Captain Dale was a great guide. Got to see a mother and her babies as well as another gator back…read morein the low tide. Very knowledgeable and was able to take us to areas where bigger boats couldn't go! Spirit of the swamp offers 6 man boats. This helps with getting into tighter areas and low water areas! It was very fun to slide around the marsh!

This was one of our best stops on the trip, by far. We toured with Captain Ryan, who was…read moreknowledgeable, friendly and skilled. Before going out, we got a comprehensive safety brief and were informed of an area to keep our belongings. As we were cruising, we wore headsets with speakers in which captain Ryan was speaking about the surrounding environment. The headset also had microphones in which we would reply to him. As we got into the swampy area, the ride was smooth and as someone who is scared of water, I felt completely safe. Captain Ryan brought us to some wonderful hidden gems such as a few alligator nests where he explained their structure in detail and answered any questions with complete answers. We got very close to alligators and baby alligators (freshly hatched the day before) and it was an amazing experience. Captain Ryan made us feel confident that we were not in danger and if we were, he would be able to handle it. As we were finishing our tour it started to pour and we switched our headset out for a water friendly version. Rather than bringing us directly back to the docking area, we sat under an overpass to prevent getting completely drenched and possibly hurt. We made it back and Captain Ryan made sure we were all safe getting off. Overall, a truly wonderful experience. More than worth the price. It was beyond what we expected in the best ways.

My husband and I were visiting from Pennsylvania, and this was our first time on an airboat. It…read moreturned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of our trip. The captain was fun, knowledgeable, and made the entire ride unforgettable--we'll definitely be talking about it for weeks. If you're in the area, I highly recommend giving it a try!

I can honestly say that visiting this place and riding an airboat were among the most enjoyable…read morethings I have done in many years. Wow! My family, friends, and I had such a great time and wish that we could have remained on the airboat much longer. This place is located at the end of a very long road. The drive to the property is very quiet and relaxing. The property itself was well-maintained, everything was clearly marked, and the venue itself was fun. There is a gift shop, a snack shop, a food trailer offering hot food, a beverage hit, clean bathrooms, gold mining, and so much more. The employees went out of their way to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. The real reason why you would visit this place is the airboats. Each guest boards the large boats, which can seat 12-15 people at a time. To the rear of the boat sits this huge fan, which controls the boat. Each guest is required to grab a headset or ear protection, as the boats are noisy and loud, and I mean LOUD once they get going. The purpose of the boats is to have fun, of course, but the objective is to look for alligators as you speed through the swamps. During our visit, we spotted nine alligators, and the boat operator stopped so guests could see and experience them up close. The alligators are never disturbed, and they do not seem to mind being watched. Back to the airboats, these things are FAST! The boat operator will have you going so fast on the water, then pull into a complete 360-degree turn when you least expect it. The first time the boat operator sped away from the dock at the start of the tour, you were a tad nervous, similar to riding a roller coaster. After this initial nervousness, you could not get enough of this airboat and only wanted to go fast on the water. I might add that there was a group seated in front of us with a boy between 8 and 10 years old and a young tween girl, and they appeared to enjoy the airboat ride just as much as we adults. This is definitely a fun place for all ages

We had a great time with Captain Rick. We enjoyed our tour, and Captain Rick was full of…read moreinformation and fun facts.

We had a fantastic time. My grandson was here from Pennsylvania and he enjoyed it. We saw lots of…read morenature.

I had an excellent experience at the Ritz-Carlton. The hotel was exceptional, and the staff was…read moreincredibly friendly, professional, and accommodating throughout my stay. I experienced a small issue with my Bonvoy account, and Robert Madison immediately stepped in to assist. He handled everything professionally and courteously, making the process smooth and stress-free. When my business in Orlando was unexpectedly extended, I needed to add an extra night to my stay. Once again, Robert Madison made the arrangement effortless and ensured I could remain in the same room without any inconvenience. Robert Madison truly exemplified the level of service and hospitality that the Ritz-Carlton is known for. His outstanding customer service is a major reason I will choose to stay here again in the future. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.

