Hi everyone! Crazy girl here! lol

[madmumof2]

Hi everyone. I'm Gem and I have 2 children, nearly 5 and 2 1/2.

Like a lot of you I guess, I can't begin to describe how much I adore Florida. I normally feel quite pathetic telling people, so hopefully I can brag away here? lol

This will probably sound completely crazy, and a lot of you won't think I can do it, but I've just started planning our holiday for July............2013!

I figured out how much I need to save for the holiday of a lifetime and it will be 5 years! It will be worth it though, as we'll be doing everything. 5 weeks in pop century, going to all the theme parks and attractions, swimming with dolphins, everglades, car, dinner shows, tonnes of shopping, you name it, we're doing it lol

I've decided to save dollars instead of keeping in an account because 1) I wouldn't trust myself not to dip in for five whole years lol and 2) the pound is so strong at the minute it's not only saving, but a good investment lol

I hope you don't think I'm wacky. Anyone who knows me in rl knows I'll do it. I can't afford yearly holidays so instead will give my kids a once in a lifetime trip. And me of course!

I;ve been twice myself befre, once for 5 weeks, once for 3 and have always been heartbroken when I've left.

If you've got this far, well done. You'll probably have to get used to me rambling on about Florida. Sorry! lol

Hope to get to know you all well over the next few years.

Gem

[LiesaAnna]

Hi Gem,
welcome to the friendliest orlando villas forum....
wow to booking a little in advance.... we all know how fast time goes by especially when watching countdown timers... but it will give you loads of time to save some lovely money in order to do everything....awwww this is so exciting, good luck in your quest to sort it all out, where will you stay? villa or hotel, many beautiful villas to rent on here and some great prices to, and all villas are verified on here so you know everything is legitimate and above board, everyone is so helpful..... good luck[high5]

[caroline]

Welcome Gem!

WOW I'm impressed with your forward planning! Your children will have a fabulous time - our youngest had his 8th birthday in Florida on our first trip there and it was great as he was big enough to go on all the rides.

5 weeks will be amazing and give you time to fit lots in[msnsmile2]

[another]

Hi Gem and welcome to the forum. You will have so much fun planning your Florida adventure and you have found a great place to start by joining the forum [msnsmile2]

[mizzy]

hello and welcome to the forum [msnsmile]

[mfairhurst]

HI GEM
Hope your savings go well ,It is worth it in the end and your children will have something to look forward to .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx

[madmumof2]

Hi. Thanks for the great welcome!

We were planning on staying in the Pop century resort in Disney. Looks brilliant and it has a babysitting service! Wouldn't normally need it but I'm a single mum and 5 weeks is a loooong time to spend without a break so that's a must. Obviously I don't know what will happen in the next five years so may change to a villa at a later date.

I stayed in Kissimmee the first time I went in a villa. It really was lovely.

I know it sounds far fetched but I'm so determined. I wouldn't have gone any earlier if I had the money now as I want my children to enjoy and remember it.

Did someone say your 8 year old went on all the rides? This is something I was looking into recently. Height restrictions are between 36 and 56 cm I think? I've got no idea what the average 8 year old is (which will be the age of my youngest when we go). It's be fantastic if she could go on everything. It would have been another year if she was restricted too much.

I've got a big folder with so much info in it that will inevitably change every few months, but I'm happy to keep updating it lol. It's got a contents page there's that much stuff there.

I'm so excited even though it's years away! I've been planning it for a few months now already and the excitment still hasn't gone. I just hope I don't build myself up too much, or end up getting depressed when it's all over! lol

No doubt I'll really enjoy this forum. I could look at the pictures forever, alone.

Gem

[Lynnes]

Hi and welcome to the forum. You are certainly planning early but hey why not. Enjoy the planning and the holiday will be fantastic. At least by being on this forum you will learn all that is happening in Disney and Florida in general - a mine of information.

[canarypam]

Welcome to the forum Gem ! 5 weeks will be great have you considered renting a villa for some of that time? [msnsmile2]

[madmumof2]

I have actually. Was thinking maybe just 2-3 weeks in a disney hotel, then moving to a vilaa.

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.