Most of the helpful tips apply to most villas, has most owners like to try and add a little extra to help out, with your holiday, we know and understand that it is expensive when you have children.

In our kitchen units next to the cooker you will find different kind of beakers example would be a beaker from “Blizzard Beach Park” – to buy in the park these are around $12.00 once you have brought one you can refill your cup all day long “free” IF YOU take the ones in the villa you can “BUY A BAR CODE” for the cup. And it will only cost around $6.00 and still fill them up all day long …..Half the price!!! Allowing you, extra dollars to spend elsewhere.

In most of the parks you can also buy a meal deal ticket each, around $20.00/$30.00 buy it in the morning and eat all day long……make it good Value for money.

If you buy things out of the parks (hats, tops, teddies ect) ask if your day ticket gives you a discount…(10%)

When you start packing remember there no need to pack any towels at all, there are plenty of towels in our villa for the bathrooms, some children’s picture beach towels to use around the pool or to take to the beach, I’ve also left out a couple of picnic box’s for you to use and kept in the freezer are the ice Blocks to keep your picnic cool, in the garage you will also find a couple of beach chairs to take.

In most of the villas nowadays including ours, the garage normally holds children’s activity games such as pool or snooker, air hockey. These do come in handy for the wet days in Florida or the days that the parents really do need a rest day.. Also again including our, a lot of the villas will have WIFI or internet access.

We very often drive to St Cloud which is an easy run on the 192 and you get to experience a much laid back way of life. During our last visit we came across a free local paper that I think is worth its weight in gold. It’s called “Orange Peel Gazette” and it advertises itself as “The hottest little paper in town”.

It has a mind field of information in it plus articles, adverts and quiz’s.  Local handy men are cheaper to hire and as a property owner, invaluable for finding local business that are just a phone call away and who actually turn up to give you a quote.

We were looking through and found this brilliant Seafood restaurant, called “One Eyed Grouper”.

It’s on Canoe Creek Road, behind Winn-Dixie Plaza and is open 7 days a week. You can get, oysters, grouper, clams, crab, and even gator bites, they also do burghers and ribs for the kids if they do not want to be adventuress enough to tackle the gator bites. (I love them)

They also do an “All you can eat” Fish and fries at $9.95 before 6pm. Mondays special is dinner for two at only $11.99. Very good value for money and you will definitely need a siesta around the pool after trying the all you can eat.

This little paper gives you everything from local barbers, locksmiths and where to get your BBQ apron embroidered.

One I liked the best was an article about  what to do if you are ice fishing and your car breaks through the ice in water more than  fifty feet deep. “Remember to exhale slowly as you descend to avoid bursting your lungs. Also to watch out for “Walleye” and if possible, note their approximate depth and what they are feeding on”!!

Last thing you would be able to do when your freezing cold, wet, and fighting for breath is to watch for Walleye!

Pick a paper up the next time you drive through St Cloud, you will be fascinated by it.

Jackie Wakelin

We stayed in a hotel room which had no fridge and had to keep his milk in an ice bucket we were constantly topping up; we put him to bed at 7pm and sat in the dark and silence until we thought he was asleep and it was safe to put the TV on (with subtitles, because we couldn’t risk any volume), and we worried ourselves sick about how we were to find healthy child-friendly meals for him while having to eat out every single meal.

What saved our sanity was discovering the huge benefits of renting (and more recently owning) our very own villa.

The standard of villas for rent in Orlando, Florida is truly outstanding. The villas at Cumbrian Lakes are all equipped to a higher standard than our own home. The kitchens include every appliance you could need, meaning as parents we can shop at the local supermarkets and prepare and store exactly the meals that we know our toddler will eat. Villas range from three bedrooms to six (or even more) so no matter how large your family, the children can go off to a comfortable bed at their usual time, leaving you to enjoy a really relaxed evening, watching a movie, savouring an al fresco barbecue or even lapping up a soak in the spa.

