Advice for booking a special trip

[kitton]

Hi....

I am just about to start planning for a very special trip - 10 year wedding anniversary. We will be staying for 3 weeks - 2 adults and 2 children.

I am looking for any tips and advice on the following....

At the moment we have not decided whether to book a stay in a Disney Hotel (something like Grand Floridian, Beach Club etc) or stay in a really nice villa. We have been to Orlando a couple of times but never stayed in a villa - so unsure where the best ones are.

So please can anyboady give recommendations for booking a really nice villa, i.e. anybody aware of any websites for booking direct etc and any tips on booking Disney Hotels at a good price.

We would like to fly with Virgin Upper Class - does anybody know how to go about this - is it best to book direct? etc...

I think we want to book everything separately, i.e. flight, car, villa/hotel therefore avoiding travel agents/package stuff. What would you recommend??

Looking forward to hearing your replies. And thank you for your time.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

Have stayed in a villa many times and can highly recommend it.

The best websites I have used are:

www.villas2000.com
www.vr360homes.co.uk
www.holiday-rentals.com

There are literally thousands to look through so it is best to take your time until you find a home you like, personally we prefer a Kissimmee location as you are very close to restaurants/supermarkets plus Disney and the I4 interstate are all closeby too.
In Kissimmee they are split into 2 main areas Formosa Gardens and Poinciana Boulevard, I can recommend Indian Creek/Windsor Palms/Cumbrian Lakes plus I am sure you will get other recomendations too.

I would definitely book your own villa, it is better as you are choosing your own.

We tend to book a fly drive which has the car included. I imagine you could possibly find a better deal if you did this seperatley.

As for a Disney hotel, a split stay is a popular choice too, so you could in theory stay in a hotel and a villa also - I guess it depends on if you want to pack/unpack etc?

DVC Disney resorts are very popular, having stayed in one last month (Boardwalk villas), especially if you want cooking facilities and more room than you would get in a hotel.
They are more like apartments or studio's size wise.
In addition you get part of your holiday where you have some sort of entertainment on-site as it were, a contrast to a peaceful/relaxing villa stay.

 

[CustardTart]

Hi there! Sounds like a fantastic trip you're planning, when are you intending to go? We're hoping to do something similar in 2008 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.

I'm nowhere near as experienced as most people on the board but here are some thoughts... As far as accomodation goes, I've always fancied to combine both options - stay onsite for a few days (IMO nothing beats that Disney magic) and rent a villa for the remaining time. You could try and rent points for DVC accomodation which seems to be a cost effective way to stay in luxury Disney property such as Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk etc. Think there's a section on this board which facilitates that. I've also noticed that days are sometimes for sale on eBay...

If you want to fly Virgin Upper Class, I would start by pricing the holiday as a Fly-Drive on the Virgin Holiday website and comparing the cost with the Upper Class flight only option on Virgin Atlantic's website. Play around with the dates (if you can) as the prices can really vary. Good luck!

 

[Amyrlin]

This is not a recommendation as I have not used them, but they get good reviews

http://www.romancingthemouse.com/

 

[Boo Boo Too]

For flights also look at:
- http://airline-network.co.uk/
- www.expedia.co.uk
- www.opodo.co.uk

You can normally get Virgin Upper Class for about £1500 per person, but sometimes less. Am not sure how that compares with a upgraded fly drive through Virgin Holidays...

If I was you, I would strongly consider splitting your stay - maybe a week on-site (Beach/Yacht Club Concierge would probably be my choice, but am sure that the Grand Floridian would also be nice) - then two weeks in a villa.

You could have a look at the villa that I am staying in next week (http://www.reunionresort.us.com and virtual tour too - http://domain241723.sites.fasthosts.com/virtualtours/kenny556/bb/index.htm). I haven't stayed there before, but UKDeb has... so sure she can enlighten you more. I looked at an AWFUL lot of villas and this certainly was one of the best... You rent it directly from the owner, so the rates are really quite reasonable (for what you are getting...)

Boo

 

[kitton]

Wow these tips are fab - please keep them coming.
xx

 

[JohnnySharp2]

You rent it directly from the owner, so the rates are really quite reasonable (for what you are getting...)

Boo

Looks wonderful and must be a great place to stay, however, I am not sure I would be prepared to pay £2000+ per week (in high summer).

You must get a lot for your money if that is "reasonable".

I guess if there are a few in your party you can split the costs etc

 

[CustardTart]

...You could have a look at the villa that I am staying in next week http://www.reunionresort.us.com ...

