Mayor William Beardall Senior Center

Pros

• Beardall is a newly refurbished, bright, and clean facility.
• The staff are friendly, helpful, and accommodating, making visitors feel confident and relaxed.
• It offers a wide range of activities for seniors, including line dancing, pinochle, yoga, and writers groups.
• Parking is ample and easy to access, with good handicap facilities.
• The center hosts events with excellent staff support and flexible setup, such as bridal shows and weddings, with ample ice and water.
• The remodeling has significantly improved the center, resulting in a very nice, well-maintained environment.
• The line dance class on Wednesday mornings is highly regarded.
• The Silvertones and other groups rehearse there, indicating a thriving senior community.

Cons

• The DJ didn't rotate the dance styles well and kept the volume too high, making the music sound like cars with loud bass.
• They hate the homeless.
• There are homeless people sleeping in the bushes by the front steps and on the benches out front.
• They note the second floor is being used by homeless people for showers and bathrooms.
• The auditorium lighting could use improvement.
• The facility lacks a cafe/lounge/bar.

Review

Beardall Senior Center in downtown Orlando comes across in reviews as a sizable, well-used hub for older adults, whose recent renovations have given the facility a brighter, more welcoming feel. Several visitors note that the center is easy to find, with ample parking and convenient access, including handicap spaces. The building itself is repeatedly described as large and courteous, a place that has clearly become a staple for many seniors who want to get out, stay active, and connect with neighbors. One reviewer captures the overall sense: it's a great place for a wide range of senior activities, and the improvements over the past year have been noticeable.

For first-time attendees, the experience can be a mixed bag, depending on what you're after. A new dancer describes the event as being surprisingly crowded, with a DJ who leaned heavily on Latin dances and kept the volume high - especially in the lower frequencies - so it sounded a bit like urban car audio bass. Yet, the same reviewer also highlights a bright side: the admission is modest at $4, making it an accessible outing, and there's an intent to return. The combination of good social potential and a reasonable price point seems to be a recurring theme: plenty of opportunities to mingle and participate, even as some musical choices may not please every guest.

The center earns praise for its breadth of senior-focused offerings. Reviewers consistently point to the wide range of activities - exercise classes, Tai-Chi, dances, and opportunities to socialize in a place designed with seniors in mind. Shuffleboard is mentioned positively, as are the other recreational possibilities, such as horseshoes, pinochle, writers groups, and a robust schedule of daily activities. Several notes emphasize that Beardall is more than just a building: it's a community where many people feel supported, welcomed, and engaged. There's a sense of nostalgia tied to the place as well; a reviewer recounts memories of a grandmother who worked at the front desk long ago and remembers catering events there in high school, underscoring the center's long-standing role in the community.

Facility quality and staff are consistently highlighted as strong points. Multiple reviewers praise the cleanliness, supervision, and the friendly, capable front-desk personnel that help visitors feel confident and relaxed. Instructors receive high marks (A+ from at least one reviewer), and the renovations - described as having been undertaken "this past year" - are repeatedly lauded for making the space feel fresh and welcoming. There's also practical praise for the center's accessibility and layout, with ample parking and clearly signed entry points noted by guests who have hosted events or attended group activities. The staff's attentiveness is echoed in statements like "staff is awesome," and "the line dance class on Wednesday morning is great," reflecting a strong satisfaction with the people who run and steward the programs.

Beardall's role as an events venue is another recurring thread. A bridal show is singled out as an especially positive experience, with staff described as helpful, pleasant, and accommodating. The facility is depicted as bright and clean, with the added benefits of ice and water available, the ability to arrive early for setup, and ample parking and accessible spaces. Beyond weddings, the center hosts a variety of groups and events - from the long-running Silvertones rehearsal to a steady cadence of social and educational activities - further cementing Beardall as a versatile space for seniors to gather, learn, and celebrate. One reviewer notes that the center is not only a social hub but a practical one, with a welcoming environment for meetings, seminars, and group functions.

Yet the reviews aren't entirely without concern. A few remarks point to challenges that come with a busy, high-traffic city center. There are mentions of a shortage of casual social amenities inside, such as a cafe or lounge, which some visitors miss. There are also less flattering notes about the streetscape and surroundings, including concerns about the second floor being used by homeless individuals for showers and bathrooms, and even reports of homeless people sleeping on benches or near the front steps. These observations color the overall experience for some visitors and highlight ongoing community and safety considerations that the center must balance with its mission to serve seniors.

Despite these issues, the sentiment across the reviews remains largely positive. Many attendees praise Beardall as a welcoming, supportive, and active community hub that offers extensive programming, friendly staff, and a sense of continuity for Orlando's senior population. The center is repeatedly described as a great place for older folks to stay engaged, to participate in a wide spectrum of activities, and to enjoy a sense of belonging - whether through dance, classes, meetings, or special events. For those who are seeking a vibrant, affordable, and well-run community space for seniors, Beardall is frequently recommended, with the caveat that it's a busy urban facility where some external challenges require patience and understanding. Overall, it's a place many plan to visit again, appreciate for its strengths, and value for the senior community it serves.

This part of Orlando, Florida, offers a convenient and accessible location with various amenities nearby. The area is home to several hospitals, physicians' offices, pharmacies, and cafes, providing easy access to healthcare services and dining options. Additionally, there are parks in close proximity for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. Transportation options such as Lynx Central Station and car rental services are available for convenience in getting around the city. With theaters nearby for entertainment and a place of worship within a reasonable distance, this neighborhood presents a well-rounded environment for senior living.

Hospitals

• Orlando Health Medical Pavilon (0.1 miles)
• Orlando Regional Medical Center (0.5 miles)
• Florida Hospital Ginsburg Tower (2.9 miles)
• Florida Hospital Womens Center (3 miles)
• Florida Hospital- South Campus (3 miles)
• Florida Hospital (3.1 miles)
• FH Engineering Services (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Orlando Health Heart Institute (0.3 miles)
• Colon & Rectal Clinic of Orlando (0.5 miles)
• Bliss Healthcare Services (1.9 miles)
• Primary Care Specialists (2.1 miles)
• Orlando Immunology Center (2.5 miles)
• Diabetes and Endocrine Center of Orlando (2.8 miles)
• Florida Hospital Medical Plaza (3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Gringos Locos (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• The Thirsty Topher (2.3 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2.3 miles)
• Florida Hospital Welch Cafeteria (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.9 miles)
• McDonald's (4.3 miles)

Parks

• Lake Eola Park (0.9 miles)
• Blue Jacket Park (3.7 miles)

Transportation

• Lynx Central Station (1.2 miles)
• Fox Rent A Car Orlando (5.4 miles)
• Lyft Parking Lot (6.7 miles)

Cafes

• Lineage Coffee Roasting (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• The Glass Knife (4.5 miles)
• Voodoo Doughnut (6.8 miles)
• Backlot Bistro (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Winter Park Village & RPX (4.9 miles)
• EPIC Theatres at Lee Vista (6.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• ISCF Masjid Al Rahman (5.9 miles)