Universal is set to open a new park in Orlando in 2025. Interest in Epic Universe should boost tourism and benefit vacation-home owners.
Universal is delivering its most Epic park yet in 2025. And it has kicked off 2024 by releasing exciting new glimpses of what we can expect from the forthcoming Universal Epic Universe.
What can homeowners expect from Epic Universe?
A new park opening is great news for vacation homeowners in Florida, especially an epic park of this scale and ambition.
Universal is set to open its doors to Epic Universe in 2025. Owners should expect to see an uptick in bookings during 2025 and beyond. The excitement generated about Epic Universe is already reaching epic proportions – so we are confident that, even allowing for the extra hotel rooms Universal is building in the park, we’re going to see a surge in bookings from guests visiting Epic in 2025.
What can park visitors expect from Epic Universe?
Epic Universe is Universal’s most ambitious park yet. It nearly doubles the size of the Universal resort in Florida with five Epic worlds and more than 50 fabulous attractions.
Visitors can look forward to five different amazing and immersive worlds. They include:
- Celestial Park
- Super Nintendo World
- Dark Universe
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic
- How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk
With incredible rides and some of the most immersive experiences Universal Orlando has created, we cannot wait for the doors to open to Epic Universe.
What details has Universal released about Epic Universe?
Universal is building excitement by feeding information out slowly to its excited guests and fans. The trailer on the Universal website is a great introduction to what we can expect.
Universal says that when creating Epic Universe, it asked its audiences what they wanted. Guests told them that they want to see more of what Universal already does well.
It’s not a surprise, then, that one of Epic Universe’s new worlds is a new horror-themed world. Dark Universe will bring together characters from Universal’s classic horror films. It builds on the success of one of Universal’s most eagerly awaited annual events, its Halloween Horror Nights.
The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter world is themed on the Ministry of Magic and will bring together elements and characters from both the original Harry Potter stories and the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
We can’t wait to see more of the new world based on the How to Train Your Dragon films. Together with the Nintendo world, it is going to be a big draw for kids of all ages.
Looking forward to an Epic 2025
This news is great for the local economy in Florida and especially for vacation homeowners. The increased capacity at the parks and the interest this exciting new launch will generate will help to boost bookings through 2025 and 2026.
We cannot wait to find out more about what we can expect from the park. If you are eagerly awaiting news, you can sign up for updates direct from Universal here: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/gb/things-to-do/whats-new
We are certain it is going to be an Epic adventure!
Ready to book for 2025?
Browse our homes here.
Imagine our surprise when the White Rose Villas team stumbled into Florida’s premier snowing event in downtown Celebration. Our tips on enjoying the holiday festivities!
As we sat down for breakfast at the cozy Downtown Diner in Celebration, the air filled with the tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon. Little did we know that our ordinary breakfast outing would soon transform into a magical experience, complete with unexpected surprises and the enchantment of a winter wonderland.
Amidst the chatter of fellow diners and the clinking of cutlery, we noticed an unusual commotion outside. TV cameras were capturing the excitement and a buzz of anticipation hung in the air. Intrigued, we couldn’t resist the urge to investigate, stepping out into the crisp Florida morning sunshine.
To our great surprise, we weren’t imagining things! Snowflakes gently drifted from the sky, creating a surreal scene in the heart of sunny Celebration. It turns out, our visit coincided with an extraordinary holiday tradition — the town’s nightly snowfall extravaganza which starts on the 25th of November.
We were lucky enough to get a preview – along with the film cameras – because the town was testing its snow-making equipment.
As we strolled through the charming streets adorned with festive decorations, the town revealed its winter makeover. Celebration, known for its picturesque setting, had transformed into a snow-kissed paradise, the snowfall adding a touch of magic to the already enchanting atmosphere.
But the surprises didn’t end there. In the heart of Celebration, where ice is a rarity, an ice-skating rink had been set up. Families and friends twirled and glided, laughter echoing through the air as they embraced the joy of ice skating in the heart of Florida. It was a testament to Celebration’s commitment to creating a holiday experience like no other.
