Board Walk Surrey Bikes

We started a tradition a while back to do an annual bike ride at Board Walk.  The surrey bikes come in two flavors: two seats and four seats. There are no passengers on this ride, everyone pedals.

The rental covers 30 minutes, which is enough time to make two laps around the lake in front of the Board Walk.

The path takes you toward Epcot, then turns past the yacht club, past the Swan and Dolphin hotels, and then back down the boardwalk.

There are three hills you have to go over. The first hill is hardly noticeable. The second hill is a small hill that takes you up onto a bridge. There is plenty of space to build up speed. The third hill goes up on a bridge too, but his larger and there is less area to build up speed.

Watch this video to see hill three: click here. 

And you can watch most of the ride : click here. 

Solanas Resort Review

Solanas is a subdivision of vacation villas located on Rt 27 in Davenport. Depending on your destination, Solanas is 20-40 minutes away from Disney.

 This is a gated poolhouse community. There are a variety of house sizes including one and two story. There are some permanent residents, but most of the properties are rentals, which means the area is usually quiet.

Gaining entry is through a guard house that is loosely controlled. There is always a guard present, but I think they would wave pretty much anyone through.

The community is encircled by Solanas Circle, a one mile road that goes around the perimeter of the property. Streets cross the circle containing pool houses whose back yards back up to each other. The problem with that? It may feel like you are swimming in your private pool with your neighbors because they are very close.

There is a club house that features miniature golf, public pool, and an exercise room. They advertise a pool side bar, but it was usually closed when we visited. The bar contains bottled beverages, chips, and some grill items. We have seen some better pool side bars, however, this doesn't get a lot of business so it isn't going to offer great meals and mixed beverages.

 The clubhouse has an arcade, but most of the games were broken. There is a playground and a sand volleyball court.

 We enjoyed our stay at Solanas. I would stay in this community again if given the opportunity.

Villa Pool Privacy

VRBO and Homeway are perhaps the most popular sites to find a villa (house or condo) for your Florida vacation. When you look for a pool house, the owner will likely post pictures using clever angels that hide how close your pool is to the neighbor's pool. In most cases, you're pool is going to be surrounded by neighbor pools that are as close as twenty feet. You are practically in the same swimming pool with your neighbors!

In Salona, for example, all the houses face the street and all the backyard pools are in the back. From one pool you can see all the other pools up and down two streets - especially if you are looking out a second floor window!

So, what can you do to get a little privacy? Try to rent a pool house that has shrubs around the pool.  Shrubs will block the view from all the other pools.

If you can't rent a house with shrubs? Hang beach towels along the screen.

And if you can't do either? Then don't worry about it. This is YOUR vacation. You'll never see these people again. Have fun!

Hollywood Studios: Star Wars Galactic Spectacular

The Hollywood Studios Star Wars Spectacular is arguably the best fireworks show on Disney property. I may be a little biased because I am a Star Wars fan. Whether you are a fan or not, you are going to be awed by this show!

Disney converts three large buildings into video screens. They also use columns of fire, lights, smoke projection, and lasers that shoot right over the top of your head!

New for 2017 (at least... I don't remember it in 2016) the viewing area is surrounded by fire effects. And it seems there are more explosions and more lasers.

The best place to watch the show.

There are palm trees blocking the view. I have complained about the palm trees in other forums and have been told the palm trees are where some of the shows lights and lasers are hidden. Well.... I would suggest finding a different way to "hide" lights than to hide them in view obstructing palm trees!

Watch the 2017 video here