In addition, the vast majority of villas have their own private pools, with child guards and child-proof alarms on the external doors, meaning you have the perfect on-site activity for all the family to enjoy. Many villas include a games room, which is ideal for older children, as well as a collection of DVDs, books and board games.

Cumbrian Lakes has its own children’s play area, three lakes which are home to baby alligators, turtles and numerous sea birds, and nature walks and bike tracks – all within a secure gated community.

There are people out there who probably balk at the idea of a holiday where you do your own cooking and washing up, but having discovered the freedom, flexibility and the standard of accommodation this style of holiday affords, we will never go back to hotels – not even after the kids leave home!

We have just received these very interesting views from our latest guests, concerning the cost of our villa rental to their last visit to Florida, when they stayed in a Hotel.

Having compared our total cost of our last visit to Florida when we stayed in a Hotel on International Drive, we have found that we were most definely better off staying at a villa. With the exchange rate being so much down on our last visit the savings we have made on our food budget alone makes sense. Eating out for Breakfast, Tea & Dinner for 14 nights was a great lump of our spending money. This year, being able to shop for what we wanted and fancied for our meals meant the kids didn’t waste our money on half eaten meals. We could eat before we went ot the Parks and when we returned the BBQ was brilliant. With the villa being so close to Disney, we even returned to the villa a couple of times for tea and a swim, then back to the Park as our parking tickets were still valid and the stamp on our wrists let us back in without any problems. The extra Dollars we saved on food went on a little more shopping which makes you feel as though you have had a good deal.

The comments are a real plus for us as they hopefully intend to return again next year. We have also decide to point out these benefits in our replies to all of future enquiries we receive.

Regards,

Mary/Larry  

Are you are looking for all the comforts of home but with all the services provided by a good standard hotel.  Have you ever stopped to think how wonderful it would be if you could have all of this ?

Well it really is possible by renting a vacation home.  Try Googling ”Florida vacation rental”.  You will find so many homes that you can stay in that will provide everything you are looking for.  A fabulous “home from home” far away from all the other holidaymakers in a hotel.

Next time you are planning a vacation, please take a look at all the wonderful homes that are available to rent.  We spent quite a few years staying in hotels, and then one year we hired a house.  We have never stayed in a hotel again.  To my family, this is the only way to have a fantastic holiday.  You really do get the best of both worlds.

There are of course several types of home in many locations in and around the Disney area.  They vary in size from 1 bedroom condo’s (sleeping 2) up to 7 bedroom villas (sleeping up to 16).  Most villas will have a private pool, some will have a spa and/or a games room.  Some also look out over open spaces or golf courses.  It really does depend on what you personally are looking for, but rest assured all will have the creature comforts that a hotel cannot hope to provide, and surprisingly at a very reasonable cost.

Like my wife and I some years ago, I am sure you will be thinking that these villas will cost an extortionate amount of money and they are only for the rich.  Not so.  Most rental homes are priced very reasonable and most families will be able to afford them.  If you look closely at the prices, you will find that they are in fact very reasonably priced compare to a good quality hotel.

They can accommodate a variety of people, not just single families but groups of friends and relatives.  They have king bedded rooms, double rooms, twin and single rooms, all just waiting for you to come along and have your dream vacation.

The best part though is actually splitting the cost down by person to arrive at what you will find is great value.  Some homes can cost as little as $10 per person per day.  For example, in low season, a four bedroom home sleeping up to 10 will cost around $700 per week including pool heating.  That is $100 per day, equaling just under $10 per person.  A good quality hotel room for 4 will cost around $60 per night, equal to $420 per week.  As there are 10 of you, you will need 3 rooms making a total of $1260 – OVER twice the price of a villa.

We have all heard of the expression “location ,location, location”.  Well, you will often find that in a hotel, that “location” will mean close to a major road or intersection as this brings in the most income for the hotel.

This is fine until it is time to “turn in” at night and then you are kept awake by all the traffic noise from outside.  A very thick pillow or ear plugs are often the best remedy.