You too can delve into the delightful winter festivities that unfold in Celebration during the Christmas season! From the nightly snowfall that captivates visitors to the whimsical ice-skating rink that brings a touch of northern charm to this southern town, Celebration proves that, even in Florida dreams of a white Christmas can come true!
Explore the unique and magical Christmas celebrations that make Celebration a destination unlike any other during the most wonderful time of the year.
Calendar of Events: Christmas in Kissimmee 2023
As you plan your visit to Kissimmee this Christmas season, it’s essential to mark your calendar for the exciting events happening around the city.
Here’s some useful information about the festive calendar to help you make the most of your holiday experience:
EVENT DETAILS
Join Celebration Town Center for their 25th Anniversary of Now Snowing Nightly, November 25th through December 31st.
Now Snowing, Central Florida’s original and premier “Snowing” event, offers one of the area’s only synthetic ice rinks, special community performances by some of the area’s top young talent, and special concert events throughout the season.
Now Snowing is a month-long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens-style Carolers, photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, ice skating, a snow village, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 PM.
It’s a true throwback to the traditional family-style holiday.
In addition to the everyday fun at Now Snowing Nightly, the event will feature a special holiday-themed Art Festival (Celebration Art Walk) on December 16th.
The event is brought to you by Lexin Capital, and sponsored in part by the Celebration Town Tavern, and Experience Kissimmee. Now Snowing Nightly parking and admission are free.
Celebration is conveniently located between Highway 192 and Interstate 4 near Walt Disney World. For more information on Celebration Town Center and Special Events visit us on the web at www.celebrationtowncenter.com or call (407) 566-4007.
Enjoy breakfast and holiday fun in Celebration 2023
We loved our breakfast at Downtown Diner in Celebration. The Downtown Diner is bringing back a place in the wonderful town of Celebration where sitting at the counter or meeting family and friends for breakfast and lunch becomes part of a daily routine.
This being Florida, even at Christmas you can sit inside or out. The service is fantastic. John, our waiter, was amazing.
The menu includes all our breakfast favourites – French toast, waffles, pancakes, muffins, omelettes and skillets of traditional breakfast fare: eggs, bacon, fries, sausage patties, corned beef hash, peppers, onions, etc. There are also healthier options, like oatmeal and avocado toast, and sharables, such as sliders and loaded fries.
Amongst our delicious breakfast choices, we tried – and loved – the “Dutch Baby”. For the Brits amongst you, it looks like a big Yorkshire pudding, but it’s sweet. And oh-so-delicious!
After breakfast, we went for a stroll around the lake.
It’s gorgeous, with views across to the lakeshore hotels and the pretty streets of Celebration.
Kids will love spotting wildlife, we saw a whole variety of different water birds and even an alligator! It’s a beautiful place to take a gentle stroll in the Florida sunshine.
We enjoyed a really special, fantastic day.
Embrace the Kissimmee magic!
Kissimmee at Christmas is a truly magical experience, blending the charm of the season with the city’s unique flair. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor planning a holiday getaway, the festive atmosphere, dazzling decorations, and a plethora of activities make Kissimmee a top destination for creating cherished holiday memories.
Embrace the magic of Christmas in Kissimmee and let the enchantment of the season fill your heart with joy and wonder.
We’re so pleased to bring you a new blog post from one of our homeowners. They have written a fantastic guide to cycling in Central Florida for us. Over to them…
On the trail in Florida: a cyclist’s paradise
One of the joys of spending time in Florida is going outside at pretty much any time of year without having to put on layers of clothing.
For those among you who love nothing more than feeling the wind in your helmet, there are now so many places to get out on your bike in safety. And they offer some pretty good scenery to enjoy as well.
Cycling local
I started off local while just getting used to a new bike bought from Epic Cycles in Clermont. I started getting back to more regular cycling after a few long, cold and dark months in the UK.
