Advice required please

[wrightbuxton]

If you are hiring two cars. Why not hire one that will fit you all and one smaller one. That way some times you can all go together to some of the attractions and save a little on parking and petrol and then there is always the other car if you want to go your separate ways.

If one driver is more experienced than the other then they would probably feel ok driving the bigger vehicle - leaving the smaller one for the novice.

Julie

[jovi]

Thanks all for you replies, we will be hiring seperate cars no doubt about that, we were going to hire a voyager for us and they have the 4 door, but after last week and his kids wanting to come with us and do different things from their dad ( we have a four wheel drive), we have decided to hire the chrysler 300c, we went to have a look at one today[:O] They are very big cars, I think as far as doing our own things I will have to be the firm little sister and say he does his thing and we will do ours.
We are hiring a 5 bed villa with a seperate family room, games room and study room so should be ok for space, I am sure we will be fine, once again thanks for the replies.

[MTP]

wrighbuxton's idea is an excellent one, but having the option of two cars is essential. You could also organise sat nav for him as, dependant on the age of his daughters, he may not have a navigator in his car.

When you are over there I would also invest in some walkie-talkies (don't buy them over here and take them as the frequencies used aren't globally legal). If you get three handsets then you and hubby can split up as well. This also makes rendezvousing at a destination easier. If you have mobile phones you could also always use texting as long as they are tri-band handsets with global roaming enabled.

I would just make it a ground rule that you can each go your seperate ways on some days as well as going to the same places on some days, but if you try to plan everything to be done together then it will only end up with everyone being miserable and feeling like they are the ones compromising their wishes to keep the group happy.

Have you directed him to this forum so he can gain some info and opinions for himself?

[tezz7628]

suggest two cars

on reading above about one larger car, that might work out for the luggage to and from the airport also [msnwink]

[Kazzie]

Definately 2 cars. We have travelled several times as a party of 13 family and friends. The best thing you can do is sort out as much as you can before your hols. Say that although you are really looking forward to spending a lot of time together there will be times that you will all want to do something different and nobody should take offence about this. When you do want time doing different things that is the beauty of booking a villa, you will have the space to get away from each other and do your own thing. Chances are though that you and your party will want to spend as much time as possible in your own private pool.

Karen

[millie]

Could you agree in advance on the things that you want to do together (maybe your fave parks or something) and then do your own thing on the days that you are wanting to do something different?

Two cars sounds like a must and allows you a bit of freedom.

I think, as someone says, it will be different staying in a villa than a caravan in the UK.
L

[pure]

Hi I'm new to the forum[msnsmile]
I hope you don't mind me jumping into this thread, but I was wondering have you talked to your brother about your concerns? as others have said already seperate cars seem to be a good idea especially one large and one small as you can go out as a group if you want, or seperate if you want some time apart!
Whatever you decide i'm sure that you will want the best time for yourself and your family especially if it's the first time for some of your party
[msnsmile]

[KarenG]

I wouls suggest to hire 2 cars and since they have not been to Florida before you could also look into the option of the portable GPS systems. That way if you want to send your brother out they can type in the address and follow the GPS to get where they want to go without a lot of hassels.
Have a great trip to Florida![msnsmile2]

[MTP]

Even when going to the parks it may be an idea to accept that you should split up and rendezvous throughout the day, as they can be long and tiring days - especially in the heat and when they are busy. Having holidayed with friends and family in the past I would strongly recommend allowing enough personal space. There will be plenty of communal time just being in the villa.

[E. Cosgrove]

We often go away with friends and family, but always on the understanding that we will do our own thing if we want.
I think we must be lucky in our choice of holiday companions as we usually end up doing most things together, but I think it is more of a problem when you have children with you as they are the ones less likely to agree.

Make a pact not to fall out if the kids do.......they will have made up long befoe you do and you will still be miserable bearing a grudge[msnsad]
Have fun whatever you do[msnsmile2]