Villa Holiday

[davidr]

Staying in a villa on our next trip to Orlando. Are there things we should take with us that you either can't get out there or are really expensive.
Any ideas ? i think i read somewhere that its a good idea to take bin bags ?

Thanks

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Staying in a villa on our next trip to Orlando. Are there things we should take with us that you either can't get out there or are really expensive.
Any ideas ? i think i read somewhere that its a good idea to take bin bags ?

Thanks

Hi mate, yes it was probably me as we take bin bags.

Most things you can buy from the local Publix, however we do take bin bags/swing bin liners and washing powder tablets with us.
Mainly as they do not take up much room, refuse is normally collected twice weekly so it's handy just to have a supply.

What is already at the villas can vary depending on what is left behind, or sometimes what the Management Company leave for you.
You may find you have to buy Kitchen Towels/Washing Up Liquid etc, but it tends to depend really.

 

[davidr]

Thanks Johnny,

I guessed you would be the first to reply. I think I'll just take bags like yourself ( although i have my own Julie who is rather particular about her brand of tea in the morning!)

Cheers.

 

[AndRu]

The things that are "really expensive" are Marmite, Heinz Baked Beans etc, the quintessential British foods. Everything else is normal price, although I do miss a nice, sliced Hovis loaf, oh, and teas as well. Has to be Co-Op 99 for me.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks Johnny,

I guessed you would be the first to reply. I think I'll just take bags like yourself ( although i have my own Julie who is rather particular about her brand of tea in the morning!)

Cheers.

Hi mate - yes anything about villas I tend to pounce on quickly.

You are probably right about the tea don't drink it myself but (my) Julie does -normally have to buy her some PG Tips from Publix!

 

[jacklouis]

Like everyone else we always take tea bags. The first thing I have to do when we arrive is have a cup of tea. I also take marmite for the kids, so there's always something for breakfast they just love it on toast!

 

[isla bonita]

I am not UK born and am wondering what is Marmite? I have seen it before paired with crisps and I do know what those are. Is it like peanutbutter here?

What to bring to a villa?

Anything you can not do with out.

Most will have the essentials such as towels but might not have pool towels. Not sure why they wouldn't myself if there is a pool but what ever.

I would ask the person you are renting from what they do have and look on the homes website for amenities list most will have one.

We have lovely shopping centers that have just about every thing you could need. Have a great time on your vacation, hope you love the villa experience.

 

[carolfoy]

I am not UK born and am wondering what is Marmite? I have seen it before paired with crisps and I do know what those are. Is it like peanutbutter here?

.

What is marmite? wow! difficult question! its a weird tasting 'sauce' thing that can be used on toast, sandwiches, its really difficult to describe. everyone either loves it or hates it - theres not much in between! ah, Vegemite? is it the same? not sure - someone will reply who has tried both.
marmite, mmm, its a yeast extract - but that sounds horrible! its a savoury spread - but that sounds nice?
someone? anyone? please? what IS marmite?

 

[AndRu]

Marmite, if memory serves me correctly, is yeast extract but please correct me if I'm wrong. It's a wonderful spicy/tangy spread that is great in sandwich with cucumber, even better on hot buttered toast. It's one of those things you either love (as I do!) or utterly hate. When it comes to Marmite, there is no middle ground!

 

[Boo Boo Too]

What is marmite? wow! difficult question! its a weird tasting 'sauce' thing that can be used on toast, sandwiches, its really difficult to describe. everyone either loves it or hates it - theres not much in between! ah, Vegemite? is it the same? not sure - someone will reply who has tried both.
marmite, mmm, its a yeast extract - but that sounds horrible! its a savoury spread - but that sounds nice?
someone? anyone? please? what IS marmite?

What I can say is that it is NOTHING like peanut butter!!!

It has a very distinctive, sharp (acidic maybe?) flavour that seems to creep up your teeth and into your gums... very odd! If you have ever had the crisps "twiglets" (unlikely, 'cos they are British too): twiglets are marmite flavoured...

I, like a few others, tend to take a few washing tablets and sheets of "Bounce": we don't tend to do much laundry and all of the packs at the supermarkets tend to be "monster" size - so I feel guilty buying them and wasting it...

We don't take food or drink - just adjust to what there is for sale in the US Supermarkets...

Boo

 

[isla bonita]

So it is not like peanutbutter huh.

Still donot quite understand it but thats ok. Maybe I can try it in Epcot cuz I am very curiouse.

