Aussie Family 1st time to Orlando

**forans** · 06-02-2009, 05:42

Gidday' all, I am bringin my family over to Orlando in April and was hoping you guy's can give me some advise. I will be renting a villa or house etc. for 10 days from the 12th to the 22nd. Not having been to Florida before I have absolutely no idea where the best location would be for us. I am keen on a gated community with good facilities and as close as possible to the Disney parks as we intend to spend at least 6 days there. I am hoping to use a shuttle bus service for Disney parks. I am looking for easy access to good shops as well. We are also planning 2 days in universal & a day at Kennedy space centre maybe car hire for these days. Sorry for asking all this but can anyone offer some good advise?
Regards
Shane

**mfairhurst** · 06-02-2009, 06:38

Wecome to the forum Shane you will enjoy FLORIDA it is a lot different them Australia and easier access to lots of shops and eating places .
If you hire a car for all the time it is well worth it as you will see more .
We have been to the place you live and know you have to travel a long way and no Disney World .
Look through the villas on these sites and they are all verfied so you know that you book with a owner .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx

**MarkJan** · 06-02-2009, 11:15

Now that is a long way to travel, but worth it. I would suggest hiring a car for all of your stay as it will make your trip to and from the airport easier and give you so much more freedom than relying on shuttle busses. Not everyone will agree though.

**Katys Grandad** · 06-02-2009, 11:20

Welcome!

Just out of interest, what's the route from Australia to Florida?

**sundowner** · 06-02-2009, 14:19

Welcome to the forum Shane. You have made a good start by deciding what sort of community you would like to be on and the villas on this site are all close to Disney and Universal. If you did not want to hire a car it might make things a little more difficult for you as waiting for buses and taxis etc can take a good deal of time out of your day.

That said, you will have a great time in Orlando and it will be worth the trip. Your biggest regret might be not staying longer, especially with the travelling you have to do to get there.

**owen3** · 06-02-2009, 15:09

Welcome to the forum Shane, i think it would be better to hire a car.
Phil i think they would fly over the Pacific.
Barbara

**melfrank** · 06-02-2009, 17:59

Definitely hire a car.
Indian Creek is one of the closest to Disney and handy for the 192-loads of restaurants.

**forans** · 07-02-2009, 00:50

Thank you all for your feedback.
Katys Grandad, we are flying non stop to JFK from Sydney (21hrs), we then fly the next day to Buffalo and stay 3 nights in Niagara, we then fly from Buffalo to Orlando for 10 nights then back to NYC for 7 nights.
Sounds like we'll need a car for the whole stay in Orlando. Anyone suggest the best hire deals for cars?

melfrank - Thanks for your suggestion, Indian creek looks ok.

What is the 192 like? I know its a main road but what can we find there close to the villas?

**lafifille** · 07-02-2009, 00:59

Hi Shane and welcome to the forum.

To rent a car in Florida, you'll get the best deal with the website you can see up this page: click on "florida car hire". They do other parts of the US too if you need a car on the other parts of your trip. We're going to Kansas after Florida and they're cheaper there too.

21 hours, wow... you certainly do hope you'll get good inflight entertainment and food [msnwink]...

Nathalie.