Every winter I escape from the frozen tundra of Michigan to the warm and sunny climate of central Florida. For the past three years, I have chosen to stay in a vacation home in Kissimmee (very close to Walt Disney World) instead of my regular Disney hotel. Because? Because a vacation home feels like a retreat and allows me to truly relax, rather than weigh myself down. I still go to the Disney parks (of course), but my day starts with a cheap breakfast cooked in my kitchen at home and possibly a dip in the pool, and ends with a movie on my big screen TV at home and a bath in the water. Hydromassage bathtub. This is a REAL vacation… I have the Disney parks for fun and the vacation home for relaxation.
This is not to say that I don’t like it or discourage others from staying at a Disney resort hotel, quite the contrary. But every vacation is different, even the ones taken by the same person. Disney resort hotel stays are great when you want to be in the middle of the magic (and avoid visiting International Drive or US-192), take advantage of property perks like Extra Magic Hours, and have easy access to hotel amenities. But when you want (or need) to relax, it’s not always the best option: When staying on property, there’s often a sense of urgency to get to the parks early and stay late (especially with nightly Extra Magic Hours). ), and tourist hotels are not usually quiet and peaceful places, due to their popularity. So what makes a vacation home so relaxing? keep reading…
Space.
Probably the most compelling reason I stay in a vacation home is the space it offers. My family can be extended without stepping on its toes. Depending on the vacation home you choose, you may have separate bedrooms for adults and children, including separate bathrooms, plus dedicated kitchens, living rooms, game rooms, TV rooms, and even a pool and Jacuzzi. There’s nothing quite as luxurious as being able to take a dip in your private pool before breakfast, or catch the morning news (or, in our case, “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”) on a big-screen TV while you cook breakfast in a large kitchen with large appliances.
On my last vacation home visit, my family and I returned to the exact same home we used the year before. I already knew that I loved the house from our previous visit, and now the house was familiar to me and my family. Vacation home has multiple bedrooms and baths, living room, kitchen, game room, home theater room, computer with internet access, washer/dryer, screened in patio with pool and hot tub, and even a game play children in the backyard. It was nice for my husband to be checking email on the upstairs computer while my son played Legos in the living room and I enjoyed a cup of coffee at the dining room table.
I should note that housekeeping is generally not included in vacation home rentals, although you can often purchase the service for an additional fee. I honestly don’t need it, I have no problem hanging my towels to dry or putting my dishes in the dishwasher. I also have to admit that I like the lack of interruptions from a housekeeper: I always find it a bit annoying when the housekeeper knocks on my hotel room door too soon, or I feel pressured to leave the room to that I can clean But if cleanliness is important to you, keep this in mind.
Separation.
All the space not only gives us some separation between us when needed (hey, when you live and work together 24/7 like my husband and I, you need a little space every once in a while!) when!), but offers separation from the hustle and bustle, too. When I came “home”, I left behind the frenzy of the parks and the glare of tourist traps. It is quiet and peaceful in a vacation home. There are no children running down the hall outside your room; no loud TVs or alarm clocks in the next room.
On my most recent trip, I really appreciated coming home at night to a quiet house. Putting my son to sleep was easy since he had his own room (he likes the dark and quiet). After he was in bed, we were in control of the house and didn’t need to worry about waking him up. When I was in the mood for a little magic, I looked out the back window and could see “Mt. Everest” (Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom) in the distance. I really felt like I could breathe easier in this vacation home.
Savings.
It’s easier to relax when you’re saving money, and vacation homes can offer great savings compared to Disney hotels. You’ll find the savings are especially great when you’re traveling with a large family or group (but of course, with all those people it might not be as relaxing!). Rates for Orlando vacation homes typically start at around $100 per night for condos/townhomes and around $200 per night for vacation homes with their own pool and spa. You can stay at a motel or (occasionally) budget Disney resort for less, but that’s about it – everything else is more expensive and generally offers MUCH less space (and beds) than a vacation home.
When you stay in a vacation home, you need to rent a car; if you normally don’t, you should factor that into cost comparisons. You may be able to get a free rental car with your vacation home rental.
The most telling factor is how I felt AFTER my vacation. Unlike most other trips, when I come home feeling like I need another vacation, after a vacation home stay I always feel well rested.