Mystic Dune Advid Needed Please

[rae662000]

Hi
I am staying at Mystic Dunes in late August in a 2 bedroom. In my party will be myself, DH, dd 7 and dd4. We will be doing Disney many of the days but I would like to get your advice about the food at the resort and around the area.
What is the cost like and is it good eating at the resort?

We plan on eating dinner out most nights, but if we did not want to leave the resort how much variety is there?

There is not maid service right?

Are there kid clubs or babysitting services there or close by?

Had anyone used Grocery Delivery Service?

Any ideas about which building or location to request at check in would also be appreciated?

Thanks in advance for your help. I just love dis

 

[tednvon]

Hi, I work at Mystic Dunes as a starter/ranger on the golf course in Jan, Feb, and March...
First of all definately ask for a condo NOT on the number 8 fairway with the kids...It is just too close to the fairway and golf ball flying everywhere.
Food, in my opinion is very expensive for what you get...it is good and I would do the clubhouse a couple of times because it is convenient. I hope you have a car, as Disney is so easy to get to from MDunes.

GREAT breakfast or dinner buffet at Golden Corral on 192 just west of Old Lake Wilson Road (MDUNES road) Excellent choices, always very fresh.

Also on 192, lots of just OK restaurants..Good Pizza at Giordono's in the mall just off Formosa Gardens Blvd which is an easy drive. From Mystic Dunes turn left on Old Lake Wilson and in about a mile look for sneaky turn on Livingston to the left...it will take you to Formosa GardensBlvd/Sand Lake Road...turn right, through stop sign and Shopping Center with Giordonos' is on left.

Let us know what you want to eat and we will send you there...so many options and don't forget great fun places like Disney Boardwalk with ESPN, Downtown Disney with lots of restaurants, The great Disney buffets at Boma's in Animal Kingdom Lodge and The clam bake buffet at The Beach Club.

Ted

 

[rae662000]

Thanks so much Ted I was hoping you would be online. I appreciate your responses.

Golden Corral sounds wonderful, think I ate there a couple of years ago, but I am not very good with directions, my DH is always driving and remembers street names and such. I will right down the places you have given me so far. We will be doing 10 days at Mystic Dunes so there is a lot of room for suggestions. The only concern is my DH has a shell fish allergy so seafood is mostly out.

I will have to make Disney ESPN a choice for one day and lots of other restaurants at Downtown Disney. We have acquired some points from the Disney rewards card and will most likely spend them dining at Disney.

I love your suggestions about the Clam bake, never been to one will have to check that out, and breakfast at Animal Kingdom Lodge (will it be open during that time).

My DH is very adventurous when it comes to eating and will try almost anything as long as not shellfish. My kids are good eaters so we are up for a variety.

We will rent a car so we will be mobile.

 

[rae662000]

Oh I forgot to ask about golf. I am a newbie and no nothing about it, but my DH bought me a set of clubs for our anniversary and I was wondering if they offer some instruction for newbies?

 

[tednvon]

Hello,
They do lessons at Mystic Dunes and the pros are pretty good...MDunes is a very long tough course for a newby...and can be kind of expensive, but prices will be lowest of the year in August.

One of the places we fell in love with for dinner was a great British place called The PUB. It has great fish and chips, Shepherd's Pie plus lots of other American fare and kid's menu...Easy to find...from Mystic Dunes exit Right on Old Lake Wilson Road and go about two miles past the billion dollar Reunion Developement. (OOOHS and AAAAAHs) Turn right at the stop light by the Pharmacy. Head west until just before you enter Champions Gate and turn left (tricky little turn) onto I-4. (By the way, go straight into C Gate for handiest big Publix for groceries, Subway and two big C-stores.)
To the PUB, go one exit to Hwy 27 south and go about one mile on 27 south and look on your right...It is a green building...we love it!

To get to and from Disney we recommend the following. (We do this about 4 times a week as Von works at Disney a day or two a week, and we go over a lot in the evening for dinner and fireworks)

To Disney...Old Lake Wilson road...trun right on 192 and take new Disney Entrance just east...works better than the old Sherberth Road since new entrance is done.

To exit, Sherberth is much easier....from inside Disney follow signs to Animal Kingdom.(there will be one or two quick turns right, so be heads up)
As you approach AK, keep LEFT to AK LODGE. You will quickly come to a stop light. Turn left on Sherberth....wind your way back to 192 and GO STRAIGHT ACROSS 192 until you come to a fountain by the entrance to a big time share...just go around the fountain past the gate and head west. Old Lake Wilson will be about a block...turn right and you are home! Really works well to get home.

Breakfast at AK is very good but they are famous for the evening buffet at Bomas.
If you have 10 days and some time consider a "monorail tour" of the hotels with some good food along the way...just stopping at the Grand Floridian to see the lobby and walk the back gardens is great. Reward the kids with an ice cream.
At the Polynesian, do breakfast at Kona Cafe and someone get the Tonga Toast!
If spouse likes BBQ, try the Wilderness Lodge at Whispering Canyon...excellent BBQ and make sure the kids ask for Ketchup! Wilderness Lodge is worth the trip just to see it!

Wow, so may options...check out the restaurant board for more ideas...IMHO, I would keep meals at Mystic Dunes to a minimum...in 10 to 20 minutes you can drive to so many fun places...

At boardwalk, be sure to plan to just wander around after 5PM and catch the street magicians and performers...they are great...For a healthy walk, go all the way around the lake to Beach Club and get a treat at "Beaches and Cream Ice Cream Parlor.

Hope this help....bring the sunscreen and the water bottles!!

