Congratulations to the winner of the $590m powerball jackpot! What's even better is that they come from Zephyrhills, Florida. Imagine the amount of vacations they can now take to my villa when visiting Disneyworld?!
I don't even know what I'd do with all of that money. Maybe I would buy a whole street of villas in Florida and expand my rental business, that would be so much fun! What would you do with all that money??
Many congratulations once again, what an amazing feeling that must be!
Monday, 20 May 2013
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Latest Last Minute Deal
Why not come and stay at Andy's Florida Villa for a short weeks break between May 24th - May 31st for just $60 (£40) a night?!
That's right, for just $420 (£280) you could find yourself lapping up the Florida sunshine around the pool at Andy's Florida Villa for a whole week.
Interested? Send over an e-mail now to andy@andysfloridavilla.com before it's too late! First come, first served basis.
I hope to hear from you soon
That's right, for just $420 (£280) you could find yourself lapping up the Florida sunshine around the pool at Andy's Florida Villa for a whole week.
Interested? Send over an e-mail now to andy@andysfloridavilla.com before it's too late! First come, first served basis.
I hope to hear from you soon
Monday, 6 May 2013
More Downtown Disney Stuff
As you are aware I go to Downtown Disney every time I visit Florida. I particulary enjoy things when the lights go down and the clear Florida sky shows off its surroundings. The following picture is one that I particulary love as the colours are deep and rich. The shot was taken without a tripod and was balanced on a railing. I was pleased with the result.
The structure originally known as the The Empress Lilly is a static full-size replica of a paddle steamer riverboat on Village Lake. It is 220 feet long and 62 feet wide. Though it resembles a boat, it is actually a boat-shaped building on a submerged concrete foundation.
The Empress Lilly was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering to look as authentic as possible. The gingerbread scrollwork and stained-glass detailing hearkened back to the days of Mark Twain's Mississippi River. The paddlewheel at the aft end constantly churned, though the ship never moved. It greeted guests for the first time on May 1, 1976, when it was christened by Walt Disney's widow, Lillian Disney, for whom it was named. It originally housed four separate entertainment and dining areas:
In the mid-1990s, as a cost-cutting move, Disney began to engage outside partners to take over operations of many of its restaurants. It was decided the Empress Lilly would come under new management, and Levy Restauants signed a contract to operate the "ship" for 20 years. On April 22, 1995, the Empress Lilly served her last meals. All interiors were subsequently ripped out and a new décor for a single restaurant put in place. The old smokestacks and paddlewheel were removed due to rust and rot and were not replaced. The restaurant opened as Fulton's Crab House on March 10, 1996.
Above is reproduced from Wikipedia
You will find a Lego store in Downtown Disney with a larhe Dinosaur waiting to greet you as you arrive.
Within the Downtown Disney area you will find a number of restaurants of which Planet Hollywood is one of the popular ones.
Inside the Disney store you will find various items for sale. My favourites include the statues of the Charactors from the various cartoons including...............
The Empress Lilly was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering to look as authentic as possible. The gingerbread scrollwork and stained-glass detailing hearkened back to the days of Mark Twain's Mississippi River. The paddlewheel at the aft end constantly churned, though the ship never moved. It greeted guests for the first time on May 1, 1976, when it was christened by Walt Disney's widow, Lillian Disney, for whom it was named. It originally housed four separate entertainment and dining areas:
- The Baton Rouge Lounge, located forward on the main deck. Here patrons could relax at the bar and enjoy the music and comedy of the Riverboat Rascals. Many of these musicians played in the Baton Rouge for years and became local legends. Some of them included "Fast Eddie" Erickson, Dave Tobiasen, Tom Bucci, Denny Zavett, Ralf Reynolds, Mike Gentry, Randy Morris, Dan Riley, John Charles, Andy Fielding and Bill Dendle.
- Steerman's Quarters, in the main deck's aft section, specialized in certified Angus beef. Its décor featured nostalgic imagery of America's western cattle. In the aft end of the room, giant windows overlooked the churning paddlewheel.
- The Fisherman's Deck, a seafood restaurant, was located forward on the promenade deck.
- The Empress Room, aft on the promenade deck, was a formal dining room that required reservations. It was extravagantly decorated with gold-trimmed walls and Rococo (Louis XIV) style appointments. Hungarian chef Gerry Reich developed the original menu to cater to upscale tastes.
In the mid-1990s, as a cost-cutting move, Disney began to engage outside partners to take over operations of many of its restaurants. It was decided the Empress Lilly would come under new management, and Levy Restauants signed a contract to operate the "ship" for 20 years. On April 22, 1995, the Empress Lilly served her last meals. All interiors were subsequently ripped out and a new décor for a single restaurant put in place. The old smokestacks and paddlewheel were removed due to rust and rot and were not replaced. The restaurant opened as Fulton's Crab House on March 10, 1996.
Above is reproduced from Wikipedia
You will find a Lego store in Downtown Disney with a larhe Dinosaur waiting to greet you as you arrive.
Within the Downtown Disney area you will find a number of restaurants of which Planet Hollywood is one of the popular ones.
