Too much choice ! Help me please Orlando Theme Parks. August (aaghhh)

[PistePrincess]

dh and I have decided ( well I have and he's agreed) that this summer we should go to Disney World in Orlando... has to be August sadly. We have 3 kids who will be 10, 7 and 4.

I have been madly researching and my questions are divided in to

package or self book?
Hotel or villa ( given that the kids will prob all stay up late with us anyway)

If hotel which ?????
if villa where????

Do we need visa's

thank you so much to anyone with a reply

We went in April (easter). The weather was approx late 80 degrees, early 90's everyday, but it wasnt humid- just hot.
Very crowded though.

Yes, in August it will be very hot. But not unbearabe IME. DD was 2y4m when we went in August. It was 100 degrees and 100% humidity. She was fine and didn't complain about the weather once. We were all fine. We went in June a couple of years later and again - hot but bearable.

In the parks you spend a lot of time inside on rides, in air conditiond queues or queuing with water spray fans. These help to keep you cool.

We have had hurricances both times. Tail end first year, and then we were there on day of hurricane last time, but was just outside of the eye. On both occasions we just left the parks early - lunch time. But the parks were back open again the next morning. So lost half a day.

AttilaTheMeerkat - thanks; will have a look. They were dearer when I checked last month. Will def check again before we book though as that would be fab to save.

With Virgin the 31st was the cheapest flying day in our fortnight block for start date. Will check with BA.

Atilla - I remember the problem we had. BA don't fly from Manchester or local airports. Getting to Gatwick would be a nightmare.

Oh were going in April getting a bit worried now everyone's mentioned the heat hmm but I've got the weather on my Google home page so it's a little reassuring.
Just been checking everything out on the internet and wished I'd started looking ages ago too much info, which is always a good thing :-)
We have booked a package with Virgin we got a great deal although we did book it last year (2008) in January. I would recommend looking at trip advisor. I know some people may not agree but even if you just look at the pics you'll get a good idea if it's what you want.
Have a great time I can't wait (I went 15 years ago and I'm more excited now!!!)