Hi everyone! Crazy girl here! lol

[florida4sun]

I would skip the hotel and save money, pop century is one of Disney value resorts (I have stayed there) and to be honest I would not want to spend 2-3 weeks in the same rooms as my children!!! The resort is not really onsite as such you still have to bus into the parks each day.
Try putting out an inquiry on our sites and see what comes up. there ares some lovely small villas and condos and yo will save money over a Disney hotel so may be able to get there sooner

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by madmumof2
I have actually. Was thinking maybe just 2-3 weeks in a disney hotel, then moving to a villa.

I've only ever been in a villa in kissimmee and loved it, but I wouldn't be loyal to just kissimmee. It is really nice to just do as you please with the quiet and the lizards.

What are the usual rates for a Florida villa, with pool, probably 2-3 bed, for a single person and 2 children? In July lol

I think this site will be fantastic, knowing all the changes straight away and being able to hange my plan early on.
[/quote]

[steph_goodrum]

Hi Gem and welcome to the forum. I'm sure when you do get back you will find how much everything has changed in that time. I'm sure the children will be over the moon and I bet there will be a lump in your throat when they see the places for the first time.

Just a thought but as you are planning so far in advance, do you not have any friends or relatives in the same position who might like to team up with you? That way you get a bit of adult company as well and can share the babysitting duties.

It's a good idea to save your spending money in dollars as well whilst you know what you will get but dont forget flights etc will be priced in pounds so it might be worth starting a separate fund for that, maybe an Isa or something that you can have a little money deducted each month from wages so you dont have to remember to put it in and after a couple of months you generally find that you dont count this as part of your wages so arent so tempted to dip into it.

Just ask if we can help in anyway.

[madmumof2]

Thanks for your reply LiesaAnna. Thing is, I'll be the only adult there so the disney resorts babysitting service is invaluable! lol After so long with the children 24/7 on my own, I know I'll need an hour break every now and again, which you can't get from a Villa.

I would happily spend 2-3 weeks in a Villa later though, as it's cheaper and 2 weeks without a break is easier than 5! lol

[domster]

Hi Gem,

There is nothing like forward planning!

You have the right idea by saving early. This will allow you to do everything you want to do, there is so much in Florida that being able to do everything you want is what makes it a great holiday.

There are some great villas to stay in and they will be much better than any hotel room (even if it is a Disney one).

Welcome to the forum, hopefully it will give you all the info you need.

[madmumof2]

Hi again. Thanks for your welcome!

Those are great ideas Steph. I do have a couple of people in ind to go with me (my mum and uncle mainly) but don't want to mention it yet incase I get lucky and meet the man of my dreams lol.

I'll have to pay for 2 adults anways as most places are based on 2 adults, so it'll only cost the extra theme parks tickets. I know there are deals for single parents on hotels, but they're not the hotels I want to stay in. I'd rather pay a bit extra to get what I want lol.

[steph_goodrum]

"but don't want to mention it yet incase I get lucky and meet the man of my dreams lol

I very nearly mentioned in my reply that in 5 years you never know you might have met, married and have 2 more children to take along but thought that might imply that you MUST be looking for one. As one who was brought up along with 2 brothers and 2 sisters by a single Mum from the age of 10 I know you can do just as good a job on your own and dont necessarily have to be looking for someone else.


You may find the situation different in time with regard to the single parent trips (especially as you have 2 children) because many people are objecting to the fact that they are usually based in term time and the children are penalised for being taken out of school. Some are starting to realise that they should be offered year round, but I guess if oyu plan on gooing for 5 weeks then summer holiday will be the only time to take that length of trip.

[madmumof2]

Yeah I would much rather go in october november time when it's not quite so hot and busy, but, as you say, july august is the only option I have for a 5 week trip. I'd never take them out of school for more than a week, never if I can help it.

I'm not looking now, but I will be before 5 years I imagine lol. I know I won't be having any more children though! lol 2 is plenty. Don't want to sound big headed but my kids are better off me being single, rather than having their dad around. He's a deadbeat.

Off topic, does anyone know where you can buy American stuff and get it delivered? I've been craving lucky charms for years! lol

Gem

[Kazzie]

Lucky Charms are available at Selfridges and here:

http://www.americansoda.co.uk/uk/Ame...t/default.aspx

But they are expensive!

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by madmumof2
Yeah I would much rather go in october november time when it's not quite so hot and busy, but, as you say, july august is the only option I have for a 5 week trip. I'd never take them out of school for more than a week, never if I can help it.

I'm not looking now, but I will be before 5 years I imagine lol. I know I won't be having any more children though! lol 2 is plenty. Don't want to sound big headed but my kids are better off me being single, rather than having their dad around. He's a deadbeat.

Off topic, does anyone know where you can buy American stuff and get it delivered? I've been craving lucky charms for years! lol

Gem
[/quote]

[madmumof2]

Thanks for that I ordered from them a while back but they never turned up.

[Sally D]

Hi Gem, welcome to the forum[msnsmile2]

I am not a villa owner so have nothing to gain but I would think about a villa rather than a hotel.

Having 3 girls I know that after spending a whole day in the parks and they are all hot and tired that is when the bickering can start, if we were in one room it would drive me nuts. A villa they all just go to their own rooms, peace, no arguments about tv etc.

A hotel would have to have all your meals out, a villa you have the option of eating out or in and 5 weeks would work out expensive eating out all the time. You can load the fridge/freezer up with drinks, ice cream etc for a fraction of the cost.

My girls are happy to spend the whole day in the villa pool eating ice cream and having lunch by the pool.