Our travelling day Kissimmee to Rotonda

[*cath*]

So we are spending 4 days in Orlando for our daughters wedding in May and the travelling down to Rotonda West for a couple of weeks. On the day we travel down we going to have a few hrs to kill as can't get into the villa til 4.
Hubby is VERY security conscious and won't leave the car with our belongings in it.
Any ideas what we can do along the route where we can be near the car?
Thanks in advance

[scottish mama]

We've stayed in Rotonda for the last 5years and we usually stop in at Ellenton shopping outlet on our way down from either Orlando or Tampa. I get what you're saying about dh, but we've never had any problems leaving the car full, although we do take our electronics and valuable with us, usually in a rucksack which dh carries.
Otherwise, we just stop and get something to eat to break the journey, and try and park near the restaurant and sit where we can see the car. We stopped at Danny's Diner in Tampa one year, which was featured in Diners, Dives and Drive-thru's. We also drove down via Arcadia one year.
I know your dh may not go for any of these options, but we've never had any trouble. Another idea would be to just to leave Orlando later as you often don't need to check out till about 11 and by the time you've stopped on the way for a coffee it's time to get in to your villa.
Have a great time whatever you end up doing.

[Tracy34]

Can you ask the villa owners for an early entry ...Say 14.00.
We have done this before...
Providing nobody else was in the villa that morning and the cleaners have been in...
I can't see it being an issue.

[*cath*]

No the villa is occupied til the morning we arrive so needs to be cleaned.

Thanks Scottish Mama but he's not having any of it. He's so OCD when it comes to leaving stuff in the car it's not even funny! Maybe we can find a beach onroute we can park next too and maybe have a picnic and some swimming?

[sotagals]

I'd be leaving him in the car at Ellenton while I went in the shops !

You could drive straight down and go to Englewood public beach.

Once you have parked up there are benches on the boardwalk. He could sit there and watch the car while you go on the beach until it's time to go to the villa.

[*cath*]

I said that to him last night. I said we're going to the shops then and i'll leave you a book to read in the car! lol

[Hank]

Good idea by Sotogals if that does not appeal you could always drive to Venice Beach and by that I mean the Jetties. I take it you would leave Orlando about 10am it would take approx. 2 hours and along the way call at Publix or Walmart and pick up something for lunch and head for the Jetties which are great to park up and sit at nearby benches and overlook the sea and beaches and keep your eye on the car. It will give you a taste of the Gulf Coast at its best

About 230 pm continue down Englewood and head for one of the Supermarkets, he stays in the car while you get some supplies to start you off at the villa, with a bit of luck the villa will be ready about 330 /345pm.

Hope that helps, I can understand your Husband.

Hank

[*cath*]

Thanks for the great advice Hank!

[Hank]

You are welcome, have a great time.

Hank

[floridasgirl]

I would be leaving him in the car and going to the outlets as well!