Hawaii Mom Blog: visit Orlando

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Showing posts with label visit Orlando. Show all posts
Showing posts with label visit Orlando. Show all posts

July 7, 2026

Visit Orlando: Caribe Royale Resort


I recently spent five nights at the Royale Caribe in Orlando while attending a conference. Although this wasn't a family vacation, I couldn't help but think how perfect this resort would be for a future trip to Disney World with my family.

One thing that immediately stood out was how spacious the suites are. As you enter the room, you're greeted by a living room with a sofa and seating area, giving everyone a little extra space to spread out instead of heading straight into the bedroom. The suite also includes a mini refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker—amenities that are convenient for travelers (especially families) looking to store snacks, reheat leftovers, or enjoy a quick breakfast before heading out for the day.



The property has a relaxed resort atmosphere with plenty of amenities to keep everyone entertained. One of my favorite conveniences was having a Starbucks right on-site for my morning coffee before conference sessions. 

Starbucks at the entrance

I also found myself making several stops at The Market, which offers a great selection of grab-and-go meals, hot sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and desserts. 







Their Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie was AMAZING!


Italian Panini





The pool area is definitely one of the highlights. There's a fun waterslide, hot tubs, and a separate kiddie pool, making it a great place for families with children of all ages.


The two-story fitness center is spacious and well-equipped, and I really enjoyed the 1.5-mile walking and jogging trail around the property (in fact, I started my days with a 3 mile jog every morning). There are also basketball and paddle tennis courts, so there's no shortage of ways to stay active during your stay.






Another major advantage is the location. The resort is conveniently located just minutes from Walt Disney World and offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the Disney parks, making it easy to enjoy the parks without the hassle of driving or paying for parking.

Although I was in Orlando for business, I left thinking this is a resort I'd gladly return to with my family. The spacious suites, in-room amenities, family-friendly recreation, convenient dining options, and close proximity to Disney make Royale Caribe a great choice for both business travelers and vacationing families.


Lobby








The Venetian Chop House

Rum Bar


Stadium Club


Tropicale


Gift Shop








Outside



Arcade


Jacuzzi


Kiddie Splash Pool


Fitness Center







Poolside Mobile Ordering!












Tower II




CARIBE ROYALE ORLANDO
8101 WORLD CENTER DRIVE
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
 

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November 6, 2018

Visit Orlando: Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin'



Chef Art Smith's Homecoming is a Walt Disney World restaurant located in Disney Springs that serves up Southern style staples like Chef Art's Famous Fried Chicken while highlighting local ingredients and farm to table cuisine.  Chef Art Smith, who is from Florida, is a two-time James Beard Foundation award winner, Oprah's former personal chef, and has opened four restaurants across the nation.

Of course we had to try the famous fried chicken that is buttermilk-brined for 24 hours!  It's served with creamy mashed potatoes and a cheddar drop biscuit.  The chicken was perfectly fried and everything about the meal was divine.  The restaurant has a casual atmosphere that is perfect for families.  Definitely recommend if you are dining at Disney Springs! 

Enjoying a sangria while my son looks over the kids' menu.

Chef Art's Famous Fried Chicken!

Fish sandwich and house made BBQ chips!

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November 5, 2018

Visit Orlando: The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

When it comes to accommodations, there are so many Disney and non-Disney hotels and resorts to choose from that will meet your family's needs.  Our family of four decided to stay at The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa which is located in one of the outer buildings on the property of Disney's flagship Victorian-style resort.  Since we are not Disney Vacation Club members, to stay at the villas we used David's Vacation Club Rentals and saved a lot on hotel cost since we had our hearts set on the resort. 

We absolutely loved the location.  It was so easy to take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot and the bus to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs.  We could also get to Magic Kingdom by water!  Our room faced the lake and had a gorgeous view of the sunrise every morning.  Since we stayed a total of 9 nights, I loved that there was a complimentary laundry room in the building so we didn't have to pack unwashed clothes.  We had a small kitchenette in our studio that included a small refrigerator, microwave, sink, toaster, and coffee maker.  This combined with our grocery orders from Garden Grocer delivered to our room made our mornings super easy.

While we didn't dine at any of the resort's restaurants, we did enjoy cocktails and hot chocolate from the lounge while listening to the live music in the evening.  All in all, it was a very magical stay.   
         
The resort's elegant lobby. 
When we returned from the parks in the evening, we enjoyed listening to the live music they had nightly. 

The deluxe studio sleeps up to 5 guests.  There is a queen bed, queen size sleeper sofa, and a single pull down bed.   

The pull down bed is under the television.

Full size bath tub.

Full size shower.

Pretty lake view.

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