So you’re thinking of booking Orlando holiday villas but can’t decide whether they are better than hotels for your vacation package. In the Disney area there are hundreds of both sorts of accommodation to choose from so which best suits your plans and budget? What are the pros and cons of each option?

The best known hotels are the resort hotels in Disney World and these may be your best option if you have a small group or if you intend to use almost all of your vacation in Orlando out and about in Walt Disney’s theme parks. Check out the vacation package deals that give you park passes as part of the total cost and compare this to your expenses if you had to buy tickets separately. Factor in the benefits of free transportation (although some local hotels offer free shuttle buses) and extended park hours (if applicable) and this could be the best option for your budget.

Staying in a hotel with free theme park transportation can reduce the cost of your vacation as there is no need to hire a car if you have flown into Orlando. Even for those visitors who drive down, once here they can leave their car in the parking lot and not have to pay money for parking and gas.

Some families prefer to stay in a hotel so that the children can find playmates when playing at the hotel pool. For some parents this takes the pressure off having to keep the kids amused all the time and it often helps stop the squabbling between siblings if there is someone else to play with. Many of the hotels often have other activities like video games or pool tables or ping pong which help to stop the kids getting bored.

If you choose a well known chain of hotels for your Orlando vacation – Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton or similar – you can generally count on the fact that the quality is going to be reliable. The ability to pay for your hotel accommodation by credit card gives you some security in case things are not as promised when you made the reservation and you need to charge the cost back.

Compared to all of this, does an Orlando holiday villa offer any advantages?

Well, one major benefit with an Orlando holiday villa could be the price. It all depends on your party size and sleeping arrangements. For example, a four bedroom three bathroom vacation home or condo could sleep as many as ten people at a price that’s far less than the three or four hotel rooms that would be otherwise be required. Just as important to many parents is that they get their own room, as they do at home, because a vacation home provides separate bedrooms for the children.

The flexibility a vacation home offers, especially not having to eat all your meals in a restaurant, is something many people find appealing. All vacation homes in Orlando have a fully equipped kitchen so you can have a snack or a drink any time you want without getting ready and going to the nearest restaurant or fast food place.

Unless you have more stamina than most, there will be some days when you want to take some time out and relax. Most rental villas have a private screened swimming pool plus pool toys and towels for renters to use. Some owners of single family vacation homes have installed games rooms so that renters can play pool, darts, ping pong or foosball. And many villas contain multiple television sets and DVD players so different family groups can watch different programs at the same time. What more could you ask for?

So when you are booking a vacation, choose the option that best meets your accommodation needs, a hotel or Orlando holiday villas.