Initially, I just pedalled round our sub-division, Orange Tree, where the roads are quiet. It’s possible to do a circuit of 7.2km/4.5miles – route here.
I then went further afield, following the route of the SR27 cycle lane. Insider tip: cycle on the sidewalk not the SR27 cycle lane itself, as that looked pretty dirty – a puncture waiting to happen, as well as being very close to a lot of fast-moving traffic.
If you would like to check out this route, you can find it here.
Branching out
These local routes are great, but for the best scenery, you need to stow your bike in/on your car and drive to the truly quiet, safe and beautiful Trails. You’ll find there are plenty of places to park at the trailheads, which are about every 10 miles along the trail.
There are over 100 trails in Florida, and you can find them all on this website grouped into 9 Regions, all with Regional overview maps. They’ve recently added reports on (fat-tyre) “eco-biking” and hiking trails.
South Lake Trail and the West Orange Trail
Some of the best trails in the Central Florida region include the South Lake Trail and the West Orange Trail. These intersect to create a route of 36 miles of continuous Central Florida biking through Lake and Orange Counties.
This was the route I took.
Portions of the 13-mile-long South Lake Trail near Clermont are particularly scenic, with views along Lake Minneola and other lakes.
West Orange Trail is a world-class rail trail through urban and suburban sections of Orange County. It is popular for all types of biking, in-line skating, running and walking. “Outposts” and “Stations” along the trail provide parking and facilities. There are toilets along the way.
A spur at Killarney Station connects to the South Lake Trail. Both of these trails are part of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail. You can see the route I took here.
One of the glorious towns on the route is Oakland. Here, venerable old trees around the town are draped in Spanish moss. There are several historic buildings to admire and you can cycle down side streets to view Lake Apopka.
The next stop is the little town of Winter Garden. This gets busy at weekends. Nevertheless, the trail goes right through its centre. The bike trail has completely revitalized downtown, which now features at least two bike shops and numerous restaurants. The trail runs through the Clock Tower and past the Pavilion.
The Hancock Trail
Another of my favourite routes is the Hancock Trail.
This starts near the National Training Center at South Lake Hospital. It hosts Olympic athletes and provides Triathlon Training for athletes from around the country.
The Hancock Trail even boasts a hilly area (well, hilly by Floridian standards!). People come from a long way away to ride this trail. Sugarloaf Mountain Rd is the highest point in the area. One possible start/finish point for the route is Killarney Station, Clermont.
More information about the routes can be found here. Alternatively, this can be a continuation from the north end of Hancock Trail.
I cycled pretty much every day when we were in Florida during January and February and I can’t wait until we are able to come back and discover more.
If you don’t have your own bicycle…
If you don’t have a bike, there’s no reason to miss out!
Our home is about 14 miles south of the beautiful town of Clermont, which is situated on Lake Minneola and has lovely places to shop, walk and yes, cycle. I recommend the Epic Cycles bike shop, right on the waterfront, with a very pleasant café and bike sales aplenty, (as we discovered!) and extremely helpful staff.
If you need to rent a bike, try Clermont Bicycles. They have high-quality road bike and comfort bike rentals by the half day, day and week.
Thank you!
We’d like to thank our home owner for this fantastic cycling guest blog post.
Halloween might be a little scaled back this year in Orlando’s theme parks, but you can still scream yourself silly in these haunted houses and ghost tours around Orlando this Halloween!
Here’s the White Rose Villas team’s pick of some of the scariest tours you can take in or around Orlando this Halloween season.
Walking ghost tour of downtown Orlando
Walking around the city is usually a lot of fun, but on this tour you need to be prepared to feel a little uneasy! You’ll hear tales of the criminal underworld, the leylines on which the city was built and all kinds of tales about Orlando’s supernatural history!
The walking tour takes in a range of spooky and scary stories at eight locations around the city. You can expect to cover approximately a mile’s walk over a 60-minute tour.
