Summer Holidays 2008

[nessie 1518]

Hi all

We are looking at going to orlando in either july or august 2008. There will be two families, one 2 adults 2 children (13,14) and the other 2 adults 3 children (8,10,12).
Ideally we would like a villa for us all but would consider other options, either hotel etc. Has anyone been in this postion and could give some advice, wheter to book a villa and flights seperate or as a package. Any help would be gratefully received. We will only need one vehicle also. Also a rough cost if possible and places to look for these deals.
Thanks very much

Vanessa

 

[UKDEB]

Firstly, a very warm welcome to the DIS, Vanessa.

We've travelled with another family many times and I think your choice of a villa is a good one for your party size. Kids of all ages love to spend time in the pool and the space allows everyone to keep their sanity!

We prefer to book the individual components separately - after 18 trips, we're convinced it's the cheapest option. Check out these sites for villas:

http://www.villas2000.com/Central/index.html
http://www.vr360homes.co.uk/
http://www.villa-world.com/arealocations/9//florida-villas.htm

Have you been before, or is this your first trip? Are you familiar with the area and, if so, how important is location?

 

[Jakey Rowling]

Hi vanessa.

I'd normally go along with UKDeb regarding booking separately, thats what we do also.
However you have left it late for flights for July or August so the flight deals might be pricey on their own.

Check prices from these to work out flight costs as well as the airlines and tour operators themselves.

https://www.orbitz.com/
http://www.opodo.co.uk/
http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/
http://www.flightline.co.uk/
http://www.airline-network.co.uk
http://www.expedia.co.uk/

I'd price up both DIY and package deals as I think it could go either way at this time for July/Aug '08.

Also consider the car options.
It's almost certain you'll need one for a villa and for your party size, two.
A flydrive at this stage is also worth considering as it can work out cheaper than flight only.

Where are you flying from?

Sorry no easy answers, just a bit of work ahead for you

 

[jen_uk]

Hello!

Never stayed in a villa so can't offer any advice there, but I will say that you need to book flights really soon as they get booked up very quickly over summer and you may find it hard to get the flights you want.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Vanessa,

I think for the size of your party a villa is the best option. Even though there are just the three of us we prefer a private home as there are so many advantages.
And saves having to book a couple of hotel rooms.

I normally recommend a few sites but they have already been covered in the thread.

I would always recommend booking your own villa as this gives you the chance to book the locaton and home that you like, other than having both chosen for you.
If you do go for the villa option there are so many to choose from it can be a bit bewildering, best thing is to take your time until you are sure you have found one that you like.

A fly drive and independant villa booking would be my choice, we book our rental car direct with Dollar but if you shop around you may find cheaper.
Just remember to get yourselves the insurance packages that come with the car as you really need those...any questions about villas or anything just ask.

 

[laluna]

From experience of travelling a couple of times with other families, I would say that it is worth considering two cars - one for each family. With so much on offer we have always found that members of our party want to do different things and having two cars makes for more flexibilty.

 

[foxylady]

From experience of travelling a couple of times with other families, I would say that it is worth considering two cars - one for each family. With so much on offer we have always found that members of our party want to do different things and having two cars makes for more flexibilty.

I would second this suggestion.

We went last year with another family who we get on really well with. We hired a big 12 seater for 8 of us. However, interests and tastes are different, ie our DS does not like the big rollercoasters etc and their kids did. They didn't like Epcot as much as we do, they wanted to go to the beach and we didn't etc, so 2 vehicles would have been better. As we knew the area better (they were first timers) we got taxis etc and it got to be more expensive.

Having said that we still had a great time, but if we went again with other people we would definitely have 2 vehicles.

Good luck in sorting out your holiday.

 

[paulh]

I would second this suggestion.

We went last year with another family who we get on really well with. We hired a big 12 seater for 8 of us. However, interests and tastes are different, ie our DS does not like the big rollercoasters etc and their kids did. They didn't like Epcot as much as we do, they wanted to go to the beach and we didn't etc, so 2 vehicles would have been better. As we knew the area better (they were first timers) we got taxis etc and it got to be more expensive.

Having said that we still had a great time, but if we went again with other people we would definitely have 2 vehicles.

Good luck in sorting out your holiday.

Were the same we travel with 2 familys dont always have the same tastes
Paulh