Friday, 3 May 2013
What is your perfect Florida holiday?
Everybody is different, with different needs and hobbies, but what are yours?
The beauty of Florida is that it really does cater for everybody's needs! Florida caters for all age groups, as there is so much to see and do. Pick out which type of holiday maker you are from our list below to see a wide range of activities that you would enjoy whilst in Florida..
Relaxing Holiday - Where better to relax than around the pool? What's better is that our pool is private, with fences either side of the garden. There are also many places to visit such as the many beaches in Florida, where there are many places to walk and relax in the sun!
Active/Adventure Holiday - With 11 theme parks and 6 water parks to choose from, where better to visit than Florida for an active/adventure holiday?! There are also so many other activities to do including the boggy creek airboat tours, which enable you to come up and close with wild animals including alligators! Most people say even 14 days isn't enough to get the most out of Florida, that is how action packed Florida really is. All of these activities are located so close to Andy's Florida Villa, so why not choose us as your base?
Shopping Holiday - Florida has many shopping malls which offer many discounted branded goods such as Ralph Lauren. My personal favourite malls are the Premium Outlets at both International Drive and Vineland Avenue and the Florida Mall. With hundreds of brands and stores such as Disney, where better to shop than in Florida?
Beach Holiday - The five closest beaches to Andy's Florida Villa are Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Canaveral National Seashore and Melbourne Beach. The weather in Florida is very warm, so where better to spend a day than at one of Florida's beautiful beaches?
Wildlife Holiday - The everglades at the southern tip of Florida is a wonderful place to visit. It really is a wonder of the world, with all of the marshes and wildlife on view. Closer to our villa however are many local attractions, such as Gatorland! It is a wonderful day out, watching shows similar to the work of Steve Irwin, the late grate crocodile hunter!
Golfing Holiday - Orlando alone has over 170 golf courses, as well as 20 golf academies. Whether you see yourself as a professional or real amateur, there are golf courses in Orlando which cater for everybody's needs. Why not pack up those clubs and head over for a few rounds of golf? It really is a stunning location to visit.
Family Holiday - Do I even need to explain this? Florida is renowned worldwide as being one of, if not the best location for a family holiday. There is something to do for all the family, young or old! There is also such a wide variety of restaurants in Florida, which will please those fussy eaters out there. Treat your family now, why not visit Andy's Florida Villa?
What will you choose to do whilst in Florida? Get in contact with us now, I'm sure we can help to shape the perfect getaway for you and your guests!
The beauty of Florida is that it really does cater for everybody's needs! Florida caters for all age groups, as there is so much to see and do. Pick out which type of holiday maker you are from our list below to see a wide range of activities that you would enjoy whilst in Florida..
Relaxing Holiday - Where better to relax than around the pool? What's better is that our pool is private, with fences either side of the garden. There are also many places to visit such as the many beaches in Florida, where there are many places to walk and relax in the sun!
Active/Adventure Holiday - With 11 theme parks and 6 water parks to choose from, where better to visit than Florida for an active/adventure holiday?! There are also so many other activities to do including the boggy creek airboat tours, which enable you to come up and close with wild animals including alligators! Most people say even 14 days isn't enough to get the most out of Florida, that is how action packed Florida really is. All of these activities are located so close to Andy's Florida Villa, so why not choose us as your base?
Shopping Holiday - Florida has many shopping malls which offer many discounted branded goods such as Ralph Lauren. My personal favourite malls are the Premium Outlets at both International Drive and Vineland Avenue and the Florida Mall. With hundreds of brands and stores such as Disney, where better to shop than in Florida?
Beach Holiday - The five closest beaches to Andy's Florida Villa are Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Canaveral National Seashore and Melbourne Beach. The weather in Florida is very warm, so where better to spend a day than at one of Florida's beautiful beaches?
Wildlife Holiday - The everglades at the southern tip of Florida is a wonderful place to visit. It really is a wonder of the world, with all of the marshes and wildlife on view. Closer to our villa however are many local attractions, such as Gatorland! It is a wonderful day out, watching shows similar to the work of Steve Irwin, the late grate crocodile hunter!
Golfing Holiday - Orlando alone has over 170 golf courses, as well as 20 golf academies. Whether you see yourself as a professional or real amateur, there are golf courses in Orlando which cater for everybody's needs. Why not pack up those clubs and head over for a few rounds of golf? It really is a stunning location to visit.
Family Holiday - Do I even need to explain this? Florida is renowned worldwide as being one of, if not the best location for a family holiday. There is something to do for all the family, young or old! There is also such a wide variety of restaurants in Florida, which will please those fussy eaters out there. Treat your family now, why not visit Andy's Florida Villa?
What will you choose to do whilst in Florida? Get in contact with us now, I'm sure we can help to shape the perfect getaway for you and your guests!
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Boggy Creek Boat Trip
When visiting Orlando why not visit the Boggy Creek Airboats attraction. It is only a short drive from the 192 along Poincianna Drive which becomes Southport Road. At the end of Southport Road turn into the main parking area and you will see the main reception office in front of you. I always park under the large tree that is next to the main entrance as it otherwise the car becomes hot under the beating sun!