Thanks for the info Deb

 

[JohnnySharp2]

So it is not like peanutbutter huh.

Still donot quite understand it but thats ok. Maybe I can try it in Epcot cuz I am very curiouse.

Thanks for the info Deb

The 'Union Jack British Goods' shop at Old Town sell it Deb.

 

[isla bonita]

Thanks Johnny

Do you enjoy it?

Is there anything you can think of that it is like. You have spent many a days in the US.

Your trip is coming soon are you getting excited? Mine is still 80 days our and I can not wait. I have all of my side of the family coming this time and my husband can not control himself. LOL

Nothing like 10 nights with the outlaws. We do it all the time only kidding. But he could use a drinking buddy for a night out I would think. I kept all the pubs you gave me for our guests and send him out for the night.

Have a wonderful time and make sure that little guy gets enough swim time with all the pics of him in the pools I think I saw some gills happening. LOL

 

[Dimplenose]

Marmite and Vegemite are both yeast extract but they do taste different - I love Marmite but don't like vegemite. If you are trying it for the first time don't spread it too thickly - it's not like jam!

As for a villa trip - I'd agree with bin bags (we had to buy an enormous packet when over there). We also found dishwasher tablets were useful - again to save us having to buy a megasize packet. I wish we'd taken a jar of instant coffee.

Libby

 

[major]

Hi,
I don't know if it is just us, but we take squash/cordial (e.g. sugar-free Robinson) with us. We haven't managed to find any when we have been before. If anyone knows where we can buy this is orlando, please let me know.
Cheers Linda

 

[Boo Boo Too]

FYI regarding marmite - http://www.marmite.com/

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks Johnny

Do you enjoy it?

Is there anything you can think of that it is like. You have spent many a days in the US.

Your trip is coming soon are you getting excited? Mine is still 80 days our and I can not wait. I have all of my side of the family coming this time and my husband can not control himself. LOL

Nothing like 10 nights with the outlaws. We do it all the time only kidding. But he could use a drinking buddy for a night out I would think. I kept all the pubs you gave me for our guests and send him out for the night.

Have a wonderful time and make sure that little guy gets enough swim time with all the pics of him in the pools I think I saw some gills happening. LOL

Hi Deb,

Yes we do enjoy it and we are looking forward to the trip, less than 4 weeks away now...glad you appreciated the advice on the pubs.

The 'little guy' will have a wonderful time thanks. He loves water and many of the kiddie rides at WDW & Universal.

Take care

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,
I don't know if it is just us, but we take squash/cordial (e.g. sugar-free Robinson) with us. We haven't managed to find any when we have been before. If anyone knows where we can buy this is orlando, please let me know.
Cheers Linda

Hi Linda,

You can buy Robinson's from the 'ethnic' aisle at Publix, it is expensive compared to UK prices and also to be honest I am not 100% sure it is sugar-free.
There are US brands available , Grape juice etc that are sugar free, we always stock up for Josh although to be honest generally they do not have the range of products like we do here cordial wise.

 

[UKDEB]

We don't take anything with us. There isn't much you can't get at the supermarkets out there (apart from good tea, apparently, but I don't drink it). If there's something you can't live without (such as Marmite ), you might want to take it, but I enjoy trying things which are 'the same, but different'. Having said that, I don't like their whipped butter, but Publix sells Lurpak, which suits me fine. The best bet is to drop off the luggage at the villa, do a recce, and then go to the supermarket. Things which you'll likely need, but which may or may not be there include:

Bin liners - the bins are invariably lined, but there are no spares. Either buy some, or just use the carrier bags you get at the supermarket;
Toilet rolls (there is usually some toilet tissue in each bathroom, but it's likely you'll need some more before the end of your stay);
Soap;
Dishwasher tablets/liquid;
Washing detergent;
Fabric conditioner;
Coffee filters (there are usually some left by a previous renter. You'll also need to buy ground coffee for the filter machine);
Washing-up liquid;
Cleaning spray (I don't imagine many people buy this, but I always do - I like to be able to wipe down daily, in the same way that I do at home. I'm talking about the kitchen/bathroom, btw! );
Kitchen towel (ditto).

 

[PChef]

I'm not sure my two boys will survive two weeks without Ribena!! They don't like fizzy drinks, but will happily drink milk, water, apple or orange juice, or milkshakes when we are out, but it would be nice to have some Ribena at the villa! Is this available at Publix or should I take some with me?

Michelle