Ted

 

[Aubiesmomma]

One place I wouldnt try is Angels..The food wasnt great and it was WAY over priced.Plus we had to wait in long lines to gte our food.I LOVE Kobe steakhouse (a Japanese steakhouse)..You can also try midevil times.

 

[Aubiesmomma]

Forgot to add that celebration isnt far,and you can always eat there.

 

[rae662000]

Forgot to add that celebration isnt far,and you can always eat there.

Celebration, What is that? Haven't heard of it. But thanks for the other ideas. Japanese steakhouse, not sure about that with my husband's shelfish issue but will be it on the put it on the list as plan "b".

 

[Aubiesmomma]

Celebration, What is that? Haven't heard of it. But thanks for the other ideas. Japanese steakhouse, not sure about that with my husband's shelfish issue but will be it on the put it on the list as plan "b".

It a planned Disney town.Think of the truman show meets pleasantville.Worth seeing.

 

[rae662000]

It a planned Disney town.Think of the truman show meets pleasantville.Worth seeing.

Okay, sounds like found, Where exactly is it?

 

[tmonferdini]

Just a question - when you booked your Mystic Dunes stay, was it a timeshare deal or an actual hotel booking? The reason I'm asking is that last year, someone contact me from Tempus Resorts (selling timeshares for Mystic Dunes). Since I had good luck in the past with timeshare "speels" and what I got from it, I decided to try it again. We booked for 3 nights at spring break in April (2-5, 2007). When we got there to check in, the lobby was full of people (approx. 6 different families from all over the US). They had run out of rooms! DURING SPRING BREAK!!! One man had been driving from upstate NY since 3:00 a.m. with 3 kids & wife. One lady had just finished her final round of chemo (they actually had the nerve to call the police on her because she was so irate (8 in her party & the manager on duty told her he had 1 room with a double bed). The police came and told her to sue them for breach of contract & did NOT arrest her or ask her to leave (like the manager wanted them to do.
When we got there to check in, it was about 8:00 p.m. I got on my cell phone and started calling all the 800 #'s I could think of for hotel chains and we wound up staying 4 nights at a Days Inn on Irlo Bronson Hwy, I think MM 18 or 21 or something un-Godly. Anyway, beware of their timeshares!!!

 

[tednvon]

ouch!!!

I can tell you the golf course is really nice, and the units are pretty fancy upscale, other than that, stories like this are painful. I never heard of it happening, but again, I was just at the golf course...

All the best...Ted

 

[rae662000]

Just a question - when you booked your Mystic Dunes stay, was it a timeshare deal or an actual hotel booking? The reason I'm asking is that last year, someone contact me from Tempus Resorts (selling timeshares for Mystic Dunes). Since I had good luck in the past with timeshare "speels" and what I got from it, I decided to try it again. We booked for 3 nights at spring break in April (2-5, 2007). When we got there to check in, the lobby was full of people (approx. 6 different families from all over the US). They had run out of rooms! DURING SPRING BREAK!!! One man had been driving from upstate NY since 3:00 a.m. with 3 kids & wife. One lady had just finished her final round of chemo (they actually had the nerve to call the police on her because she was so irate (8 in her party & the manager on duty told her he had 1 room with a double bed). The police came and told her to sue them for breach of contract & did NOT arrest her or ask her to leave (like the manager wanted them to do.
When we got there to check in, it was about 8:00 p.m. I got on my cell phone and started calling all the 800 #'s I could think of for hotel chains and we wound up staying 4 nights at a Days Inn on Irlo Bronson Hwy, I think MM 18 or 21 or something un-Godly. Anyway, beware of their timeshares!!!

Nope, not a timeshare deal. I booked it thru www.govarm.com . And I got a fantastic rate. I will not even entertain the timeshare thingy . My time is too valuable on vacation. I learn that the first time around.

 

[AmberI]

Nope, not a timeshare deal. I booked it thru www.govarm.com . And I got a fantastic rate. I will not even entertain the timeshare thingy . My time is too valuable on vacation. I learn that the first time around.

Thats cool, I booked throught them too. We were going to stay at MD, but we are staying at liki tiki village. Hope you have a good trip.

 

[rae662000]

Thats cool, I booked throught them too. We were going to stay at MD, but we are staying at liki tiki village. Hope you have a good trip.

That funny, I was deciding between them and Liki Tiki also. What are your dates? I only made my mind up after speaking on the phone with the govarm agent about the resorts. What he read off his screen was the deciding factor for me. I hope you have a great trip as well We will have to come back and review our trips for others with questions.

 

[AmberI]

I have 2 little ones so liki tiki will be fun for them. I'll be going there 4 days after you, one week on site (free dining) One week at liki tiki.
How long does it take to drive from MD to the parks?

 

[holysmoke]

I have 2 little ones so liki tiki will be fun for them. I'll be going there 4 days after you, one week on site (free dining) One week at liki tiki.
How long does it take to drive from MD to the parks?

how did you get free dining? I am a member of govarm how do I get the deals you ladies posted?

I can't find them and I cant pm you since I'm new, thanks.

 

[AmberI]

You had to book 3 night with disney with one day tickets. The offer is over now.

 

[rae662000]

how did you get free dining? I am a member of govarm how do I get the deals you ladies posted?

I can't find them and I cant pm you since I'm new, thanks.

yes, and it was thru disney not govarm.

Oh and I forgot to add WELCOME TO DIS !!! Glad to have you.

 

[rae662000]

I have 2 little ones so liki tiki will be fun for them. I'll be going there 4 days after you, one week on site (free dining) One week at liki tiki.
How long does it take to drive from MD to the parks?

WDW is only 5 miles away but I'm sure the time depends on which park your going to. I was originally doing free dining, but decided against it to save on the hotel bill. So eat some goodies for me