Wow! How gorgeous is that?! We've been thinking of renting a villa for our blow-out 2008 vacation but couldn't find anything that felt right. I've just shown DH the website and he's a total convert. We're going to think hard about our dates and make a booking in the not too distant future. Have a wonderful holiday - can't wait to hear all about it...

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Looks wonderful and must be a great place to stay, however, I am not sure I would be prepared to pay £2000+ per week (in high summer).

You must get a lot for your money if that is "reasonable".

I guess if there are a few in your party you can split the costs etc

Ok, it isn't cheap... but for a "special" trip...

Thing is, if you look at staying in a concierge room at either the Hyatt Grand Cypress or the Ritz Carlton, both are about $400/$450 per night (I would guess it may be similar for a concierge at the Grand Floridian). With a villa like the one I linked to, you get a lot more privacy and your own pool (ok, you don't get a concierge or the snacks but...). So the villa is comparable in ptice to a good room at the top hotels.

There is quite a huge variation in the standard and cost of villas as there is in hotels. Something to suit all tastes

Boo

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Ok, it isn't cheap... but for a "special" trip...

Thing is, if you look at staying in a concierge room at either the Hyatt Grand Cypress or the Ritz Carlton, both are about $400/$450 per night (I would guess it may be similar for a concierge at the Grand Floridian). With a villa like the one I linked to, you get a lot more privacy and your own pool (ok, you don't get a concierge or the snacks but...). So the villa is comparable in ptice to a good room at the top hotels.

There is quite a huge variation in the standard and cost of villas as there is in hotels. Something to suit all tastes

Boo

I guess it comes down to personal choice, to be honest some of the hotels we stayed in many years ago before Joshua was born frighten us now, we certainly like our comforts these days and have been fortunate to stay in some lovely hotels. I think when you have kids you have to consider the practical side of things too, it sounds a bit daft but some of the 'top hotels' as you refer to would be unsuitable for a playful child like ours.

There are just the 3 of us, £2000+ for a week is not for us really, not just because of the price but we would have to follow Josh around everywhere in case he broke something.
If we do ever stay in a villa again the likes of Indian Creek will do just fine.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I guess it comes down to personal choice, to be honest some of the hotels we stayed in many years ago before Joshua was born frighten us now, we certainly like our comforts these days and have been fortunate to stay in some lovely hotels. I think when you have kids you have to consider the practical side of things too, it sounds a bit daft but some of the 'top hotels' as you refer to would be unsuitable for a playful child like ours.

There are just the 3 of us, £2000+ for a week is not for us really, not just because of the price but we would have to follow Josh around everywhere in case he broke something.
If we do ever stay in a villa again the likes of Indian Creek will do just fine.

Yes, know what you mean... we don't have kids at the moment, so our CURRENT perspective is different. I think that you are right - a lot of things will change when we do have kids...

Don't remind me, will probably have to follow my husband around to ensure that he doesn't break anything

Best wishes,
Boo

 

[CustardTart]

Ok, it isn't cheap... but for a "special" trip...

Thing is, if you look at staying in a concierge room at either the Hyatt Grand Cypress or the Ritz Carlton, both are about $400/$450 per night (I would guess it may be similar for a concierge at the Grand Floridian). With a villa like the one I linked to, you get a lot more privacy and your own pool (ok, you don't get a concierge or the snacks but...). So the villa is comparable in ptice to a good room at the top hotels.


Boo

Definitely. We did concierge at the Poly this summer for 8 people and it was quite a spend. Don't get me wrong, we loved every minute but I guess we'd really like to try something different and this seems to fit the bill. I was surprised my DH went for it as he's v anti self-catering but I'm more than happy to facilitate the pbjs, cookies, soft drinks and wine in the evenings so...

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Yes, know what you mean... we don't have kids at the moment, so our CURRENT perspective is different. I think that you are right - a lot of things will change when we do have kids...

Don't remind me, will probably have to follow my husband around to ensure that he doesn't break anything

Best wishes,
Boo

In addition going in the summer when we do means we are paying through the roof prices for flights etc too - you just have to balance out the costs I guess.

Joshua dropped a candle onto a tiled floor once at a villa and naturally it broke.
The owner wasn't best pleased - an over the top reaction as we bought a nicer replacement anyway - but since then we have been kind of wary, especially when he is prone to sitting on the the coffee table to watch TV etc


We stayed at Boardwalk last month and buying points off a DVC owner paid $300 a night, so that could be a decent option for Kitton.

