We decided to go down to Orlando for a little relaxing away from home this week. Our first night we stopped in Ocala, FL at the Springhill Suites. Marriott was well prepared for a touch less experience with their Bonvoy App. We were able to check-in, set room preferences, and even get a digital key from our phone. The hotel was super clean with sanitizer stations and tissue next to the elevator to use for touching buttons. The staff wore masks and stood behind new plexiglass screens. Signs asked for only one family at a time in the elevator and little shoes (and paws!) were on the floor to keep everyone six feet apart. Breakfast was still included in the stay, but we were asked to fill out our breakfast choices on paper and place outside our door at bedtime. There was not a normal buffet in the morning. They provided a large wooden tray in each room. We took the tray to the lobby breakfast area at our selected time. They placed the wrapped food on our tray and we took it back to the room to eat. I actually love the idea! Almost like room service!
Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek
By afternoon, we arrived at our destination hotel for the week, Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek. The resort is actually located on the Walt Disney World property. It is situated around a large lake and has multiple pools, lazy rivers and water slides, mini golf, walking trails, and so much more. I have been to Disney World many times, but I have never visited this property. We were very impressed!
Things were definitely different than you would expect during a normal stay. There were not a lot of guests there, especially during the weekdays. Many on site restaurants were closed, but the ones that were open offered outdoor dining areas.
Orange County currently has an order in place for mandatory face masks. The only time we were able to remove them was while we were in or around the pool, outside while keeping distance from others, while we were eating, and in the room, of course.
Housekeeping did not service our room at all. It had been sanitized before we entered. We called whenever we needed new towels, trash bags, or other items. They delivered them to our door and we left our laundry and garbage outside the door at night in a bag provided to us for them to pick up.
The lazy rivers and slides were closed, which was disappointing, but the main pools were open. Guests were set in family groups a good distance away from one another. They only allowed a certain number of guests per day. So, over the Father's Day weekend, we had to get up early and claim a spot. There was a waiting list to get into the pools. On Monday and Tuesday, we had no trouble at all getting a nice shady place.
Overall, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable stay. My favorite spot was on the swings by the lake watching the ducks float by.
Time for dinner and Disney Springs shopping!
We ate breakfast and lunch in our room. For dinner, we went to Disney Springs every night.
We were extremely impressed with how Disney Springs is handling safety. Every guest must park in one of 2 parking decks to enter. As you exit the deck, you must pass through temperature screening and have a mask on to enter. Once inside, security is walking around to enforce the rules. In typical Disney style, they have a nice selection of Disney themed face masks for sale, along with Storm troopers up on the buildings to chat with guests and make it more fun.
We had dinner at the Boathouse for Father's Day. Click on my short video below to hear about our experience!
On our last day, we had a quick visit to the Kennedy Space Center, a stop at the National Seashore and Playalinda Beach, and a wonderful visit with my family in Titusville.
A final wrap up
Many of you are wondering about travel for later this year and beyond. I have tons of helpful resources and I can guide you to the hotels and tour operators who are taking your safety and the pandemic seriously. I available and willing to help you in making informed decisions for your family.
