I share the frustration of people who enjoy staying in vacation homes and searching for their dream villa using sites such as VRBO, Homeaway, Tripadvisor,  Flipkey, Tripping and/or Airbnb.  The best parts of renting an Orlando Kissimmee vacation home near Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando is saving a few vacation dollars.  The bonus is sharing one roof with the whole family and sitting down to an affordable meal together.  So, after you've done hours of research and found that perfect holiday rental, you press "Book Now"" only to find that the price of the vacation rental is 10% - 20% higher because of a "Booking Fee".  I'll let you in on a little industry secret - the homeowners don't get the booking fee - it goes to the website owner.  Want to save 10% - 20% on your vacation home rental?  Book directly from the homeowner!  Now that you have found a website where you can rent a Florida vacation home directly from the owner, why bother with those other sites?  For a 1 to 2 week vacation, by not paying booking fees, you could save between $500.00 - $1,000.00 on your vacation!  If you are searching for a vacation rental in the Orlando area and, particularly, at the Encore Resort at Reunion, contact us for a vacation villa rental quote.  If you book directly from us, we won't charge a booking fee!  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yesterday we posted about riding every ride at WDW in one day.  Aside from the horse drawn carriage ride at Magic Kingdom, the hardest part of this challenge is going to be riding the newest rides at the park.  Everybody wants to try the new rides, especially if you are a returning guest and the ride didn't exist during your last stay.  So in order to achieve the challenge - or even if you aren't doing the challenge - if you want to maintain your sanity and not stand in line for half the day, you have to bit the bullet and have an early day during your vacation.  Currently the "must do" ride at Disney World is Pandora's Flights of Passage at Animal Kingdom.  Getting a fastpass for this ride is all but impossible, so the best strategy to get on this new and amazing ride is to get to the park early.  I mean an hour before the park is scheduled to open.  We did this on our last visit and it worked out perfectly well.  We were exiting the ride just as the park was "officially" open.  Remember that they usually open the park 15 - 20 minutes earlier than the posted time, so you are really only showing up 30-40 minutes before actual park opening.  To see what the experience is like, check out this video by one of our fellow Disney Bloggers:

One of the best parts of an early day at one of Orlando's theme parks is that you don't feel bad taking off around 2:00 pm and heading back to your home base for a nap, swim and a day at the resort pool.  We know that you would enjoy all of these activities if you are staying at our Encore Resort at Reunion vacation rental villa with a private pool and hot tub spa.  Nap in one of our Disney themed bedrooms, enjoy a fun game in our Star Wars Games Room, or head to the resort water park to enjoy some sliding and splashing.  The fun doesn't have to end just because you left the park.  Enjoy all Orlando and the Encore Club have to offer!

Once again, Walt Disney World is taking pity on Canadians and the weaker loonie by offering a discount for Canadians buying admission tickets to their 4 Orlando area theme parks.  With proof of Canadian residency, you will save 20% off of the regular price on 4-day or longer tickets when purchased in advance online or over the phone.  A 4 day admission ticket would normally cost $350US per person, but with this special offer, Canadians pay only $280US.  This special Canadian offer is available between November 1, 2017 and February 10, 2018. Unlike last year, where the tickets didn't expire, this year's tickets are only valid November 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018.

But the deals don't stop there!  If you contact us in the next 30 days and book our Encore Resort at Reunion vacation rental home for 7 nights or longer with pool heat, we will also provide a 20% discount off the daily rental rate if your mention this blog entry.

Here's a fun little DIY craft for the kids to do while they are patiently waiting to arrive at our Encore Resort at Reunion vacation villa in sunny Orlando - Kissimmee Florida.  Thanks to our friends at Disney Parks Blog, here is a Create-Your-Own Walt Disney World Vacation Countdown.  Simply go to this link and print out the template.  Then go to their Pinterest site to get ideas on how to mount the calendar.  There's also a Christmas themed countdown too!  This is a fun way to countdown the days until you arrive at your Orlando vacation home near Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.  Have fun and send us pictures of your completed project!

Our vacation home community has some pretty cool news today.  Encore Resort at Reunion vacation rental community in Orlando, Florida has announced that NFL Hall of Famer and former Miami Dolphins Quarterback Dan Marino has signed on to become the Official Brand Ambassador for the Resort.

As the Official Brand Ambassador, Dan Marino will be featured in Encore Resort at Reunion's advertising campaign including television spots, billboards and print ads; social media campaigns/promotions; and personal appearances and events at the luxury vacation rental property throughout the year.  Future partnership endeavors also include an onsite Sports Facility and Dan Marino Sports Academy to train and educate young athletes; Dan Marino youth football camps and a Dan Marino Fantasy Camp.

​ABOUT DAN MARINO
A first-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in 1983, Marino became an instant NFL sensation, setting the standard for quarterback excellence. He became the only rookie quarterback ever to start in the Pro Bowl in 1983 and was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in his second season (1984). The nine-time Pro Bowler played in 18 playoff games and led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl in 1985 against San Francisco. Upon his retirement, Marino held 25 NFL regular-season quarterback records and was tied for five others. He quarterbacked Miami for 17 years, positioning the Dolphins as perennial championship contenders throughout his career. One of three players ever to do so, he twice won the Dolphins' Community Service Award (1996 and 1998), and was named the NFL Man of the Year in 1998. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2005 and in 2010 he was ranked number 25 on the NFL's Top 100 Greatest Players list.

Construction has already begun on the world's tallest ride, located on International Drive in Orlando Florida.  Just minutes from our vacation home, this new twist on the classic circular swing style ride will give Orlando theme park vacationers an unbelievable view of Universal Orlando, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and all of Walt Disney World's theme parks, as well as most of the Orlando area.  Extra points to those without a fear of heights if you can spot our Encore Resort at Reunion vacation villa home from that vantage point.  It should be easy if you start by locating the community's 3 acre aquapark's landmark waterslide tower, home of the tub ride, aqua drop and multi lane water mat racers.  Can you imagine what it will be like to watch Walt Disney World's fireworks from this view.  At the right time of year, you would be able to see Magic Kingdom's "Happily Ever After", EPCOT's IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, and Hollywood Studios' Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular all at the same time.  The best way to take in all of Orlando's thrill ride offerings is to rent a centrally located vacation home villa and visit them all.  If you are looking for that special vacation home for your family or group of 12 or less, your search is over!  Visit our website for photos, videos and details.  Then contact us to schedule your amazing holiday!