A few weeks ago, we took our first vacation of 2020 to Orange Lake Resort-Holiday Inn Club Vacations in Orlando!! Holiday Inn Club Vacations reached out and invited us to their Orange Lake Resort. Honestly, I was a little hesitant at first (Covid) but then I did significant research on how they were handling it and was very impressed. You can find more about how they’re dealing with Covid and their incredible Safe Travels program here. We took them up on their offer and the next thing I knew we were on our way to Orlando! We hadn’t left Charleston since Covid started and we were pretty nervous but it ended up being such an amazing trip and exactly what our little family needed. *Note: When you see us not wearing masks, it was when we were far apart from others outside or no one was near us inside.
We arrived on a Monday evening, got Chuy’s (my fav!) to take back to the resort and checked in. We didn’t get to see much of the resort because it was dark but I was so impressed by the check in process and our villa. The room had a sticker on the door so that we knew everything had been cleaned and sanitized. I could tell when I walked in how clean it was. I’m very picky about this and usually wipe things down as soon as we get there and I didn’t even feel a need to do this! We stayed in a two-bedroom villa which was great, we all had our space! It also had a full kitchen, living room, and washer/dryer! It had everything we possibly needed.
We woke up the next morning excited to explore the resort…tons of pools, waterslides, lazy river, playgrounds, restaurants, water sport rentals, putt-putt, arcade, etc. Our first stop was the River Island pool…talk about heaven! 
We swam until Camden and Ella were so exhausted they were falling asleep in the pool…haha!
We went back to the villa for a little nap and then it was time for putt-putt and dinner!
We finished the evening by going to our favorite Target which is right by the resort. Every time we’re in Orlando, we stop by this Target. It has the BEST Disney selection we’ve ever seen. We let Camden and Ella each pick out a new toy which they loved and took very seriously (we were there quite a while!). Camden and Ella have not been inside a store since March so this was pretty special.
Something else I should mention about this resort is you could spend an entire week here and never get bored but the location also can’t be beat…it’s my favorite area of Orlando! Surrounded by every restaurant you can possibly imagine, it’s a short drive to Disney and the other Orlando attractions, there is a grocery store right outside the property, and it is such a fun and peaceful area!
The next morning, we decided to check out the Crayola Experience. I was so impressed! It was SOO fun and incredibly hands on, perfect for my kiddos! They even were super careful with Covid…temperature checks at the door, some areas were closed off, and they were constantly cleaning after a family left an area. We will be back for sure!
We headed back and spent the entire evening at the resorts’ North Village pool. We ordered pizza from the pizza place by the pool and spent 4 hours going down waterslides. I have never seen my kids laugh so hard. 🙂
The next morning, we slept in and then headed straight to the pool! We spent all day here, even ate lunch at the pool. 
That evening, Holiday Inn Club Vacations hosted a blog dinner where we got to meet the wonderful ladies who are in charge of their social media pages and the other bloggers staying at the resort. It was lovely and so much fun!
We were pretty bummed to wake up the next morning because we knew we had to head home. Camden and Ella asked to eat breakfast in bed as one last treat, how could we say no?
We stopped at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens on our way home. It was an adorable little zoo and was a great way to break up our drive home.
A HUGE thanks to Holiday Inn Club Vacations for hosting us. We had the best time and made so many wonderful memories!
Looks like a blast. Love all the photos!!
Thank you so much! It was a great trip.
I am looking at going here after seeing your IG posts. I haven’t left the house since March but I really need to get out. it looks like it’s super safe at the resort?
We felt very safe! It was our first time leaving since Covid started too.
I could go for some of that right now. I could definitely use a break from reality. LOL
Same! I’m ready for another break too lol
Oh wow! That sounds like it was such an amazing time! I would love to take a getaway like this with my family. It’s been such a year!
A year it has!! 2020 is one we won’t forget.. 🙁
It looks like you had such a fun time! I love visiting Florida. We will be back there in the summer!
I love it too! Where are you headed?
Such an adorable family and you look like you had such a good time and so much laughter. I love animals so i would love to see those giraffes and other guys.
Thank you so much!!
Oh my gosh, this looks like the most perfect getaway and to just try and get a little bit of normality.
It definitely was!
What a fun vacation. I like that they have so many safety measures in place to keep you protected.
Me too! Made the experience so much better!
It looks like you had a great time! I am definitely going to stay there when this whole thing has settled down a bit.
Hopefully it gets back to normal sooner than were expecting!!
I can’t wait to be able to visit Florida again. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I hope you get to soon!
Florida is one of my favorite places to visit, it looks like you had a great time!
Mine too!! We sure did, thanks!
This place looks like so much fun. I can’t wait to be able to travel again!
It is an incredible resort! I hope you get to soon!
Glad to read about your trip, I bet you all had a blast.
Thanks! We sure did!
It looks like everyone had a wonderful time. I’ve only been to Florida once, but it wasn’t even for that long. What a beautiful state it is though. I would love to escape for a while and go here with my family.
Aww, it is beautiful! I hope you get to as well!
I am so glad that you had great time! It’s so important to have good time with the family!
Thanks!! It definitely is important!!
This is a great way to escape reality. Indeed. Florida is amazing. I’m glad to see you had such a lovely family time.