Orlando Dream Vacation: 5BR, 4BA Townhome at Storey Lake Resort!
Okay, buckle up buttercups! I'm about to unleash a review of Orlando Dream Vacation: 5BR, 4BA Townhome at Storey Lake Resort! that's less "polished brochure" and more "drunken aunt telling a story at Thanksgiving." Prepare for some real talk, some gushing, and maybe a little bit of "where the heck did I put my reading glasses?!"
Orlando Dream Vacation: Storey Lake - My Brain Vomit of Truth 🤢
Alright, so you're looking at Storey Lake, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms… sounds like a free-for-all, right? Well, kinda! Let's break this down, 'cause let's be honest, planning a vacation is stressful enough without wading through a bunch of corporate BS.
First Impressions (and the Struggle to Find the Right Door 🚪):
Getting there? Easy peasy. Access is pretty good, and even with a van full of screaming kids (mine, naturally), the drive wasn't a total nightmare. Parking? Free. On-site. Hallelujah. One less thing to worry about. Now, finding your specific townhome within the resort… well, let's just say my GPS and I had a moment. We’re talking circles. And a little bit of yelling at my phone. (It happens). But once you're IN, you're IN.
The Townhome Itself: Space! Glorious, Glorious Space! 🛌
Five bedrooms people. FIVE! Four bathrooms? Score! This isn't a shoebox, folks. This is a freakin' mansion compared to some hotel rooms. My family, which, as I mentioned, includes children genetically predisposed to chaos, actually had room to breathe… and spread their toys. The space alone almost made the trip worth it. Almost.
Accessibility: Okay, let's get this out of the way. While the listing mentions "Facilities for disabled guests", I'm not seeing specific details on accessibility within the townhome. I'd recommend contacting them directly for specifics if that's a crucial factor. I'm just throwing that out there 'cause I try to be helpful… sometimes.
Cleanliness & The Covid Factor 🦠: This is where things get interesting. They claim a ton of stuff - "Anti-viral cleaning," "Rooms sanitized between stays," etc. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, especially post-pandemic. I brought my own wipes, but honestly, the place felt clean. Like, not just "tidied up," but properly cleaned. They've got hygiene certification, too. That’s gotta count for something! And hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere… I mean, they're trying. And I’m not gonna lie, I totally took advantage of the "Room sanitization opt-out available" – more space to breathe!
The Little Things: Air conditioning? Check. Free Wi-Fi? Double check – even in the rooms! Imagine: Everyone in their own space, finally peace. Finally. Air conditioning in the public area? YES! Coffee maker? Essential. You know, the little things that keep a frazzled parent from losing their mind. They’ve thought of most of them.
The Resort Itself: More Than Just a Bed 🏊♀️
Okay, so the townhome is great (or, at least, mine was, depending on where the little gremlins dragged all the crumbs!). But what about the resort?
Pools & Fun: There's a massive outdoor swimming pool. And another one. And maybe one more? (I lost count after the second margarita, truth be told) Plenty of space to lounge, soak up the Florida sun, and pretend you don't know your kids are currently trying to turn the whole thing into a water park. Pool with a view? I think so, but I only remember seeing the water. Plus, sauna, steam rooms, and a spa. I didn’t go, because, kids. (See, I'm getting real with you.)
Fitness Fiends: Gym/fitness center. Tick. Now, I didn't hit the gym. I’m on vacation! (And running after the aforementioned gremlins burnt enough calories.) But it looked decent enough. I saw more ambitious parents actually using it. Kudos to them.
Things to Do (Beyond the Pool Chaos): They have a fitness center, which I didn’t use (see above). They have a ton of stuff going on and advertised, too. They have a whole laundry list… from Babysitting services to a game room. I just didn't do any of this. Too busy, sorry!
Food & Booze (Because, Vacation! 🍹): Alright, this is where it gets interesting. Restaurants? Yes! Bars? Yes! A poolside bar? Oh, HELL yes!
- Breakfast: Breakfast service! Buffet! This is a LIFESAVER with kids. A quick, "grab and go" breakfast option to give you more leeway, and more time to relax.
- Other Fare: I'm not sure what the Asian cuisine is like. It's on the list, but I didn't try. Western cuisine? Certainly, but I didn't write down the name of the place. There's a snack bar (hello, late-night cravings!), and a coffee shop.
Services & Conveniences (The Good Stuff): Daily housekeeping? YES! YES! Contactless check-in/out? Fantastic – less human interaction, more relaxation time. Concierge? You betcha. Cash withdrawal? Yep – although, I'd probably hit an ATM before you go. There's a shop with souvenirs, and sometimes, you want that.
The Annoyances (Because, Nothing's Perfect):
- Okay, look, I didn't love the idea of the resort. It was fine, but I was more thrilled with the townhome.
