Disney World Florida villa or hotel?

[Carrierpenguin]

Hi, planning a two week trip to DW next April/May with a 4yo and 8mo. Have been looking at Virgin Holidays and we like the sound of a villa, as would give plenty of space and maybe a shared pool.

Alternatively we could stay in a hotel. Any views? Which locations are good?We are considering booking the accommodation for two weeks but going to the coast for a couple of nights at some stage in the middle.

I prefer villas, no noise from other hotel guests and means you can really relax

Also you have your own pool to relax in and kitchen to make food if yoou dnt fancy going out.

We do both, week at a universal hotel (or a few days) so we can skip the queues at Universal

And the rest of the time at a villa

Best of both worlds but our children were a lot older when we went for the first time

Definitely a villa, no contest (as long as you're happy with driving). I mean a private villa on a housing estate though - not a villa within a hotel resort. You get your own private pool with a villa and a whole house to yourself, compared to one hotel room and a shared pool.

agree with lucas. book a private villa independently and you will get much more for your money than through virgin plus your own private pool and space. honestly, you will be fed up of other people and noise and queues and at the end of the day just want to sit and be a bit quiet. hotel rooms don't give you the flexibility on food that self catering does. we find it pretty cheap to cook for ourselves when we are in florida.

Villa every time. You can put the DC to bed and then sit by the pool or dipping your toes in ! We did a couple of nights in Animal Kingdom Lodge Hotel and it was fun but nowhere near as relaxing after a day at a park.

Oh yes, that's our favourite bit, iseenodust! That first cold beer by the cool when the kids are in bed is the best part of the day :) Although DD is now 12 and will want to stay up as late as we do :(

We have been twice- first time on Disney then second time in a Marriott Hotel- we would stay in a villa in future, for space and peace

We did a Condo! Partly because we went for 4 weeks and didnt want the huge pool heating bill on top of the villa rent.

You may not need pool heating if you go in the summer but spring/autumn/winter you probably will.

Also, we went specifically to do Disney and all the theme parks. Although we did have a few slow/late start/relaxing days - sitting by the pool was not a major need or want on this type of holiday. I would prefer to rent a villa in Portugal if I want to lie by the pool all day!

Our condo was as well fitted out as any villa and had 2 bathrooms with jacuzzi baths and showers, a fully functioning kitchen with full oven/hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher,microwave, coffee maker,juicer etc etc, Utility area with washer and drier. Formal dining table and chairs, breakfast bar,lounge with sofas and arm chairs etc etc. We had a good sized balcony over looking a lake and could see the Disney Fireworks at night out the front of our condo. The condo complex had gym,2 pools and jacuzzi and also had a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, CiCi Pizza etc aall 2 minutes walk next door. We could also walk to local restaurants such as Lone Star Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze,Landrys Seafood on an evening so we could all enjoy a few beers with our dinner and not worry.

I have only been the once and am not Disney/Orlando expert. I suspect others will have much better informed advice but this worked well for us for our 4 weeks there.

We also ditched our car hire after 10 days because there were free shuttles from the Condo to the parks which was reliable.

Ooops forgot to say where we stayed.

HERE in Lake Buena Vista.

We actually walked to DownTown Disney one as well! Its that close.

Thanks all - sounds great! I've seen some good villas advertised on dibb website, am a bit concerned about paying out cash overseas though in case it's a scam, any tips for avoiding scams? Also which areas are nice in Orlando area? I've seen a few that are on fancy golf course.

Dibb villas are all trustworthy, I think. Other reputable agencies are Kingdom State Villas and Alexander Homes. If you want to do Disney then you can't beat Oak Island Harbour.

We stayed at champions gate last year and in Polk county the two years before that

They are about 20 mins away driving but good areas and plenty of restaurants

We stayed in Champions Gate last year too. It was fab!

I also vote for a condo in the LBV area. Easy transport to parks using own car or Lynx and Disney buses. Hotel pool and often included breakfast yet also a sitting room and kitchenette and laundry facilities.
We might sit by the pool for an hour on a couple of nights after the parks but mostly we are out and about enjoying the magic.

I liked the hotel option.

Sorry for Condos I forgot to say we stayed at the Staybridge Suites LBV and the Hawthorn Suites LBV. Both were great.