Sorry, but this newsletter's a little late - we were too busy making improvements! Hope you like them.
Stuck for something to put on your Christmas list? Well, it's not too late. Introducing the Villa Southern Dunes Gift Voucher!
This Christmas we are offering Villa Southern Dunes Gift Vouchers. We can send you a Christmassy PDF file by email for the person, with the amount pre-paid. Or, if you prefer, we can email it directly to the recipient. Or, tell your friends and family - maybe they'll pay for your holiday for you! We can offer any amount, which must be paid for in advance. Payments may be made by bank transfer or via Google Wallet/Checkout (credit cards) or a PayPal account. Google and Paypal payments will incur a 2% administration charge. Cleared payment must be received before the voucher can be issued, although we will endeavour to issue the voucher within 24 hours of cleared payment being received. We will be unable to accept cheque payments for Christmas vouchers owing to the time available. Vouchers for other occasions are also offered, more details will be available in the New Year, but ask now if you would like further details.
The voucher can be used towards an existing booking (the name on the voucher must be a Named Guest), or towards a deposit, if not yet booked. The name on the voucher may be changed, but this instruction must come from the person whose name is on the voucher. If this is impossible, please contact us at villasoutherndunes@gmail.com
For more information, email villasoutherndunes@gmail.com or call 07952 408964. We are still working on the finer details, so check out the next newsletter for more more information, including a possible online purchase option for the future.
NEW FOR WINTER 2011/12:
Nemo Room
A new Finding Nemo lamp takes pride of place on the bedside table. It has a regular setting, as well as a nightlight (or both!)
This sits alongside a collection of stuffed toys from the show, including Nemo himself.
We're sure the kids will love our new Nemo comforters which brighten up the room. But, if you just want to play golf, and you really can't stand it, you'll find the old plain blue ones in the bathroom closet! We aim to please!
Family Lounge
We thought the entertainment unit was getting a little dated so it's gone!
Don't worry, the books, games and puzzles are still there, mostly tucked away inside the cupboard, alongside all the necessary stuff to make the phone and internet work.
This also gave us an opportunity to upgrade the television, to our new 40-inch TV. The movies are now on the shelf below, with hopefully something for everyone.
Upgrades to the master bathrooms
In September 2011, we installed upgrades into both the Mickey and Donald bathrooms.
In the Mickey bathroom, we added a glass shower door to replace the penguin shower curtain.
The Donald bathroom was always a little dark with it's penguin shower curtain. The room is now lightened by the addition of an etched glass bath door. You can now see more clearly what it is you are washing!
Additional ceiling fans installed!
We already had ceiling fans in the Family Lounge and the Mickey Master, then we read that a ceiling fan, combined with air conditioning, can drop the temperature a further degree or two - making you cooler!
So, in September, we added ceiling fans to the more formal front lounge and to the Donald Master.
In the games room, we previously had an overhead light and a floor-standing fan. We have now added two overhead ceiling fans, with lights. For ease of use, the switches for both the lights and/or the fans are by the door as you go in.
What we did on our summer(ish) holidays
Not that we want your sympathy (much) but we thought you'd like to see what we get up to on vacation. It's not so much DisneyWorld, as DIY-World. We thought you might be interested in what it takes to keep Villa Southern Dunes up the standard we hope you appreciate. Here's some of what Ted accomplished in just twelve days...wanna join him next time?
Oversaw the installation of four new ceiling fans and two pool deck lights
Took a day trip to the beach at Fort de Soto
Installed a shower door and a bath door
Trandem sky-dive from 10,500 feet
Installed two new sprinklers and moved another
Laid 500 square feet of sod/turf
Shopping trip for new bed linen (and cheesecake)
Hung pool deck clock
Ironed 14 sets of bed linen (1-2 pillow cases, flat sheet, fitted sheet)
Well, after all his whinging about how much work he had to do, we finally decided it was time to throw Ted out of an aeroplane. Trouble is, they made one of the other villa owners (Di) go with him! Trust us - that's her hair, she's just not very photogenic. The other guy is Tim, he also went with them. Hence the Trandem Skydive (usually tandem, as usually bears don't jump!) Our Ted, though, is a daredevil, given half a chance. Or, he's not very bright!
