Virgin Villa

[jockey]

A friend of mine is just about to book a villa with VH and has asked my advice. I have no idea about villas as I have never stayed in one! What's the best villa area she should request near to Disney?


Also, she will be pregnant at the time of travelling and tinks that a villa will be better than a hotel, any tips on this?

 

[mungo]

Can she request? Or is it totally allocation on arrival?

My advice would be for her to book in seperatley. Book her own flights and car hire and book a villa direct with an owner. Booking direct allows her to know exactly where she is going, what facilities are available etc.

she will be able to find a villa with a highchair, pushchair etc included. These will all cost extra through virgin. Whe will also be able to choose what way the deck of the pool faces etc. ( I like a south or southwest facing) and whether the villa is overlooked from the back.

There are lots of communities to choose from, and they are all lovley. We prefer Highgate Park, and its really peaceful and quiet community, but has a good road network to wherever you are going. some people prefer being on top of Disney and Sunset Lakes, rolling Hills, Windsor palms etc are the closest. However whats another 10-20 minutes.

have a look at www.holidaylettings.co.uk
www.holiday-rentals.co.uk
www.orlandoexclusivevillas.com

 

[Pegasus928]

Having only ever booked villas direct with the owner, I don't think I would personally go through a company. (but we have booked our flights through VH)
Going through the owner means you can chose exactly what you want - and the chances are you will get a lot more for your money due to the competiton in the villa rental game. (e.g. games room, PC, free international phone calls, pool with lake/conservatin view etc)
As for location I really wouldn't worry as most of the communities are within 30mins of Disney.

Below are the sites I would rent my villas from. All the villas on these sites are verified by the site owners, and you deal with the villa owners direct. But I think the real beauty is that if you search for, for example, a 4 bedroom villa - then pick one (any will do at this stage) and send a general enquiry for the dates you are interested in there is a check box that, if you tick it, will send the same enquiry to all 4 bed villas on that site. Then anyone that as the dates you are looking for will get back to you - cuts down on a lot of searching and emailing.

http://www.orlandovillas.com/
http://www.villasflorida.com/
http://www.onlinefloridavillas.com/
http://www.orlandovillarental.com/

Pegasus
www.nicholls2010.co.uk/florida

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

With the prices charged for villas through VH I'm sure she will find something better by booking direct with an owner.

As previously posted - you know exactly what you are getting and where it is when you pick a home rather than just getting a villa on arrival. There will be the little extras like board games and games consoles

You say your friend will be pregnant - a villa may be better as there is more room (especially if she has other kids too). There is nothing worse than trying to relax in a small hotel room with kids - I know, I've been there and never again! On the other hand there is no maid service with a rental home so will that be an issue

There are plenty of sites to choose from - try the likes of www.homeaway.com, www.ownersdirect.co.uk aswell. It does take a bit of work finding one you like and that suits all your requirements but it is definitely worth it.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I have just recently booked the Lindfield Reserve villas through Virgin - I understand that they are the closest to Disney that Virgin offer - we were considering booking a villa seperately but because its the first time we are taking children, I just wanted to go through a company I knew well and then if something goes wrong (fingers crossed it won't!) then at least I know who I'm deaing with.

I hope that helps a little !!

 

[BrockHouseOrlando]

I have just recently booked the Lindfield Reserve villas through Virgin - I understand that they are the closest to Disney that Virgin offer - we were considering booking a villa seperately but because its the first time we are taking children, I just wanted to go through a company I knew well and then if something goes wrong (fingers crossed it won't!) then at least I know who I'm deaing with.

I hope that helps a little !!

We did like that the first time we went to Florida. Once we had been we then felt confident to book our own holidays, mind you I had a friend that had been doing this for years, and I thought that I could do it too!!!

this also gave me confidence wherever we went on holiday to book independantley. We have stayed in private villas all over Europe and the USA. I don' think we would ever go with a package again.

 

[MorningGlory]

Some good sites mentioned here, I need to remember to look at it when we are ready to book again.

Cheers!

 

[jockey]

Thanks guys for all the tips, I will pass them on. My friend wants the flexibility of a villa for he 2 year old to burn off some energy rather than being stuck in a hotel room! As mentioned she will be pregnant at the time of travel and they will be spending a lot of time resting! I think she has been looking at Lindfield Reserve

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi Jockey - from what I've heard LIndfield Reserve is fine - Its an older estate but still well maintained and is in a good location. I think there are better places out there that are newer, but it seems to have everything we need and as long as I have a good clean house and pool and am not miles from Disney then that suits me!! Hope it works out for them too!!

 

[jaxsmith]

Hiya, how did you go on with your stay at the Lindfield Reserve Villas?

We are staying at the same villas in September and I've heard so many mixed reports but most have been from Villa owners trying to sell their villas rather than via Virgin. Whats the truth about them?

Regards

Jackie

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Having stayed at several villas and toured many of the developments I feel it is definitely a big advantage booking one independantly.
This way you choose where YOU want to stay.

Have always preffered Kissimmee, close to Formosa Gardens is where many of the villas are located, location ideal for everything, supermarkets/restaurants/Disney and the I4 all easily reached.

Lindfields is located at FG also, personally prefer a newer home and would recommened Indian Creek, Windsor Palms or Emerald Island, all in the same area.

Try:
www.villas2000.com
www.vr360homes.co.uk
www.holiday-rentals.com

maps:
http://www.orlando-maps.info/top_dow...e_top_down.htm

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa/map.htm

http://www.1stfororlando.com/Location-map.htm

http://www.orlandovillas.com/Map.aspx