Villa? Suites?

[SimonY]

I'm after some help please. Just booked flights for end November/early December this year with BA and need to think about accomodation. I am considering a villa -there are 6 of us, 3 adults and 3 children - or some sort of 'suite' accomodation. We need at least 3 bedrooms with 1 double, 1 twin, 1 either bunks or twin. Not really sure what to do - current Mrs Y likes the idea that someone will tidy up and make beds etc., also that we are close to places to eat. She is not keen on having to do everything ourselves (i.e. herself). Kids keen on a pool, although I know the weather could be at best cool at that time of year. I am keen on the space that a villa would give us. Can't really afford accomodation on site at Disney. Would a 'suite' offer a compromise?

Anyone got any suggestions please?

 

[tartangirl]

Hi,

I would definately recommend a villa - you dont have to cook but you will have to tidy up although you can normally pay for a maid to come in.

The first time we went to Florida we stayed in Suites on International drive. At the time it was called Summerfield Suites but I think they have changed their name to something like Stalybridge Suites. They had 2 bedroom suites and were nice but you will be cramped for space with 6 in the Suite.

Since then we always stay in a Villa and wouldn't do anything else. The extra space and having our own pool is great. If you dont want to cook you will be driving to restaurants - I'd try and get one off the 192 as opposed to the US27 as there are more restaurants around. One of the big advantages in a villa with kids is you can take some time out mid-afternoon and have a rest - a suite might get a bit cramped for this.

One thing to be careful of is that all the villas we've stayed in (all 3 bed) have a 2 double beds and a twin room but there must be some that meet your needs.

There are plenty of villas sites you'll find recommended on these baords.

I have used www.orlandovillas.com and www.villas4all.co.uk and been pleased with the villas

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Simon,

For the last few years we have stayed in a villa.
I can highly recommend it, for the extra room/privacy that you get plus cooking facilities and your own private pool.
I agree fully with 'TartanGirl' villas are great for relaxing too when you want to stay in or just sit by the pool, this is where the extra space/freedom really comes in useful - you cannot always do this in a hotel or even an apartment/suite, especially as there will be 6 of you.

There are so many advantages and if there are several in your party it can work out excellent value for money too.

Only 1 drawback with a villa - you have to drive everywhere as generally nothing is within walking distance.
However, other than that they are ideal and we would never go back to hotels again.

Due to a disaster the first time we rented one - the home was falling to bits -I have driven around most of the developments and searched extensively on the internet also.

In my opinion the best places are just off the 192 in Kissimmee - here you get very easy access to Disney/I4/Restaurants and supermarkets.
There are 2 main areas, Formosa Gardens and Poinciana Boulevard - they are about 3 or 4 miles apart.
I would highly recommend Indian Creek which is at FG , this has a great selection of newish 3/4 bedroomed homes.
Also Cumbrian Lakes which is at PB.

Of the 2 IC is better, mainly because Poinciana Boulevard is a very long and busy road and is basically further away from the junction of the 192.

The best advice is when booking a villa is to get a reasonably new one, and a south facing pool is preferable as they get the sun all day.

The US27 and Davenport areas also have many rental homes and whilst some are very nice in my opinion they are a bit too far away from the attractions - Kissimmee is definitely your best bet.

Nearly all the villas are looked after by Management Companies who maintain the homes, if you end up booking one it is always good to check the owners have one in place.

Please feel free to PM me if you would like to see the homes we have stayed at, I have helped quite a lot of people on this site with villas and would be glad to help.

These websites are very good:
www.holiday-rentals.com
www.villas2000.com
www.vr360homes.co.uk

phew, bet you wish you had never asked now

 

[JANNYANS]

It is a regulation of the owners license that they have a 24/7 contact for guests and that company must be licensed as well.
I feel that PB is just as far out -if not further for some communities than those on the 27 Crescent Lakes for example can take 15 to get to from the 192 but thats JMO
Most of the new homes -if you look for that -are actually being built on the 27 corridor and most of them won't take more than 15-20 minutes drive to reach and you can wait for a disney bus longer than that .
For freedom and space you can't beat a home -you don't have to do the house work just the normal tidying that you would do in an hotel -you don't even have to make the beds if you don't want to or cook as there are so many places to eat or have take aways.
You children will love the accessibilty of the pool which you can have heated if you wish and you can relax and watch them without having to search through lots of bodies for them .
If you went to 4 bed -which won't cost much nore you would probably get the bed configuration you want.
Good luck

