Check out the photo's I took on a recent visit to Sea World.

From Bahama Bay Resort take the 192 to I4 east towards Orlando then just follow the signs. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to Sea World. There is plenty of parking which costs $10.

Make a day of it if you are to take in all the shows and be prepared for quite a bit of walking. It is a big site.

To mark a special birthday we decided to take a short break especially as we had not had a vacation in almost three years. But where to go that was the question. I called a number of hotels that I was aware of and all were full for the days that we required so as we were going out to look at yet another The Celebration Hotel came to mind.

Celebration is a village in the Disney Area and built over the last ten or fifteen years or so. The houses are all quite large and nicely put together and the Hotel  follows the pattern of the houses.

It describes itself as the closest boutique type hotel to Disney which was just what we were looking for as it is not too large and therefore remains quite personal in it's service to guest's.

The main lobby is comfortable and inviting with lots of chairs and tables and  a nice wood floor with area rugs scattered about. The restaurant, The Plantation Room is off this area beyond the bar and at the other end are the Reception Desks and an Art Gallery where if you wish you can purchase a picture. All are original oils and are priced accordingly.

Our room was comfortable and large enough for the length of our stay. It had a king sized bed and overlooked the Lake on which the hotel is situated and to the left from the balcony you could see the shops and restaurants in the shopping area.

We had a reservation in The Plantation Room for the evening on which we arrived. The service was excellent and attentive and the food was delicious although I found it just a little over salted. My wife said she did not suffer from the same problem.

All in all a great place to stay if you are looking for a smaller type hotel which is conveniently placed for Disney and all it's attractions.

We met some friends on Thursday night and after a very pleasant meal at IHOP our friends said have you been to Kissimmee Old Town we think there is a bikers meet tonight. Do you want to go?so as the night was still quite young off we went.

It was only a short drive but when we got close and looked for parking it was to say the least difficult. Nevertheless after three trips  round various car parks we at last managed to be in the right place at the right time.

Kissimmee Old Town for those that have not been there is a small area where streets from years ago have been preserved and there are many shops offering novelties, souvenirs, bars and even a tattoo shop. This is as well as many sideshows and stalls. There are also rides of the fairground nature, a go kart track and some rides that just watching made my hair stand on end. So it really is a fun night out.

But to get to the main point there were literally hundreds of bikes on show from Harley Davidson to Viking and Kawasaki to Honda. Just about every make was represented and do you know every one was immaculate and a joy to see if bikes are what turn you on.

Not only were there bikes though there were also trikes and choppers. These were great, the paint jobs were superb, and the trikes were tricked out to the full with intercoms, GPS, and even trailers.

I suppose we were walking round for about an hour but it was interesting spotting the different makes of bike and peering in through the shop windows. Unfortunately I hadn't got my camera with me I could have taken some great pictures. Must make a note in my diary for another Thursday and make a return visit.

All in all something different and well worth going to see.

From Bahama Bay Resort turn on to Florence Villa Grove Road towards US27 and make a right and then the next right on to 192 and just keep going for about 10 miles or so. When you cross I4 you are nearly there and passing Celebration on your right you will see the twin ride towers on your right and you have arrived.

 

We had the opportunity today to visit a Gran Bahama Apartment and we were totally knocked out!!

Location, Location, Location we are told is everything and Bahama Bay Resort certainly has that but Space, Space, Space, is also important and that is what this apartment has.It is soooo big.

You enter into a hall that is large and you can see the full length of the apartment through to the balcony. Off the lounge area is the Master Bedroom and that is also full length with its own balcony and you enter the master bathroom through a short corridor which has a walk in closet to the left and the owners storage (locked) to the right. Then you walk into one of the biggest bathrooms you have seen. Shower, double tub, twin washbasins and still room for a separate toilet. Wow!!

The second and third bedrooms are also big and have their own access to the second bathroom which is only a little smaller than the Master.

Add in an up graded kitchen and laundry room and you really have it all.

You can rent one of these apartments at Bahama Bay Vacation Rentals by FilKris Florida Vacation Suites, LLC  at a very reasonable rate and remember this includes US tax and Discounts are also available. Your vacation ia a Gran Bahama Apartment may be cheaper than you thought.

Having taken and published the photos from the air I thought you would like to see Bahama Bay Resort from the ground. So here are a few of the photo's that I have taken and had taken for me over the last year. Some you will no doubt notice are published on our website http://bahamabayvacationrentals.com.

Check out the photo's in the Photo Category - Bahama Bay Resort Ground Photo's.

There are four types of vacation apartment at Bahama Bay Resort and I have kept their design names of San Salvador, Andros , Abacos, and Gran Bahama. Funny that they are all named after towns or islands in the Bahama's chain!!!

