1st Timer

[Phog]

Hi Folks,

My family and my sister's family (5 Adults & 4 Children)hope to visit Orlando in July '06 for 2 weeks.
Ideally we'd like to rent a villa. I'm looking for some help in deciding the following:
- Villa Location. What should we look out for or keep away from? Is everything Air Conditioned, do we need a heated pool - any other advice.
- Car Hire. Should we hire Two cars or One 12 seater, what licences do we need. What about insurance?
- Eating Out. Any recommendations
- Attractions What are must sees and what is best avoided, how to beat the queues? Beaches and swimming in the sea - where and is it safe?
- Shopping. We would like to spend one day shopping - where are the bargains - clothes, perfumes and cameras.
- Passports. We have a mixture of Irish and English Passports - do we need visas or anything else?
- Flights. Should we book direct or through a Travel Agent? What are our options for direct booking from Ireland or UK to Orlando?
- Money. What to bring and use - Credit Cards, Cash or Traveller Cheques?

I know I have asked a lot of questions but if you have any help or tips I'd very much appreciate them.
Rgs,
Phog

[LiesaAnna]

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

try these sites all from here, put in in what order you would like things then go from there!! nothing is too much trouble for all of these lovely villa owners!! they will be only to pleased to help you!!

happy florida hols!!!

we have been 3 times now (not an owner) and last time we used the debit card and a little cash, so easy to use from their ATM machines, better then ours because you put the card in and take it out then carry on the transaction! simple!!

have a look through here
http://www.flightsflorida.com/ they will get back to you with very reasonable rates, we use these!! great prices!


shopping so many wonderful places to choose from, and they vary , some designer clothes at millenium mall, i believe havent tried that, premium outlets ranges with sports shops, perfume shops, kids clothes, timberland, toy shops, just so many and wonderful food courts to choose a decent lunch to rest your feet and keep going cos once you start you cant stop!!


and car hire
http://www.floridahire.com/ again very reasonable rates from here

[SunLover]

Hi Phog

Welcome to the forums

I think with the amount of information you are seeking, it would be worth your while putting your "bold subject headings" into the forum search facility (link at the top of this page).

Certainly most, if not all of your questions have been asked, and answered before, so you should find a wealth of information which you can browse at your leisure.

[Newhomebuyer]

Hi Phog,
Welcome to these forums. First time visitors always have lots of questions and those of us who have been many times always have a variety of answers because the wonderful thing about choosing Florida for a holiday is that it caters to every taste. We all have our own particular favourite places to eat and things to do.
You are going to have lots of fun discovering yours.

Villa location-Choose from the site links above and you won't go wrong. All these villas are air conditioned . Pool heat is personal preference in July. If there is a spa and it is dependendent on pool heat then go for it even in July (my advice)

Car Hire- Use the link abve that will sort your insurance difficulties. Again my advice is 2 cars. Such a large party may wish to have some days doing their own thing.
Eating Out So much to choose from and so little time to talk in this first reply. Do you have a food type preference that will help narrow it down?

Attractions.- Don't try and do it all. This is a holiday and its going to be hot. Disney and Seaworld would bd good if the children are in the younger age bracket. Universal and Busch if they are older. Remeber to build in some relaxation and enjoy the villa you choose.

Visas- You will be able to use the visa waiver scheme, issued on the plane

Flights- We always book direct

Money - Credit cards and some cash is our preference. We stopped bothering with travellers cheques

Thats all for now. I will be back with eating recommendations

[Newhomebuyer]

Oh, I forgot to mention that you should make use of the Florida guides on each of the links Liesa gave you because there is lots of valuable info on eating out and attractions on there.

[becbecs]

Hi Phog

BIG Welcome to the site have fun now.

[kokomo]

Hi Phog, welcome to the forum.

You will not go wrong this site.[msnsmile2]

[dawn]

Hi Phog and a big welcome to the forum:

A couple of useful links for you:

Eating out - try http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/forum_16.asp

Shopping - try http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/forum_14.asp

Money - most of the supermarkets eg Walmart, Publix etc, will give you cash back

Villa location - you really will be spoilt for choice. I would suggest making a wish list of what is important to you for your villa, eg. no. of bedrooms, outlook, gamesroom, area etc. etc and go from there. On each of the sites above you will find information about the various communites, happy reading.

Car hire - I would also recommend 2 cars, to give each family some freedom. You won't find better than the link given above - excellent service and prices.

Enjoy your research, and have a wonderful time - once you have been once you will want to go back again and again - guranteed[msnsmile2][msncool]
Dawn

[jo-anne]

Hi Phog
This is just the site to come to for tips and advice. Most of your questions are 'headings' in the guest area section so you can click around and get lots of advice from there.
All the villas on the 3 recomended sites have been checked and verified so you will be able to book in the secure knowledge that we are real people with real villas!!
Have fun browsing and just let me know if I can help in any way further. We are always more than happy to help out.
Jo-Anne

[Phog]

Hi again,

I'm delighted to see so many replies. I will do some research on the links provided. If I have any more queries I'll reply here.

One more thing - Immigration control and Visas - What airports in England have Immigration control as we would like to check through prior to departure? Also, is a visa required for Irish and British Citizens and what passports are required (are handwritten ones accepted?)- do infants require passports?

Thanks again,
Phog