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I feel that PB is just as far out -if not further for some communities than those on the 27 Crescent Lakes for example can take 15 to get to from the 192 but thats JMO

I agree that Crescent Lakes is too far down Poinciana, it is not one I would consider staying at, however, the likes of Cumbrian Lakes are significantly closer to the junction of the 192.
However, as I said earlier really in my opinion at Indian Creek , you are about 5 minutes drive to a Publix supermarket, close to reastaurants and very close to Disney and the I4.

We all have our favourites I guess, just despite having driven down the US27 and seen the likes of Calabay Parc etc , I still would much prefer a base off the 192.

 

[tartangirl]

I agree that Crescent Lakes is too far down Poinciana, it is not one I would consider staying at, however, the likes of Cumbrian Lakes are significantly closer to the junction of the 192.
However, as I said earlier really in my opinion at Indian Creek , you are about 5 minutes drive to a Publix supermarket, close to reastaurants and very close to Disney and the I4.

We all have our favourites I guess, just despite having driven down the US27 and seen the likes of Calabay Parc etc , I still would much prefer a base off the 192.

I agree.

The US27 is great for Disney but not so good for other places. We were at Westridge last year and got caught up in the I4 roadworks a few times.

We came within a whisker of booking Crescent Lakes because there are some fantastic villas there but we like returning to the villa for the afternoon and I agree it is just that bit too far.

I agree the estates such as Indian Creek and Cumbrian Lakes are ideally situated. Next year we're in an estate called Country Creek which is also nearby - not an estate I'd ever heard of before making the booking.

 

[JANNYANS]

Using osceola parkway and I-4 you can be at Universal and Seaworld in around 20 -25 mins from the comunities at the upper part of the 27 but if you go south and then onto the I-4 you can get snarled up but I think that they have now finished the road works that might have caused that last year.
From the 27 communities near the 192 junction you are also close to 2 Publix supermarkets and Wal Mart and the 192 so all is within reach but each to their own its what makes the world go round

 

[SimonY]

Thanks everyone. I have looked at some of the sites and a villa does look very attractive. I like the look of the Formosa Gardens area, we have stayed at La Quinta Lakeside (was Sheraton Four Points Lakeside) just opposite that junction and know our way around that area already.

Just need to find the right one now.

Again thanks for the advice.

Simon

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks everyone. I have looked at some of the sites and a villa does look very attractive. I like the look of the Formosa Gardens area, we have stayed at La Quinta Lakeside (was Sheraton Four Points Lakeside) just opposite that junction and know our way around that area already.

Just need to find the right one now.

Again thanks for the advice.

Simon

Good luck Simon - you are right La Quinta Lakeside is very close to the developments I mentioned earlier - it's an ideal location.
The Publix Supermarket is actually on the same side as La Quinta - about a mile or so up the road.

 

[Disney owl]

WE've only stayed in a villa when we've visited WDW. WE'd go that way again if we took the kids. 3 teenagers or 4 when we took eldest DS girlfriend, meant that the space in a villa was ideal.

Having your own pool is great too.

We found the flexibility a villa offers suited us best. We either ate breakfst there or out & never cooked but did enjoy a couple of take-aways.

If we had a mid-day break from the parks the kids could have a snack if they wanted.

It's up to you & your DW how much "house-work" you do . We did very little just ensured we didn't leave a mess when we checked out. Bringing home suitcases full of clean not dirty clothes was another bonus.

Also having more than 1 tv cut down on arguments when we were relaxing on an evening.

 

[FizzyPop]

We always use a villa and wouldn't use anything else I love the freedom and knowing I can do what I want when I want Private pool another bonus Meal times the choice is yours you can cook for yourself /take away or eat out.
And like Disney owl said its so much nicer bringing home clean clothes.