[SteveSchrdr]

We are considering a preview visit. I was wondering is anyone has ever posted a detailed diary of their preview. We would like to hear from someone regarding their experience in detail day to day during their preview.

We are from Wisconsin and currently spend a lot of time in Florida but a move to Florida could be a real culuture shock.

Thanks in adnvance

[graciegirl]

There are a lot of different stories here from people on their first visit. Most can't believe what they are experiencing. They can't believe how lovely it is and how friendly and talkative everyone is. They can't believe that they aren't being pestered to buy something.
They can't believe all of the things to do and see and enjoy.

Welcome to you and don't forget to bring your camera and to take the trolley ride and to dance at the squares and to eat at TooJays. Don't forget to visit as many regional rec centers as you can, and try a new pool every day. The regional rec centers that are my favorites are SeaBreeze, (the newest) Colony Cottage (most over the top, yet sweet and pretty) and Lake Miona the most "yachtical". Vist the Savannah center just to see the interior and you will feel like Scarlett and Rhett.

Have dinner at Nancy Lopez and Cane Garden.

I would say come over to our house for a beer, but we aren't gonna be there again for awhile.

Be sure to look at homes. They are lovely. Look at all of them, the cottages and THE COTTAGES at Lake Sumter landing , the villas and the premiers and the designers. Look at new ones and those that have already been loved.

Bring a cooler with something yummy and icy to drink and watch the sunset from Sumter Bridge in your golf cart..Be sure to rent a golf cart.

Relax. Smile. Wave. You will be in Paradise.

[reshke]

I don't post very often on this website, but since we are from Wisconsin too, I thought I would give it a shot. We first came down to The Villages in 2002 on their lifestyle preview and bought our first house in 2004. We are now on our second house and I am retiring July 30, when we plan to move down there full time. When we came down, there were very little requirements. They asked that we take the bus tour, and besides that the attitude was that they would prefer that we take our time and talk to other Villagers rather than be exposed to any sales pitch. I think they still have pretty much the same attitude now. If you come down here and experience the lifestyle and talk to the many very happy people living in The Villages, they don't have to try very hard to sell it. Obviously, if you decide to buy they will be very glad to assist you, although you can also choose to work with an independent realtor. We are from West Bend by the way. We can't wait to get down full time.

[bkcunningham1]

The Lifestyle Preview Plan visit through TV supplies a golf cart Gracie. We booked a six day visit after seeing (several times over) a television commercial and deciding to order the free DVD and info.

We were told we'd get a two bedroom, fully furnished villa - complete with golf cart. We actually got a three bedroom that was beyond our highest expectations. It comes with a full sized washer and dryer and dishwasher with enough of the sample size products to operate each applicance many times. Set your trash out everyday on the LSP visit if you want. Someone picks up your plastic bags daily.

Our villa was across from an outdoor pool, shuffle board court and pickle ball court. (The preview villas are in a preview section so everyone you encounter at these facilities are previewers just like you. That was fun. We compared and gushed about what we'd seen. Just got to know other people and their experiences. All positive too.)

We went to a grocery store our first day and bought breakfast stuff, coffee, soda and snacks for the villa. You will want to have coffee or your breakfast on your lanai in the mornings and plan your day. Get one of the big maps of TV. You can buy that the first day you arrive. Ask the person who takes you to the villa to show you where to buy one. It's worth having it at all times.

We weren't prepared for the governor on the golf cart that slows it down for safety and insurance reasons on the visitors' carts. We laughed as people passed us as we trudged along the beautiful paths that go on and on and everywhere you need to go.

Everything is perfectly choreographed by the TV employees. From the second you walk into the sales center to find out where to stay to the minute you leave. They are waiting to direct you to the proper person and get you set up in your villa.

Someone actually either drives you (if you don't have a vehicle) or lets you follow them (they will be in a golf cart) to the place you will be staying during your visit. This person will show you around your villa, show you how to operate the golf cart, explain the free meal coupons, gate passes, visitor passes and go over your free country club golf tee times.

You are really on your own as far as doing things. That is up to you. But trust me on this, everyone is willing to help if you have a question, get lost or need more information about ANYTHING. There are movie theater showing the newest release movies. The movie schedule is day and night.

We had an appointment with a TV sales representative to show us some homes. There are NO pressures. We actually got worried when no one from sales called us after we made reservations. We found out later that houses sold so quickly, unless you going to buy sight unseen, they was no need to tell you details about listing we saw online.

The coordinator or whatever they call the person who books your golf and such checked on us by phone before we came. It was like the perfect waiter. Not to much to be bothersome and just enough to serve our needs.

After we got to TV, we spent one day with our sale agent and then we drove around on our own and visited some open houses and wrote down addresses and phone numbers of realtors who had these homes listed. We worked with our TV sales rep one more day and found an "outside" realtor to show us other homes.

There are for sale by owners you can see this way. There are listings by MLS realtors that TV realtors can't show you. The same is true with MLS, they can't show the TV listings. Our TV sales agent said she'd set up an outiside realtor to show us other listings besides TV listings. We declined and found someone on our own.

We took a day off to explore and drove our vehicle around. TV is a very large place and the roads are confusing at first. You get your bearings after a while. We went in various rec centers. Drove to the polo fields. Listened to music on at Lake Sumter Landing Square. We drove our car the first night to the square just because we didn't know what to expect.

We took our cart the next night. I would suggest that if you partake of alcoholic beverages, take a cooler with you. We didn't know people do that and paid for a drink at the bars set up for the nightly live entertainment at the squares. The drinks aren't expensive, but I watched people do it and thought I'd suggest it.