There is also a slightly longer option that takes in a further four locations… if you can stand four more spooky stories! If so, the tour is 90-minutes and covers 1.3 miles.
Drive-through scare-fest
This year, social distancing has upended everyone’s social plans – but not always for the worse. This drive-through Halloween theatrical event is one of the better innovations to emerge from the pandemic situation.
You can safely get your spooks and scares following a completely contactless journey in your own vehicle. The theme is Rapunzel’s journey… so expect things to get a little hair-raising!
The drive-through runs from September 25 through to November 7, 2020. Please note: like most outdoor theatrical events, the drive-through event is weather dependent – so be prepared for a last minute cancellation if conditions get too inclement.
All-year round haunted house
You probably know that, although Universal Orlando’s traditional Halloween celebrations aren’t running this year, you can tour two of the haunted house attractions from Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights within the normal park admission. But did you know that Orlando has a haunted house attraction that runs all year round?
Mortem Manor is located on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Old Town Kissimmee. The spooky attraction tells the tale of mysterious disappearance of a family and includes more than a few scares along the way!
Tickets start at just $15 so it is a really affordable way to get your Halloween haunted house fix!
Book your Orlando vacation!
If you fancy visiting any of these haunting Halloween attractions, or any of the other special Halloween and fall events in Orlando this year, there is still availability for you to book a short stay at one of our vacation homes.
Book with our booking partner Ellis Exclusive Villas and you’ll be protected by their cancellation guarantee. Cancel for any reason between 60 days and 2 days before your departure and you will receive a full refund on all monies paid.
If you can’t get away this year, why not book for 2021?
We’re going to all be wearing a different type of mask this Halloween. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of seasonal fun to enjoy!
Here’s our round up of things to enjoy this fall in and around Orlando and Central Florida.
Remember that, given the current need for COVID-secure procedures, most events require you to book online in advance. You’ll also need to adhere to social distancing rules and wear a mask.
If you have any queries or concerns ahead of your visit, please contact the venue or organiser directly.
Halloween Fun in Orlando’s theme parks
In the parks, many events have been scaled back or cancelled (notably Mickey’s not-so-scary-Halloween Party and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights).
Nevertheless, Universal has plenty of Halloween themed décor, merchandise and trick or treating to enjoy. Plus, there are two Haunted House attractions to get your fear fix!
Disney is also ratcheting up the Halloween-themed goodies, sweet treats and décor around the Magic Kingdom. Your little ones can still enjoy plenty of themed character meet and greets and scaled-back parades.
SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is continuing this year, with changes to the trick or treating to enable better safety and social distancing, as well as other special themed activities around the park.
Halloween Fun in Orlando and Central Florida
Away from the parks, we’re delighted that some of our favourite low-key fall events are running this year. Lakeridge Winery is known for its family-friendly events as much as its delicious wines and tasting tours, and from October 3rd and 4th, it’s bringing back its Weekends at the Winery events. This year, its featuring some of the area’s best food trucks along with the outdoor wine bar.
Enjoy some great food and wine under the trees, then try your luck at the cornhole games set up for some outdoor fun. The winery’s beautiful grounds offer plenty of outdoor space so you can enjoy a safe, social distance as you sip! See more information here.
Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins is a daytime Halloween event taking place weekends from October 10th through November 1st.
Costumes are encourage for this family-friendly event with spooky train rides, costume contests, and a trick-or-treat trail from 11am to 2pm. There’s also Frank & Stein’s Octoberfest, featuring an undead polka band and German Beer and food. Note that face masks are required per Orange County Executive Order # 2020-23 regarding COVID 19, and must be visible at all times (you can find out more about Gatorland’s safe reopening policy on its website).
Book tickets in advance – there’s a half-price deal for Florida residents through October 31st. Halloween activities are included in the normal admission.
