer3:

First things first: it's Sumter not Sumpter :) (Sorry but I have a reputation to uphold:) )

Actual Walmart is also very doable via golf cart from the LSV location.

The suggestion so far are great - enjoy the 6 days - they go by too fast.

I see that you are on the lifestyle preview. I think these are the things that you should do if I were doing the same and since I have lived here for 4 years and owned here for 5.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. To me the best night at Katie Belles is Monday night. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 you route. When in doubt pull out a map and look lost within 30 seconds you will be offered help.

6. 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.

7. 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.

6. 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!

7. 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 chek 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.

8. 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.

9 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, had some tonight.

Hope this helps and enjoy your visit.

wow, lot's of great suggestions indy....gn

Indy-guy. I am impressed.

Very good Indy - One note: I think they now do the vouchers for food a little different than in the past but still great deals. As Indy says: "just ask your server" when you get seated. They want you to maximize your deal for their best tip.

Thank you all for your suggestions. This is great information and I'm sure we'll have a great time on our stay. Everyone seems so eager to help and brag about TV. Again, thank you all, we're looking foward to our visit.

Indy-Guy:
One of the most thoughful and detailed post I have ever read. Great advice.
I will save this post for my next LSV.

Ed 1092 should have a great time following your suggestions.

Some friends who visited us in TV in Dec. are coming back for a full LSP this summer. I just copied your post and emailed it to them! Thanks, Indy.

Actually Russ, it's Actually Walmart not Actual Walmart.

Typo is different than misunderstanding. But you should know that I'm only joking around. I hope.

Cool Beans (Boston Baked, of course)