Opinions please

[Clarab]

Am considering going to Florida next year for the first time with my other half and 4 year old twins.

Dont know weather to go to the resort hotels or to a villa/condo. Saw this condo and looks really good, but is the location good?? i do understand that a car will be needed but am really stuck!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280382619515#description


Thanks so much

 

[snookhams]

Wow a trip to plan - we have done both hotel and villa and I would at the moment opt for a villa over a hotel for more freedom, our children are older and the four of us in one room for 14+ nights would not mke for a happy holiday, we much prefer the extra room and have used 3/4 bedroom villas.

Have looked at the link and think that although it looks lovely there are locations much closer to Disney 16 miles in morning traffic could take some time to travel We tend to stay in the same area as we know the location of the supermarket etc and don't need to waste time etc but others on here will be able to give more insight, although I don't know the link there is a site that has a map with all the main villa estate locations so hopefully someone will post it for you. Good luck

 

[Pegasus928]

This is one of those questions that will receive many different replies.
Personally we prefer villa holidays for the freedom, privacy, own pool, masses of space, peace and quiet.
I think that especially with 2 x 4 year olds what could be better for them than getting straight out of bed and straight into the pool outside their back door - as opposed to the walk down to the resort pool along with all the accessories you would need.
There are lots of good, trustworthy websites out there for websites and I am sure that others will be along shortly with lists of ones that they have used and trust.
For my part the one below has always been good for us as you are in touch with the villa owners direct from start to finish.
Good luck with your search and please feel free to ask if you have any more questions.
http://www.orlandovillas.com/

 

[loobylou44]

Another vote for a villa. On our first trip to Orlando DS was 9.5 and DD was 7.5 and we stayed in a hotel, we had a lovely time but when we returned 3 years later we had a villa and the holiday was so much more relaxing.

 

[Kath2003]

Am considering going to Florida next year for the first time with my other half and 4 year old twins.

I would rent a villa. It will give you and your partner the space to relax and enjoy the evenings once your twins are asleep. It will give them the space to play in the house rather than being cooped up in one room. It will also give you the freedom to eat at home rather than taking them to restaurants or counter service all the time.

I've done it both ways; we stayed in hotels - 4/5 to a room- when I was younger but that was just a nightmare - if one person wakes, you're all awake etc. whereas in a villa each person can come and go as they please around the house.

We only stay in hotels now because my partner and I like the convenience of being nearer the parks - and of course because a villa is more expensive for two!

 

[scojos]

i'm in the other camp, after staying off site, last year on site was a relevation!have you considered a 2 bed DVC appt?
there is 42% off on the disney site at the mo, and the free ddp is worth its weight in gold (for us anyway..)
goodluck
tracy

 

[iluvtot]

Hi,
The first time we went,DS was 8 and DD's (twins) were 6, a little older than yours
We stayed in a hotel, SIL came aswell, and we had interconnecting rooms. We found there still wasn't enough room for them, and they drove us mad running round and round through the interconnecting door. Also, they were tired when we came back, and either fell asleep or didn't want to go out;and then when we did get out, we had to drive to find somewhere to eat, and they would be grouchy because they were hungry!
The following year, (yes somethings must've been good because we went back!) we stayed in a condo, and it worked really well. We were near the swimming pool and playpark, and (really boring I know) I had a washing machine and dryer! We didn't have to drag them out if they were tired as I could cook, or we could get take out and eat it at a table instead of on the bed! Also, there was space to relax.
The following year we had a villa, and I didn't like it so much, but DH loved it. I felt the kids, (10 and 8 by then) needed more interaction with other kids, which they got the previous year using the communal pool. That of course wouldn't be such a problem for you as your twins are only 4, but I personally found the villa holiday too insular. There were no local shop to walk to, and as I didn't drive when we got back, that was it!
Now the kids are 17 and 15, we prefer onsite, as they have more freedom, and can even go to the parks' together using the disney transport.
Hope this helps,

Jules x

 

[orangetiggs]

we are going next year with our 8/9 month old twins and we are staying onsite as we get free dining again

We have only ever stayed onsite when going to disney so cant really advise about a villa but to me its not a holiday as you have to clean up after yourself instead of having maid service

 

[loobylou44]

