FLORIDA(Disney)Accomodation-Villa v Hotel

[ash6605]

Reccomendations please on where to stay,between a villa,a hotel on International Drive or a Disney Hotel.Obviously I realise everyone is different so please help me decide pro's and con's of each type of accomodation.
TIA

We stayed in a villa, there were 8 of us (3 generations). I enjoyed the privacy and the luxury of games room/swimming pool etc. My ideal choice and I have seen a few recently, would be a private villa on a 'resort' with bars etc. This is where we stayed Disney Dreamin'
We got married there in 2005

Ha, wrong link, will try again. try again, Disney Dreamin'

Ha, wrong link, will try again. try again, Disney Dreamin'

We have stayed in a villa both times we have gone over. I love having the privacy and spac and our own pool. There was 7 of us the first time, 5 the second time.

But we are not hotel people wherever we go, we always prefer our own villa.

Oh I'm giving up! last try

When are you going ASh? We're off to a villa there on the 31st- I'll report back if youlike??

Whats going on, I haven't even got topshop open aaaaargh. Just google Disney Dreamin, Florida.

lol suwoo,much as I like Topshop,its not somewhere i'd choose to go on holiday!!

bossy-haven't decided when yet,but it's going to be next year now.Have never stayed in villas before,tend to go for All Inclusive hotels normally as a holiday for me means forgetting the housework and cooking but when it comes to Disney,things might be different IYKWIM.
Yes,let me know how it is,any tips much appreciated thanks

worth a look for hints & reviews

First thing I would recomend is get your flights booked really early as all the direct flights go quickly & the price rockets! Start looking now.

WE stayed in a Disney Hotel (Port Orleans French Quartre)- it was fantastic, I loved being on the disney site.

Only downside was limited amount of room, but I cant say it spoilt the holiday at al.

Have stayed at the Port Orleans (Riverside) and Wilderness Lodge. Wilderness Lodge is idyllic as you can wander down to the lake shore, hop on a boat and go straight to the Magic Kingdom.

Have also stayed in a 'cabin' on the Fort Wilderness campsite which was not as luxurious but had more space.

villas in florida tend to be very luxurious - it's the 'american way'!

we often stay in a hotel on holiday but if we were going to florida i'd be opting for a villa for the luxury, privacy, private pool etc.

Usually we stay in a villa - you may want to pay extra to get the pool heated if going October to April. We tend to go at least once a year (dh works for Virgin Atlantic ) so if you have any questions feel free.

Villa pros include

easier to go back in the day for a nap / swim before hitting the parks again in the evening.

Both of my children are early risers and jet lag hits hard. In your own villa you don't need to worry about the noise that they make at 4.30am.

Easier to do your own breakfast and snacks. A nice big fridge to keep your beer / wine cool.

There are so many restaurants on I-drive and the 192 that you need never cook at night. However if you are all shattered you can get pizza or chinese delivered.

Villa cons

You have to hire a car if staying in a villa.

Be careful which estate you get a villa on - some on the highway 27 or down ponsianna (spelling prob wrong) boulevard are an awful long way from Disney and universal.

Hotel wise - we have only done it once staying at the Disney Carribean beach resort. The pools are heated nice and warm and there is something special about being completley 'disneyfied'. The other bonus is extra magic hours where Disney resort guests get to go into one of the parks an hour before all of the normal punters. They also let you stay a couple of hours later during the winter months.

Villa - lots of space, you can cook whatever the kids like to eat, there's a washing machine(!!), you get a pool.

Has anyone ever done both-a Disney hotel for a week and Villa for 2nd week? Wonder if thats possible to get the best of both worlds? Or am I just being greedy?!

Have done a week in a villa down at Naples and then a week in the Disney hotel. Would have been better to do it the other way around as disney is pretty full on.

Disney do have washing machines / laundry areas at most of the hotels. At the one we stayed at they were near the pool so kids and dh could play while I jus kept popping back to see how it was going.

We always go the villa option.
Florida with young(ish) dcs can be really full-on and if you're not careful the dcs will burn out.
We go by the 2 days out, 1 day in, rule to give everyone time to wind down.
Most vacation villas are relatively near the main attractions and are very well equipped. There are easily accessible supermarkets, even if you just breakfast or need a supply of snacks at the villa.
Pool heating can be expensive but is worth it IMO.
There are so many things to do around Orlando, even doing a twin-centre can leave you short on time. We arrive at Orlando villa on Sat, go to St Pete Beach on Friday (the HoJo there has good family rooms) and return on Sun/Mon for more Disney till the following Saturday.

I would choose a villa every time.

villa villa villa

Disney hotels are quite dated and the rooms not huge for the price, so I hear.

There are loads of villas and apartment complexes just a few miles from Disney, many of which run free shuttles to and from the theme parks or are a short drive if you have a hire car - and most of them are much better value than the actual Disney resorts. We stayed in an apartment complex and it was absolutely superb value for money. Got a huge 3 bed apartment with en suite bathrooms to all bedrooms, laundry room, TV/DVD, big secure balcony area, communal pool, steam room and sauna for $129 a night. It was a 20 mins-ish drive from Universal, Disney, International Drive etc. Have forgotten the name already, so will go and find it for you!

Villa - try Regal Palms - great pool complex

villa every time for us!

Villa everytime I haver been 10 times and having a villa is lovley.
You don't have to share the pool, you can eat with out rushing with the kids to get to breakfast before everyone eats everything.
If you want a night in theres lots of room and a pool so the kids can still play whilst you relax.

Just got back from a Florida-villa holiday. FAB!!

We got one with a pool. It worked well for us to get up & out early-ish (struggled to get out by 9 am but hey-ho!!) & enjoy a park for the morning & early afternoon. Busy but not as bad as later in the day & it can be hot too, for those of us not used to it!! Then we'd totter back about 2-3 pm before too frazzled & have a swim & leisurely afternoon, quick supper & back out in the cool of the evening for a few more fav rides & one of the fireworks/evening parades.

We got 14 day passes so we could come & go as we wanted.