FLORIDA - where to stay ?

[ZZZenAgain]

Trying to book our trip to Florida atm (house with a pool). We don't have any particular trips planned or anything, just looking for a nice place to relax. Have never been to Florida , have no idea at all.

Can anyone recommend areas I can look at? We'll rent a car and just drive about a bit exploring when we feel like it.

Thanks!

Are you going to Disneyland ? Sounds fab

Dd is 9 and she'd like to go (fun parks are dh's province so I tend to wriggle out of those) but I think we probably would go since we're there. Maybe the space place if they have guided tours? Otherwise just float about, take it as it comes...

(Bad planner emoticon)

We stayed in Bradenton which was near Sarasota and Anna Maria Island. Rented a fantastic villa for the week (for a bargainous £370 through Villarenters) and just chilled by the pool and visited the local beaches which were amazing.

We then went up to Disney for the second week and stayed in a hotel on International Drive. Not relaxing but great fun in the parks!

hadn't thought of Disneyland being a week-long activity, more a daytrip. Is that unrealistic?

Your villa holidays sounds nice. Will have a google for Sarasota. I am not sure what the beaches will be like atm (wrt the oil spill) but I am into relaxing at the pool big-time

Disneyworld is definitely more than a day trip. 4 different (main) Disney parks then the waterparks, Universal, Seaworld etc.

If you are looking for a villa in the Orlando area look at Loyalty homes USA. It is a company out there run by an english lady who only manages luxury properties with pools (and many have gamesrooms) within 4 miles of Disney. www.loyaltyusa.com

oh thanks very much for that. It's very helpful. Dd googled Disney world and we had a look at the map online, it does seem huge.
I'm having a look at the rental site you metnioned now, I suppose we could book a place for a week near Orlando and then maybe a quietish place on the coast for another week. Will look into it.

A lot of people do that Zen, a week in Orlando getting all that over and done with and then a week in Naples/St Petersbury.

We have been to Florida 5 times, but spend most of our time doing the parks and waterparks! Some people find it easier to stay in a Disney hotel onsite for a week for the Disney parks and waterparks, then move to a different location for their second week, maybe to the coast. It depends on what you want from your trip.
It would be worth you asking for help and advice on the Trip Advisor Orlando Forum, as there are Destination Experts who can answer any of your questions, and help with accommodation suggestions and trip planning.
If you want to stay in a villa with your own pool, and have a hired car, then Kissimmee is a good area to stay in, as close to Disney but not as noisy and( hate to say it) tacky as International Drive.
I have British friends who live in Kissimmee, and one works for an agency that now also does villa rental. www.mickeyhomes.com This is their website.
www.mickeyhomesflorida.com/

Seaworld is a lovely park to visit, and the Space Centre is interesting, although we did not take our sons there until they were old enough to understand and appreciate it ( 11 and 14 I think).

I am so of you!

We're planning for Oct 2011 at the moment!

Look at Emerald Isle- about 20 mins from Disney (down a sneaky backroute) - and usually get villas with pools.

I love Disney and Universal and Seaworld.

And Aquatica water park is a MUST. Brill fun!

DisneyWorld is a huge area. You need a car or use the free Disney buses to get around the different parks and two waterparks, or you can use a monorail or ferry boat between Epcot and Magic Kingdom and some of the Disney hotels.There is also an area called Downtown Disney, where there are shops, restaurants, DisneyQuest indoor interactive activities, and Cirque Du Soleil show.
Ideally you need one day in each of the 4 parks, with days in between to chill in the waterparks or your villa pool.It can be very tiring, especially if you go when it is very hot and humid.

It really depends on what you want to do and see when there.

We have been to Florida 3 times but always just done the parks, so have stayed around the Orlando type area.

Disney is definitely more than a day trip. There are 4 theme parks and two water parks - and each of the theme parks take more than a day to do it all. In the area there are also 2 Universal Studios park, Sea World, other water parks, etc.

We do pretty much 14 days of theme and water parks when we go. In that area there isn't really much else. We will do a day trip to the Kennedy Space Centre on the coast too when we go. DD adores it all, lol, and is on the go morning til night - even the first time we went when she was just 2y.

The Space centre is worth the visit. There are bus tours hen there and things to do yourself, plus talks, etc. by astronauts. Sign up on their website and see if there is a launch when there - you can get tickets to watch.

My parents have done other parts of Florida - further downon the coast. This is very different to Orlando and the theme parks. More like a beach holiday.

If you can afford a day at Discovery Cove, it is very relaxing. You can book a dolphin experience in advance if you wish ( you don't really swim with them, but one pulls you along)A trainer is in the water with you, and teaches you about them.
Buffet breakfast and lunch is included, ( excellent) and they give you mask, snorkel, wetsuits and sun cream which is safe for sealife.
We did the dolphin experience, but I loved snorkelling around the warm ' river'. There is a snorkelling pool with fish, but that was colder!
It has a lovely white sandy beach with lots of sunloungers and brollies, where you can lie and watch the dolphins in the pools, with people doing their 'experiences'.They only allow a certain number of people in per day, so it is not at all crowded.
It is not cheap, but we really enjoyed our day there.We bought beach shoes to wear in the water.
Discovery Cove is owned by Seaworld, and in the same area.