Hi,
The first time we went,DS was 8 and DD's (twins) were 6, a little older than yours
We stayed in a hotel, SIL came aswell, and we had interconnecting rooms. We found there still wasn't enough room for them, and they drove us mad running round and round through the interconnecting door. Also, they were tired when we came back, and either fell asleep or didn't want to go out;and then when we did get out, we had to drive to find somewhere to eat, and they would be grouchy because they were hungry!
The following year, (yes somethings must've been good because we went back!) we stayed in a condo, and it worked really well. We were near the swimming pool and playpark, and (really boring I know) I had a washing machine and dryer! We didn't have to drag them out if they were tired as I could cook, or we could get take out and eat it at a table instead of on the bed! Also, there was space to relax.
The following year we had a villa, and I didn't like it so much, but DH loved it. I felt the kids, (10 and 8 by then) needed more interaction with other kids, which they got the previous year using the communal pool. That of course wouldn't be such a problem for you as your twins are only 4, but I personally found the villa holiday too insular. There were no local shop to walk to, and as I didn't drive when we got back, that was it!
Now the kids are 17 and 15, we prefer onsite, as they have more freedom, and can even go to the parks' together using the disney transport.
Hope this helps,

Jules x

Well said Jules
Although I am still a villa girl (at the moment), I think you have made some really good points, and it just goes to show that re-assessing as families change/grow is really important.

Louise x

 

[Clarab]

Wow, thank you all for taking time to reply.

Am seriously thinking of a condo, as some of you have said, will have the option of eating in and when had a full day out, maybe wont be bothered to go out at a night.

Will it take long to get to the park from that villa? It is £350 per week, and brand new. Is that a good price for a brand new, 4* property. Will I pay more staying closer, and if I did stay closer would i not need a car???

Gosh it is such a minefield!!! We went to DLP in march of this year and it seemed so much easier planning and thinking about that

There are just so many choices of villas etc, this place has had good write ups on trip advisor, which is promising but really welcome all of your opinions!


Clarab

 

[Clarab]

Forgot to say congratulations, Orangetigg. Are you going to find out the sex of your twins??

It truly is fantastic having twins!!

 

[Pegasus928]

Well said Jules
Although I am still a villa girl (at the moment), I think you have made some really good points, and it just goes to show that re-assessing as families change/grow is really important.

Louise x

I agree. At the moment we have 2 children and also holiday with other family members - so the villa holiday suits us fine. We are planning on going for 3 weeks in 2010, the first week of which will be just the 2 of us as it will be our 20th wedding anniversary, so we may find ourselves onsite for the first time at some point just to spoil ourselves a little. The second and third weeks we will be joined by our kids so will go back to a villa.
However I don't necessarily agree that just because we are in a villa it doesnt feel like a holiday due to having to clean up.
It's not as if we spend our spare time hoovering and washing up
Every villa we have stayed in has had dishwasher, washing machine and dryer and has also had the option to have a maid come mid stay to change the bedding and clean the floors etc.
As I said in my previous post everyone will have different views on this - it's up to you, as you know your family better than any of us, to decide which will work best for you.

 

[Pegasus928]

Will it take long to get to the park from that villa? It is £350 per week, and brand new. Is that a good price for a brand new, 4* property. Will I pay more staying closer, and if I did stay closer would i not need a car???

Gosh it is such a minefield!!! We went to DLP in march of this year and it seemed so much easier planning and thinking about that

There are just so many choices of villas etc, this place has had good write ups on trip advisor, which is promising but really welcome all of your opinions!


Clarab

I haven't had time to look at your particular villa yet and I am on my way out now but will look forward to having a nosey later.
In my experience price never seemed to be dependant on how close to the parks the villas are, but someone may correct me on that one.
I would also say that even if you had a villa that was close to the parks you would still need a car. The extra freedom and flexibilty it gives you is well worth the money it will cost you.

 

[loobylou44]

However I don't necessarily agree that just because we are in a villa it doesnt feel like a holiday due to having to clean up.
It's not as if we spend our spare time hoovering and washing up
Every villa we have stayed in has had dishwasher, washing machine and dryer and has also had the option to have a maid come mid stay to change the bedding and clean the floors etc.
.

