Your questions about our Florida 3 and 4 bed luxury vacation villas near Disney and Universal attractions

FAQ's and Money saving ideas
The most frequently asked questions about our villas and how to save cash

Q: What do I need to bring?

A: Everything in the way of linen, towels, cutlery and utensils are provided, so you only need to bring your personal items with you. Your first soaps and toilet rolls are supplied, and Hairdryers are provided in both bathrooms, but you will need to purchase any subsequent items. Depending on who has occupied the villa before, there are normally assorted cleaning supplies to carry on with, but replacements are in your hands.

Q: Can I bring my own electrical items?

A: Most modern electrical items work on dual voltage, but check first. Remember that American voltage is under half of the UK's at 110 volts, so some items might work more slowly than at home.

Also remember that American plumbing uses a smaller bore system, so only tissues can be flushed away safely. This is important as call out charges to unblock toilets are your responsibility and can be expensive as well as inconvenient.

Q: What about rubbish?

A: The dustbin is stored in the garage, and the bins are emptied on Tuesday and Friday, collected by the roadside at the end of your drive.

Q: Why Security deposits?

A: 95 percent of our guests receive the full refund on their security deposit, but you are responsible for any damage or breakages while staying in the villa. Once you leave, if you have not reported anything to the management, they will inspect the property for any damage and inform us.

Q: How do I get into the property when we arrive?

A: There is a lock box on the door handle and you are given the code once you have paid your final balance. Only one key is provided so take care with it. When departing on your final day please ensure that you have put it back in the lock box.

Q: What about alarms?

A: The house is protected by an alarm system and you are given the codes when you pay your final balance.

Q: Why do you have pool alarms on the patio doors?

A: For some time now it has been Florida law that patio doors leading out to the pool are alarmed to stop very young children wandering out to the pool unsupervised, and this system works very well. It is not connected to the main alarm box and works off of batteries, so check it on your arrival and if it is not working simply ring the management company to replace the batteries. The procedure is simple; you just press the grey button once and then open the patio doors. You have roughly 15 seconds to exit and then close the patio door before the alarm goes off. If it does, or to re-enter, simply press again. (This only applies to the dining room patio doors as the patio doors in the quiet room are permanently locked, so cannot be accessed.)

Q: What about air conditioning?

A: The whole house has A/C and every room has a ceiling fan. The thermostat is set by the management and should not be interfered with by the guests. In summer the A/C keeps the house cool and in winter it is set to heating instead, so always contact the management if you are not happy with the settings.
The patio door with the pool alarm and the bathroom leading out to the pool as well as the garage door have sensors linked to the AC which shut off the AC if left open, so if you want the house kept cool, keep all doors to the outside shut.

Q: What about the pool temperature?

A: We have a solar heated pool, which means we have free heat from the sun for most of the year. Most pool complaints are as a direct result of people tampering with the controls of the pool, so they should not be touched. If you think there is something wrong, contact the management who will see to it.
A pool blanket is provided and apart from the height of summer, this should be put on every night, or left on when not in use. If you arrive at the start of your holiday and find it off, put it on as soon as possible. That way your pool will be a delight to you and your family.

Q: What if we arrive in the dark?

A: In practical terms, by the time you have landed, cleared customs, found your car and then driven to Poinciana, it will be dark. There are sensor lights once you are on the driveway, and a timer operated light should be on in the lounge, so don't turn it off when you retire as it will switch itself off and be ready for the next evening. Each bedroom has bedside lamps that are switched on from the doorway and one that is switched on from the bed, but if you switch the lamp controlled by the wall off at the lamp, it will not operate the next time you try to use it from the wall( hope this makes sense!)

Q: What about laundry?

A: There is a washing machine and tumble dryer in the garage as well as an iron.

Q: How do I use the appliances?

A: Most of them are straight forward, but should be a black folder in the kitchen drawer
( hopefully) which has instructions for the appliances.

Q: Where do I buy birdseed?

A: In any of the Wall Marts or K Marts along the 192. It is around $5 for a large bag.
The birds also appreciate bread and other goodies you may have left. One word of warning however, be sure that you do not leave big food out as you will have raccoons and armadillos for company!

Q: How does the TV setup operate?

A: We have a unit containing a large TV, a video player, DVD player and a stereo CD unit. Each has a remote and the operation is quite simple; Only use the TV remote to power the set (it is left on channel 3) then use the satellite remote for the channels. The video and DVD both override the satellite so do not need another channel to play on. The DVD sound is routed through the stereo, so to listen to the surround sound from the DVD, turn on the stereo and using the function button select video for the sound. You cannot access pay per view movies as these options are not available.

Q: What about attraction tickets?

A: If you have not bought them in the UK beforehand, you will find the name of our ticket agent on the fridge door, and they guarantee to match any price you have been given
( with proof of course!)

Q: How far are the shops?

A: You are luckier than many estates between us and the attractions in that we have an enormous range of shops only 5 minutes away.

Useful Information to save money so you can rent one of our homes instead

If you need to use the phone then it is cheaper to purchase a prepaid calling card from one of the supermarkets e.g. Wal*Mart or Publix than to use your credit card.

A number of restaurants, such as Shoneys, Ponderosa, Sizzler, Golden China etc. do all-you-can eat buffet meals. It is good if you are a big eater, just enjoy variety or the kids are fussy eaters (at least if they do not like something they can go and help themselves to something else.

Ask for iced water if you don’t really want any thing else – it’s free and quenches your thirst.

Check for discount coupons, you rarely have to pay full price for anything!
Strollers cost approx. $7 dollars a day to hire in the parks, you also have to queue to hire the stroller and return it to get back your deposit. Taking your own stroller, which most airlines will carry free of charge is easier and cheaper.

There is a Disney discount store located in Belz Outlet at the top of International Drive.
We have purchased attraction tickets, even Disney tickets cheaper from the discount ticket stalls and had no problems.

Say no to having a full tank of petrol in your hire car, you will pay over the odds for the fuel. Just return the car full.

We take drinks into the parks to save purchasing in the parks. Drinks usually cost approx. $2.50 for a 24 oz bottle of soda. The parks also provide water fountains.

Take some snacks for the kids, it’s cheaper than buying snacks inside.

People tend to dress casual in the parks, so don’t go over board on holiday clothes, you can also buy things out there probably cheaper!. In addition, the villa has washing and drying facilities, so you only need take a few changes of clothes, save all the washing when you get back!

You can purchase rain macs from the parks for approx. $6 plus tax, or if you’ve got a light weight rain coat then take that instead.

Some restaurant chains (Denny’s for example) often have days when kids eat free when accompanied by an adult.

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