Villa or Pop???HELPPPPP

[KATIESMOMMY]

I am already booked for Pop Century ( I know wrong board)Dec 17-26,2005 but I was introduced to the concept of villas yesterday. I have spent last 24 hrs just looking at all the pictures and other forums etc and now I am torn between staying onsite where I dont have to rent a car and staying in a 5 bedroom home with a pool for almost the same money where I have to rent a car and drive etc. It is also in area I am not real sure how far it is to WDW and everthing- a development called Orange Tree. Can anyone give me a little guidance or input. This is our very first trip to Florida and to WDW and it will be us and our DD who will be 20 months. Also if I get the villa I can invite other family members as it sleeps 12..... I just dont know what to do HELP PLEASE!!

 

[martina857]

Definitely go for the villa ... Compared to Pop it is sheer luxury. I think Orange tree is down the US 27 (not sure how far) So for your first stay in a villa I would pick somewhere closer. The ones to choose from are.. Formossa Gardens, Oak Island, Emerald Island Resort, Sunset lakes, Windsor Palms, Indian Creek and Rolling hills all arre within a very few minutes of Disney property just behind what used to be Splendid China.

Try this web site for homes, I use it all the time now. www.daystarvillas.com
M

 

[mbb]

I am already booked for Pop Century ( I know wrong board)Dec 17-26,2005 but I was introduced to the concept of villas yesterday. I have spent last 24 hrs just looking at all the pictures and other forums etc and now I am torn between staying onsite where I dont have to rent a car and staying in a 5 bedroom home with a pool for almost the same money where I have to rent a car and drive etc. It is also in area I am not real sure how far it is to WDW and everthing- a development called Orange Tree. Can anyone give me a little guidance or input. This is our very first trip to Florida and to WDW and it will be us and our DD who will be 20 months. Also if I get the villa I can invite other family members as it sleeps 12..... I just dont know what to do HELP PLEASE!!

There are some real advantages to doing both

At POP, you're onsite at the BUSIEST time of the year for WDW....you're one bus stop away from the magic, so to speak Someone else is worrying about traffic, where to park...etc, etc. If the parks get THAT busy, you won't be denied entry..onsite guests using WDW transport are among the last to be "shut out" when it comes to park closures. If you're little one needs a break in the afternoon, nothing beat onsite for the convenience of heading back to your room for a rest

HOWEVER
Staying at a villa is "just like home". The convenience of the pool, the extra space, the washer/dryer, kitchen...just can't be beat.

Soooooo....
If you plan on doing the parks "commando style"...as in We Want To sEE EVERYTHING...I'd keep my res at POP.

If you're looking for a little more relaxing vacation, and are ok with not going to the parks a day or two, I'd stay at the villa.

Like Martina said, those developments are a little closer... Orange Tree would add maybe 5-8 minutes onto your drive

And I hate to do this to you...have you looked at renting points from a DVCer and staying onsite in a one bedroom? Full kitchen, washer/dryer...at Wilderness Lodge maybe? Check the DVC Rent/Trade Board for info

HTH!!

 

[PhotobearSam]

I am usually the last person who would say stay on-site but for your trip I would...

I love a villa. I love having a kitchen...'

BUT during the busiest time of year when they even close the park to outside guests (like Christmas Day) I would stay on-site...but then again, I would never go over Christmas...LOL


I say stay at POP!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Well I still am a little confused what to do....I just read all about Cypress Pointe thru hotelkingdom and that would put us closer than the villa at Orange tree.........decisions decisions!!

Do you think maybe staying at Pop for the first 4 days and then the villa the second 5 would work?? I just have this feeling the baby is going to get worn out--and I am DEFINATELY not going commando with her

 

[momto4obkids]

I would go with Cypress Pointe for your trip. We are staying there in May and are so excited!

I think it would be much easier in a condo to put the baby down for naps and bedtime.

Plus, it is still really close to Disney!



Amanda

 

[mbb]

..........Do you think maybe staying at Pop for the first 4 days and then the villa the second 5 would work?? I just have this feeling the baby is going to get worn out--and I am DEFINATELY not going commando with her

That's exactly what I would do
...well, what I would exactly do is...5 days at POP, then 7 at a villa/condo,,,JMHO. We like a little extra time

HTH!!

 

[crazelion]

First stay offsite and end your trip onsite that way get best both worlds.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Well DH gets home tomorrow and we will figure out then---I honestly think a split stay between Pop and Cypress would work great!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I think a split stay would work for you also. You suggested the first 4 days at POP. Just keep in mind you are going at probably the busiest time of the year as a couple people mentioned. Sometimes the parks close due to capacity. If you have plans on visiting the parks actually on Christmas eve or day, being at POP might be an advantage having the extra magic hour (or early entry if it's offered on those days). When the parks close for capacity, they still usually let onsite guests enter. So maybe you'd want to flip-flop and tack POP onto your second part of your stay so you could be guaranteed entrance on 12/24 & 12/25 if this is part of your plans ? Good luck.

 

[Mainebound]

Well I still am a little confused what to do....I just read all about Cypress Pointe thru hotelkingdom and that would put us closer than the villa at Orange tree.........decisions decisions!!

Do you think maybe staying at Pop for the first 4 days and then the villa the second 5 would work?? I just have this feeling the baby is going to get worn out--and I am DEFINATELY not going commando with her

The Xmas thing is important, but here's our recent experience:
We just got back from a week in an Emerald Island villa which was AWESOME (www.emeraldfootprints.com, found on www.orlandovillas.com), then 3 nights at WL. I liked doing both and did not find it hard to switch, which we do every trip anyway. We decided we will never try a long trip in a cramped hotel room again.

I have two boys, ages 3 and 5, and the villa part of the trip was most relaxing, driving to the parks notwithstanding. The drive took less time than the WL bus, and was easier. The more stressful part of the trip was the WL part, as there is so much activity and excitement it is hard to get the kids to settle in and relax. With the villa, when we got home, it was restful. Not so onsite, and that was true last year at Swan and the year before that (when my younger son was only 1) at AKL.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

We are still undecided--I just DON'T know which way to go.........but thank you all for your advice!