Bichon Barb
<font color=darkorchid>Mmmmm. French fries. Oh to
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2002
- Messages
- 5,530
We are back from our week at Emerald Island. As promised, I'll tell you about the resort.
First of all, our family consists of myself, DH, DS7 and DS9. Also, my in laws came and stayed with us for two nights. This was our first time staying off site.
We rented a three bedroom townhome directly from the owner for one week at an excellent price. (If you'd like the owner's website, send me a PM, and I'll be glad to give it to you.) Emerald Island is a new community off of Route 192 (Formosa) between mile markers 4 and 5, I believe. It took minutes to get to the WDW property. The entrance is guarded. There are townhomes as well as full sized homes. The clubhouse has a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, small work out room, small arcade, as well as other amenities. There is a little nature trail also.
The townhome was lovely. Just over 1400 square feet, the downstairs consisted of an L-shaped kitchen with breakfast bar, a dining area, a family room, 1/2 bath, and laundry. There is a small patio area out the back sliders and NO REAR NEIGHBORS! The upstairs consisted of three bedrooms, and two full baths. There is a small balcony off of the master bedroom.
Right on the corner of 192 and Formosa is a shopping center with a Winn Dixie (which caters to the renters with prepared foods as well as regular groceriess -- albeit priced for renters too
). This was very convenient after a long day in the parks. There is also a Giordano's (pizza) as well as a Chinese restaurant which both deliver! Also, there is a Japanese restaurant, a Subway, and an Outback Steakhouse. If you are interested in visiting Florida Splendid China. That park is right there too.
I have no idea what people mean when they say that "you lose the magic" when you stay off site. I think we all would have been at each other's throats if we had to stay in a hotel room for seven nights. In general, our mode of operation was to visit the parks from approximately 9:00 to 5:00, come back, go for a swim or soak in the jacuzzi, mom and dad would enjoy a Corona
, eat dinner. My rowdy boys were so exhausted, they would crash before 9:00 p.m.! I couldn't imagine how it would have been if we had to go back out each night and wait around for seats for dinner. The only (evening) meals we had out were when my in-laws babysat and DH and I had dinner at CG (more on that on the restaurant board!), and the night all six of us went to Ohana's (which was overpriced and rushed).
This is all, of course, just MHO. If it were just DH and myself, then a hotel would be the way to go. Someday, we'd like to drive our camper down and stay at Ft. Wilderness. But until we can close our office down for two weeks, we'll go the home away from home route!
Okay, I'm done babbling. Please let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to answer.
Barb
First of all, our family consists of myself, DH, DS7 and DS9. Also, my in laws came and stayed with us for two nights. This was our first time staying off site.
We rented a three bedroom townhome directly from the owner for one week at an excellent price. (If you'd like the owner's website, send me a PM, and I'll be glad to give it to you.) Emerald Island is a new community off of Route 192 (Formosa) between mile markers 4 and 5, I believe. It took minutes to get to the WDW property. The entrance is guarded. There are townhomes as well as full sized homes. The clubhouse has a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, small work out room, small arcade, as well as other amenities. There is a little nature trail also.
The townhome was lovely. Just over 1400 square feet, the downstairs consisted of an L-shaped kitchen with breakfast bar, a dining area, a family room, 1/2 bath, and laundry. There is a small patio area out the back sliders and NO REAR NEIGHBORS! The upstairs consisted of three bedrooms, and two full baths. There is a small balcony off of the master bedroom.
Right on the corner of 192 and Formosa is a shopping center with a Winn Dixie (which caters to the renters with prepared foods as well as regular groceriess -- albeit priced for renters too
). This was very convenient after a long day in the parks. There is also a Giordano's (pizza) as well as a Chinese restaurant which both deliver! Also, there is a Japanese restaurant, a Subway, and an Outback Steakhouse. If you are interested in visiting Florida Splendid China. That park is right there too.I have no idea what people mean when they say that "you lose the magic" when you stay off site. I think we all would have been at each other's throats if we had to stay in a hotel room for seven nights. In general, our mode of operation was to visit the parks from approximately 9:00 to 5:00, come back, go for a swim or soak in the jacuzzi, mom and dad would enjoy a Corona
, eat dinner. My rowdy boys were so exhausted, they would crash before 9:00 p.m.! I couldn't imagine how it would have been if we had to go back out each night and wait around for seats for dinner. The only (evening) meals we had out were when my in-laws babysat and DH and I had dinner at CG (more on that on the restaurant board!), and the night all six of us went to Ohana's (which was overpriced and rushed).This is all, of course, just MHO. If it were just DH and myself, then a hotel would be the way to go. Someday, we'd like to drive our camper down and stay at Ft. Wilderness. But until we can close our office down for two weeks, we'll go the home away from home route!
Okay, I'm done babbling. Please let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to answer.
Barb
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