Nearby Villa

[Katco]

We are planning a trip to disney in March with four adults and four children between the ages of 5 and 9. We were thinking of renting a good sized villa (own pool and jacuzzi) within three miles of disney. It seems like a great deal for the money but I am really wondering about driving and parking at disney everyday. Has anyone ever done this and what was your experience driving to the theme parks? Can you come an go after you pay the parking fee once?

Thanks in advance for your input!

[crazymomof4]

We rented a nice villa for our '94 trip and are doing so again this trip. [Hampton Lakes, 4 bdrm, private pool for $525/wk tax incl.!!] We love having a house as opposed to living out of (and paying for) 2 hotel rooms for our family of 6.
As to driving...depending on how close your villa is it can be faster getting to the parks than using some of the WDW transportation. For example, on our last on-site stay we were in the cabins in FW and it would take about 45 mins. to get to a park using the buses!! Stop after stop after stop!! Ugh! In '94 we stayed in the Lindfield Estates and from driveway to theme park it was about 10-15 mins.!!

As to parking, if you get there early (recommended anyway) enough, you can get a parking spot close in. If not, they have (I assume they still do) shuttles that drop you off at the entrance. You can come and go and, as long as you save your parking ticket, you only pay for parking once each day. Tip: If we were going to the MK for the day but knew we were going to finish off the day with Illuninations, we would park at Epcot, take the monorail to MK, then the monorail back to Epcot in the evening for Illuminations. After the show, our car would be there in Epcot parking.

[WIcruizer]

Tip: If we were going to the MK for the day but knew we were going to finish off the day with Illuninations, we would park at Epcot, take the monorail to MK, then the monorail back to Epcot in the evening for Illuminations. After the show, our car would be there in Epcot parking.

We do the same thing. Even when we have no intention on spending any time at Epcot, we'll always park there for our day(s) at MK and use the Monorail.

Driving is much easier than you would think, they get you in and out pretty quickly. And frankly, I find it much more relaxing than being crammed on a bus with smelly, sweating, people, crying babies, people shouting and pushing...etc. That's not part of the "magic" for us. :)

Never stayed at a villa. I would love to, but my DW wants to be closer to the action so we stay near the DTD area.

[Sarahsmom85]

I;m renting a place at Lindfields Villa in May. I have never stayed at Disney, I never had any problems with parking. We went in early Dec last time and I was amazed at the lack of traffic. Pulled up to the gate and there was not one car in front of us. That was the best time to go. Weather was great. The parks where not crowded. Did not wait in any lines. All the parks where decked out for christmas. I have since said I would only go around this time again but have a college kid now and they cannot miss school.

I'm looking forward to my trip
Linda