Choosing Accommodations For Your Orlando Vacation
By Karyn Kudrna, Thu Dec 8th

Copyright 2005 Karyn Kudrna

You've finally decided to take the family on the long awaitedtrip to DisneyWOrld. Now you have to decide where to stay whileyou're there. The options may seem limited, but there really aremore choices than you might think.

Important Points to Consider When Choosing Accommodations

Before you make your final decision regarding youraccommodations, there are a few factors that should be takeninto consideration. First and formost is your budget. Obviously,the larger your budget the more options that are available toyou.

You also need to consider number of people in your party. Afamily of 4 can usually fit into an average room at one of themany Disney Resort properties or an off-site hotel quitecomfortably. However, if your party is larger than 4, orincludes several families or a large group travelling togetheryou will need more space and you may want to consider anoff-site vacation home or resort condo. Another option for largefamilies is to book 2 or more adjoining rooms at a hotel.

What type of amenities are important to you and your family? Isprivacy and seclusion a high priority for you? Or are you moreconcerned with the type of amenities available to you duringyour stay? Will you have a car, either your own or a rental? Orwill you need transportation to and from the parks? Do you planon spending the majority of your vacation on Disney property, orare you interested in spending some time away from the themeparks and exploring the many other attractions central Floridahas to offer?

The answers to all of these questions will help to make yourchoice of accommodations much easier.

The Pros and Cons of On-Site Accommodations

Most first time visitors to the Orlando area choose to stay atone of the many Walt Disney World Resort Properties. Theseproperties have long had a reputation for being clean, wellmaintained, and very family friendly. The excellent serviceprovided by the Disney staff is also a big plus. Otheradvantages of staying on-site at one of the resort properties isthe use of the resort's transportation system. There is no needto rent a car if you plan on spending your entire stay at theDisney theme parks. There is an extensive transportation systemavailable to guests that will take you anywhere you want to gowithin the resort. However, if you think you may want to ventureoff-site to some of the other attractions, restaurants, or showsin the Orlando area then you will need to find your owntransportation.

Your vacation budget should also be carefully considered if youare planning on staying on-site. The resort accommodations tendto be more expensive than off-site alternatives, and rooms arelimited. It may be difficult to find availability if you areplanning your trip at the last minute.

The Pros and Cons of Off-Site Accommodations

Many visitors to the Orlando area, especially first timevisitors, are not aware of the many off-site accommodationoptions available to them. There are hotels, motels, resorts,and privately owned condos and vacation pool homes all within a10 - 15 minute drive of the parks. All of these are viablealternatives to staying within the Walt Disney World Resort.

Choosing an off-site hotel or motel can be a good alternative toon-site accoommodations. Many offer free shuttles to and fromthe theme parks and other popular area attractions. This can bevery convenient and can also save you from paying daily parkingfees. However, shuttle times can be limiting and may not fityour party's schedule. On the plus side, many guests enjoy beingable to "escape" the Disney atmosphere at the end of a long day.On the other hand, the quality of off-site hotels and motels canvary greatly and is often inconsistant, unlike the resortproperties with their high standards of excellence.

Another accommodation option that has been growing steadily inpopularity, especially among U.S. visitors to the Orlando areaare privately owned vacation homes. These homes can be bookedthrough one of the many management companies in the Orlandoarea, or even through a travel agent.

A vacation home offers guests comfort, convenience, and privacy.Often, large families or groups find

it more cost effective torent a larger vacation home rather than book 2 or more hotelsrooms. Vacation homes also offer the opportunity to save moneyon dining out, as each home comes with a fully equipped kitchenthat allows guests to prepare some, or all of their own mealsduring their stay. Many guests also appreciate the privacy thata vacation home provides.

Some vacation homes are located in resort communities and offerguests the use of all the resort amenities such as swimmingpools, fitness centers, tennis courts, and game rooms. If theseamenities are important to you, be sure to confirm that the homeyou are reserving is located in one of these resort communities.If it is not, you will still have the use of your own privateswimming pool but will miss out on the other amenities.

About the author:Karyn Kudrna has worked in the Orando area travel industry forthe past 5 years. For more information on Orlando vacationhomes please visit http://www.finest-vacation-villas.comCopyright Karyn Kudrna 2005 All Rights Reserved