We always like to visit Boggy Creek Airboats for a trip around the large Lake and always find that the staff are great and friendly. We always go for the 30 minute excursion with a group of other people, although there are other excursions available with smaller parties for longer rides and even night boat trips if you are feeling really brave. On arriving at Boggy Creek just pop into the reception with your pre-paid ticket or buy yourself a ticket there. You will always find coupons in the tourist booklets that are freely available in Orlando and Kissimmee, giving you a small discount.
The boats have Captains on them who take care of you and ensure that they point out the different wildlife that is in abundance across the lake, including bald Eagles that regularly nest in the high trees at the side of the Lake. As and when the Alligators are nesting the Captain will always try and show you Mothers with babies or baby Alligators on the banks of the Lake.
Don't forget to wear the supplied ear defenders as the boat engines can be quite loud. Also don't go on the ride if your hairstyle is important to you, as you will find that when you get off the boat you will have a windswept hairstyle. On a final note we came across this vehicle near to St Cloud after the air boat ride. I most certainly would not like to have to purchase a new tyre for this vehicle if it got a puncture.
We always like to visit Boggy Creek Airboats for a trip around the large Lake and always find that the staff are great and friendly. We always go for the 30 minute excursion with a group of other people, although there are other excursions available with smaller parties for longer rides and even night boat trips if you are feeling really brave. On arriving at Boggy Creek just pop into the reception with your pre-paid ticket or buy yourself a ticket there. You will always find coupons in the tourist booklets that are freely available in Orlando and Kissimmee, giving you a small discount.
The boats have Captains on them who take care of you and ensure that they point out the different wildlife that is in abundance across the lake, including bald Eagles that regularly nest in the high trees at the side of the Lake. As and when the Alligators are nesting the Captain will always try and show you Mothers with babies or baby Alligators on the banks of the Lake.
The Cypress trees always never fail to amaze me and I always enjoy seeing the lone tree in the lake and really wonder how it came to grow all on its own? At the top of the lake there are cattle and you will often see them standing in the water oblivious to the fact that there are a large number of Alligators in the Lake at any given time.
Don't forget to wear the supplied ear defenders as the boat engines can be quite loud. Also don't go on the ride if your hairstyle is important to you, as you will find that when you get off the boat you will have a windswept hairstyle. On a final note we came across this vehicle near to St Cloud after the air boat ride. I most certainly would not like to have to purchase a new tyre for this vehicle if it got a puncture.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Downtown Disney
I always like to pay a visit to Downtown Disney when in Florida. The attractions are:
The man in red did not seem to want to speak to me...
Moved a little further into the area and came across these people playing instruments and having a good time.
As the light disappeared the following image came to light, and I grabbed it whilst I could. I love it when the sun disappears and the blue sky still shines through.
- Free parking and plenty of it.
- You can leave your car there and get on free Disney Transportation to the parks and save yourself $14 Parking Fee each time.
- Plenty to see and do
- Various restaurants for your enjoyment with even an Irish Pub
- Disney and Lego stores with loads of souvenirs
- All year round Christmas store
The man in red did not seem to want to speak to me...
Moved a little further into the area and came across these people playing instruments and having a good time.
As the light disappeared the following image came to light, and I grabbed it whilst I could. I love it when the sun disappears and the blue sky still shines through.
Halford Family - Halifax England
Thank you so much for letting us use your villa. It is so comfortable and very clean. It is clearly one of the best we have stayed in. We would certainly consider it next time as it was more than a home from home. We had a slight problem with phone but management company had it sorted within minutes - a great service.
15th September 2012
15th September 2012
The Sidhu Family - Ontario
We had a great time. Your villa felt like a home from home. The kids enkoyed the pool a lot. We would recommend your villa to friends and family. The property management were prompt to answer any queries. Thanks a lot for making our stay comfortable and memorable.
30th December 2012
30th December 2012
John & Christine - April 2013
Hi Andy,
We both want to congratulate you on your beautiful villa which you have designed perfectly! The villa had everything we needed as a base for a wonderful stay in Florida. The weather was fantastic for this time of year, and the fact your pool is south facing was perfect to catch some rays throughout the morning before our adventures out to the parks! We will definitely be returning in the next few years, it was an amazing experience staying at your home! We would both also like to praise your amazing customer service throughout this whole process, as you have always been fast to reply to us! Absolutely loving your blog too, and we cannot wait to contribute towards it's success! Thanks once again Andy!
John & Christine - Welling, London
We both want to congratulate you on your beautiful villa which you have designed perfectly! The villa had everything we needed as a base for a wonderful stay in Florida. The weather was fantastic for this time of year, and the fact your pool is south facing was perfect to catch some rays throughout the morning before our adventures out to the parks! We will definitely be returning in the next few years, it was an amazing experience staying at your home! We would both also like to praise your amazing customer service throughout this whole process, as you have always been fast to reply to us! Absolutely loving your blog too, and we cannot wait to contribute towards it's success! Thanks once again Andy!
John & Christine - Welling, London
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