They'd booked an 11am jump, but the Jump Florida guys (located about 20 miles south of Southern Dunes on the US-27) were a little disorganised and they didn't jump until about 2pm, so it was a long morning of waiting, watching them pack and re-pack those parachutes, and watch the guys fall out of the plane with so many others. That said, it was a great experience. The DVD of the jump was a little expensive at $75, but we had to buy it. It's not often Ted falls out of a plane! (He hopes!)
NOW OPEN!!!
LEGOLAND® Florida is now open, and can be found only 15 miles south of Villa Southern Dunes. This park is aiming for the younger guests, with a target range of 2-12. There are a number of rollercoasters and a pirate water show alongside the iconic models for which Legoland is famous. For the most current information and opening hours log on to florida.legoland.com.
Hopefully we'll be able to tell you more once we have time to visit ourselves.
NOW OPEN!!!
Adult/Child Day Pass $75/$65
Annual Passes also available now!
Standard Pass $129/$99
Plus Pass* $159/$129 *Includes free parking, food and merchandise discounts
VEHICLE ASSEMBLY BUILDING
This fall/autumn, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex announced they would be allowing members of the public into their huge Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for the first time in decades. It is huge. Built to assemble the space rockets that NASA would use to send man to the moon, and more recently, to the International Space Station (ISS).
The most amazing part of the trip to the VAB was the presence of Space Shuttle Endeavour, which is currently being prepared for it's transfer to museum life. NASA completed the Space Shuttle mission to build the ISS and completed the mission with the final launch of Atlantis, back in July. However, if you remember our last newsletter, we saw Endeavour's final launch - this very Space Shuttle. Truly amazing to see it so closely.
Not sure how much longer the VAB will remain open, but if space is your thing, you should go see it. The shuttles may be gone, but the VAB is still something to see.
Where should you eat when staying at Villa Southern Dunes? Here’s where we tried this Autumn/Fall...
Dora's Pizza
An unassuming little place just across and left on the US-27 from the Southern Dunes entrance. They have a couple of tables, or you can take out or they deliver. Great pizzas, amazing bruschetta, and a few other items.
If you like a drink with dinner (alcoholic that is), they are happy for you to take your own wine or beer.
Look out for the Tuffy's sign with Pizza below it, and you've found Dora's.
Villa de Flora
Sunday Brunch here is a great idea. For about $35, this isn't a cheap option, but they serve breakfast and lunch foods (hence 'brunch'!) in vast unlimited quantities. The restaurant has a Mediterranean style, but there is so much more, including cook-to-order omelettes, salads, severals meats on carvery and a selection of small desserts so you can try them all.
We weren't sure it would be value for money but it was great, wonderful service by respectful yet friendly waiting staff and you can eat and eat and eat! Very pleasant atmosphere (apart from the strolling guitarist, but that's probably just us!)
Beef O'Brady's
Here's a restaurant that's just across the US-27 (to the South one block) that has a variety of food available, is family-orientated, and serves beer and wine. What more could you need? Sports? Well, you're in luck as this is a sports bar, with various games on screens.
The food here is good, American-style, but not all fried-food and includes a veggie-plate. What's more, you could walk here from the villa in about 20-25 minutes and not have to worry about driving after a glass or two. Friendly atmosphere and great value. Sign up to their website and they'll send you offers (and a free dessert voucher on your birthday!)
If you'd like to submit a short review of an attraction or restaurant you visited while staying at Villa Southern Dunes, please email it to info@villasoutherndunes.com. Please supply your name, email address, dates of stay and age (if under 18). We'll try and include it if we can.