The San Salvador This is a two bedroom/ two bathroom apartment. It comprises a fully equipped kitchen, lounge and dining area, hallway and washer/dryer closet. Outside is a balcony which stretches from its entrance in the lounge right the way across to it's second entrance from the master bedroom. It really is very large and usually has two tables and six chairs.It has insect mesh to protect you from any bugs. The master bedroom and the lounge area both have TV's and there is also a stereo radio and DVD in the lounge area. It accommodates four very comfortably but this can be stretched to six using the sofa bed in the lounge. The bedroom configuration is twin beds in the second bedroom and Queen size bed in the master bedroom. This bedroom also has access to its own master bathroom. This type of apartment is usually situated on the second floor.

The Andros This is again a two bedroom/ two bathroom apartment but is generally equipped to a higher standard than the San Salvador. Situated on the first floor there is a fully equipped kitchen, lounge with TV, DVD player and stereo radio. In this case there is a separate washer/dryer room. Outside there is a large patio area, protected by insect mesh, and there are usually three tables and six chairs. Access is via the lounge. The master bedroom has a small patio area again with insect mesh and the second bedroom has an open patio area. The bedroom configuration is King size bed in the master and twin beds in the second bedroom. The master has access to it's own bathroom where there is a separtate shower and tub big enough for two!! Twin washbasins complete the bathroom. The second bedroom also has access to the second bathhroom but there is also access to this from the family area. Both bedrooms have TV's. This aprtment accommodates four easily but that can go to six with the use of thye sofa bed in the lounge.

The Abacos Three bedrooms and two bathrooms we are not quite at the largest of the apartments. Situated on any of the floors of the buildings in Bahama Bay Resort these again have fully equipped kitchens, dining and family areas and separate washer/dryer closets or rooms. Some have patios others have two separate balconies one from the lounge area and the other from the master bedroom. All are fully meshed to protect against insects. TV's are generally in two bedrooms and in the lounge together with the stereo radio and DVD player. The master has access to its own master bathroom. This type of apartment can easily accommodate six but can go to eight using the sofa bed in the lounge.

The Gran Bahama This type of apartment is situated on the top floor of the buildings and can be likened to a penthouse. Size is the thing here. There is just so much space so easily accommodates what I have said for each of the other apartments.

All these Bahama Bay Vacation apartments also have valuables safes as standard and cribs/cots and high chairs also standard in each apartment so nothing extra to pay.

What more could you want from a Resort excellent choice of apartment to suit the size of your party and situated in a green and spacious Resort setting. Bahama Bay Resort is close to Disney and the hustle and bustle of the other attraction areas but remains quiet and tranquill and just the place to Relax Caribbean Style in the Florida Sun.

When FilKris was set up we were looking for a website designer and were recommended to Flitehaus Inc.

Since then, and it is over eighteen months now, we have been delighted with the service that we have received. Everyone there is very professional and willing to listen. Not only did they design our site but they have continually helped us with its growth and given us regular service up dates to ensure that it is progressing in the right direction.

Their latest recommendation was this Blog which to a novice like me was quite daunting but they insisted it was simple so we decided to give it a go. Nothing ventured nothing gained!!

So if you are looking for a website designer give Flitehaus Inc. a call and I am sure you will not be dissappointed that you did.

On the 10th October FilKris chartered Orlando Helicenter to enable it to take photos of Bahama Bay Resort from an unusual yet interesting angle.

This was achieved by the great flying skills of our pilot Captain Tom Macklin late of the British Army and resident of the Orlando area for some years.

Nothing was too much trouble and the photos came out great and just what we were looking for. These will be used in future advertising campaigns and on our website.

You can preview the pictures on the Photo Page under Bahama Bay Resort From the Air.

I am posting this on the Attractions Page but the reason for the flight was to take unusual photos of Bahama Bay Resort and the Disney Area for our websites.

The flight was arranged with Captain Tom Macklin at the Orlando Helicenter. For those that know Kissimmee the Center is sited at Marker 14 on the 192 just about the area of Wal-Mart. Many of you may have seen the blue helicopter on the pad.

Anyway we chartered the helicopter for an hour and first flew out along 192 to the junction with US27 and turned south for Lake Davenport and Bahama Bay Resort which has a private beach on the Lake. After taking a few shots we went further south to CR 54 and followed this ti the Omni Hotel at Champions gate and over to The Disney Area. We flew close to Animal Kingdom so as not to disturb the animals and were unable to approach Magic Kingdom as there is still a flight embargo over the place. However we were able to fly over Epcot and there were some amazing views.

