we stayed at Ron Juan Resort

[berly1657]

We just returned from the Eastern 2/7 cruise. We stayed at the new resort Thurs and Fri night. We had 8 - 4 adults and 4 kids 5 yr and 8 yr olds. We had a 2 bedroom that slept 10 - 4 in each bedroom and a pullout couch in living room

We arrived 9pm Thurs night and had dinner in the onsite restaurant. Very good, fast service. We thought we would stop at a restuarant on the way from the orl airport - but didn't happen to see one - Big boy etc...

We went to Walmart Thurs night and bought quick breakfast - cereal etc.

We enjoyed the pool on Friday - all day. Word of caution our feet had all little cuts in from the tile around the outside of the pool. The kids in particular would go from the lazy river to the slide numerous times and the tile was rough.

We did take the cart to the ocean and walked around to the pier etc. Very nice.

They offered pool side massages.

Fri night we went to Grills for dinner- very good, kids enjoyed too.
we did the mini golf.

Sat. the kids played in the play area until we left for the ship.

Thoroughly enjoyed the resort. Definitely not a 1 night place to stay. Check in is at 4pm, check out is at 10 am. You do recieve green wrist/ankle bands to wear while in the pool area.

Because it is a time share - you do not receive shampoo or coffee with your room. You do get soap....and a coffee maker.

We would definitely stay here again, 2 or 3 days - the slide was really fast.....I think it just opened that day.

On to the homework...

 

[IrishCowboy]

Thanks for the report. We're thinking of staying there before our cruises in May and September. It sounds like a very nice place.

 

[IrishCowboy]

Forgot to ask....

1) How much was your room?

2) Is there any kind of shuttle to the port?

3) What movies were being shown in the theater(s)?

Thanks!

 

[scottie]

I am happy to hear you had a nice time. We cant wait to stay there for a night or two in May!!

 

[mmouse37]

berly1657.....we also had dinner at Grill's on Friday night before the 2/7 cruise!!!! We got there about 5ish just in time to the Soverign of the Seas come down the channel. Food was great (rock shrimp app. was excellent) and good blue tropical drinks!!!

Wouldn't it have been funny if we were there at the same time!!!!

MJ

 

[berly1657]

We paid $138 not incl. tax per night (I think)

The movies playing were 6 per day - examples, Ice Age, chicago, Treasure Planet, Sea Biscuit, HOles, Sweet Home Alabama

We did not need a shuttle to port - so we didn't inquire about it. There is a family restaurant down the road - not real impressed with the service...but other then that, there is not anything close by. It is in a commericial area. There is a Sheratan next door - that may be a time share condo thing???

We arrived at Grills as the Soveriegn of the Seas was going down the channel. I think we were seated at about 6. We were in the restaurant, lower level, indoors way in the corner, opposite the hostess desk, along the waterfront - blocking one of the doors - we had a party of 8. The service there was so quick - and the vegetables were so good....

 

[Paige3]

Hi, Thankyou so much for the trip report. I have been waiting for a report from someone who has actually stayed there. My question is the distance from the resort and pool area to the ocean. Is it really 3 blocks like someone else estimated? How is the shuttle? Where does it pick you up? If you don't take the shuttle, is the ocean within a reasonable walk? How is the beach? Sorry for all of the questions, but I am having a really hard time picturing it. Thankyou again!

 

[berly1657]

the "shuttle" is a golf cart that easily seats 10 that runs from the main building to the beach all day long. the poor guy just keeps on going in circles dropping/picking people up all day - about every 10 minutes. very nice guy driving it.

You could walk it if you want, depending how much stuff you have to carry, how hot it is etc...you do have to take a short boardwalk to the ocean and then a short walk to the beach through a "path" it is really not that far. I believe it is set back because of tides etc. You don't get off the cart and then wallah there's the beach - it's a very short walk from the cart drop off point to the ocean. If you just wanted to walk for exercise it would be a very nice walk. I wouldn't want to drag kids etc on the walk from the main hotel to the ocean - they'd rather ride in the cart anyway!

