For those of you have rented a villa: planning question?

[Kate-n-sam]

Hi all
We are renting a villa at Windsor Plams for 8 days at the end of April. We have always stayed on-site and usually take breaks during the day. We have 3 kids under 7.

Now for the question....Does your family go back to the villa for breaks mid-day? Should we plan to just head back to the villa in the early evening for dinner and a swim? Not sure how to plan this as far as priority seatings and such go. The house has a pool, so I know the kids will be itching to swim every day, so my thought is go to the parks for opening. Leave just after the parade, (3:30?) Head home for a couple of hours, and then back to the parks for say 6ish? That way the baby can get a good nap and the older could swim.

Sorry so long...
Guess I'm just wondering what you all do
THANKS SO MUCH!

 

[mareed]

We stayed at Windsor Palms in a condo in Nov with 2 kids under 7. We never went back for a break, but rather were at the parks from open to close for 9 days in a row! The difference was that it was cooler so swimming wasn't really in our minds, and the pool was not right in the back yard like at a villa. We did let the kids swim at the resort pool our first night there, but we made it clear to them that it would be their only swim day, and they never said anything else about swimming.

This will be different in your situation with it being warmer and the pool being in the back yard... While Windsor Palms is close, it's probably still a 30 minute commute to or from the parks by the time you take into account parking and getting to the front gate. Just take this into account if you'll be taking breaks.

We had my 4 & 7 year old in strollers which helped them get through the day without a break from the parks. We did have a sit-down lunch reservation almost every day, and we also got seats for parades early and had a snack and turned that into a break also. We also have been when they were younger (starting at 13 months), and never returned to our hotel for a break then either. They always just napped in the stroller in the park. Good luck working this out!

 

[kilee]

Whenever off site, be it hotel or the pool homes we've rented. We never leave the parks and go back. Once we leave the parks, we leave for the day. However, I try to plan at least 2-3 off days. So that there is plenty of lounging and pool time. I know we don't have to "see it all". Been there done that, and god willing going back!!

 

[ptcruisermom]

WE always try to do a schedule of one day at park and then a dayoff, maybe playing minature gold in the evening after lounging at the pool all day. That way every one can sleep in after a hectic day at the park get up when they want, have something to eat and then swim and then eat again. Head out to minature gold around 6 or 7. Works great having the day off in between parks. Otherwise very exhausting.

 

[spiceycat]

we go early - then take a break when the parks get crowded - around 11:00am - go back that evening depending upon when the park close from 4:00pm to 6 pm.

but I have been to WDW so many times -

if this is first trip you will want to stay!

 

[dgaston]

We stayed at Windsor Palms over Christmas and New Years, and almost every day we were back at the house for a break. Of course the parks were all open very late, but to deal with crowds we found our best strategy was to get up early and make park openings, stay until it was crowded (often leaving after lunch) and then return in the evenings.

Our commute times using Sherberth Road were very short (I have often taken at least an hour to return to the resort via buses from the park turnstiles, and it was only 15 from MK turnstiles to driveway on several occasions. (Took longer when MK tram got stuck on fence posts, those trams can't back up!!!)

I'd encourage you to become familiar with Sherberth Road, and go for it!

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Thanks everybody!
D gaston thanks for the Sherberth Rd tip....I've actually been researching that. Now you used Sherbeth from parks other than AK? Some have said it kind of doubles back away from the other parks, and I probably wouldn't save any time unless going to AK. It apperars that way on the map I have also. Would love to hear your opinions on that!

Still don't know what to do, I guess we'll play it by ear! Half of me wants to lay around the pool in the afternoon, the other wants to get the most out of our 5 day hoppers. We'll probably do a little of both, a full day, then a day with a break. All depends on the baby and if she's sleeping well in the stroller. This planning is all so confusing (but fun)

Have a great day!

 

[disneysteve]

We stayed at WP in November. It is about 15 minutes from Disney (even without using Sherbeth Rd), so going back mid-day is no problem. We did it one day - did AK from opening until mid afternoon, then went back and rested for a while, then went to MK to see Spectro and Wishes.

You don't need to do it everyday, of course, but if you want to its not tough.

Steve

 

[dgaston]

for Kate-n-Sam: We were at WDW during the very crowded holiday season and found the Sherberth Road cutoff was better than taking 192 to I4 and the Maingate entrance. One evening my brother (in a separate vehicle) missed the turnoff to AK and AKL leaving from MK I think, and got back to the villas about 15 minutes after we did.

Once we got onto property, we just followed signs to our WDW goal.

You also need to know that my DH says I shouldn't tell any more people about Sherberth Road!! LOL