I've booked for October 2005!

[k-herm]

I've booked a fly-drive for Oct 2005 with Direct Travel flying direct from my nearest airport, Glasgow, into Sanford for a family of 5. The flights will be with MyTravel.

I declined both the car insurance package (£392) and the travel insurance (£195) which was offered. I was not pressured at all into taking either!

This will be my second trip to Florida. In 1988 my wife and myself had our honeymoon there and promised that we would return with our family in the future. They're now 8,11,13 and I don't think they are fully aware of how special Florida can be.

Will this be the holiday of a lifetime, or the first of many more?????? (probably the first to be honest - we're not rich!)

In '88 we went with Kuoni, no car (all transfers included) and did the 2 centre thing. The "low Q" on I-Drive and then to the beach for the second week. To be honest, the second week was boring (...or would have been if it wasn't our honeymoon )

I've bought my copy of Simon's book and without that and this FANTASTIC source of "been there" information, I doubt that we will get the full benefit of the holiday.

We've already ruled out staying in a hotel or suites and have decided to go for a villa, but the location is a stumbling block. We want to do both Disney and IOA, Seaworld, etc. Is the Splendid China area better than, say, Somerset/Chatham for location. We 'think' that we would rather have location over newness of accommodation, does that come into it?

Thanks for any help....... I'm sure there will be more questions from me during the next 15 months

 

[squitty]

Great news


Happy Planning

 

[allie5]

The Formosa Gardens area (Splendid China) is probably the closest villa locations to WDW. However, I wouldnt discount some of the locations a bit further out on US 27. We like Highlands Reserve (approx 2m south of the 192 on US 27). It takes around 10-15 mins to get to WDW via "the back door". The I-4 is approx 5 mins further down the US27 and International Drive is probably a 15-20 min run from here.

Personally, we like our villas to be fairly new builds as we have heard horror stories about some of the older properties on Lindfields and other estates. I would prefer an extra 5 mins on my journey to be staying somewhere nice!! If possible, rent a villa through personal recommendation, so there is less chance of any "nasty surprises"!!! If you are unsure of the location, post a new thread on the DIS and Im sure someone will be along who knows about it!

Also, dont rule out a Condo in one of the big resorts like Sheraton Vistana Villages or Caribe Royale. They tend to be nearer the parks, are a little cheaper than a villa and offer great facilities and up to 3 bedrooms!!

Good luck planning and have a great trip!!

Allie

 

[k-herm]

allie,

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated. Despite extensive research, I hadn't come across the resorts you mentioned.

I've looked them up and they do seem a good idea - certainly better than all the basic and small 'suites' I've come across so far. ....but, still quite expensive (seems to me, dearer than a villa).

Is it worth me phoning them direct, do you think? Do you get a better rate that way? Or are there particular sites that give worthwhile discounts on this kind of property? I've spent the day 'Googling'????? and haven't found any decent discount accommodation sites.

Thanks in advance for anyone's input.

 

[Pootle]

Hi

I read your post because of how far in advance you booked (something I am guilty of and my family are amazed at!) but then had to tell you that our first Florida experience was also in 1988 on a Kuoni 2-centre with transfers, Quality Inn on I-drive etc. Our second week was incredibly boring in Barbados (as in 'I'm not going all that way and only seeing Florida .....' - I can't believe I truly said that ).

Because there is an oversupply of timeshare in Orlando, it is possible to pick up bargains in great areas, but whether you'd want to take that route with such an important holiday is another matter. Here's a link though in case you want to take a look http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer?OFFER_ID=865654. Never used it myself, but have read of those who have. 2 bedroom at Sheraton's Vistana is showing for October 2005.

I'm others will give you more information on villas. Never done that myself but family members did one year when we were out there and they had a lovely villa in the Lindfields area.

 

[Netty]

Hi
For villas try www.traveloptionsdirect.com they have a brochure that you can order.
I must say they are very reasonably priced, villas are on the 27 and also just off the 192.
hope this helps
Jeanette

 

[Miffy2003]

What a great time to go to the world. Can't see when in October exactly you are going but I guess you might get the opportunity to see the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot and / or Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Congratulations, you will have an absolutely fantastic time