For a really rural take on the fall festival, Our Fall events at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont began on Saturday, September 26th and continue until November 8th (Thursday to Sunday).
Events feature live music, local food trucks, Farm Wagon rides, and Southern Hill Farms seasonal favourites including fresh apple cider donuts, blueberry lemonade and pumpkin muffins. While adults tuck in or cut a bouquet of beautiful sunflowers and zinnias, kids will adore the petting zoo and playground. Then pick out your perfect Jumbo Jack pumpkin for carving.
To help ensure safe social distancing, this year’s events are going ahead with 40 percent of normal capacity. You’ll need to book in advance here.
At Orlando’s CityArts, 39 S Magnolia Avenue, you can take part in a wonderful outdoor art event on Thursday, October 15, 2020. The 11th Annual Dia de los Muertos and Monster Event is a themed exhibition at CityArts Orlando and an outdoor experience with live performances, vendors, and more! Now in its 11th year, the Día de los Muertos & Monster Art Exhibitions will showcase Day of the Dead and Halloween-inspired art created by regional, national, and international artists. This unique art exhibition will be paired with an outdoor experience on opening night that will feature food, drinks, entertainment and spooky art vendors.
Cost to enter CityArts only: $5
Cost of the Outdoor Dining Experience $35-$40 per person/seat
It is essential to book in advance and you can do this online.
Note that all guests will be required to wear a face covering, but guests may remove their face coverings if they are clearly eating or drinking outside CityArts. All guests are required to register for a time-of-entry; only 20 people are permitted at a time. For more details about CityArts’ COVID-19 Reopening Protocol, visit https://downtownartsdistrict.com/covid-19/.
There’s plenty more happening besides, these are simply our pick. We’d love to hear your suggestions for fun fall or Halloween events – add your comments and suggestions below!
Or, if you’d like to write a review for our blog, please get in touch with our team.
We’re delighted to bring you a new post from our very own Sue Mooney.
Cassadaga is well known here in Florida as “the Psychic capital of the world”. In fact, there are more than 100 mediums, psychics, and healers in Cassadaga.
The sleepy little town is home to the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, the oldest active religious community in the southeastern United States. It celebrated its 200th anniversary last year, in 2019.
A day out in Cassadaga by Sue Mooney
Cassadaga was founded in 1894 by the spiritualist George P. Colby, a native New Yorker who travelled the country delivering readings and hosting seances.
It’s about half an hour’s drive from the Kissimmee area and Orlando’s theme parks in Volusia county. As you drive east on the I4 towards the Atlantic coast, you’ll pass an unassuming blink-and-you’ll-miss-it turnoff to this magical little town.
The name of the town comes from a Seneca Indian word meaning “water beneath the rocks”. The story is that Colby was guided to this site by a native American guide.
For a complete break from the frantic rides of Florida’s theme parks, I recommend you go and visit this gem of a small town. As soon as you arrive, you are transported to a much older version of the State than you will find elsewhere.
Peace really does wrap around you as soon as you step out of your car. You can explore the small roads, admire the old-fashioned but pretty little wooden houses, sit in the meditation gardens and absorb the stillness.
The Psychic capital of the world
Cassadaga is renowned for its spirituality and there are many healers and psychics here, all of whom have gone through a four year certification process. If this is something you wish to explore further you can book in advance or choose a walk-in on the day you go.
The readings we received were accurate and moving.
There’s a well stocked welcome centre, with a huge variety of books, cards, crystals, jewellery, etc. Everyone is helpful and welcoming. Finding the crystals we were looking for was a joy and prices are very reasonable.
Lunch at the Cassadaga Hotel
For lunch we ate in the Cassadaga Hotel. Lovely, fresh food, prepared while you wait. Our burgers and fries were delicious. Cooked just as we asked them and reasonably priced.
There’s quite an extensive menu, though we couldn’t quite bring ourselves to try Arthur’s Burger (see the menu for details!)
