Lots to See Near Orlando RV Campground

34-Day Cross Country RV Trip + 7-Day Caribbean Cruise 2022

Day 15: Orlando, Florida

May 13, 2022

Our last full day in Orlando. Before having to return the rental car this afternoon, we wanted to make good use of our transportation and explore some sights nearby the campground. We felt in love with this area which seems to have everything we needed. Plenty of restaurants, stores, and entertainment all along this strip of Hwy 27, making this a convenient location to camp for a few days. We shopped at the Wal-mart for some necessary items, we printed out our boarding passes at the UPS storefront, and had our COVID tests done at the Walgreens, all within a few minutes away. 

When we went up and down this highway, we noticed a state park not far away that looked interesting and that's the first place we went this morning. We were surprised by the size of this state park after we got in and spent a couple of hours exploring the park. 

Lake Louisa State Park

There are five lakes inside this park, I believe, and the first one we stopped at was Dixie Lake near their Loop A Campground. An absolutely beautiful lake!

Dixie Lake, so calm and peaceful.

Looking for alligators without success.

Lake Louisa

Lake Louisa is the largest lake inside the park with a beach where visitors can swim at. Personally, I enjoyed Dixie Lake more than Lake Louisa.

Walking on the boardwalk to the beach from the parking lot.

Beach

A memorial was erected nearby.

Still, no alligators.

Showcase of Citrus

Showcase of Citrus is basically a roadside fruit stand with a twist that attracts a lot of tourists. Not only do they sell fresh produce on site, they also have other attractions that made this place a popular stop for many. I was attracted by their famous creamsicles and desperately wanted to have one on this hot day.

Showcase of Citrus

Marker that resembles the one at Key West.

Food trucks on site.

Haha!

Monster trucks tour

The store

a little stream running through the property

Yep, the delicious creamsicle!

Yum!

Lake at Orlando RV Campground

We've watched the fireworks displayed here the night before but we wanted to see the lake during day time also so we drove down and checked it out. It's surprisingly nice and it seemed to be a good fishing spot.

Across is where fireworks from Disney World could be seen.

Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant

After returning the rental car in the afternoon, we got some Caribbean food from the restaurant next door to go and enjoyed a delicious meal in the RV. Preparing us for the days to come when we board the Carnival Mardi Gras for a week of sailing the Caribbean. Can't wait!

So much food! I believe this was the ox tails.

This restaurant seemed to be very popular in the area with a line formed already before 5:00 PM.

For video of our day, please click here.

"For nothing is impossible with God."   -- Luke 1:37

 

Free Visit to Disney World Resort

34-Day Cross Country RV Trip + 7-Day Caribbean Cruise 2022

Day 14: Orlando, Florida

May 12, 2022

This morning we had our appointments with Walgreens Pharmacy to have the COVID tests done before our cruise on Saturday. Our appointment was for 10:00 AM but when we arrived, they acted like we were out of nowhere and said something went wrong but for us to come back in 20 minutes. So, we just waited in the parking lot and tried again after 20 minutes. This time the lady was ready for us at the drive-up window. All three of us had the tests done at the same time. She handed out three kits and we did the tests and handed back to her. All very easy and simple. She did not even ask for our insurance or payment, just our ID was good enough. We received the result in less than two hours and we were able to upload the results to our Verifly accounts. 

Campsite at Orlando RV Campground.

Disney Resort

After that was done with our negative results, we were ready to explore a little. We have discussed about how much or if at all that we want to do the Disney stuff since this is the main attraction in town. We all agreed that we did not need to go into the Magic Kingdom and do the rides. We have our Disneyland in L.A. and getting in long lines is not our idea of having a good time. Then, after reading some information about visiting the Disney Resort for free, we thought that would be a good way to see the park in a different manner in the short time we have. 

Parking at the main Disney lot cost about $37 a day, but if you park at the Orange or Lime garage at Disney Springs, which is the shopping district of the park, parking is free all day. We found our way to the Orange garage, which was pretty easy following the signage. Surprisingly, not busy at all.

Parked our rental car at the empty parking garage.

Then taking the escalator down to have security check before reaching the bottom level.

We then found the bus terminal where all the buses for different routes of the park on the right side after we got off the escalator. Then, one just have to decide where you want to go, and find the station where the bus would stop at to pick up passengers. All very easy. 

We decided to go to the Grand Floridian first, so we went to the station for that and got on the bus.

It was quite a long ride, but we got to see many places on the way so it was fine.

Grand Floridian, which has an old Florida vacation feel to it.

Covered walkway from the bus station to the entrance of the hotel.

Nice Rolls Royce

Entrance to the resort

Beautiful!

Taking a break already.

We went to the back of the hotel and saw this beautiful sight.

Such colorful garden.

Fountain and swimming pool.

It must be nice spending a couple of days here.

The main building.

Continue walking to the marina in the back.

We were planning on taking the boat ride to the other side of the park but our timing was off and did not want to wait, so we gave up on that idea.

Back inside the hotel to take the monorail.

On the monorail ride that we took from Grand Floridian.

Making a stop at the Magic Kingdom station. 

After the stop, the monorail went past the entrance of the Magic Kingdom.

I was going to get off and check out the contemporary resort, but the guys did not want to.

And after that we arrived at the Polynesian Village Resort where we got off.

Inside the Polynesian Resort with a total different feel.

We just had to get a cool whip when we saw the stand there.

Absolutely delicious on a hot day for sure.

Hollowed in the center, hmmm!

As we were enjoying the cool whip, we even saw some Disney characters in action.

They were having a fun game with the kids there.

Back inside the hotel.

By now, we were hungry and tired. So we decided we had enough and we should head back.

This time we waited for the bus to get back to Disney Springs. These buses run like a clock, on time and dependable.

Now that we are back in Disney Springs, we should look for food.

Finally decided on the Polite Pig where BBQ/Smoked food is served.

Great BBQ sandwiches!

After taking a short walk around, it was time to go back to camp as it was starting to drizzle.

We were there the week after Mother's Day and they still had the sign up. Must do a photo here!

I suppose if anyone is like us, with no intention of going inside the park, this would be a good way to explore parts of the park without the exciting rides. I have seen people spending two, three days just exploring like this for free. There are several hotels/resorts in the park and all the transportation including buses, monorail, skylift, boats are free as long as not going into the park rides and enjoy all the restaurants, shopping, and sight seeing at the same time.

For video of our day inside Disney Resort, please click here.

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength."   -- Isaiah 30:15