We ate at the Lighthouse Restuarant at Lake Sumter Landing and enjoyed the meal and the service was great. We ate at other places around both squares. Some places, the food was good. Some places, the food was adequate.

We played golf at the Palmer and Cane Gardens. I read about the courses before we went and called our hospitality person and asked to change one of the courses they normally let you play on for the LSP visit. I wanted to play at Cane Gardens. I had read it was beautiful and it truely is breathtaking. She called me back after making the new tee time for the day that I said would work. The drive to Cane Gardens was longer than the other course, I said I didn't mind and she said no problem.

There's so much to tell. It is indescribable to an outside listener. You really have to experience TV. It's like trying to describe a concert to someone whose deaf, or a sunset to someone who can't see.

We bought before we our visit was over. Sorry to be so long winded. I love TV. We did so many things I couldn't list them all here.

[macro]

Originally Posted by SteveSchrdr

We are considering a preview visit. I was wondering is anyone has ever posted a detailed diary of their preview. We would like to hear from someone regarding their experience in detail day to day during their preview.

We are from Wisconsin and currently spend a lot of time in Florida but a move to Florida could be a real culuture shock.

Thanks in adnvance

Go Packers! I agree it could be a culture shock but, since I believe TV, like Disney World, is NOT part of Florida, the only shock is how great the people are and the how the lifestyle differs here. That being said, I'm sure that you are gong to find the visit WAAAAY too short. GG always has the best responses on the forum and has pretty well covered it. She mentioned pools so don't forget the sun-block and swimming attire. Check out the Daily Sun website to get an idea of what's going on while you're down here. Wealth of links at the Virginia Trace website too.http://www.virginiatrace.com/ There is a link there for almost anything, including The Daily Sun.

We're also refugees from Wisconsin, mostly SE (Bay View, Ocon, Jefferson) and I was a Bass player with the Music Mates for about 15 yrs or so. All I have to do now is convince my reluctant bride, of 43 yrs, is that the snow and grand-kids are best left 'up north'. Then this will be Paradise.

[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/image...edirectory.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]

This is wonderful information!! I'm getting so excited - we will be there in less than a month for our 4 night tour.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

There are a lot of different stories here from people on their first visit. Most can't believe what they are experiencing. They can't believe how lovely it is and how friendly and talkative everyone is. They can't believe that they aren't being pestered to buy something.
They can't believe all of the things to do and see and enjoy.

Welcome to you and don't forget to bring your camera and to take the trolley ride and to dance at the squares and to eat at TooJays. Don't forget to visit as many regional rec centers as you can, and try a new pool every day. The regional rec centers that are my favorites are SeaBreeze, (the newest) Colony Cottage (most over the top, yet sweet and pretty) and Lake Miona the most "yachtical". Vist the Savannah center just to see the interior and you will feel like Scarlett and Rhett.

Have dinner at Nancy Lopez and Cane Garden.

I would say come over to our house for a beer, but we aren't gonna be there again for awhile.

Be sure to look at homes. They are lovely. Look at all of them, the cottages and THE COTTAGES at Lake Sumter landing , the villas and the premiers and the designers. Look at new ones and those that have already been loved.

Bring a cooler with something yummy and icy to drink and watch the sunset from Sumter Bridge in your golf cart..Be sure to rent a golf cart.

Relax. Smile. Wave. You will be in Paradise.

Hi Steve,
What Gracie said.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Junebugs

This is wonderful information!! I'm getting so excited - we will be there in less than a month for our 4 night tour.

Be excited. Be very excited!

[Vinny]

They have Previews? Two years ago we had lunch at Ruby Tuesday. Last year we had dinner at Katie Belle's and visited Sumter Square at night. Went back to NJ and put our home up for sale. When it sold 7 months later we bought our CYV online. The first and last time we ever met our sales rep was at the walk through prior to closing. I had not seen any neighborhoods in the daylight. Had no sea of all the pools or activities. All I knew was the feeling I got during my brief stays. That feeling was enough for me.

[bkcunningham1]

I called the place we stayed on our Lifestyle Preview Plan a villa. My husband corrected me and said it was a creekside cabana. Whatever. It was a three bedroom beautiful house.

You can book it without any thought or mention of buying a home. There is no obligation of even looking at the homes. No catch. When we came in December 2009, the price per night was $99! The price varies based on the season.

You will have to type this into your search area. I don't think it works if you just click to open.

http://www.thevillages.com/comevisit/lpp.asp

[BlueHeronFan]

When we made our decision on The Villages, we had already previewed 3 other "retirement" communities. Each had it's own + and - issues.

In addition to all the wonderful features the other poster's are offering which definately are what we enjoy everyday, here is what sold us on The Villages.

EVERYTHING is here. Grocery, Entertainment, Restaurants, Medical, Dental, Eyes, Hospitals, Movies, Pools, Beautiful unspoiled preserves, Large old growth trees, ponds and lakes, and the list goes on.......

This is the WHOLE lifestyle package. Retirement at it's most Grand Adventure.

[Junebugs]

Are there any special rules for navigating in the golf cart around shopping centers/parking lots/town squares?


Two weeks to go...... (countdown to our visit!!!)

[bkcunningham1]

Some places have designated cart paths. Other places, like parking lots and the town squares, you use the same laws and roadways governing vehicles. Many of the parking spaces are designated for carts. Just watch how the carts park and you'll figure it out.

[Kelsie52]

Originally Posted by Junebugs

Are there any special rules for navigating in the golf cart around shopping centers/parking lots/town squares?


Two weeks to go...... (countdown to our visit!!!)

The most important thing to remember about Golf Cart driving ----

CARS have the right of way --no matter what ----

When parking in a parking space leave room for another cart in the same space --you will see how its done