What is not to love about the Ritz? Service is always above and beyond. We were here over the…read moreThanksgiving holiday and had no trouble finding a spot by the pool to relax every day. The servers were always really nice and attentive and made sure we had towels and the works. We also love that the pool here is heated as it does get windy and chilly in November in Orlando, believe it or not. The pool side menu was also great as they had a variety of stuff like chicken fingers, burgers, chips and salsa/queso. Overall, our stay was 10/10 no notes.

Well, this hotel was fabulous. I literally only have two small-ish negative things to say, and it…read moreprobably doesn't affect everyone. PRO's: -Nicely sized rooms - not huge, but not small either. I was assigned to a room with two queen beds, but it was just me, so I had an extra bed to put luggage, etc. on. -HUGE bathrooms, including a separate shower and separate bathtub, and nice amenties. -Excellent customer service - I had some ice packs I needed them to hold on to, in their freezer, and they were able to do that at the bell hop desk for me. -Ridiculously nice pool area - I was staying here for a conference and brought a swimsuit just in case, but as soon as I got to my room the first day - which they upgraded me, to a pool/lake room view, even though I don't have status with Marriott - I knew I had to try out the pool and waterslides. Luckily I had a spare hour before my conference started so I literally ate lunch and then jumped on a water slide, ha. ----There are three water slides: one you require an inner tube for, and the other two you just lay back while on it. CONs: -The area between the toilet and the toilet paper roll is super small. I am not a small person so this is probably why I had an issue, but I ended up just taking the toilet paper off the roll, because it kept hitting my thighs when I unrolled it. -The shower has a handheld area you can use or just the regular shower top (? I forget the name for that). The regular top doesn't have great water pressure, so I ended up using the handheld thing and just keeping it pointed towards me. They have a sign up in the lobby saying that Forbes chose them as one of the nicest properties in the world, I believe, and I can see why. They also have a few restaurants on site, as well as a Starbucks, but most of my meals were included at my conference; I did get Doordash the first day I was there, though. Be aware that for the Starbucks you cannot order ahead on the app, though, and the lines are often long (especially with conferences going on, and there were two while I was staying there, including ours!). I would definitely stay at this hotel again - I wasn't paying for the bill this time but I believe it is rather pricey normally, though.

The JW Marriott definitely looks and feels like a high-end property. The hotel is polished,…read moreattractive, and has the upscale atmosphere you expect from the brand. That said, the price point is definitely on the high side, so expectations naturally go up with it. For me, the biggest disconnect was the service level, which felt more fair than exceptional. Nothing was terrible, but it did not really match the luxury pricing or the overall image of the property. When you are paying premium rates, you expect service that stands out, and this felt a little more average than memorable. Overall, it is a nice hotel, but at this price level I was hoping for a stronger service experience.

10/10 experience. Captain John, aka The Swamp Shepard, knows the marsh and the gators know him…read more Great wildlife sightings, top-tier gator action, and fire Marsh Beast merch. Would follow this man into the swamp any day.

Captain Jeff took us on a wild ride to hunt (search) for the mighty alligator. He knew exactly…read morewhere to go and we saw so many!! His knowledge and experience really shined through and this adventure went beyond our expectations. He also pointed out so many other works of nature and told elaborate stories. Ohh he navigated us away from the rain, but when it found us he gave me his raincoat. Such a gentleman. We had an awesome experience.

Had a pretty great stay at this hotel. The staff was friendly, the room was clean, and the service…read morewas excellent. A special thank you to Sophia at the front desk. She was professional, welcoming, and attentive throughout my stay. Her dedication and positive attitude made a lasting impression. 'ppreciate you, Sophia!

