My family and I toured with Spirit of the Swamp this past August. We took the 6 person boat on the…read more90-minite tour, and it was the perfect amount of time. Captain Kevin navigated our tour with ease and made the airboat ride both fun and educational. He stopped along the tour to point out different plants, birds, and other species. The open scenery was beautiful as we made our way to the mote swampy areas. Captain Kevin even picked one of the edible plants for us to taste from the swamp! Although it wasn't the season, we did get a chance to see a few alligators, mostly mamas guarding their nests. Overall it was a truly enjoyable tour and I would highly recommend it.

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!

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 wonderful day exploring wildlife and learning about the environment and natural habitat of…read morethe Lake. Our Captain Randy explained and pointed out spots that alligators, birds,fish, and turtles survive and thrive in. A BIG shout out to all the staff that were so kind and friendly and made our experience great. !!!!! Thank you guys for taking care of us, and especially for taking care of Floridas Wildlife and preserving the Lake. I highly recommend booking a tour, and I recommend Randy as your boat Captain.

Captain Chad did not disappoint. We saw more than 20 gator and turtles, fish and birds. The ride…read morewas amazing and the location beautiful. Captain Chad was very knowledgable ! Highly recommend!!

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.

I thought this place would feel more luxurious but the room itself kinda felt like a 3 or 2 star…read morehotel. It's a bit basic and outdated. The bathroom sink had trouble draining. The counter was also laughably low. The toilet and shower room were also quite small. The door was a bit hard to close. Ventilation felt poor. You also have to pay a $25/day resort fee and $38/day for parking which is insane. At least there are free shuttles to Universal but you can just hop on. You have to go to a website to make a reservation first. At least this hotel is literally in the backyard to Seaworld which was kinda neat. There was literally a gate to Seaworld on the property.

Whoa this place has gone downhill massively. I've been coming here for 8 years In a row. This time…read morewas terrible. The manager Emily is gone and now I see why all the issues we had. To make this brief i was changed to 4 different rooms, I was bitten by bugs in the room, the rooms are dirty and they didn't change the sheets, the bathroom didn't have a shower curtain and the staff was awful. Just awful. I did speak to JC who knew bout all the issues and he gave us meal vouchers. Wow, that did not make up for the bite marks the bug and yes I should have did an incident report & when I checked out I was charged resort frees which was clearly supposed to be taken off. I will upload the pictures and they speak for Themselves. Sadly because of the nastiness and lack of care we won't be back. This hotel is ran down and they need Emily back.

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.

This place has the potential to be great if they use the same engineering NASA skills and help…read morecreate a better busing system. We spent $300 for a family of four for 1 day admission (arriving at 9am), spent $80 on lunch. We didn't get to see everything in the park because a third of the day was waiting in line for buses. Staff in charge were minimal and harsh. It really is a cool place, just wish we got to see it in full.

kids 5 and under have a bit less to do than the rest of us but its still an awesome experience. the…read moreFraggel Rock show was awesome! theres a few different movies to see, 2 at the main visitor complex and another at the apollo/saturn v center, that one was pretty cool. it was aout the moon/moon landing and didnt just use a movie but also had other elements to it that came up from the (stage) ground and down from the ceiling. one of my favorite parts was the bus tour. if your lucky you will get a driver that gives you information/education. We had 3 different drivers (the tour takes you to 3 different locations and off loads your group while you explore and take others that are ready to leave to their next destination). KIMI was the absolute best driver. She pointed out different things along the drive with ample time to get the camera ready. She was nice, funny and gave the best tour/drive. We made sure to let her know she was the best when we got off the bus and I herd others telling her the same thing. Hope she is compensated well for doing the most.

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

This is a review for the Grand Floridian Spa which is located in a small building which is a short…read morewalk from the main building. It was a bit tricky to find the spa; we had to ask a staff member to point us in the right direction. We booked appointments for 80 minute massages several weeks before our visit, and it was easy to book these online. We received a phone call the day before to confirm. The spa is a very luxurious and comfortable environment. The locker room features robes, sandals, showers, sauna, steam room, and various bathroom amenities. There is also a small lounge with beverages and light snacks to enjoy. The massage took place in the couples' massage room, and the massage therapists were very professional and tailored the massage to our preferences. The 80 minute massage for two was $500 before tip - they do automatically add a 20% tip which they give you the option to modify before payment. I definitely left feeling refreshed and ready to take on the Magic Kingdom!