Florida attracts millions of tourists annually to explore unique attractions, spectacular beaches, wildlife, dining, watersports, and more. When booking your vacation, you can choose between staying at a resort hotel, renting a private residence, or renting one of thousands of available Florida vacation villas.
If it is your first time traveling to Florida for a family vacation, you may wonder which option is better. Seasoned solo travelers (or couples) who have visited Florida multiple times may feel comfortable staying ‘off the beaten path’ because they know the area well. They may not mind the extra travel time to visit all the fun Orlando attractions.
However, the considerations are different if you are a family traveling with young children and seniors. If you are packing up the entire family for the trip of a lifetime to Disney World, you want to enjoy as much fun and relaxation as possible. This is why many families stay close to all the fun activities, choosing accommodations at a Disney World Resort or nearby quality hotel rather than Florida vacation villas.
Families leaning toward renting a Florida hotel or vacation villa through VRBO or Airbnb must carefully weigh their choice of accommodations because it can either make or break your Disney vacation.
Things To Consider Before Booking Your Florida Vacation Accommodations
1. Housekeeping Duties
You have saved and organized the ultimate vacation for your family. That means time spent exploring, having fun, and relaxing together. While renting Florida vacation villas or an Airbnb may be appealing, providing the amenities and comforts of home, there is a flip side that first-time vacationers may need to consider.Â
How do you want to spend your vacation? It is nice to have large private bedrooms or a private pool (depending on the vacation home you rent). However, that also means budgeting time on your vacation for the housekeeping tasks you usually do at home.
Traveling with a small group may be fine, but larger groups mean more coordination and time spent tidying up, doing laundry, and other tasks you usually do at home. Parents deserve to have fun, too, and many first-time vacationers are surprised at the time lost to housekeeping duties when they rent a vacation home versus staying at a hotel.
2. Cooking Meals On Your Vacation
One of the benefits of renting a Florida vacation home for your Disney trip is access to a full kitchen. When traveling with a large family or group, you can save money by eating fast and easy meals at home versus dining out. Explore all the flavors that Florida has to offer with local recipes.
Kitchens in vacation homes are fully equipped with dishware, cutlery, and small appliances. However, purchasing groceries after you arrive and preparing meals requires extra time. Don’t forget to clean up after every meal—it can be a lot of work.
If you are traveling with a family, a good compromise is to consider booking a convenience suite. Be sure to check what amenities are provided in your kitchenette. Most quality hotels that offer family-friendly suites provide a coffee maker, small refrigerator, and microwave. Some villa-styled rooms have a full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher, and dual burner hotplate, allowing you to make fast and easy meals (such as a hot breakfast) for your family.
Staying at an all-inclusive Florida resort where meals are included may be the best option for families with older children. This eliminates the cost of groceries, travel time, meal preparation, and clean-up. All-inclusive resorts also allow everyone to find meals and snacks they enjoy and beverages on demand.
3. Car Rental Required And More Time Driving
Are you surprised to learn that most areas surrounding the major theme parks are full of hotels but not residential properties? If you plan to stay at a vacation home rental instead of a Florida hotel, you will need a rental car to get around.
Solo travelers, such as seniors and couples, may spend less time at significant attractions and opt to explore other areas and activities. In major metropolitan and tourist areas, there is always the option of Uber or Lyft for short trips that can cost you less than a rental car, depending on where you are staying.
Having a rental car offers many advantages. However, if it is your first time visiting Walt Disney World and you have young children, consider the imposition of traffic and parking during your fun time. Staying at the resort (or a nearby hotel offering a door-to-door free shuttle) can save you a lot of time and spare you the frustration and associated rental car costs.
4. Concerns About Safety And Security
Staying at a quality Florida hotel has many benefits, such as increased security. These properties have front desk staff, security guards, electronic key access, and 24-hour surveillance to ensure guest safety. Professional staff are onsite to address emergencies and assist when required, offering peace of mind for families traveling with young children.
Renting vacation accommodations such as Florida vacation villas on platforms like VRBO or Airbnb offers a different level of security. The locks, alarms, and emergency response systems are at the property owner’s discretion and vary depending on the location.
Florida vacation villas are not licensed or regulated like commercial properties regarding local fire and safety codes. By comparison, vacation homes have higher risks of theft and break-ins. If there is an emergency, the renter is responsible for taking action without the security protocols and concierge assistance you would receive as a hotel guest.Â
If your hotel accommodations are faulty, the resort will move you to a different room. If you arrive at your Airbnb or vacation home rental and the air conditioning is not working or a major appliance is broken, you must rely on the Host (property owner) to fix it during your stay. Unexpected issues with a vacation home rental can damper your holiday fun.
5. No Onsite Free Activities For Families At Florida Vacation Villas
Many resort hotels offer onsite family-friendly activities for guests. If you take a rest day and stay in to enjoy the amenities, children can enjoy various safe and fun activities. Some resorts have spectacular outdoor recreation areas, including kiddie pools, splash parks, and slides, allowing parents to enjoy some relaxation time.
Finding Florida vacation villas with a pool can be challenging. There are fewer than you think, and they book quickly during peak vacation months. Having access to pools, hot tubs, and water recreation activities to recharge after a busy day at Walt Disney World is money well spent.Â
Are You Really Economizing By Staying At Florida Vacation Villas Instead Of A Hotel?
The decision is based on personal preferences and the itinerary of activities you plan to enjoy while vacationing in Florida. For some people, the exclusivity and privacy of renting a Florida vacation home is worth the extra costs and potential inconvenience.
Other travelers prefer arriving at a resort, unpacking, and having fun with less daily maintenance and work. They also enjoy the concierge assistance and added security of staying at a Florida hotel or vacation resort, instead of Florida vacation villas.
Make the best choice that suits your needs and budget. Our team at Florida Hotels Guide provides expert recommendations to help you make the most of your vacation. Contact us for more information regarding accommodations, family-friendly activities, and cost-saving tips.