The best part about vacation homes is that they are nearly always located in quiet suburbs with very little traffic but are still close to all the attractions (Disney, Sea World, Universal Studios etc), Our own home is located in a “dead end”  with minimal traffic and is therefore ideal for families with smaller children.  In many cases they will be in beautifully landscaped, resort style communities that may even have a view or a lake or conservation view.  If you are a family that likes these communal developments, they can range from very quiet and simple community lounges through to fully equipped lifestyle resorts with large communal swimming pools, man made beaches, fully equipped gyms, spa, cinema, children’s play areas.

Most vacation homes will have a very high level of facilities including private pool, large comfortable living areas, dining areas, fully equipped kitchen, garage, televisions, dvd player, laundry facilities, internet access etc.

One of the best parts about taking a vacation in a villa is that within a few hours, you feel just like you are a home.  You begin to unwind and then your vacation really starts.  After a tiring but enjoyable day in the parks, come home, go for a dip in your own pool, get a beer from fridge (or make a coffee), then curl up on the sofa to watch a favourite dvd.  You can really escape from it all.

If you haven’t yet tried this alternative to a hotel, then please give it a try.  We can assure that you will not be disappointed. You will have the vacation of a lifetime without having to share it with hundreds of other holidaymakers sharing the hotel.  You have vacation home all to yourself.

Phil and Sue Cornish have travelled extensively in Florida and in 1990 purchased their first home in Kissimmee.

These “vacation rental homes” (villas as the Brits call them) usually sleep upwards of 10 (in the 4 BR/2BA variety) and are spacious enough to accommodate two families on vacation (holiday as the Europeans call it). That is a significant savings and the Europeans have been taking advantage of this for years! Savings continue by not having to eat every meal in a restaurant.

When we are on vacation (holiday), our kids want their favorite breakfast cereal and milk along with watching TV when at home, but always seem to order foods in restaurants that they never seem to like or finish. And it usually costs way too much. Get dressed, drive around looking for food, and wait in line to eat breakfast out with a family of 5 and you will easily spend $25 or more.

Enjoy a lazy morning in your rented home, then let the kids jump in the pool while you plan the rest of your day. Saves time, saves trouble and saves money! First, there are no lines, no carts no check-in. They knew you were coming and the key is waiting. You pull up to the garage and you’ve pulled up to the front door. You are treated like royalty – you are on the first floor and the views are usually more than just a parking lot. You don’t get one room with two double beds and a single small bathroom. Awaiting you are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, a villa that sleeps 10 comfortably. Add to that all the comforts of home and a private screened-in heated pool. You are off to a “royal” start.

Most of these homes are in residental short term rental neighborhoods and are close to grocery stores and all the main attractions. Disney is usually no further than any of the hotels. Enjoy the Parks – Enjoy your Rental Home! The kids want to get up early. Fine, they have the whole house to themselves. Most homes multiple televisions as well as Playstation, Xbox or other console games - which the kids get to play, far away from you. Close the bedroom door and it is just the two of you. Have a relaxed morning breakfast or family dinner on your schedule and not on some restaurant’s waiting list timetable.

Now that is how a family vacation should be! So, consider renting a home the next time you head down to Disneyworld. You may never go back to renting a cramped hotel room again.

I get asked this a lot……In a reasonable quality hotel you could pay from $40 - $150 per night for 1 room! This room contains 2 x beds, 1 x bathroom, 1x TV and a fridge if you pay for it. In a typical Florida Villa you will find at least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, your own kitchen, fridge and laundry, a separate sitting room TV’s in all the bedrooms. Plenty of space for the whole family, ability to come and go in your own time, a swimming pool or jacuzzi, free telephone calls. And it will not cost as much the the most expensive hotel above. No choice really…..villa everytime!

1. Information & Assistance

The owner will have travelled to Florida on many occasions and in the majority of cases will be more than happy to help you with any aspect of your trip. He or she will provide you with a full information pack and will be happy to answer any questions about the home, the resort or Florida in general.