We came away from our trip to Cassadaga feeling peaceful and re-energised and would thoroughly recommend a visit to anyone looking for a different side to Florida.
About Sue’s home
If you’d like to book your stay in Florida to enjoy a visit to Cassadaga and its spiritualist camp or any of central Florida’s other wonderful attractions, please check out our homes here.
Sue’s home is the very wonderful Sapphire Sky Villa at Orange Tree. See more – and book – here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.
This autumn season, the Orlando theme parks are determined to keep guests safe without spoiling the fall fun! You can continue to enjoy the fantastic Halloween events and seasonal surprises. First up is SeaWorld, where the annual Spooktacular opens today.
SeaWorld Spooktacular
There have been some changes this year, with new socially distancing measures in place. COVID secure safety measures have been implemented across the parks, with staff checks, hand sanitising stations, and mask wearing all designed to keep you safe.
Please remember: we all need to follow the guidelines and keep ourselves and others safe.
Meanwhile, there is still plenty of ghostly trick-or-treat fun and a feast of candy this Halloween!
SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is running on Saturdays and Sundays, from September 19th through November 1st.
It’s included in park admission and this year your little ones can look forward to:
- A trick-or-treat trail bursting with candy and adventure
- A special Halloween breakfast with Sesame Street friends
- Cookie Decorating with Cookie Monster
- Halloween Maze
- Meet a Mermaid
All park attractions have the necessary measures, enhanced cleaning procedures and physical distancing in place, to ensure everyone can still have a fun-filled experience with peace of mind.
Because of this, there have been some changes to the Trick-or-Treat Trail this year:
- Costumed youngsters go through in a single direction, with limited capacity, so they can have loads of fun whilst staying safe.
- At the entrance to the Trick-or-Treat trail guests must purchase a new reusable bag, from an assortment available, in order to prevent contact between individuals.
For the Grown-ups: Flicks & Frights
This year, you can enjoy a spooky film night under the stars at SeaWorld.
This is a brilliant drive-in experience! With a nostalgic twist, you can enjoy a classic Halloween movie from the comfort and safety of your car. There’s also local food trucks to visit before the feature. It’s $40 to park your vehicle and for all seated passengers to view the movie.
Saturdays, Sept. 19 – Oct. 31 and Friday, Oct. 23 & 30
Family-friendly Halloween film: 7:45 p.m.
Fright-filled Halloween film: 10:30 p.m.
Book your Halloween fun now!
While we now prepare to enjoy our much-loved theme parks in this different environment, we can still experience and enjoy the magic.
You can find out more about SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular here.
If you’d like to book your stay in Florida to enjoy a visit to SeaWorld Orlando or any of the fun-packed fall events that are happening in central Florida and its wonderful attractions this year, please check out our homes here.
We’re delighted to bring you another post by our homeowner, Ruth Moriarty.
Ruth loves sharing her insider tips for places to visit in Central Florida beyond the theme parks. In this post, she shares her passion for local vineyard, Lakeridge Winery.
Lakeridge Winery, Florida
Lakeridge Winery and Vineyard is on Highway 27, just north of Clermont.
It is a wonderful place to visit for many reasons. Yes, wine and wine tasting are definitely up there but it is such a peaceful spot.
Located on a 127-acre estate in gently rolling countryside some 25 miles west of downtown Orlando, it’s lovely to just go and sit and enjoy the peace and quiet. The winery opened in 1989 and has gracefully developed over the 20 years I have been visiting. They now produce over 1 million bottles a year and win lots of awards.
Initially, I had no idea that Florida produced wines and so it was a very pleasant surprise to find this not far from my home.
Touring the winery and finding out how they make their wine is really interesting and then, especially on a hot day, it’s lovely to enter the cool, dark tasting room and the good sized gift shop, which features all the Lakeridge Wines, gourmet foods and many other gift items and wine accessories.
You can update your cork screw, bottle cooler, wine glasses but also laugh at the customized, fun T-shirts (I now have two!) and hats/caps, as well looking through a variety of cookery books and wine reference guides.