After flying over Typhoon Beach, Blizzard Beach and MGM we moved north to Sea World where we were able to see Shamu in the mani Pool. Absolutely Great!!

Flying now to the west we took in Universal and proceeded to the Bay Hill Golf and Country Club where a number of the worlds greatest sportsmen have homes. Boy were those homes big and beautifully situated on the Lake and among the Fairways. For the golfer it must be fantastic.

We then travelled a little further north and over flew Downtown Orlando being careful to keep a close watch on other air traffic in the area which were on finals for Orlando International Airport. You certainly get a different perspective from the air.

Time was now beginning to press so we flew back to the Helicenter across country and made a wonderful smooth landing.

During the flight I must have taken in excess of 80 photos and everyone will remind me of this great experience.

Captain Tom also does other shorter flights around the area so I urge everyone to have a look at his website. I am sure you will not be dissappointed.

FilKris Florida Vacation Suites, LLC at Bahama Bay Resort has received a Certificate of Appreciation following it's support of The 82nd Airborne Division Association Convention recently held in Orlando, Florida.

1st September 2006. Here we are in September already and we have had few storms. Ernesto never really got going and only gave us a bit of well needed rain. I mentioned the new look clubhouse lay out and apparently it has been well received by guests. it has also had the effect of taking some of the pressure off the front desk so it should be a lot easier and quicker to check in. In these pages you will notice a lot of games facilities that are available at Bahama Bay I just wanted to mention that if you do not wish to bring tennis racquets, fishing poles, and basketballs with you then they are available from the front desk at a modest fee.

30th August 2006. Well Ernesto is to the south of Bahama Bay and moving north east so we shall have some rain and no doubt the winds will increase later. However it will not be as bad as first thought as the storm has not strengthened over night. In fact it has remained a tropical storm and not that impressive at that. A television was installed in the clubhouse so that guests could keep up with the situation and proved quite popular. For those that know the clubhouse some changes have been made to accommodate more information desks for the use of guests and owners.

29th August 2006. Ernesto is still a tropical storm and now off the North coast of Cuba. The question is when will it make its turn towards Florida and what strength will it be when it makes landfall and where is this likely to be. We feel that we should have these answers later today. We will update News from Bahama Bay Resort at that point in time. Meanwhile at Bahama Bay there has been a recent change in Landscape Gardners and they now seem to be getting there act together so that the area of Bahama Bay is looking good and trim. The fishing off the jetty remains good with sport from Bluegills and Catfish during the day and Bass coming later in the evening and in the early morning.

26th August 2006. The last two months have been busy at the Bay but I expect that after Labor Day there will be a quieter period with not so many vacationers around. So maybe this is a good time to take a short vacation at cheaper rates. The weather is still good and of course the attractions are still there and maybe they will not be so crowded.There are now four swimming pools available for your use with the latest being in the recently completed phase. The new childrens play area and pool has also been extremely popular.

July 2006. For the children there is now a face painter on site at the Clubhouse and she has proved popular amongst our younger guests.

June 2006. A new shuttle service has been established between Bahama Bay Resort, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Wet N Wild and The Orlando Premium Outlets. There is a per person charge and this is based on a round trip basis.

We have just returned from a fantastic experience which we recommend  everyone should undertake if they are able. We have taken our first balloon ride with Aerostat Adventures and the prime purpose was to take photos of Bahama Bay Resort where we own apartments for vacation rentals and then to use the photos as advertising material with a difference.

The day started at the unusually early hour of 5 a.m. and a meeting with the pilot and crew at 6.30 a.m. We then travelled with them to Kissimmee Old Town where the balloon was inflated with our help and take off was  a little after 7.30 a.m. This was a gentle catching of the wind and a steady but sure rise into the air not like a lift at all but altogether more gentle.

We were taken aback by the peace and quiet only interupted from time to time by the sound of the burner. We travelled over Celebration and Reunion towards the Omni Hotel and as luck would have it over our own house. Unfortunately due to the wind direction we were not able to get close to Bahama Bay Resort but we saw it in the distance and were able to get some long range shots.

All too quickly though we were heading over US27 for our landing site known as Wallabies. After a flight of a little over an hour we landed successfully being careful to hold on tightly as the basket bounced a little on landing. But that was due to the wind at ground level and that the basket was  a little light containing only the two of us and the pilot.

We then helped to dismantle the ballon and enjoyed a breakfast of Buck's Fizz cheese, meats,crackers and cookies. We commented that this must be the only job where the days work is done a little after 9.30 am and you can be drunk by 9.45!!

All in all a superb experience and well done to all at Aerostat.