My last minute trades to SW FL

[DorotaG Member Find all posts View Profile Close DorotaG]

Since my work schedule did not allow me to go with my family to Hilton Head or with my daughter to Volleyball Nationals in Orlando , I had several weeks of vacations to "burn" this year. Of course, not much available at this late date but I was able to line up 3 weeks in a row, 2 in SW Florida and 1 in Orlando (that was BEFORE all the wonderful changes on RCI site):
June 20-27 in Lehigh Acres
June 27-July 4 in Fishermen's Village (Punta Gorda)
July 4-11 on Orlando (Lifetime of Vacations at Grand Lake Resort)

I realize these are not Gold Crowns, and not on the beach, and it is going to be very hot, but at this point I can't be picky.

Now, tell me, which beaches do I go to from Lehigh Acters and Fishermen's Village? How far are they? What else to do in the area? We don't know SW Florida very well, usually vacation on the East side. It will be myself, DH, DD (15) and DS (9).

Re: Orlando, we will not be doing Disney on this trip (well, maybe waterparks), since we have a week scheduled in October. We have never been to Universal, Sea World, Bush Gardens. Which ones would you choose? Bush Gardens+Sea World or Universal? Help please as I really have to get going and plan this trip!

Thank you very much for whatever help you can offer!

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Well, I'm not sure you are going to enjoy Lehigh Acres. It is a very eastern city beyond Fort Myers. It's pretty rural actually. I own some land there and there is not much to do in the way of entertainment for families unless you are into golf. From Lehigh Acres it will take you about an hour to get to Fort Myers beach. Ft. Myers beach has a public beach next to a busy pier and there are lots of restaurants. I think you'd be better off trying to switch this lehigh acres for something closer to Ft. Myers even if it was one of the less desirable resorts. I think I saw something earlier in Bonita beach for 7500 points if it is still available. I would definetely switch to that if I could get it. Punta Gorda at least is closer to the beaches. Good luck to you.

[DorotaG Member Find all posts View Profile Close DorotaG]

In Lehigh Acres we are going to be only 4 days, we are arriving late Monday night and can move to Punta Gorda on Saturday. I am not too worried about 4 days, we can drive to Ft Myers 1 or 2 times and spend some down time for other 2 days.
What is around Punta Gorda? We will be happy with some good beach and a pool, but if there is any not too miss places we don't want to miss them .
Currently I was not able to pull ANYTHING in entire Florida, not one resort...

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Did you try calling RCI. I called today and booked a 7500 points in Hollywood beach in a 1 bedroom that I could not do online. So if you are only looking online I would call and tell them you had problems with the website and see if they can get you something better.

I was able to see Bonita beach this morning but not later on when I checked again. If I were you I'd call and tell them you had problems on the website. I called to complain and to book personally on the phone and they gave me a $25 coupon good for my next exchange. The agent told me that their system is different than what we can see online and that theirs was working because it is a different system.

Since you will be in the area try not to miss the Edison and Ford museum. It's very interesting.

Also if you get to stay in Bonita they have free pontoon boats that you can use right behind the resort you just pay for the gas. THat way you can see the manatee up close and also see the flats behind the resort and beach along a deserted beach. Also the fishing is good out there too. If you can't get in the resort you can still rent pontoons at Bonita beach resort motel on Hickory Blvd.

If you want to do great shelling make sure to visit Sanibel and Captiva islands. At the union of the two islands is a nice beach called Blind Pass. You can park your car and the shelling is great there.

If you want to parasail or rent jet skis or wave runners then you might want to visit Lani Kai resort on Ft. Myers beach. They also have a tiki bar and it's very lively. Too roudy for me but you might like it.

Unfortunately when I go there I only do beachy things not touristy things so maybe someone else can chime in here for the touristy things.

Downtown Naples is nice for a change of pace. Nice shops and restaurants.

[DorotaG Member Find all posts View Profile Close DorotaG]

Thank you so much, this is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I will try calling RCI, but if I don't get anything better I won't worry too much. Anything beats working 10-12 hours a day! Thank you and keep these ideas coming.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

As far as the other theme parks in Orlando, I've only been to Universal twice and never to Islands of Adventure but my niece loves it. Sea World is nice. I think that Bush Gardens and Sea World are running some type of combined ticket. Not sure if it's just for Florida residents because I live in FL but they were doing a years pass for $99. My brother did it with his family and went about 100 times to Sea World. Busch Gardens is miserably hot in the summer. The beer helps some but I would go in October instead if given an option. Universal sent me a free ticket in the mail. I'd look on ebay and see if someone is selling their free ticket. I'm sure some one is. Also the Entertainment book has coupons for Orlando attractions. You can get the books for $15 now with free shipping at entertainment.com. I know they have some coupons for Universal & Busch Gardens. You can browse the book before buying it. You can also buy the book from someone on ebay for faster delivery. Good luck and have fun.

[DorotaG Member Find all posts View Profile Close DorotaG]

Thank you Christine. Yes, I think Bush Gardens/Sea World ticket is about as much as unlimited admission 1 week Universal/Islands of Adventure ticket. I think we will go with Universal, it will give me more flexibility. We can go for just a few hours every day... It will be hot, I know, but we've been to Orlando in July before, we can do it.
I checked ebay but it looks like Universal tickets are selling for as much as regular price - I will look some more, but I think we will get better value with 7 day pass for $99.
Thanks again for your help!

Dorota

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

You also might want to check out The Fun Spot. My niece and nephew actually have more fun here than in Disney. Also Wet 'n Wild will be nice in the heat of July. Of course you could do the Disney water parks and I think Bush Gardens opened some type of water park too. Not sure on that one. Anyway water is the way to go in July. Just watch out for afternoon thunderstorms. Our Florida lightning can get wicked.

[DorotaG Member Find all posts View Profile Close DorotaG]

We will go to Disney waterparks, since I have several "options" left on my old non-expiry tickets.
I would like to try Aquatica, new Sea World water park, but probably not on this visit. I am trying to keep the cost down, since we have several weeks of travel this year.
I have never heard of The Fun Spot, but I am going to research it right now.

Thanks again!

D.

[vkrn Member Find all posts View Profile Close vkrn]

I would definitely choose Universal over Bush Gardens. Sea World is nice, but Universal is better, but far! As someone else said, don't miss the Edison/Ford homes. The tour is very interesting.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

We will go to Disney waterparks, since I have several "options" left on my old non-expiry tickets.
I would like to try Aquatica, new Sea World water park, but probably not on this visit. I am trying to keep the cost down, since we have several weeks of travel this year.
I have never heard of The Fun Spot, but I am going to research it right now.

Thanks again!

D.

I've seen coupons for Fun Spot on ebay too. I think they are also in the entertainment book. Orlando book has alot of great discounts for Non disney things to do. You also might want to visit Cocoa Beach as it's about 1 hour drive to the coast. You could also go to NASA in Cocoa Beach.