There were umbrellas and lounges on the beach that said rental - not sure how/where?

It's a huge beach and you can walk to the channel where the cruise ship departs from. Our husbands walked to it (we wanted the pool) and watched dolphins - bummed we missed it! It would be a very enjoyable walk. I believe it may be connected to Jetty park?????

If you are thinking you may not stay here because of the distance from the main hotel to the beach - don't worry about it! It is more then worth it just for the pool! We will definitely stay here again and do at least 2 full days if not more.

Keep in mind we have stayed at OKW in the 2 bedrooms and these are not near the same size - a lot smaller, but we felt we had adequate room for the 8 of us for the short time we were there!

 

[DNSDisney]

I am planning a trip in June to Ron Jons and was wondering (for guesstamation budget expensences) what all is included in the rm priceing. For ex. Is the mini golf free? I assume the pools, water slide, and other water areas are. I know the movies are from there site.
Also how close is Walmart or groc. store from the resort?

Thanks,
Sharon

 

[berly1657]

All the activities at the resort were free - you needed to have your green bands on. Not sure about tennis?

Wal-mart was maybe 10 min.? Just keep in mind that the resort is more in a commercial/residential area and that most chain restaurants etc are about 10 min away.

I am very jealous - our next big vacation besides camping woo-hoo is not until next feb - but I can start planning for that! Here we come WDW!

 

[bwbuddy]

What's the link for reservations?

 

[scottie]

Here is a link to the rental request form on their site. I would recommend checking out the site and then calling to inquire/place a reservation. We had much better luck over the phone.

http://www.ronjonresort.com/rentalform.shtml

 

[dtuleya]

When you say everything was free with the wristband, I'm assuming that doesn't mean the massages, right? Do you know how much they cost?

 

[Branwes]

Great Board. I called Ron Jons today and they said I needed to bring a coupon when I gave the code 102. Does anyone know where I can get a coupon? Thanks in advance!

 

[scottie]

Thats weird. We booked with the code and were told that all we needed to do was verbally provide the code. Maybe they have changed the policy?

 

[Branwes]

Well, I guess we will see. Because I don't have a coupon.
Thanks anyway

 

[dtuleya]

When I booked there was no mention of needing the actual code/coupon.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hi - if you need another code, you can use 300 and it was from their ad in the Florida space magazine - it doesn't mention if you need the coupon, but I will check the one I have - also remember Ron Jon IS LOCATED in a residential area - there is nothing close - there is a "restaurant' called Portside just around the corner from there, but I would NOT suggest it simply because it was closed down not too long ago for not very nice stuff - Walmart is about 5 miles west on 520 - Winn dixie, drugstores etc is about 2.5 miles away - (going south) ----------ron Jon's does not have a shuttle to the ships --one nice thing about Ron Jon's is that they are right next to the jetties which is neat to take the kids to see the ships leave - I love the jetties tho it does cost to get in - you are charged by the car and not people - they have fixed it so nice.
there is no Sheridan around - what you have is Solando Lakes which is privately owned condos -
anyhow hope this will help.
Always
Shirley

 

[jeanneg]

I just booked a one bedroom suite yesterday for our pre-cruise time in August and the best rate I could get was 142.50 plus tax/night. This seems higher than what other people were getting. The gal who took my reservation said it was because it was "high" season. That rate was with the code 102 discount also. Can anyone else confirm this?

 

[berly1657]

Shirley,

when was Portside closed? We were there in Feb and wouldn't recommend it - took forever for wait staff etc. Part of the problem too - while we were waiting for tables an older couple walks in the door and right by all of us waiting to be seated......and grabs a table we were waiting for to be cleared.....maybe they were regulars or something - not a friendly place to eat...We just wanted to eat quick? and get on with our day before our cruise.