When ever the air temperature is below the temperature of the pool (85F on average) you are losing heat so it’s essential you put the pool cover on especially in January and February when the average day temp is 65F-70F and at night is can get in to the 30′s.

Most pool pumps run from 8-9am until 5-6pm and the pool heater will only run when the pump is on so over night the pool blanket is the only thing to stop you losing all the heat and it normally does a pretty good job but make sure it’s on properly.

One other thing to note is that most pool heaters are electric and not gas so they don’t have a flame. They take heat from the air outside (also known as heat exchangers) so if it’s very cold outside (below 50F) they may not produce any heat even if it runs all day.

So on cold days it’s even more important to keep the pool blanket/cover on when ever you are not swimming.

If the pool has a spa the process is the same so if you are trying to use it on a cold day/night it may take a long time to get hot if at all.

Highly recommended, is the clam chowder at the Boston Market restaurant, but make sure you get extra crackers (mine always get stolen by Claire!).

The Celebration Snow Fall runs daily from the 26th November to 31st December at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm.

Below is a video from last year to give you an idea of what it’s like, sorry about the music but this was the best video I could find on youtube. If you have your own video that is better please let me know and I will add it.

9th Hole at Ridgewood Lakes Golf Club in Davenport Florida

Located in Davenport Florida and close to all the main Orlando theme park attractions Ridgewood Lakes Golf Course is a challenging par 72 layout with water on nearly every hole. Ridgewood Lakes is a semi private golf club which is open to the public and green fees range from $25 – $60 depending on the time of year with winter being the more expensive time to play.

Only 3 weeks until I am back there and looking forward to playing at Ridgewood Lakes in shorts and tee shirt so fingers crossed the weather is still nice and warm.

3rd hole at Ridgewood Lakes Golf Club in Davenport Florida

We have a large selection of Florida villas to rent on Ridgewood Lakes so check out our web site.

Fancy an adrenaline rush but want a change from the theme parks? This week I went over to Fantasy Surf in Kissimmee  for some aquatic adventure fun and I really enjoyed it! Fantasy Surf hosts a great indoor water sport activity termed flowriding – fun for all ages you can slide, ride and surf the ultimate waves –  and its a safe and controlled environment so good for those new to surfing and want to try it out – but also great for practising tricks if you’re an accomplished surfer.

The impressive indoor FlowRider surf system is a real experience – like surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding rolled into one – set up on an artificial beach setting, the machine size is 32 ft wide and 49 ft in length and can allows 25-30 riders each hour. There are cushioned surfaces all around for safety and for those in your group opting out it’s still a lot of fun watching others develop their new or expert surfing skills!

Whilst you’re there you can visit ‘The Lull’ cafe for casual dining and shop for surf-style retail at the ‘Offshore’ store.

Fantasy Surf offers 30 minute sessions on the FlowRider waves for adults and children – minimum height requirements are 42″ – for bodyboard, 52″ for Flowboard. Its $25 for one adult session and $20 for one child session – but there are multiple session savings so check out Fantasy Surf – Ticket Prices for more details.

You’ll find Fantasy Surf located off Poinciana Boulevard between US HWY 192 and State HWY 535, open 7 days a week – Venue and cafe open from 7:30am and FlowRider from 9am – all closing 10pm

If you’re thinking about booking your vacation in Orlando – we have over 570 Orlando Villas available to rent for your perfect holiday – many with 360 degree virtual tours and all homes 15-20 minutes away from Disney and the main Orlando attractions. You can also keep up to date on Things To Do in Orlando here on this blog.

One of Orlando’s most popular summer events is back – Universal Studios’ Summer Concert Series, bringing some big names in music to entertain you on weekends over the summer.  Every Saturday, live concerts at the Universal Music Plaza stage commence at 9pm with legendary performances from great artists. First gig was Saturday 11 June and they are running until 16 July.

Admission to the Summer Concert Series is FREE with your Universal Studios admission ticket or annual pass – a real bonus for the evening’s entertainment on your visit to Universal.  Your tickets are also valid for free entry to the Official After Party at Universal’s CityWalk – so get your party on!

All-female group the Go-Gos including Belinda Carlisle kick started the first weekend concert last Saturday – check out the video below…

Summer Concert Series 2011 Lineup dates:

11 June – Go-Gos
18 June – Nelly
25 June – Third Eye Blind
2 July – Trey Songz
9 July – Boys Like Girls
16 July – Drake

VR360 Florida Villas are happy to keep you updated on all the great and upcoming attractions in Orlando year round via this blog- and if you’re looking to book your vacation rental for your holiday in Orlando we have listed over 500 luxury private villas the majority with private pools and all within 10-20 minutes drive away from Disney and the main theme parks!

I went there this week and have some pictures and video for you to take a look at which I will be adding shortly but check out the video below to give you an idea of what to expect.

Fun Spot offers really safe, clean family fun – you can “drive the ride” on the multi-level concrete go-kart tracks, enjoy the thrill of the 100 ft “Revolver” ferris wheel or try the kids carousel. They have two locations, one on HWY192 next to Old Town and the other is on International Drive.

Its free admission and parking too – If you’re not able to make it on the 11th, it’s still great entertainment anytime and makes for a change from the Disney style theme parks.  Fun Spot opens 10am till midnight every day – see the Fun Spot ticket prices

For another similar entertainment park which is close to Fun Spot – check out my post on Old Town Orlando.

If you’re thinking about booking your vacation – we have over 500 luxury Orlando villas available for your perfect holiday – the majority with 360 degree videos of the villas and all homes 15-20 minutes away from Disney and the main attractions. You can also keep updated on Things To Do in Orlando here on this blog.