2. Know where you are going

If you happen to book a villa through a Travel Agent you will more then likely be ‘allocated on arrival’. How can you plan your vacation if you don’t know exactly where you will be staying before your travel? Also, you will need to quickly follow directions to find the Management Company’s office and then the villa. Not ideal after a long flight to Florida! If you book with the owner direct, you’ll find that in most cases you will be able to go direct to the villa to collect the key at the door and you will have seen directions / maps before you even stepped on the plane.

3. Comfort & Space

So, after a long trip and you are still adjusting to the time difference, do you really want woken up by kids in the next hotel room at 5am? No? Then book a villa. You have your own spacious house with its own pool, kitchen, laundry facilities etc etc. Its home from home and you can spend as much or as little time there as you want. The kids can play all day in the pool if they want and you can relax and watch. No need to gather all your belongings & make the trek to the pool and if you forget the sun cream …. just nip back inside. No need to trek all the way back to your room or apartment at the other side of the hotel.

4. Extras

Many vacation homes have games rooms, ADSL, safes and free phone calls included as well as many other extras. The games rooms often have pool tables, foosball and or table tennis. These are fantastic facilities to keep the kids entertained (and the parents!) on the odd rainy day. If you need to keep in touch by e-mail, most home now include wireless internet connections and some even have a PC for you to use.

5. Price

If you are travelling with just your own family then a 3 Bed villa will often work out at a similar price to a hotel room for a week. If there is a bigger group (6 or more), you will often find a villa works out at great value for money. Consider this ….

You rent a 5 bedroom villa at $1,000 per week for 10 people. That’s only $100 each per week or $14.29 per night!! That has to be fantastic value for money in any language when you consider the size & quality of facility you are renting.

Have a great vacation!

There are a wide range of options just for accommodation, but many people end up choosing between a cheap motel or a Florida villa.

A cheap motel often appears the cheapest option. However it may end up costing you more that you think. For the ‘bargain’ price your family will often have to spend the week living in one room, sharing 1 bathroom and taking it in turns to choose the channel on the TV. You may find yourself eating out more often, or seeking extra entertainment just to escape from your hotel room. This may end up costing you more than a luxury villa, which can provide more enjoyment.

By renting a villa the right size for your group the per person per night cost can be very low. This is particularly true if you are a family/group of more than 4. There are plenty of bedrooms, bathrooms and living space, not to mention the outdoors areas. Most have their own private pools, which can be heated in winter, together with toys for the children, DVDs, numerous TVs, Playstation and even their own games room.

You may find you family enjoys chilling out by the pool. We certainly find the time just flies doing nothing in particular, and in the villa everyone can find something to suit them, rather than everyone having to do the same thing. Remember it is a holiday – not an endurance test!

Families with young children will enjoy a rest day every so often between theme park visits. It’s not only the children that get tired!. We always visit the parks early in the morning, come home to the villa for the afternoon (Yes – it really does feel like home after just a day or two!), and then return to the parks refreshed for the evening. With so much entertainment on your own doorstep, you will find you pay much less for entertainment elsewhere.

Just because you have a fully equipped kitchen, you don’t need to cook every night – or even any night. Most villas are located with easy access to the main tourist areas in Orlando, so you can visit a local restaurant, or eat in the parks. Alternatively you could dial a take-away, rustle up a very simple meal at home or enjoy a pool side barbecue. You can even prepare a packed lunch to take to the parks, saving on food bills there. At the very least you can take drinks and snacks straight from your refrigerator, or take them with you into the parks. Without having to pay to eat out all the time, or to pay for meals you just don’t fancy, you may find you have saved considerably on your overall holiday food bills.

So when you choose your type of accommodation, be sure to look at the overall cost your holiday – taking into account the food cost savings and the entertainment cost saving when staying in a villa.

Of course it doesn’t all come down to cost. A villa can feel like home, offer you a place of tranquillity away from the hubbub of the parks, a time to spend quality time as a family and the opportunity to truly relax.

The choice is yours so make it the right one for you – but there’s no going back for us and indeed we own two villas in Florida so we are spoilt for choice!