This is one of my Tees – it always brings a smile when I wear it!
Complimentary Winery tours and wine tasting are offered 7 days a week; Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Please note, there are some ID Requirements for Tastings: US citizens: will need to bring with them their state-issued driver’s licence, military ID, or state ID card. International guests will need to bring their original passport (this is preferred) or valid government-issued photo ID which includes your date of birth.
Lakeridge Winery is also famous for its food and music events. Throughout the year there are regular events, usually at weekends, often for free or for a very modest entrance fee.
Every Saturday afternoon in January, they hold a Music Series, with live music on the outdoor stage and inside at the Wine & Cheese Bar upstairs. The musicians selected are all fantastic local performers. February sees the return of the Winefest, an opportunity to enjoy a range of the wines they produce. March is the annual Wine and Seafood festival – great food and music and…OK… some wine too.
In February 2020 I went to a Blues gig at the Winefest, out in the open, with the incredible backdrop of the vines and the beautiful building, people singing and dancing to a top musician who once played with BB King.
People had taken their own chairs and some had small picnics, though there were plenty of food stalls and bars. There was also a local arts and craft fair to wander around if you needed to stretch your legs and spend a little money on some very interesting and beautiful items – definitely not your everyday purchases or souvenirs. It was also good to be contributing to the local economy.
Sadly some of their Festivals and events for 2020 had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 restrictions implemented by the State of Florida but I am sure they will be reinstated as soon as it is allowed and people can attend safely. The winery has a projected programme available, with artists and prices to be decided.
It’s a great day out, especially if there is an event going on. Parking is free and there are free shuttle carts to get you from your car to the main building when events are on. I’ve been there when it’s very quiet as well as when there are crowds who’ve come to enjoy the music. I’ve always enjoyed it and am hoping I will be back there in 2021.
For more information, visit the Lakeridge Winery website.
Cheers and Good Health!
About Ruth’s home
If you’d like to book your stay in Florida to enjoy a visit to Lakeridge Winery or any of central Florida’s other wonderful attractions, please check out our homes here.
Ruth’s home is the very wonderful Sapphire Sky Villa at Orange Tree. See more – and book – here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.
We’re delighted to bring you another blog by our homeowner Ruth Moriarty.
Winter Park is a gem of a town which Ruth wrote about in one of her earlier blogs for us.
She says one of Winter Park’s hidden gems is this unassuming museum and definitely recommends a visit.
The Charles Hosmer Museum of American Art in Winter Park
The Charles Hosmer Museum of American Art is also known as the Morse Museum.
It harbours some true treasures if you like Tiffany. Not the little blue boxes of wonderful jewellery Tiffany, but the art, glass and leaded lamps, created by Louis Comfort Tiffany – isn’t that just the best name! – (1848–1933), the jeweller’s son.
The museum is a quiet, dark, cool place – old fashioned, a bit of a rabbit warren but there are plenty of maps to orientate yourself. Each gallery has brochures to fully explain about the exhibits and everyone who works there is very helpful. You can take photos as long as you don’t use flash or video. You can easily spend all morning or afternoon there – there is no rush and just allow yourself time to stand and absorb the beauty of the exhibits. I was there for about three hours one afternoon and could have stayed longer. The Tiffany collection is truly amazing, including every medium he worked in, from every period of his life.
The Morse Museum’s Tiffany artworks
I kept going back to a stunning piece of leaded glass called Aurora which was created around 1894. The colours are so vibrant and the artistry is amazing.
Some door panels created around 1905 feature a full-sized statue behind them – it’s like looking into a garden.
Of the vases, one was a gorgeous piece of lustre. It is like silk as it catches the light!
The museum also houses an iconic Tiffany Wisteria Lamp. It is really incredible to see close up; the leaded glass looks like fabric that has been draped. This piece is absolutely stunning and was made around 1910.
