[Vinny]

Unless something goes very wrong we will be closing on our CYV 5/26. No more disputes with buyer and appraisement was good but waiting on building inspector who is very backed up because our township cut their staff down to one.

Anyway, the first thing most relatives and friends say when I tell them where I am moving is "good, we can stay with you when we visit --name the attraction--. My inlaws got suckered into this when they moved from NJ to Ocala to the extent that they had house guest almost every month for up to two week periods. Mea Culpa but that is how I first became aware of TV. Now they just tell people that they will meet them at the theme park. Since it is my wife's sister we are always welcome though.

I have been to the area attractions many times so the thrill is gone. We enjoy walking around the free sections with resturants and people watch but due to medical reasons, cannot go on any of the rides anymore. Last time I did so against my wife's advice I hurt myself and had to hide it from her for three days. Ouch.

I am curious as to how often any of you go to the area attractions. Do you have season passes? Do you find friends and relatives you seldom saw now calling you up looking for a place to stay while visiting Disney et. al. ? Are there buses from TV to the parks?

Do you recommend a season pass. In my case I have two 10 year old nieces nearby who love the theme parks but quite frankly we cannot keep up with them and there is nothing like standing around for an hour waiting for them to get on a 3 minute ride.

What's the scoop of Villages and theme parks? How about out of state visitors? I have not read much about it in the forums I have been in. In other words what should I expect and do about these things?

[swrinfla]

Well, Vinny, you should probably never have asked me, but I'll offer my two cents worth anyhow!

In all my 70-plus years, I've never, ever done Disney! God's Truth!

Granted, my late wife and I established a really hard-headed line when our daughters were of the "we've got to go to Disney World" age. Somehow or other, they were never too pushy about it!

I suspect that, in this regard, I am blessed because I have no grandchildren! Yes, three step-granddaughters, none of whom has even ever hinted that Gramps should take them to Mickey's Kingdom!

I have neighbors who had their grandchildren for a week. Three seperate trips to Disney and the other attractions came close to exhausting them (while their grands were ready for more!) beyond their abilities.

I cannot fault that Disney has provided an absolutely wonderful experience, but I do think that we elders need to be cautious!

SWR

[Allen]

As you know, Disney is geographically expansive, and it therefore takes more than one day to do very much. TV is about an hour and a half away (not even counting your parking and transit time). Call it two hours, minimum (in normal traffic) each way... that's four hours out of your day.

Perhaps your potential guests might be better off staying on the Disney properties during the time that they will be visiting the parks. They could certainly visit you before, or after, the Disney portion of the trip. You could also offer to drive down there to meet them for a short while one day if you wish.

[NJblue]

I'm not sure where one has to come from in TV for the trip to be 2 hours, but we can leave our house in Hemmingway and be on Disney property in 1 hour. Of course Disney is huge, so you have to add time to get to the far reaches of the park.

They have several resident seasonal/annual packages that may be of interest. One which they just came out with this year allows you unlimited number of visits as long as you 1) avoid peak times (summer, 2 weeks around Christmas, 2 weeks around Easter) and 2) do not come on Sat/Sun. Since these times are the most crowded and since when retired all the other days are just as convenient, this is a pretty good deal. As I recall, the price for this was only in the $160-180 range per person for a full year. Parking is additional.

[bkcunningham1]

Compare the prices for an annual pass and a one time admission at Disney. I think the annual pass is the way to go if you are going to go more than twice. Prices for Florida residents are slashed even more. The Disney Resort has some fabulous restaurants you can go to with your Disney pass.

Busch Gardens, Sea World and Discovery Cove are also other nearby parks that offer annual passes and discount tickets to Florida residents. If you are a Florida resident, you can purchase the tickets for a guest at a resident rate.

Of course you have the St. Petersburg and the Gulf Coast beaches which are nearby and the most beautiful beaches anywhere. Lots of state parks that are free.

[Allen]

Originally Posted by NJblue

I'm not sure where one has to come from in TV for the trip to be 2 hours...

Google Maps:

Dead Center of TV to Disney World, World Drive, Orlando, Florida

US-27 S and Florida's Turnpike/Ronald Reagan Turnpike - 1 hour 23 minutes - 57.0 Miles

FL-500 E/US-441 S - 1 hour 31 minutes - 64.3 Miles.

As stated above, I added a half hour for transit (each way) to get to and from your car at the park.

[graciegirl]

Swinfla....I am telling you it is not to late to go to see Mickey Mouse et al. It is so terrific...I just can't beleive you haven't been there. It is NOT just for kids, it is just enchanting.

And Vinny....we haven't had anyone come to visit us to see the Theme Parks.

It is a good two hour drive...part of the fun is to stay at Disney.

Plus here is the secret information handed to us. Get an air mattress and put a teeny tiny hole in it. Pretty comfy for a night or two, but not much longer.

[Indy-Guy]

Originally Posted by Allen

Google Maps:

Dead Center of TV to Disney World, World Drive, Orlando, Florida

US-27 S and Florida's Turnpike/Ronald Reagan Turnpike - 1 hour 23 minutes - 57.0 Miles

FL-500 E/US-441 S - 1 hour 31 minutes - 64.3 Miles.

As stated above, I added a half hour for transit (each way) to get to and from your car at the park.

I know this thread wasn't about the best way to Disney but here it is hands down.

