resort or independent villa?

[juwinter]

Hello
We are looking at accomodation for our next holiday in orlando 2013 we have always rented private villas but I was thinking about a villa on a resort as my children are now older (13,14) and would appreciate more facilities, bigger pool etc any suggestions?
[:)]

[MTP]

This will be a really difficult question to answer without any form of bias. The owners who have homes within resort communities will obviously be very pro-active in supporting and promoting their choice for location. Owners with villas on communities without resort-like facilities will point out that you are in the theme park capital of the world and explain why their location is better. To be honest there are pros and cons to both sides of the arguments and ultimately it will come down to an individual choice as to what suits your family best and having a raging 'discussion' between owners isn't really going to benefit anyone.

I hope that answers helps a little while trying to keep the waters calm.

(of course a certain community where a certain person may own a villa is undoubtedly the best as it has some of the features of resort like communities, without the overheads and burdens! Drat - I just couldn't resist the bias!!!)

[carolmc]

Euan - slapped again:)
Seriously though, it really comes down to personal choice and how much time you will spend on community facilities. From experience, we stayed on a resort in a villa one year and we still had the teenagers in our faces (:

[MTP]

What'd I do? What'd I do?? [:D]

It is difficult, but it really is a personal choice.

[christhear]

We have just returned from a holiday in Kenya, my 14 year old son was with us. We stayed in a hotel for the last 4 nights with plenty of activities going on which he could get involved in.
Well he chose not to do anything except swim in the pool and relax on the sunbed. Ask the kids if a resort based villa is what they really want or if they just want chill out time when not out and about

[Susan J]

To be honest, I would look for a home that had everything you need firstly. A lot of folk seem to get waylaid by adding more requests than they need....you should look for the area near to where you want to be, south facing pool or not, overlooked or not, number of rooms and living areas, size of pool deck - things that you will use the most should be the more important.
If you want resort style look at the geography of the estate- are facilities near enough for you to be comfortable with your kids going to etc if not.
Without doubt, the inside of home and position would come first on my list!
It's difficult for us to make your decision here, though. You know the time you will spend in the home, and your children's personalities.
I love the happy family time we get together in Florida, and like to see my son enjoying simpler things- fishing, swimming in the pool, even just sat watching footy on tv with his dad. He doesn't bother with his ps2 or anything and really relaxes - but as I say, it's not easy to help without knowing you.....

[FraserLynn]

I can't imagine that there is anything to lose if you chose a villa on a resort, that way it is there if you find out you want it, if not then you are still in a villa anyway.

[luckylady]

I totally agree it is down to personal choice.I have stayed in villas on resorts and although very nice. I personally think they are not a luxurious as some private villas.
As far as the community facilities are concerned it is great they are there. But in reality you don't use them as much as you think you will.

Good luck whatever you decide

[steph_goodrum]

As some have said it's down to personal choice. If the resort is too large there is the worry they are too far away from you but we bought when our daughter was 13 and liked the fact that our development has things that typical teenagers like (basketball/tennis bigger pool etc) within a short walk which gives a bit of independance if they want to get away, rather than a full blown resort which had things we knew wouldnt be used, like cinema room etc.

If you have rented private villas before then you have a start as to what features in the home you like/use, so I would start there and expand on what else would enhance the stay and if what you want comes within your budget as someone said you've lost nothing by trying it and see how the family like it.

[jimiansville]

As others have said it is really down to personal choice and what you need/would like in the way of facilities.

Before buying our villa we rented on both resort and non resort type communities and enjoyed one as much as the other. The most important thing for us when we book villas in other places when not going to Florida is the location of the property, how it's furnished and what facilities it has to offer.

[Dads_Taxi]

We have also stayed in both types, and I know our kids, when younger, enjoyed the communal pool's atmosphere and the ability to play games with other kids. The lads loved it when they saw someone playing basketball and they ran out to join in, and were made welcome.
Now in their 20s our lot would rather have a private villa with a big pool and a fridge full of cold drinks that they can send me to fetch!

[Bridie]

I think kids of that age prefer just relaxing poolside or in the games room. When they want a bit more then usually they prefer the Parks or Water Parks. What would your own kids prefer. Hope that helps

[juwinter]

Hello
Thanks for all advice how about a villa with a private pool on highlands reserve but with access to regal palms membership Is that even possible??