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

 

Orlando RV Campground and Old Town Kissimmee

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

Day 13: Largo to Orlando, Florida

May 11, 2022

This is a day that we much looking forward to, our day getting into Orlando, where we will spend the next three nights before boarding the cruise ship. This will be the longest stay at one camping spot during this trip and we will certainly enjoy some non-traveling days when we can just relax and take in the local sights with ease. We have also made arrangements to pick up a rental car using Costco Travel where a Budget is not that far away, in fact, still in the city of Clermont up north of Hwy 27. For one, we needed to get our pre-cruise COVID tests at a Walgreens drive-through site nearby and the motorhome will not work in this case. Also, we should be able to move around better without unhooking the RV every time we want to go out and explore. This will definitely make it easier for us.

It should take us less than two hours from Largo to Orlando if there is no traffic. I was planning on seeing some sights around St. Petersburg or Tampa while in the area, but I guess we were all tired after traveling for two weeks. All we wanted to do now is just get to Orlando as soon as possible. 

The drive was easy and we did not encounter any traffic on the way. 

Passing by parts of Tampa downtown.

Really nice weather!

Orlando RV Campground (Thousand Trails)

Originally, I was not planning on staying at this campground because there are a couple of other Thousand Trails campgrounds nearby the Kissimmee area. For some reason, I was not able to book those campgrounds (possibly a glitch during that time, I was told later) but I was able to snatch three nights at this huge resort a little further away from town. It all worked out to the best, because this ended up to be our most favorite RV campground so far. After three days, we felt that this is 'home' with much amenities that we did not expect. For video of this campground, please click here. 

When we checked in at the gate, we were told to just drive around and pick a site, then call and let them know the street name and number of the site where we are parked. To be able to access the WiFi at the Recreation Center, we decided on an end site right across from the recreation room. Still couldn't get Wifi, but at least it was just a short walk to the center when we need to get online.

Absolutely beautiful weather the three days we were there.

Our site with space for the rental car.

Across from the Recreation Center (red top).

Since this is an end site (Triggerfish Road, Site #1), we were far away from all our neighbors.

Admiring some 'wild life' around the park.

some kind of crane

In the pond right behind the recreation center, we finally spotted a baby alligator.

The only one we saw in Florida.

They have a community garden near the pond.

Seems to be well-taken care of.

Old Town Kissimmee

After settling in and picked up the rental car, we decided to go down to Kissimmee Old Town and see if we can find something interesting, and of course, get some dinner. It took us about a half hour to get there and it was a fun drive. There are many touristy things along that drive, especially along Hwy 192.

It was easy to find parking on this Wednesday afternoon. We were told that this place is usually bustling with visitors on the weekends though. To be here at this quiet tourist attraction felt a little strange but we still enjoyed our time there.

Easy parking.

So empty!

The stores were opened, just not busy at all.

They even have rides there.

It's safe!

Ferris wheel

Got to have a picture here!

This must be the Morten Manor Haunted Attraction.

After walking around and taking in the vibes, we did not find anything we wanted for dinner, so we drove across to the other side of the road and found the World Food Trucks.

World Food Trucks, Kissimmee

What a find! There were all these food trucks gathered at the same spot where all kinds of food were available for purchase. It was quite difficult to choose from all these yummy food, but after walking around and checking, we ended up with a delightful but not too healthy dinner.

All these colorful food trucks.

Our pick.

MOR and I shared an order of this Mega Mofongo with different meats and seafood.

It had fried chicken, fried pork, shrimp, squid, and salad. 

with a huge mofongo that came with it.

ChC enjoyed his Peruvian/Chinese plate of beef with French fries and rice. What an interesting combination!

After that scrumptious dinner, we drove back to the campground for a restful night. We were happy!

For video of Old Town Kissimmee, please click here.

" 'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the Lord, 'I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful,' declares the Lord, 'I will not be angry forever."   -- Jeremiah 3:12