Best place and time to stay for Disney World and Universal?

[StarryEyedMama]

Hi All,

We are looking into going away next year to Flordia with DD (9) and DS (2). Can you suggest the best place to stay for Disney World and Universal? I'm learning to drive at the moment so could drive if necessary although would be a bit of nerve wracking! I was wondering if we would need to stay one week near Disney World and one week near Universal? Would love to hear people's thoughts! Thinking about booking it quite soon. Also, would June be a good time to go?

DO you want a hotel or villa?
It would be silly to move between accomodations half way, theyre really close together!
We have stayed 3 times now at Marthas Harbour Villa, its in Davenport (about 10 mins drive from Disney World Main Gate and 30 Mins to Universal) Its far enough away to not be in a tacky tourist area, no noise and bright lights and car horns on an evening, but close enough to pop back for lunch and naps before heading back into parks. Its really reasonably priced, exceptionally well furnished and sparklingly clean, a really good home like feel to it. It even has pushchairs and high chairs ready for you! The neighbours are lovely, as alot of the homes are family homes not tourist lets, my children have made friends with the local children each time weve been!
BTW I find driving in Florida easier than driving in London!!
I can pass on contact details if you like!

Thanks Wittytitle - that'd be really helpful.

The website is here www.marthasharbour.com/index.html, the owner is called Karen and shes lovely, theres a contact link on there. IMHO villas are way easier with a family because you can work to your own timetable of events, with Disneyworld we would usually get up whenever the kids woke, lie around the pool for a few hours, kids would play in the street, we would go cycling (theres a lot of safe areas around the villa) we hired bikes locally, eat an early lunch then head to themeparks about 12pm (queues start to die off while everyone else eats!) we'd rock around them until about 4pm then we'd go home, eat dinner, have a nap and chill for a short time then head back in for the fireworks and parades about 7pm. My eldest always wants to stay all day but with the two younger ones we find it works way better to chill and nap otherwise they miss the magic later on!!!
Also eating outside the parks saves a small fortune, its okay for the occasional meal but for a family of four you'd be looking at around $50 per meal inside the parks.

Agree that pointless moving halfway through your stay, best to stay in a well located villa.
This one is less than 4 miles to Disney, literally a 5 minute drive to World Drive and about 20 minutes to Universal.
www.ownersdirect.co.uk/usa/f1895.htm

If you are looking at going in June (ie don't have to stick to school holidays) that would be really good, I often used to go in June before I was tied to normal school holidays. Flights should be cheaper and you will probably get a better deal on accommodation. The one I've linked to you could get for 400 pounds per week for a 4 bed villa with private pool and gamesroom. That would be cheaper than 2 rooms in a very basic motel on the 192 or I drive.

It will also be a lot quieter in June and the weather should be lovely.

I grew up near Orlando and still have family there. A villa is a great idea and a lot of the attractions are close together but definitely rent a car. Public transport is useless. If you have time the smaller attractions like gatorland are a truer look at fl. Sea world is fun and Busch gardens in Tampa has great roller coasters. Food in the parks is expensive and not that great so bring your own snacks and bottled drinks. It will be hot and humid in June. Summer starts about march. By June you may get some afternoon thunderstorms.
Have a fun trip!

If you have to go in school holidays, I would recommend the end of August, as although it's hot, Florida kids are going back to school.
If not I would recommend October.
You will find driving in the US easier, as the roads are wide and fairly empty, and parking spaces are bigger.

Hi , can i butt in, ive been to florida last yr and loved it so much we are going back next easter, i stayed at an amazing hotel last time but am thinking of a villa next yr fir 4 of us, are there any 2 beds with private pools?
Which area should i look in?
Want to do universal parks and all the water parks.
Thanks