Best Of Both Worlds For Family Reunion Staycations

By Georgina Cruz

Right about now Treasure Coast families are planning for a fall or winter family reunion or staycation with a group of friends and relatives. Many are considering Orlando as their destination as Florida’s so-called “Theme Park Central” has a wealth of attractions for all ages. Some families may be debating whether to book cottage or cabin accommodations or several hotel rooms at a resort for their reunion. Here is an idea: Why not select a lodging that combines both cottage or cabin accommodations at a resort for the best of both worlds?

A cottage, cabin or other detached lodging is a popular choice as it provides privacy and accommodation for a group of people under one roof: thus promoting togetherness enjoyed in chats and shared activities in a common living area as well as the privacy of separate bedrooms. And if that cottage or cabin is located in a resort, the advantages double as members of the family and group can also take advantage of the facilities and amenities of a resort which often include in addition to restaurants, expansive pool areas or water parks, sports facilities, children’s activities and more.

My husband Humberto and I have enjoyed this type of lodging, detached cabins, bungalows and cottages in a resort setting for family reunions several times through the years and love that combination of privacy and access to multiple activities to suit a variety of tastes for different age groups. Here are some of our favorites in Orlando and surrounding areas:

Kissimmee/Orlando

Margaritaville Orlando Resort & Cottages – The AAA Four-Star Margaritaville Orlando Resort offers a tropical-style getaway with such whimsical and relaxing touches as a giant, 13-foot-high, red flip-flop and a chandelier made of more than 300 margarita glasses in the lobby, plus a complimentary welcome cocktail.

The resort has a spa, restaurants and expansive lagoon-like tropical pools and an adjacent water park offering slides, wave pool, lazy river and other attractions, as well as an adjacent shopping and dining district with such restaurants as singer/actress Gloria Estefan’s, Estefan Kitchen offering her popular roast pork with plantains and black beans along with other Cuban cuisine specialties.

In addition to 186 hotel rooms and suites, the resort features the Margaritaville Orlando Cottages offered by Rentyl, ranging in size from one to eight bedrooms, so there is plenty of room for most groups of families and friends to spread out as well as the privacy of a house and access to the resort’s facilities and amenities.

Painted in ice cream colors, the cottages have a tropical Caribbean vibe, and the comforts of home including a complete kitchen, washer and dryer, separate bedrooms and even a blender for the “frozen concoction” that helps Jimmy Buffett hang on,” according to his hit song, “Margaritaville.”

The Euphoria Fish House, one of the resort’s onsite restaurants named after Buffett’s favorite yacht, offers a variety of seafood including delicious lobster bisque and salmon, and excellent beef fillets and chicken for non-seafood lovers. Complimentary buses take to nearby Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando.

Other Options In Orlando

Other options of cottage-style accommodations by Rentyl. with access to resort amenities, include Encore Resort at Reunion with four- to 13-bedroom houses and access to a water park and sports facilities, and the Bear’s Den Resort Orlando, with four- to eight-bedroom homes and access to golf, water park and more.

For details on Margaritaville Orlando Resort, visit Our Central Florida Getaway | Margaritaville Resort Orlando (margaritavilleresorts.com). For information on Margaritaville Orlando Cottages, visit Margaritaville Resort Orlando Cottages by Rentyl (margaritavilleresorts.com). For Encore Resort Reunion, visit Encore Resort | Luxury Vacation Homes Near Disney (encorereunion.com) and for Bear’s Den Orlando visit The Bear’s Den Resort Orlando | Jack Nicklaus Luxury Vacation Resort (bearsdenorlando.com). For information on other Rentyl Resorts in Florida and around the world, visit https://rentylresorts.com.

Lake Buena Vista

Disney’s Copper Creek Villas & Cabins – Walt Disney World’s lovely Wilderness Lodge, on the shores of Bay Lake, minutes from the Magic Kingdom via complimentary launches, is rustic and at the same time, elegant –themed to the Pacific Northwest. Inspired in turn of the century National Park Lodges it embodies American craftsmanship, with a décor that incorporates totem poles and headdresses, and celebrates the beauty of Nature.

The resort has spectacular landscaping, trails through pine forests, pools, restaurants, and a lobby with a stone hearth and roaring fireplace. It features rooms, suites, villas and detached lodgings, the Cascade Cabins, that sleep up to eight adults. The cabins have an expansive living/dining area, two bedrooms, washer/dryer, two baths, full kitchen, and private patio with hot tub.

Treehouse Villas & Other Detached Lodgings at Walt Disney World

Other detached lodgings at Disney World include the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort which sleep up to nine adults and have three bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen, washer/dryer, deck with views of woodlands, and access to the facilities of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.