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!

Make sure that the cost you are being quoted is the all inclusive price.  This may seem like an obvious question, but you would be very surprised how many people do not ask this question.  They are then left with a very sour taste in their mouths when they are suddenly confronted with additional costs.  Some people still do not read the small print and go ahead and sign almost anything.  All good tour operators and private homeowners will make the total cost very clear, but if you are unsure, it is always best to ask.  Honest homeowners will not mind you asking at all.  Ensure that VAT/ USA Tax included.

Are all sheets and towels provided or do we need to bring our own ?  It is always best to check, as some rentals expect you to bring these items. The majority of Disney World rental homes do include bed linen and towels but there may be the odd one or two that do not include these items.  It is also worth checking on hairdryers etc. as well.

How do I get to the villa or condo ?  If you’re visiting Florida for the very first time and you are not used to driving on the right hand side of the road, having to find your way to your Disney rental house can be very stressful.  It is therefore vital that the home owner provides you will very accurate instructions in finding the villa.  This is especially true if you are travelling at night.  There is nothing worse than getting lost after a long flight.  If you do have any questions, always contact the owner.  They will always be please to help.

How do we collect the keys?  This is a very important question.  Having just travelled across the Atlantic, the last thing you may want is to travel to a rental company location to collect the keys.  Sometimes the office may be closed and you will need to make phone calls.  Or, the collection point could be a long way from your villa which will involve another long drive.  This is very tiring after a long flight.  The easiest way is to have a Disney World rental home with a lock box at the house with a keycode.  Really easy, turn up at the villa and let your self in.

What time is Check-in and Check-out?  Most Florida private rental villas adhere to hotel rules, which is normally check out at 11am, with check in at 2pm.  This gives the home owners Management Company time to clean the villa.  However, if nobody is following you into the villa, most owners will let you check out late to help you with late take-off flights.

Can I bring my pet ?  This is almost always clear from the start, but if you don’t see any specific preferences, you should always ask.

Do you allow smoking in the villa ?  Once again, this is almost always clear from the start, but always ask.  Most owners do not allow smoking inside the villa but most allow it outside in the pool area.

How close are you to Disney World and the other attractions ?  This may once again seem like a logical question but some Florida private rental homes are located a long way from the parks.  Most are usually within 15 to 20 minutes drive and that is fine.  However, some may be well over 40 minutes drive which may not be to your liking.

Will the home that I book be the actual home that I will stay in?  You should always check this with the people you are considering renting from.  Many commercial sites show pictures of beautiful Disney World villas but actually allocate your actual home on arrival in Florida.  In effect this means that you do not know where you are staying until you arrive.  

What happens if something goes wrong while I’m at the villa? – Do not panic!  Before you leave home, make sure that the home owner provides you with a local phone number(s) that you can contact if there should be any problems.  Ask them if there is a call out charge for unsociable hours.  Some Management Companies can charge up to $100 for a call out in the late evening.