Orlando at Star Island, and Bonnet Creek

Star Island Wyndham for 4 nights was a pleasant surprise.  Very nice with pretty grounds, nice pool, pool games, food, music, miniature golf, hot tubs and LOTS of pool lounges with plenty of shady spots.  Would definitely come back here again.



Our balcony





Best part was having Olivia Peck and Donna Otte (our former co-workers in our previous lives at Family Practice) come to visit us for the day from Melbourne.  Lots of fun catching up and remembering old stories and adventures.


 Bonnet Creek Wyndham in Tower 1 with a one bedroom with a view of the lake!  REALLY nice!
Magic show Monday, Hawaiian Family dancers Tues.,Karaoke Friday were all terrific.  Disney Springs not too crowded and the Ghirardelli's Decadent Hot Chocolate was almost too amazing so Pete is going back to the original next time.  They moved the dance and hula hoop party from the stage to a flat area by Earl of Sandwich--north east end we think.  Same format but need to be there on a weekend to have enough people to make it fun per the MC.






 
From our balcony






Warm enough to sit by the pool and use hot tub--pools are heated and kids in there every day!
Reports are that Martin Luther King weekend was mobbed at Disney--3 hour wait for rides.
No Disney parks for us this time.  Can get Disney tickets cheaper if you do the "Wyndham Update talk"--pretty good discount--this may change in future.

Bought our groceries at Publix in Celebration--less crowded than the Walmart near Bonnet Creek.







We think the best time to come would be right after New Years up until the week before and during MLK day (people start coming the week prior to MLK day). Then after that come the Disney competitions for cheerleading with mobs of kids in the area, then Valentines and Presidents Day ..... so early Jan seems best..maybe a week after school restarts.
Lady on stilts, Disney Springs

Wyndham Grand Clearwater is in a great location overlooking the beautiful Clearwater beach.  It is white with the consistency of flour.  Pier 60 is right next to the Wyndham and every night there are street entertainers there weather permitting.  Fancy place, modern, not the best for kids.  Frenchy's Rockaway Grill was a nice place to eat on the beach and watch the beautiful sunsets here.  The crab chowder was terrific!
From our balcony

On Clearwater beach



Clearwater Pier 60


Clearwater Pier 60

Sunset Clearwater Beach

Our balcony looks out to a large pool and hot tub but it was too cold to be out there so of course Pete was out there most evenings!  There is a nice broad sidewalk along the beach.  Bad Fin is a nice place to get fish tacos and it is right in the Wyndham building.
This hot tub feels so good when its 50 degrees outside
Leaving Clearwater we drove through Mexico Beach where Hurricane Michael came ashore in October. There were forests where half the trees were snapped in half about midway up the trunk.



Trees snapped in half

 

Wyndham Majestic Sun in Destin is overlooking the ocean.  Go across moderately busy road to beach.  Not great set up for kids--Bonnet Creek, Star Island or Cypress Garden much better.  Has some nice grounds to walk Bailey around pond.
From balcony


From balcony




Ocean Club Restaurant in San Destin about 10 minute drive has 2 for 1 dinners between 5 and 6 pm.
Selected menu but great food.  Make reservation.

Time to drive home--goal is to make it in one day.  Can't wait to see our family!





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