- I have no idea if the "doctor/nurse on call" is actually any good, or if this place would know how to deal with an actual sick kid. Hopefully, you don't need it!
The Bottom Line – Is it Worth It? 🤔
Honestly? YES. For a big family, or even a group of friends, this place is a godsend. Space is king, and the townhome offers it in spades! The resort amenities are a bonus, even if you just use the basics.
Final Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. (Minus one for a few minor irritations - like the fact that they didn't have a time machine to stop me having kids in the first place!).
Now, for the Sales Pitch (And Why YOU Should Book, Like, Right Now!):
Okay, so you've read my ramblings. You know I’m real. Now, let’s put on the serious hat for a second.
Here's the Deal:
This isn't just a hotel room; it's a home away from home. Imagine:
- No more sharing a tiny hotel room with screaming kids.
- More space to spread out, relax, and recharge.
- *A fully equipped kitchen, where you can whip up late night snacks.
- An actual vacation!
My Recommendation:
STOP scrolling and BOOK! Seriously. Stop reading this and go grab that 5BR townhome at Storey Lake before someone else gets it. This is especially good if you have a large family or group.
Why Book NOW?
- It's Easy to Book: Online booking is simple! You can literally be on the way to Orlando now.
- It's a Great Deal: Think about it - splitting the cost of a 5-bedroom townhome? Way cheaper than multiple hotel rooms.
- The Stress Factor: Remember what I said about stress? Don't let the vacation be scary, start booking now!
Click the link. Do it. You deserve it. And I might just see you there… sipping a margarita by the pool!
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Luxury at Hotel El Moro, Puerto Morelos
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't gonna be your sanitized, Insta-perfect travel itinerary. This is the real deal, warts and all, Storey Lake style. IT2852, here we come… or maybe we're already there? Honestly can't remember if I packed the sunscreen. Deep breath. Here we go.
The (Un)official Story Lake Resort - 5 Bed 4 Baths Townhome Orlando, FL Itinerary (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Mouse)
Day 1: Arrival, Panic, and Poolside Existential Dread
- 8:00 AM (ish): Wake up in a cold sweat. Wait, am I really doing this? The "Florida Adventure" promised more beach and less… theme park chaos. Oh well, commitments are a real thing. Scramble to finish packing, realizing I forgot the all-important travel-sized Febreze. (This is BAD, people. REALLY bad.)
- 10:00 AM: Airport madness. Endless lines, screaming toddlers, and that smell – the airport smell. It’s a mixture of bad coffee, stale airplane food, and desperation. I swear, I saw a guy try to sneak a full-sized pillow through security. Good luck, buddy.
- 2:00 PM: Finally, we're on the blessed plane. The moment the wheels leave the ground is magical, but that bliss fades quickly into the existential dread of cramped seats and questionable recycled air. Someone's kid is crying. Someone else is snoring. This is just the beginning, isn't it?
- 5:00 PM (ish): Orlando! Victory is short-lived. Rental car pickup is a comedic nightmare. They tried to upsell me on EVERYTHING. Seriously, the guy was offering me a car with a built-in therapist at one point. Eventually escape the car rental hellhole, armed with a slightly larger, slightly more expensive SUV.
- 6:00 PM: Storey Lake arrival! Okay, the townhome… it's… massive. Five bedrooms? Four baths? We're not worthy. Initially impressed with the modern decor, immediately get overwhelmed with the sheer size of the place. "Do we really need this much space?" I ask no one in particular. Already daydreaming about getting lost wandering around the house.
- 7:00 PM: Unpack. Or, attempt to. Realize I'm missing my favorite travel mug. (Panic Level: 7/10). The kids are fighting over the bunk beds. Husband is already obsessed with the pool. I swear, that man would live in water if he could.
- 8:00 PM: Poolside. The air is wonderfully warm. The sun is setting. I feel… something close to peace. Until I realize I left the pool towel inside. Ah, well. The stars above are looking quite lovely. Time to mentally prepare myself for the rollercoaster of emotions that is bound to follow, and just embrace the glorious chaos of it all.
- 9:00 PM: Dinner! Takeout pizza. Because adulting is HARD.
Day 2: Park Day 1 (The Magic Kind!)
- 7:00 AM: Alarm sounds. My soul screams. Sleep is a beautiful, cruel mistress. Somehow, everyone is up and moving and yelling and it's already a disaster. Find the sunscreen. Thank goodness.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Cereal, which the kids proceed to spill. Coffee, which I proceed to spill. The kitchen is a disaster zone.
- 9:00 AM: Head to the Magic Kingdom. The line to get past security is so long that I’m pretty sure I aged a decade while standing there.