I am normally a DoubleTree fan and thankful for the warm yummy chocolate chip cookies b/c it would…read morehave been a 2 star review! BE AWARE on this property!! If you are used to just being able to walk to the elevator up to your room (which is why I chose DoubleTree), that may not happen. Unbeknownst to me, they have 'villas' (like a motel) along with the high rise rooms. The room was ok for a motel...clean and the bed was super comfy. I didn't see bugs like some of the other reviews. However, the room definitely needs a makeover for the money they charge. I seriously could have just stayed at the Red Roof Inn for a lot less $$. My story for what it's worth: My flight was delayed and I didn't get to the hotel till 2:30am. All I wanted was to jump into my jammies and a bed. The front desk clerk gave me the key and a map. A map...hmmm, should have been my first clue? And then she proceeds to tell me the best way to get to the room is to walk out to the street and take a right and another right. Mind you, I'm 66 y/o single female, don't travel light so have two suitcases (one of which is 50 lbs) and a huge purse AND it's pitch black outside. I walked around 50-60 yards from the front desk. I finally find the building with the help of my phone flashlight and start looking for an elevator...NONE! AND she put me on the 2nd floor. Remember, it's 2:30 am! So I had to drag my suitcases, one at a time, up stairs by myself. I felt sorry for the people near the stairway and tried to be as quiet as possible but there was just no way. Btw, front desk clerk didn't mention that there was no elevator nor the long walk outside the property to get to it NOR offered to have someone help. It would have been a simple fix if the front desk clerk would have read the room and noticed I'm an older, single female with 2 large suitcases and maybe look for a room closer and more secure would have been the thing to do or find someone to help. She actually didn't look like she wanted to be there and it was a bother for her to be working. She sure didn't make me feel DoubleTree welcomed except she gave me 2 warm cookies...yay me :/

Rosen Shingle Creek 9939 UNIVERSAL BLVD,…read moreORLANDO, FLORIDA 32819 There's something about arriving at Rosen Shingle Creek that immediately sets the tone for a refined yet welcoming stay. Rising gracefully against the Orlando skyline, this property feels less like a typical hotel and more like a thoughtfully designed retreat where comfort, elegance, and service come together effortlessly. The first thing that stands out is the architecture--rich Spanish revival influences that give the entire space a warm, timeless character. It's grand without feeling overwhelming, and every corner feels intentional. As you step into the guest rooms, the experience only gets better. Spacious, quiet, and beautifully maintained, the rooms offer sweeping views of the lush greens of the Shingle Creek Golf Course. Waking up to that serene landscape feels like a reset button for the day. What truly elevates the experience here is the level of hospitality. The service feels genuine, not scripted--attentive without being intrusive. It's clear why they've earned a reputation for exceptional customer care. The dining options are equally impressive, offering a variety of well-executed menus that cater to different moods, whether you're in the mood for a relaxed bite or a more refined evening. Add to that the expansive meeting rooms and conference spaces, and it's easy to see why this property is a favorite for both leisure travelers and business guests alike. Location-wise, it's hard to beat--tucked along Universal Boulevard, just minutes from major attractions and conveniently close to the Orange County Convention Center, yet it still manages to feel like a peaceful escape from the buzz. Overall, Rosen Shingle Creek delivers a complete experience--beautiful surroundings, thoughtful design, excellent food, and service that leaves a lasting impression. It's one of those places you don't just stay at--you genuinely enjoy being there. One small but somewhat surprising detail--access to the hotel gym comes with a $10 daily fee. It's not a dealbreaker by any means, but it does stand out, especially in a property of this caliber where you might expect fitness access to be included.

