Dont book the first villa you see or like. Look at lots of websites and compare prices and facilities. The cheapest is not always the best[:I] Is the home ona resort? does it have a communal pool for the kids to make new friends? Are there other things to do close by? Hoe far from the theme parks, nothing worse than having to drive for 30 to 40 minuets each way.
So, dont rush, take a look at all the lovely homes on here and ask questions of the owner, lots of questions.
Parrothead
Hayley,
Whilst the advice given already about low season being the cheapest time to go is good, I would also say to keep an open mind and do some searching for flight prices this year on the time you plan to go for next year. For example I got flights last week for £275 each all inclusive of airport taxes, flying from Bristol to Sanford Orlando, and flying on 25th August, return on 8th September. This is a good choice if you have children who are not in important years of school i.e. GCSE course years and missing 2 days at the start of term wouldnt be a big problem. I could also have got flights on 23rd August, returning on 6th Sept for around £303.
There are all sorts of options to save money and as long as you are prepared to do the research and ask plenty of questions you can get the holiday of your dreams. Also, planning it all yourself by buying your own flights, car hire and picking your own villa, you know that nothing is going to disappoint when you get there. Theres nothing worse than paying a lot of money to a tour operator for a package holiday then finding that you are extremely disappointed with the villa or accommodation you have been placed in. Like the others have said so far, if you book a villa on this site you will find that the owners will be very helpful and give plenty of advice. But also take heed of the warning that "if something sounds to good to be true, then it probably is" this relates mainly to booking villas at ridiculously cheap prices. The owners who price their villas at what they are worth are the ones that look after them well, make sure that they are maintained properly at the highest standards, and more importantly - dont lose their villas when the Banks foreclose on them leaving you without a villa when your holiday comes around. At the end of the day remember the saying "you get what you pay for". You have chosen one of the best villa rental sites to start your search. Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful holiday when it comes around.
All good advice so far. Would like to agree that by organising everything independently then you have the most control over the costs and can see exactly how much everything is going to be. Another good tip while you are out there is to buy the Sunday Orlando Sentinel as it is full of coupons and money off vouchers.
Euan
I think the biggest advantage of booking a villa for a family is the flexibility it will give you. You will be able to have meals in if you want to, which will cut down on the cost compared to eating out. Also days can be spent by your own pool and also many villas have games areas with pool tables, etc where the children can spend time quite happily, giving you time to relax whilts knowing your children are safe.
Linda
I'd just like to add my welcome too Hayley,
As you're already discovering there are plenty of people here who will offer advice and share their experiences.
You will have an amazing time and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. I would agree with others who say choose your accommodation wisely. This is not the area in which to cut corners but you can get a fabulous villa at a fair price.
It is very tempting to rush round and try to do everything but it is physically and mentally exhausting not to mention impossible in a couple of weeks! Probably not even possible in several months which is why visitors keep returning
Our guests too have commented that it's difficult to get the kids out of the pool! So why not just let them enjoy it and save money at the same time [msnwink]
I am planning on visiting Florida in October/November but we are staying in a hotel. I have been desperately saving clubcard vouchers for the last year with Tesco so this holiday will be free. i would prefer to stay in a villa and book last minute but as this is going to be free we are aiming on staying at Hard Rock Hotel for one week and Disney Beach club the second week.
tracey
Wow Tracey, that must be an awful lot of clubcard points [msnwink]. Those are great hotels. The 'a brit's guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World' 2007 says; 'The Hard Rock Hotel is possibly the coolest hotel in Orlando' [8D].
If you have to stay in a hotel, then it may as well be one with style, have a brilliant time.
I love these new avatars that everybody has got-they are excellent-Sandra-LOL...anyway Hayley a word about these vouchers. The first time I went to the States they were foreign to me. I felt awkward and a bit of a cheapskate using them-more fool me-Over there it's a way of life and the restaurants/diners don't even bat an eyelid. Go and enjoy if you can. When we started to price up a 4* hotel in Spain for peak summer we didn't find a lot of difference in price, and as you will have guessed from the posts-there is no other place on earth like Florida.
Wow Tracey, that must be an awful lot of clubcard points . Those are great hotels. The 'a brit's guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World' 2007 says; 'The Hard Rock Hotel is possibly the coolest hotel in Orlando' .
If you have to stay in a hotel, then it may as well be one with style, have a brilliant time.
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Not sure how to do the above in quotes!!!!
I am a Tesco and Florida Chick!!!! I am obsessed with both. I have not been saving with a holiday in mind but now I have the points I thought why not use them and do the best hotels. However, it is not booked yet and last night a friend and her children said they would like to come to florida with us in November. So if they come then it will be a villa, if they dont then it will be two luxurious hotels! will keep everyone informed!!!!
BTW if anyone wants to know how to make the most of Tesco and clubcard points PM me and I will tell you how!!
tracey
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