- 10:00 AM: Magic Kingdom. The magic. It’s… a lot. Sensory overload, basically. The crowds are insane. The lines are long. The smells are… a lot. So many churros.
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Rides! We do some rides. We wait in line some more. Kid one gets scared on a ride. Kid two insists on hugging a giant Pluto. My head is starting to spin.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch. Overpriced chicken tenders. But the kids are happy. And, let's be honest, so am I.
- 3:00 PM: Parade. The parade is actually pretty great, I have to admit. The colours, the music, the pure, unadulterated joy on the kids' faces… it almost makes me forget about the blisters on my feet. Almost.
- 4:00 PM: The infamous Space Mountain. I'm not a thrill-seeker, by any means. But, the kids insisted. I closed my eyes the entire time and screamed. I think. I couldn’t tell. My hair is now a mess.
- 6:00 PM: We leave. Everyone is exhausted and sugar-crashed and I'm questioning all my life choices.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the townhome! So thankful for the glorious air conditioning. I immediately collapse on the sofa.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner. Leftovers. My brain is fried. My feet hurt. But the kids are asleep. And that, my friends, is a victory.
Day 3: Pool Day & Retail Therapy (or, Can We Just Relax Already?)
- 9:00 AM: Sleep in! Woo Hoo!
- 10:00 AM: Actually sleep in. This almost feels like a bonus.
- 11:00 AM: Pool day! The pool. My happy place. The sun is out, the water is cool, and I can finally sit down. Just sit.
- 12:00 PM: Floating, reading, pretending I'm not responsible for anyone or anything. Realizing I forgot my book. Again. It's becoming a theme, this forgetting things.
- 2:00 PM: Shopping! Outlet mall time. It's… pure chaos. So many people. So many sales. So much… stuff. I buy a new blender! And some shoes! And regret both of them later.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the pool. The kids are playing Marco Polo. Husband is blissfully submerged. And I find my book!
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Cooking in the kitchen. It actually goes well. We eat outside. Life is… pretty good, right now.
Day 4: Theme Park – Again (Maybe More Prepared This Time?)
- 8:00 AM: Okay, here we go again. This time, I am a seasoned pro. I have a backpack full of snacks, water bottles, and emergency glitter packets (don’t ask.)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Make pancakes with Mickey Mouse shaped cutters. Success!
- 10:00 AM: Animal Kingdom. This is the one I was most looking forward to. The animals! Pandora! I had visions of gentle safari rides and serene landscapes.
- 11:00 AM: Pandora: The World of Avatar. Holy. Cow. The floating mountains! The bioluminescent plants! The lines, the crowds… okay, that part wasn’t idyllic. The ride was pure amazing. I might have cried a little. Don't tell anyone.
- 1:00 PM: The Safari. The animals are adorable. Kid one throws a minor tantrum because he didn't see a lion. Kid two is convinced he can talk to the giraffes. The husband is taking photos. I get to sit back and enjoy a moment of pure, untainted beauty in the chaos. (Or at least, I try to.)
- 3:00 PM: More Rides. More lines. More screaming. More glitter packets.
- 4:00 PM: Snack break. Turkey legs. Surprisingly good.
- 6:00 PM: We leave, slightly less exhausted this time. Progress!
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Pizza again. I’m not judging myself. This is survival mode.
- 8:00 PM: Playing games. Laughing. Making memories. This is why we do it, right? This is worth all the stress.
Day 5: Departure (and The Aftermath)
- 7:00 AM: The dreaded packing begins. Everything is a mess. The kids are fighting over the suitcases. I can’t find my phone.
- 9:00 AM: Clean. Sort of. We sweep the floor. We run the dishwasher. We leave the place better than we found it… mostly.
- **10:00 AM
Okay, spill the beans! What's the absolute BEST thing about this Storey Lake townhome?
One morning, I actually *slept* in until 8 am because the little terrors were off causing chaos somewhere else in the house! (Probably raiding the snack stash, but hey, peace is peace.) It felt like a freakin’ castle after years of tent camping! The master suite was pure bliss (a whole other level of peace), and I swear, I could hear my brain rewinding and repairing itself in there. The kids had their own rooms, the in-laws got their own space (bless their hearts!), and even the grumpy teenager didn't complain *much*. That, my friends, is a vacation miracle. Seriously, the sheer *roominess* of it all made the whole trip ten times more enjoyable.
What about the resort itself? Is Storey Lake actually...dreamy?
Tell me about the food. Is there a decent kitchen in the townhome? Did you cook? (Or order takeout every night?)
Okay, the BIG ONE. What's the location like, being near Disney? How's the drive?
Any downsides? Spill the tea! What *didn't* you love?
Would you stay there again? Would you recommend it?
What's one specific, *memorable* moment from the trip? Like, something that'll stick with you?