Update November 2011

The Fun Spot which is located on HWY192 in Kissimmee have now opened there Power Trip roller coaster and below is a short video showing you what it’s like.

As I went to the Car Masters at Downtown Disney recently and really enjoyed it, it made me think of all the great classic show cars at Old Town attraction in Kissimmee – a down-to-earth, 1950s nostalgic entertainment area which you could slot into your vacation in Orlando.  As well as shopping, dining and entertainment there’s car related events every week on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. I enjoy the Saturday Night Cruise its one of the largest weekly car events in the world with over 300 classic cars all 1974 and older on display. There’s a Rock n Roll band on while the cars cruise throughout Old Town!

Check out more info on the main stage live concerts and car cruise shows – Weekly Events At Old Town

There’s a great speciality and unique gift shopping emporium with 75 shops and 8 restaurants to dine on Old Town’s traditional boardwalk style streets. The amusement thrill rides are fun too with the faves with the kids being the Go-Kart Track, Bumper Cars, 60 ft Century ferris wheel, roller coaster and ofcourse the Merry-Go-Round. For ride opening hours and ticket prices check out attractions and rides at Old Town.

Even better, Old Town is open 365 days a year, and has free parking and admission! Open from 10am till 11pm with bars open until 2am. On 192 Hwy by marker 9.

Also if you’re brave enough, or just want to watch in awe!!! – you should go see the world’s tallest Skycoaster ride next to Old Town – its a big white pole-like tower 300 ft high which can be seen from way off into the distance and is a real landmark in Orlando. I’ve watched (peeking out from my hands covering my eye) as my girlfriend and friends have been strapped up and lift the 300 feet hanging from the cables and dropped to swing through the air between the tower. Pretty exhilarating! As close an experience to flying as you can get apparently.. think I’ll stick with Virgin Atlantic myself…

Also check out my post on Fun Spot the action park – also next to Old Town, and lots of family entertainment of the same theme – speed, rides and fun!

We have over 500 Florida Villas available to rent for your perfect holiday in Orlando – many with 360 degree villa videos and all homes 15-20 minutes away from Disney and the main attractions.

Just wanted to update you on Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay and their latest park attraction – the new Cheetah Hunt roller coaster has offically opened this week!! Hyped as a great thrill ride it’s made it to number 3 on Yahoo’s travel article: “World’s Coolest New Tourist Attractions“.

Busch Gardens is well known for its animal expertise, stunning gardens and Big Thrill African-inspired ride attractions and is a popular day trip if you’re holidaying in Florida.

On Cheetah Hunt, riders will experience the speedy cheetah style sprint across the Serengeti plain! Racing over rapids and through a rocky gorge – whilst going over the Skyride (also due to reopen May 27, 2011) and under the Serengeti Railway, spiralling up to 100 ft with speeds upto 60 mph.

Another recent addition to the Busch Gardens – a new cheetah cub, recently named Kasi (meaning ‘one with speed’ in Swahili) arrived in March. Kasi has had to be hand reared by the keepers, so in order to assist Kasi’s instinct for animal socialisation Kasi was introduced to a labrador puppy called Mtani (meaning close friend) to encourage a bond. Check out how cute Kasi and her friend look at ZooBorns article & pictures on the cheetah cub at Busch Gardens

Tampa is about 85 miles from Orlando, and thats roughly 1.5 hours drive away. For driving directions from Orlando to Busch Gardens, travel West on I-4 to the I-75, to the Fowler Ave exit (265) This exit is also the exit for the University of South Florida. Bear left on the exit ramp, and it will lead you directly onto Fowler Avenue. Proceed west on Fowler Avenue to McKinley Drive. (McKinley Drive is the first light past the main entrance to the University.) Turn left on McKinley. Proceed south on McKinley to parking and the main entrance to the park.

Busch Gardens is a sister park to SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Aquatica and Adventure Island – See Busch Gardens ticket prices and multi-park discount promotions for latest prices.

Vr360homes.co.uk has over 500 Orlando villas near Busch Gardens, Disney and the main attractions. Check out VR360 Homes luxury villas in Orlando listed on my website and other blog posts I’ve written for visitors relating to Things To Do in Orlando here.

Complimentary tours and wine tasting are offered seven days a week for both individuals and groups — Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The wine-making process is pretty fascinating and at their vast 127 acreage site, Lakeridge have a really great way of engaging and educating guests on how they grow, harvest and process, and finally bottle the wines ready for distribution.

Tours are held every 15-20 minutes and begin with a 12-minute video presentation moving on to visit the vineyards and the production areas with your personal tour guide.  Wine tasting is held at a large tasting counter with a selection of award-winning sparkling and table wines offered. In total, the tour and wine tasting session lasts about 45 minutes.

Check out this video one visitor made this week of their trip to Lakeridge Winery…

You can then go on to visit their retail area and gift store where you’ll find  the wines available, along with other unique gourmet foods, cookery books and wine accessories – wonderful local gifts for family/friends awaiting your return from your Orlando holiday!

You may want to visit when their lively Annual Harvest Festival is on – 17-19th June (admission is $2 charity donation benefitting a Hospice Foundation) where the family of all ages can have a go at stomping the grapes! Local artists and crafters will be displaying their work and there’ll be live music, a variety of food, beverages and complimentary tours available.

Lakeridge Winery – located at U.S. Hwy. 27, 3 miles south of Florida’s Turnpike Exit 285 and 6 miles north of Clermont. Approximately 25 miles west of Orlando via Hwy. 50, and 30 miles north of Walt Disney World via U.S. 27.

I hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to check out all the other posts on things to do in Orlando and surrounding Florida I have written especially for visitors and holidaymakers.  We have over 500 Florida Villas available for rental for that perfect holiday in the sunshine state!