Hi Kenny
Yes I agree, we go 'self-catering' 99% of the time (florida, UK and other destinations) and I still feel I'm having a holiday - in fact I love to go home with cases full of washed clothes that just need ironing, as opposed to cases full of dirty clothes!!
Louise x

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I am a big villa fan over hotels, much more space and relaxing
HOWEVER. With two young 4 year olds I take it that their ability to swim on their own is quite poor?
If so then go for a villa without a pool. You cannot watch children 24 hours, especially two of them and just as you would at home fill in the garden pond, havinbg a pool where they could wander to on their own is a big risk.
With a communial pool or hotel pool, then they can really only visit that with you

 

[Pegasus928]

I am a big villa fan over hotels, much more space and relaxing
HOWEVER. With two young 4 year olds I take it that their ability to swim on their own is quite poor?
If so then go for a villa without a pool. You cannot watch children 24 hours, especially two of them and just as you would at home fill in the garden pond, havinbg a pool where they could wander to on their own is a big risk.
With a communial pool or hotel pool, then they can really only visit that with you

All of the villas we have stayed in have either had an alarm on the doors leading out to the pool area, or a seperate screen/fence around the pool itself.
Personally having young children wouldn't put me off having a villa with a pool as I feel the safe guards are in place to help keep them out of trouble (that and the fact that we would ensure the doors were physically locked if we were not outside with them)

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

All of the villas we have stayed in have either had an alarm on the doors leading out to the pool area, or a seperate screen/fence around the pool itself.
Personally having young children wouldn't put me off having a villa with a pool as I feel the safe guards are in place to help keep them out of trouble (that and the fact that we would ensure the doors were physically locked if we were not outside with them)

Then you have been lucky. The majority of villas don't have such things, rather doors straight out into the pool area..
Its very easy when on vacation to let your guard down and then things can happen.

 

[Pegasus928]

Then you have been lucky. The majority of villas don't have such things, rather doors straight out into the pool area..
Its very easy when on vacation to let your guard down and then things can happen.

Rather than saying that the majority of villas don't have the safety features I would be inclined to say the opposite is true.
Obviously I don't know when you last went to Florida but it has been law for sometime now that in order for a residence to obtain a final certificate of completion it must meet certain requirements with regards to pool access. The following was taken directly from the official site of the Florida Legislature


(1) In order to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion, a residential swimming pool must meet at least one of the following requirements relating to pool safety features:
(a) The pool must be isolated from access to a home by an enclosure that meets the pool barrier requirements
(b) The pool must be equipped with an approved safety pool cover;
(c) All doors and windows providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with an exit alarm that has a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dB A at 10 feet; or (d) All doors providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor.

We had the same concerns as everyone with small children when we first visited, which is why we looked into this and it is now one of the things we look for when choosing our villa.

I for one would be interested to see how many people have found themselves in a villa that didn't have at least one of the safety features above, if only to compile a list of villas I don't want to go to.

I totally agree Obi Wan that there is no substitute for parental vigilance and would never rely 100% on any safety feature, but having them installed certainly makes a big difference.

 

[Netty]

I was under the impression that all pool homes had to have an exit alarm on the access door to pool area, and this came into affect about 2 yrs ago. And the new homes had also to have the screen around the pool area so as kiddies were protected from jumping straight into pool.
op - i think you would be better off in a villa than hotel, more space etc and your kids can make as much noise as they want!!!
we have always stayed in villas for the past 12 yrs, and love it!

 

[castanea1985]

Although we are obviously bias towards a villa....... we used to stay 'on site' when our kids were little.
There is nothing like being 'part of the magic' from morning, noon til night.

But as the kids grow and need more room etc we moved onto villas.
Now we love going 'home' and wouldn't stay anywhere else.
There is nothing like sitting in your own lanai overlooking the lake, with all the unique sights and sounds etc. after a hectic day at the parks. mmmm - cant wait to get back!

With regards to the safety issues of a pool - any responsible parent shouldn't let their child near water if they cant swim.
That is why we ensured both of our children could swim as toddlers.

IMHO there are just as many dangers with a communal pool as a villa pool.
Many hotels, including Disney hotels, have unmanned pools, and to me if a parent fell asleep, a toddler could easily mingle with other kiddies, especially if it was busy, and go into the pool, unnoticed and be in danger.
At least in a villa, it is an enclosed small space, with no other distractions.

All Florida villas which are rented out have to have either an alarmed door or a pool fence. See pic:

The alarmed doors can be annoying as they will go off, every time the door is opened.
If the villa has a pool fence, it is then up to each family whether they keep the fence in place or not.
It has a small 'door' which can be opened and closed to enter the pool area, leaving the rest of the fence in place.

Hope this helps?

Tracy x