Offsite virgin....... help much needed please!?!

[meldud]

So I have never done offsite before, does anyone have tips?

We have booked the Sheraton Vistana Village, 2 bed villa, we have a car thrown in and we are staying for 11 nights before going off to New York for 4 nights.

I know we can make ADRs at 180 days and I know we have to wait till 30 days for FP+. We are going on 14th August, so the first week will be busier than the 2nd week until all the US kids go to school.

Other than that, I would like to know if anyone has anything that is paramount if staying offsite.

TIA

 

[Kath2003]

So I have never done offsite before, does anyone have tips?

We have booked the Sheraton Vistana Village, 2 bed villa, we have a car thrown in and we are staying for 11 nights before going off to New York for 4 nights.

I know we can make ADRs at 180 days and I know we have to wait till 30 days for FP+. We are going on 14th August, so the first week will be busier than the 2nd week until all the US kids go to school.

Other than that, I would like to know if anyone has anything that is paramount if staying offsite.

TIA

The beauty of staying offsite is that there is no need to plan

We do a supermarket run sometime in the first 24 hours. We don't take toiletries, sun cream etc. with us - it's just as cheap out there. This saves on the packing. There's a Publix supermarket 2 minutes down the road from you. There's also a 24 hour CVS pharmacy whuch sells meds, obviously, but also groceries, pool floats, toiletries etc.

Pack light - do laundry half way through and, if you can, near the end (your villa has a washer and dryer). If you're picky about laundry powder, take a couple of packs of the tablets with you (not the liquid ones, they're liable to explode!). It's brilliant coming home with a bag full of mainly clean clothes instead of a bag if washing!

Also be aware that you are really close the the outlets, so take a credit card

We buy plenty of water, snacks etc. and then take them to the parks which saves a fortune over the week. The water/drinks won't always be cool but you can ask for a free glass of ice anywhere in the parks, or pour a little out and freeze the bottles overnight.

Take a look at local restaurants etc to see where you fancy eating, it will be half the cost of dining onsite. We only dine once onsite each trip (usually a character breakfast). There are some nice places to eat near you - Carabbas, Long Horns, Outback, Dick's Last Resort (take a sense of humour!), Golden Corral for breakfast etc. There's also a Domino's pizza opposite - pizza is always our choice for the first night!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

To me it really makes no difference offsite or on as to how we plan, as we alway drive anyway so tend to eat offsite as well as in the parks and hotels. The villages are on international Drive south and are bear to a Publix and the outlets as Kath said. If you use the 417 from the airport it is J6 or just as easy from the 528.

The beauty is the extra space and washer/dryer as Kath said.

The drive to WDW is easy, but you do cross the 535 intersection which can be busy. You come in near OKW. You are close to the restaurants at LBV and the Crossroads.

 

[meldud]

To me it really makes no difference offsite or on as to how we plan, as we alway drive anyway so tend to eat offsite as well as in the parks and hotels. The villages are on international Drive south and are bear to a Publix and the outlets as Kath said. If you use the 417 from the airport it is J6 or just as easy from the 528.

The beauty is the extra space and washer/dryer as Kath said.

The drive to WDW is easy, but you do cross the 535 intersection which can be busy. You come in near OKW. You are close to the restaurants at LBV and the Crossroads.

Thank you. Where can I find out about driving in the US? I would like to read up on traffic and rules and reg etc. And traffic lights confuse me!!! lol

 

[Kath2003]

Thank you. Where can I find out about driving in the US? I would like to read up on traffic and rules and reg etc. And traffic lights confuse me!!! lol

Try here: http://kissimmee-us192.com/british/driving.htm

Traffic lights are easy: just do what they say, plus you can turn right on red if it's safe (unless otherwise stated)

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I've always found this to be a good map http://www.orlandomaps.co.uk/about-the-map/. I like to be able to see something, and look for road names / numbers

 

[wayneg]

You say you have a "car thrown in"
What does that mean? a package with free car? If so you rarely get a free car, you have to buy insurance at the desk which is generally more expensive than not taking the car and booking elsewhere.

 

[meldud]

Try here: http://kissimmee-us192.com/british/driving.htm

Traffic lights are easy: just do what they say, plus you can turn right on red if it's safe (unless otherwise stated)

Thank you, this is my main worry, lol

I've always found this to be a good map http://www.orlandomaps.co.uk/about-the-map/. I like to be able to see something, and look for road names / numbers

Thank you, I'll take a look.

 

[tinksmum29]

I feel happier driving there than here!!!