Villa Holiday questions

[xsred]

Just a couple of questions on things we should take to our villa holiday:

1. Should we take our own towels or are they supplied?

2. What usually comes in the welcome packs?

3. Is there anything that I should take that we won't be able to do without or get there? (already thought of the tea bags and washing tablets)

Cheers everyone.

p.s thanks to all the people who gave advise about the vegetarian food options!

 

[kipper]

1. Towels should be supplied for use in the villa .I would take one each for swimming at the water parks and keeping in the car just in case.

2.Dont expect a lot from the welcome packs normally just coffee and powdered milk etc

3.Take some real chocolate the ammerican stuff taste yuk! (in my opinion) and take plenty of spending money.

 

[wheezie]

The villa we stayed at in February had loads of towels but these were for use in the villa only, so you need to take swimming towels for the water parks etc. Our villa also already had dish washer powder, presumably left by the previous people which lasted until we went.

Also, as you mentioned, tea bags. Every thing else you can get when you are there.

Wheezie

 

[MalcolmC]

If your kids drink a lot of squash I'd take some of that, because, although you can by a lot of UK things there, they are very expensive.

Decent baked beans are another item that's hard to find!

I find Krispy Kreme donuts are an excellent substitute for almost anything, though

 

[TinkTatoo]

Originally posted by MalcolmC
......I find Krispy Kreme donuts are an excellent substitute for almost anything, though

LOL - I agree

 

[JohnnySharp]

Hey Malcolm, they sell Heinz Baked Beans at the Publix on the 192!!

Beach Towels, if you are using them outside the villa think you are best taking your own.

Tea Bags and other items such as Washing Powder, quite often you will find the villa is already stocked up, guess it depends on the pervious occupants.
General rule is you replace what you use.

You can get UK items such as Robinson's Cordial, Heinz tins of Beans, Spaghetti etc but they are expensive.

Being a Northern pie-eater does have it's problems, never tried any yet from the Supermarkets, no sign of 'Holland's' or 'Bird's Eye'

 

[UKDEB]

All the villas we've ever stayed at have had more towels than you can shake a stick at. Even if you get unlucky, you can pick them up for a couple of dollars each at Walmart. I would never take up valuable suitcase space with towels. Many have separate pool towels which I wouldn't hesitate to take to the water parks. In any event, you can hire towels there if necessary.

I've never received a welcome pack (it's usually a cost option). After a quick scoot around the villa to check it out, we head out to Publix to stock up. If you really can't manage without your British food, Publix have teabags, Heinz beans, HP sauce, etc., in their 'ethnic foods' aisle . I will admit to buying Lurpak - I can't stand their 'butter'.

 

[MalcolmC]

JohnnySharp, yes I know they sell Heinz BB but for a price!!!! I meant the local varieties aren't much cop.

Our management Co. used to supply a welcome pack when we went over to our villa but we told them not to bother since half the stuff was not what we wanted, but it always included a decent bottle of wine which was nice.

We always ended up going off to Publix as soon as we arrived - then we knew we were on holiday!

We supply about a dozen bath towels and about ten pool towels (assuming none have gone AWOL!).

We ask guests not to take them to the beach because the sand doesn't do a lot of good to the washing machines, but there's really no way we can stop people taking them and using them at water parks and on the beach

 

[JohnnySharp]

Malcolm, yes agree with you about the price - still buy them though!
After we arrive the first thing I do is go to Publix whilst the wife does some ironing and my son watches videos.

Tend to buy Robinson's cordial too, not that the American labels are not good enough - except for Beans - just familiarity really.

1 thing we always take is Bisto Gravy Granules - for my son's meals - they just do not 'do' gravy very well at all.

As for towels, everyone has their own opinions, yes you can buy them out there cheap but if you have room in your suitcases I still think you should take your own - would never want to take anything else to the water parks/beach etc

 

[xsred]

Thanks for the advice on that everyone.

Next question, anyone stayed at the villas at Bridgewater Crossing? If so, any comments or tips that I should know?

Also we are getting in at 11.50 at night so are there any 24hr shops on the way to Bridgewater or at or near Orlando International Airport that are any good for the essentials?

Any comments on how to spend our first day, we are planning to have a fairly relaxing day on the first day and head to the parks the second day, as we are going for 3 weeks there seems to be no rush to cram in as much as possible, but it might be nice to head out and see some of the more relaxing sights!!?

 

[MalcolmC]

JohnnySharp,

Doesn't Bisto contain meat extract? If it does you could have it confiscated by customs. They don't like Oxo cubes either!

Xsred,

There aren't any 24 hour stores along your likely route. Your best bet might be to detour to Walmart on 192 or on the John Young Parkway, if you're not too tired!

 

[tyke]

xsred

We will soon be returning to Bridgewater Crossing for the third time !

The development is loacted on a protected nature reserve about 10 minutes drive south of WDW - the complex is secluded, quiet and has a nice neighbourhood feel to it - providing a welcome and peaceful retreat for when returning from an action packed day of fun and excitement at the Orlando parks.

The community has a large communal pool, 2 tennis courts, volleyball court, basketball court, a BBQ and picnic area and a childrens play area - which are all free to use for residents.

For loads of info and photos of the complex check out - Bridgewater Crossing

The nearest supermarket - Publix (very good) - is located at Champions Gate which is no more than a couple minutes drive from the villa - there is also a Mcdonalds, Subway sandwich shop, liquor store, chinese takeaway and several other stores at this location.

A gas station with general convienience store is located within easy walking distance of the development.

We love the place and are sure you will too !

Hope this helps out - if you need any more info let me know.

tyke

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

The villa we go to has LOADS of towels including some for the pool. It just depends on the villa I suppose.

We also take tea bags although it doesn't taste the same - perhaps due to the water.

The villa we go to provides a great welcome pack which includes coffee, orange juice, 12pack of beer, bread, jam, milk, sugar, cereal, donuts, eggs, chips (crisps) and a bottle of wine.
We're just lucky I guess! I wouldn't count on this from most villas.

The supermarkets are very good though and reasonably priced, especially Publix.

Louise

 

[JohnnySharp]

Malcolm, yeah know what you mean about the gravy but we definitely took them last year.
Packed them in the suitcase and didn't have any problems.

The wife will think I am going mad, she already does I suppose with my posts on Heinz Beans, who would have thought after all my trips to Florida I would be sat here writing about gravy?

 

[juliebro]

If you are looking for something to do on the first day, why not try Downtown Disney? It's a good intro to the Disney experience on your first trip - and you don't need to use a 'day' from your park ticket.

Julie

 

[Rannoch]

I was under the impression that towels are available at the parks (Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach) for a refundable deposit.

Is that still the case?

Rannoch

 

[xsred]

Thanks everyone.

Tyke:
Thanks for the link, glad to know someone has been there and that it is nice!! Will be our first trip and probably only, so want to make sure it is as great as it can be!

Anyone else been there?

Where is Downtown Disney? And what is there? Sounds like a good suggestion for a first day.

 

[juliebro]

Try this for starters!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/moreMagic/moreMagicLanding?id=DTDLandingPage

We missed Downtown Disney all together on our first visit - but we went there on our first day on the second - and it's a really nice intro to the whole Disney thing - without having to use a valuable day of your parkhopper ticket!

Nice shops & places to eat etc - a massive Disney store (biggest in the world??)

Oooh - can't wait!

Julie