Take the Florida Turnpike to the 429 Toll Road and take the 429 to exit 8. Exit 8 will take you a back way into Disney with very little traffic and just follow the signs as to where you want to go. Exit 8 will take you into Disney on the Northwest side and will take you past the greenhouses.

It takes about 45 minutes. I have driven it many times. Very little traffic on the 429 it is very new and many maps and net services won't even show it. Right before you get to the 429 you will see a sign that says 429 Toll Road to Disney. The 429 is between Winter Garden and Ococee.

I live in The Village of Poinciana and I get on the Turnpike at the Wildwood Exit as I said 45 minutes at the most and that is driving the speed limit.

[NJblue]

Allen,

I believe that for most of TV that taking 301 to the turnpike and then the 429 toll road into the back entrance to Disney is much faster than taking 27 to the turnpike because of all the traffic lights through Leesburg. We have taken this route a number of times and it has never taken more than an hour.

[Chi-Town]

I recently took the - 301 to the Florida Turnpike to 429 - route that Indy-Guy mentioned and it was under an hour to Downtown Disney. The Google maps route taking 27 to the Turnpike may be a mile shorter but 20 to 30 minutes longer.

[Indy-Guy]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Unless something goes very wrong we will be closing on our CYV 5/26. No more disputes with buyer and appraisement was good but waiting on building inspector who is very backed up because our township cut their staff down to one.

Anyway, the first thing most relatives and friends say when I tell them where I am moving is "good, we can stay with you when we visit --name the attraction--. My inlaws got suckered into this when they moved from NJ to Ocala to the extent that they had house guest almost every month for up to two week periods. Mea Culpa but that is how I first became aware of TV. Now they just tell people that they will meet them at the theme park. Since it is my wife's sister we are always welcome though.

I have been to the area attractions many times so the thrill is gone. We enjoy walking around the free sections with resturants and people watch but due to medical reasons, cannot go on any of the rides anymore. Last time I did so against my wife's advice I hurt myself and had to hide it from her for three days. Ouch.

I am curious as to how often any of you go to the area attractions. Do you have season passes? Do you find friends and relatives you seldom saw now calling you up looking for a place to stay while visiting Disney et. al. ? Are there buses from TV to the parks?

Do you recommend a season pass. In my case I have two 10 year old nieces nearby who love the theme parks but quite frankly we cannot keep up with them and there is nothing like standing around for an hour waiting for them to get on a 3 minute ride.

What's the scoop of Villages and theme parks? How about out of state visitors? I have not read much about it in the forums I have been in. In other words what should I expect and do about these things?

Now Vinny back to your question. We have lived here for 4 years full time and owned for over 5 years. We have 3 sets of grandchildren and each wanted to go to Disney on their first visit and haven't been back since. Wife and I go to Downtown Disney for dinner about every other month or so. We both have some passes for Disney that are a couple of years old and will use them sometime but in no hurry. Grand kids like it here in The Villages they are at the age they would rather go in the golf cart to the pool.

As for friends wanting to stay with us while they go to the theme parks it has not happened in 5 years. We do have friends and relatives that come here and visit to golf because the love this place. But no visitors using us for a flop house while they visit the theme parks no one has even asked.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Swinfla....I am telling you it is not to late to go to see Mickey Mouse et al. It is so terrific...I just can't beleive you haven't been there. It is NOT just for kids, it is just enchanting.

Swinfla, Gracie is tellin' you the truth! It is enchanting and whimsical and magical and you get to meet Mickey and friends in person. Once when I went as an adult Chip (or Dale?) of the Disney chipmunk duo tapped me on the shoulder and told me to look up to my right and Dale (or Chip?) grabbed my purse and ran the other way and I chased him and laughed myself silly. Did I mention that in addition to being enchanting and whimsical you get to meet Mickey and his friends in person.

Vinny, we've had friends visit us in TV for a day when they went down to Disney. We've had other visitors come to visit just to see us and TV. If you welcome visitors, I'm betting they will come. If you don't, Gracie also had a good suggestion for you.

[Allen]

I’m not there yet, so I will certainly defer to those of you who travel to Disney and back regularly. However, a 60 mile trip in under 60 minutes means “pedal to the metal… non stop” from the word “go” assuming Google Maps has the distance right.

The only point I was trying to make is that actually getting to (and from) the park itself takes a pretty big chunk out of the day. I'm not sure I would want to make that drive repeatedly over four or five days while spending all day at some serious and intense play with the kids.

I think I would find it more fun and relaxing (although more expensive) to stay at the Disney properties if you are going to go for more than a quick visit.

All this Disney talk though makes me want to go. Perhaps TOTV should send them a bill for advertising!

[Rag Bagger]

not taking your kids to Disney. It is truely a great experience. For us Epcot was really kewl.

[billethkid]

sell them for a few dollars less than at the parks or their web sites.
Also when staying I recommend staying on Disney property (not Disney hotels)....last week we stayed at Best Western on the property...two double beds $61 plus tax. Buses to all the facilities with free parking.

When you go please note as I did, there are a significant number of us elders in attendance there....really much more than you can imagine. Just pace yourself and have a good time.

We feel blessed and fortunate because we DO have grandchildren who want to go there.

Like TV it keeps you young(er). It is too easy to not go and much less fun.

btk

PS Leaving TV at 8 AM and in Epcot parking lot at 9:20 AM.