The pieces are made with each piece of glass cut individually and put on a template. During your visit to the museum, you can watch a short video showing you how the artworks are made.
The treasures of the Morse Museum
Inside the museum is Tiffany’s chapel interior from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It is stunning, the work is so intricate and the lighting makes it look as if it is on exterior walls, except it isn’t. It’s simply beautiful to admire or just to sit quietly.
I was intrigued to see how Tiffany went from painting such a glorious image he did below in about 1888 to recreating it in a glass window about 1892– both pieces are mesmerising.
The Museum also contains American art, pottery, furniture, late 19th- and early 20th-century American paintings, which are equally as fascinating. This includes vases painted from photographs of Native Americans in the late 19th/ early 20th Century.
Best moment of the visit? Here’s one of my favourite selfies – myself reflected in a Tiffany mirror.
Morse Museum shop
The shop is last but certainly not least. Some amazing things to buy there from puzzles, pens and calendars to jewellery, tea towels, clothes, caps and umbrellas. It’s a great place to find a wide range of very unusual souvenirs for a good range of prices.
About your visit to the Morse Museum
$6 Adults
$5 Seniors age 60 and older
$1 Students (with valid ID)
Free for children younger than 12
All visitors free 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Fridays (November through April)
I came away feeling uplifted by having seen so many beautiful things. It’s well worth a visit and a great alternative to the parks.
About Ruth’s home
If you’d like to book your stay in Florida to enjoy a visit to Winter Park and the Morse Museum or any of central Florida’s other wonderful attractions, please check out our homes here.
Ruth’s home is the very wonderful Sapphire Sky Villa at Orange Tree. See more – and book – here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.
We’re pleased to say that we’ve got another fab contribution from one of our homeowners for you. This blog was written by Ian Burgess who is sharing his tips for a day out at Silver Springs.
Silver Springs by Ian Burgess
Silver Springs is situated about two hours north of Kissimmee on the edge of Ocala National Forest.
After reading the last blog which included Crystal River, I thought homeowners and guests may appreciate my tip for a really chilled-out, laid-back day away from the parks and shopping malls.
We first visited Silver Springs one sunny day when my family and I were on our way to Crystal River for the day. During a “discussion” about map reading (this was in the days before Sat Navs existed), we lost track of where we were going.
En route we saw signs for Silver Springs. “That’s it!” we thought… so we headed there. It wasn’t until we got back to Kissimmee later that night that we realised we had been at the wrong place!
To us, it didn’t matter that we’d fallen short of our original destination because we had had a fantastic day out.
Silver Springs Park
Silver Springs is over 10,000 years old and, like Crystal River, it has some of the clearest waters anywhere in Florida.
Silver Springs river is over five miles long and the park covers 4,000 acres. Once there, you will see alligators, fish, birds and other examples of Florida’s wildlife.
There is a bird show which visitors can attend to see more of the Florida wildlife.
The main attraction is the river. The best way to experience it is on one of the glass-bottom boats which take you around the park. On our first visit we were treated to a wonderful commentary by Captain Dave who had a unique one-line response to visitors’ questions! It was a little strange but very amusing.
You can also hire kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.
Silver Springs history
We really recommend a visit to the historic village in the park. Here you can see what life was like for Floridians a few hundred years ago.
It’s part of the Silver River museum and environmental centre and the little museum is worth a visit too.
Silver Springs has some interesting Hollywood history too: The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Rebel without a Cause, Moonraker and six Tarzan films were made here.
The whole place is run by retirees who absolutely love the special place. We really loved our trip there and definitely recommend you add it to your Florida vacation itinerary!
About Ian’s home
Ian is the owner of the fabulous family-friendly Tropical Breeze on Indian Point in Kissimmee. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, spacious living areas and a south-west-facing pool, it’s a fab choice for a family Disney vacation.
If you’d like to book your stay to enjoy Silver Springs or other Central Florida attractions, please check out our homes here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.