I am coming back to Florida this winter.
Will be in Naples, Orlando , Boca and Miami probably..
I know I am in Naples the first week.

don't need a GTG but drinks are fun!

Your right Jan... I can't do that weekend.

I can go later into February but from what the other posters had, there are a lot of other conflicts there as well.

Let me know as I am going to work on this later this week and next... My time to plan this is also limited so let's get a concensus if we can.

Thanks!!

Diva,

If you are coming to Orlando, you had better plan on drinks!!! Our 'piazza' in the yard will suit us just fine!!

What dates are you coming over??

Doug.. will let you know when I know.
Just heard I am not teaching at Ocean Reef, they are already full.

I am going to Naples....

so probably after Naples?

Diva,
Will you be there /here the weekend of Jan 26th?

jan

The 19th we are with Palma in Las Vegas so we are gone.

The 26th we are in between business trips so so I think it may work for us . I think it would be great to meet everyone!

Where are you thinking of doing the GTG?

We should be able to get FL resident rates at hotels that weekend as the holiday is past and it's an off time.

Ida

It will be in the Orlando area, around Winter Park and I am working on particulars, including hotels, etc.

I need a FIRM JANUARY 26 from all... is that our date for sure???

I need to know so I can do this next week!

Thanks,

Jan 26 is just right for us.

I think I am the only one with the conflict. Please do go ahead with the January 26th date and I will try my best to be there. Maybe I'll come as a bachelorette.

Ginger

quote:

Maybe I'll come as a bachelorette.

Of course you should! I am going to Savannah as a single. And I may or may not have my husband to this GTG.

Doug, Are there any hotels near enough to the restaurant so we wouldn't have to drive after

?

jan

The one restaurant I had wanted to do was sold but there is his relatives place but that's further away, though still in Orlando. There is another here in Winter Park but it is pricey and the food... so, so. That one is close to a hotel.

Hotel options, that are decent, are the Best Western Mt Vernon Inn in Winter Park and the Comfort Inn & Suites on Orange Ave in Orlando across from Florida Hospital. I have used both for family and the rates are about the same. The Mt Vernon has all outside entrances while the Comfort Inn are all inside hallways to the rooms. I'll post the rates on both later this week.

There is one other higher end boutique hotel, called the Park Plaza and that is right on Park Avenue in Winter Park, upstairs and above the retail locations on the avenue. Nice but very, very pricey.

I am going to explore a few options for us on dinner and we'll go from there. I, myself, prefer restaurants that are privately owned, with good food at a fair price and ambiance for what we are all looking for.

Now I just need an approximate count so I can get the restaurant as I would prefer round tables over long as they are more sociable and allow for better conversation which is why we are all getting together!!

The 26th it is, and, yes Ginger, come solo!! I have only a few days for Savannah and my be doing that one solo on my way to a trade show so we shall see as time gets closer.

Please email me directly (my email is on my profile) as to who is coming and how many so I can get a count.

Grazie!!

I just made my hotel reservation at the La Quinta in Winter Park. I chose that place because it's pet friendly and I may be bringing Trinket.

Ginger

Ginger,

FYI.. the LaQuinta is in a not so nice area of Winter Park and was why I avoided those hotels in that area. The LQ was an old Holiday Inn they renovated and is right next door to a hotel that has extended guests and lots of troubles all the time.

I am not sure but the Mt Vernon might be pet friendly along with the Comfort Inn.

I'll check this week.

The 26th is good for us, Doug.

I just checked both hotels...

Best Western Mt Vernon Inn... with an advance 14 day purchase the rate is $106 and can go up to $134. That's without AAA or AARP. No pets. This hotel has outside entrances and is in Winter Park direct. HERE is that site

Comfort Suites Downtown... Orange Ave, Orlando. this hotel is from $126 to $136... no pets and all inside entrances with continental breakfast. HERE is there site.

The Park Plaza Hotel, which is a boutique hotel, has availability with rates (balcony suite at $275 and Parkside at $198). This hotel fills quick and is on Park Avenue in Winter Park, across from our Central Park and rose garden. Pets accepted. HEREis the site.

Well crap, I guess I need to cancel at the LaQuinta and rebook with the Park Plaza. How bad is the area??? It was $120.00 with tax for one night and was rated a 3 star.

Ginger

Ginger,

It is right next to the hotel with the issues and adjacent to I-4 and across from a Home Depot.

Ginger, from you posts, I believe I understand your tastes and you wouldn't be happy there....

If you want, call me. Send me a private email and I'll send you my phone number.

Okay... more options on hotels in Maitland, FL which is the next city to Winter Park and one exit north on I-4.

They are all in a very nice area, easy to get to and they are:

Sheraton Maitland.... pets accepted about $120 per night

Courtyard By Marriott Maitland ... no pets about $104

Homewood Suites (by Hilton) Maitland.. pets accepted and about $89 a night.

Hope this helps. For those of you looking at Winter Park for hotels, I would recommend you avoid the Lee Road area hotels as they are in a mediocre area. For that area, go one more exit and stay in Maitland and they are very easy to reach Winter Park from.

The rates are rack rates with no AAA or AARP discounts so check the web and find your best deal.

If you need more information or advice email me and I'll do my best to address the questions.

Okay, I cancelled at the LaQuinta and made a reservation at the Sheraton in Maitland. Thanks Doug. on the cheek.

Ginger

Ginger,

No problem and you'll like the Sheraton as it was just TOTALLY renovated with a MAJOR makeover where it was closed with new facade, new windows and almost a total gutting. Nice location too.

With all the hotels I now have listed you all should have some good choices.

I am also going to try to find us a restaurant close by that can treat us right. The other one I had considered, though it is my friends family is really not that close to where we want to be and I am concerned about everyone driving all over the place to get to the restaurant. I have another idea and will check them out for us.

Just booked the Comfort Suites on Orange AVe.

Look forward to meeting everyone.

Hi everyone,

I just booked us at the Homewood Suites in Maitland. We are looking forward to meeting everyone, eating, drinking some wine, and swapping travel stories!!

Gail

I will probably do Homewood Suites, too. Have to get to it this afternoon.

This will be great fun!

jan