It is obvious Reunion is very very nice, probably the best rental villas in Central Florida, it's not for me personally , not because we couldn't afford to stay there but to see Josh jumping all over the furniture at 6am in the morning! but I guess the fact that it is a prestige development makes it more exclusive for those who do.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Definitely. We did concierge at the Poly this summer for 8 people and it was quite a spend. Don't get me wrong, we loved every minute but I guess we'd really like to try something different and this seems to fit the bill. I was surprised my DH went for it as he's v anti self-catering but I'm more than happy to facilitate the pbjs, cookies, soft drinks and wine in the evenings so...

Hotel can be nice, but after a few days I begin to feel a BIT like a caged animal: you don't have a lot of space (unless you go for big suite - which are often $600/$800 a night), you often have quite a distance between your room and your car (unless you do valet parking and that can mean hanging around a bit) and you can't just pop to the freezer for an ice cream.

We are only at that villa for 4 days (off on a cruise), but I think that it would suit longer stays even better. Reunion has it's own little waterpark, lots of golf, lots of communal pools, a gym (although the villa has it's own "mini gyn") and a clubhouse with bar and restaurant. So you could EASILY enjoy a few lazy days around the villa and Reunion if you didn't fancy venturing out.

We don't intend to do any cooking at all - will stock up on fresh fruit, drinks, coffee, ice cream and a few snacks and that's about all. There is a huge grill on the pool terrace - would use that if we were there longer.

Boo

 

[Boo Boo Too]

We stayed at Boardwalk last month and buying points off a DVC owner paid $300 a night, so that could be a decent option for Kitton.

That is a good idea... If I was there for 3 weeks (like Kitton), I would be very tempted to do that. Well, I would be tempted to do a week on-site and a couple of weeks in a villa. Boardwalk Villas (or the Beach Club Villas) are a great way to get a bit more space at an on-site property... and, as you say, renting points direct from a DVC owner is a more economical way of doing it...

Very good idea

Boo

 

[JohnnySharp2]

That is a good idea... If I was there for 3 weeks (like Kitton), I would be very tempted to do that. Well, I would be tempted to do a week on-site and a couple of weeks in a villa. Boardwalk Villas (or the Beach Club Villas) are a great way to get a bit more space at an on-site property... and, as you say, renting points direct from a DVC owner is a more economical way of doing it...

Very good idea

Boo

Just noticed from your signature you have stayed at 2 hotels we have, the Omni Rosen (now called Rosen Centre) and the Registry Resort at Naples ( now called Naples Grande Resort & Club)

2 very nice hotels! we really liked the Registry all them years ago.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Just noticed from your signature you have stayed at 2 hotels we have, the Omni Rosen (now called Rosen Centre) and the Registry Resort at Naples ( now called Naples Grande Resort & Club)

2 very nice hotels! we really liked the Registry all them years ago.

Ooops, sorry, think that we were stalking you!

I wasn't over-keen on the Omni Rosen/Rosen Centre... I THINK because it was "overly-conferencey" when we were there. I know that a lot of hotels are big on conferences, but at the Rosen it was difficult to escape (i.e. walking between the lobby/car park and the rooms seemed to take you right through the conference area). It just didn't feel right . Most other big hotels have the conference bits off to one side - which I think works better (not so "in your face" if you are there on holiday...).

LOVED the Registry - just the right balance of everything! It was up-scale, but in a VERY relaxed and resorty way... perfect! It was quite a few years ago that we went, so don't know if it has changed much since, but it was excellent then

Boo

 

[klynch]

The house someone provided as a link if fantastic. But if you want something a little more reasonable, with the same level of resort, check my Condo at Reunion on VRBO at http://www.vrbo.com/89179 . The rates depend on what part of the year you want to visit.

We are on the Golf course and are part of the resort rental program. Because of this, you will have access to the waterpark, horseback riding, golf, spa, daily maid service, room service, etc.... that you might not get if you rent from someone not part of the rental program.

Contact me at klynch@corpnetworking.com for more details or visit the web address above. All properties are really as nice as advertised, no surpises.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Another possibility for a "special trip" is to consider including a cruise during your stay... A number of different cruise ships cruise from Port Canaveral (about 1 hour drive from Disney): these include the two Disney ships and the huge Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Mariner of the Seas (complete with rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, miniature golf course...). You could do a weeks cruise or 3 or 4 days.

Just a thought...

Boo
(good at spending other people's money... )