Well I have to say that I am really impressed with the Rosen Shingle Creek and all the staff that…read morework here. We had a wonderful stay at the hotel and truthfully it was excellent and most importantly very affordable. Yep, I said it affordable. I also want to say that affordable does not mean cheap, it means high value for your dollar. The property is wonderful and you have all the amenities of any of the other Disney resorts as well including a golf course. The pool area is also excellent as well. This is high season and we paid about $300 for a two night stay plus taxes; also, they allowed us to bring our dog. Now we paid a pet cleaning fee of $150 which was less than boarding our dog and we had him with us which was great. By the way, the $150 I pet cleaning fee covers you for a week stay and kicks in again after the first seven days if you are staying for longer. I also really liked that the Rosen family is a local family that has been in the area for over 50+ years. Mr Rosen is known as a philanthropic leader in the Orlando area; also, really takes care of his employees providing them with great healthcare coverage and making sure they all know they are valued. They expect all their staff to treat all their customers well and if it does not happen for some reason, they will make it right. Mentioning this as I always like to support local businesses wherever I go and although this is technically a resort empire, it is still a small business when compared to the other hotel titans (Hilton, Marriott, etc.) that have similar resorts in the area. I will definitely be staying here again in the future. Feel free to heck them out and I am sure you will I'll have a good time as well. Oh, the breakfast at the Osceola Cafe was excellent as well and all the staff were top notch and courteous as well.

We spent 2 days here and still didn't see everything, but we had a great time! We watched…read moreastronaut Fred Gregory talk about his experiences in space and with NASA that was quite interesting. We took the bus explore tour and got to see a few really neat things that you don't get to see on the regular bus tour. The Apollo exhibit at the end of the bus tour is amazing. They have a real Saturn 5 rocket which you have to see to understand how massive it is, and it also has several exhibits with actual mission gear. After that we did the shuttle exhibit which has an actual shuttle, which was amazing to see. The launch experience was OK but it was a long wait for just a few minutes of fun. Overall we had tons of fun and would do it again in a heartbeat. We saw everything so feel free to message me if you have any questions, itguy822 on g mail.

What a spacious and huge center! I was surprised!…read more If I would have to take 0.5 star off, it would be that all two dipping dots vending machine are out of order! There is a main store at the entrance but not on the other popular sites! Shopping was great experience: all the check out can be self checkout! So speedy and accurate too. Love the bus tour: a MUST! Also the exhibits, shows, short movies, etc are so worth it. Just remember you are in Florida: MUST bring an umbrella! Thunder storms can happen anytime anywhere.

Grand Floridian is worth the hype! It is the quintessential…read moreresort vibe in Disney World. With our Disney Vacation Club contracts, everything is much more affordable and accessible.. even the Grand Floridian. Just gliding by it on the monorail, we always knew that this was the pinnacle of WDW resorts... and Disney knows it too! With so many dining options from Michelin Star restaurants, to character dining, to just an elegant cafe, to now even a lobby bar.. Grand Floridian has amazing dining options for everyone!! The pool is epic with a great Alice in Wonderland theme. The main lobby is massive and just exudes elegance. It's the wedding go-to with the nearby chapel. The rooms have been updated and are just breathtaking with views and accommodations. They have numerous retail shops too. If you don't like Grand Floridian, it's probably because you haven't tried it or you are just lying to yourself.

Shopping Sandy Cove: picked up water, breakfast pastries,…read moresunscreen, OTCs Food: - 1900 Park Fare: character buffet. Great for kids, food was just ok. $80 adult dinner is wild for ok quality. - Gasparilla Island: grab n go. Great for families to send a tribute to get food for everyone & bring it back. Potato barrels (tater tots) and Mickey waffles for the win! - Citricos: by far the best restaurant from ALL the resorts I have eaten at. Everything from the first course to entrees to desserts were expertly crafted and cooked to creative perfection. The coconut praline tart will forever be a core taste bud memory. - Grand FL Cafe: POG stuffed french toast is top notch; tropically delicious! Bed was comfy, pillows were firm but pliable, blankets were delivered lickity split by housekeeping, and the bathroom was great. Only complaint is my room was next to the elevator and you can hear everyone! The loud drunk guy at midnight sounded like he was IN the room. Haha