No matter how old you are, there is always lots to explore, see and do in Florida and Orlando. Whether it’s day trips to the theme parks or visits to Daytona beach, one thing you can be certain of is action-packed days. When you are planning a trip, you want to cover as many bases as possible, because when you do this you guarantee a vacation or trip that is then tailored around you and your loved ones.
Why the Perfect Resort Matters
You may think that the resort or hotel you stay in is simply a base during your vacation, however, you would be wrong. The resort that you select will set the tone for the whole of your vacation. If you do not get the right resort, it will affect how your vacation flows, and it may ultimately affect the level of enjoyment and happiness you get. So, getting it right (from the start) is important. However, how do you get it right, and what considerations must you take into account?
Step 1. Giving Yourself Time to Plan and Research
Source:unsplash.com, posted June 11th 2015, Green Chameleon
Making Lists and writing down what you want will help plan and research your trip
To get this selection right from the outset, you need to give yourself an adequate amount of time to plan and research the resorts that you are interested in. If you rush a decision or you base it on second-hand information, you may regret it later down the line. So, ideally, you want to give yourself at least a couple of weeks to researchthe resorts on offer. Giving yourself this time and breathing space will also give you the opportunity to get questions answered. Your plans for your trip may dictate that you need to move around resorts, or they may dictate that you need to stay off-site to take advantage of all the parks and attractions. Simply making a rash decision could mean you end up with a resort that is too far out of Disney, or too close to enjoy any calm.
Step 2. The Location of the Resort
The location of the resort will set you up for your journey in Orlando and Florida, so just where do you want your resort to be based. Do you want to be a few minutes away from all of the parks? Do you want to be in central Kissimmee? Or would you like to be located closer to a beach? What is important to you and your trip when it comes to location? If a location feels isolated or disconnected, then it may affect transport links and this may mean you may not be able to get around as quickly, or as easily as you would like. When you are considering and even ruling out locations, you need to think about what you want to see in a certain location and see if you can move easily should you want to.
Step 3. Choosing a Well Known Resort and Brand
You have been waiting for this trip for a while, and you want to ensure that standards are high at the resort that you select. To ensure you get quality every time you need to visit site and choose a well-known resort and brand. When it comes to selecting a branded resort, you want to be sure that high standards are met each day – after all the last thing you want to be doing is worrying about the cleanliness or level of service at your resort. If you do not go with a well-known brand, you may be left feeling disappointed and you may be left with a little cloud over the rest of your trip. When you stick to names and brands that you know, you can certainly rest a lot easier, and give yourself that added level of security and peace of mind.
Step 4. Amenities and Facilities Offered
Not all resorts will have a lot of facilities and amenities on offer and ultimately this could impact your choice. Being able to go for a swim at any time or having a choice of eateries available at your disposable is important. If you have to keep leaving your resort to get the amenities and facilities that you want you will grow tired and become frustrated, and ultimately this will impact the whole feel of your trip. When looking at facilities and amenities, really consider what you want and need. For example, is a free shuttle bus a necessity for you and those you are traveling with? Is a water park necessary for your young kids? Do you want a selection of eateries and you need variety as you have fussy eaters? Do you have expectations of rooms and suites, and do they feel fit for purpose. If you are visiting Orlando and Florida for more than a week, you will want your resort to feel like a home away from home – so make sure it has everything you like, need and want.
Step 5. Transport Links and Connections
Source: unsplash.com, posted on March 19th 2020, Giorgio Trovato
Is car hire essential for your trip?
The resort that you choose must be well connected, and it must be easily accessible. If you are hiring a car, you want to be sure that it is easy to locate from all intersections. You also need to look at other connections on offer too – especially if you do not want to hire a car or use another vehicle. For example, is the resort connected via a monorail or via a shuttle? Or is there a bus service nearby? If you do not have a car to move around inhow will you see everything you want to in Orlando and Florida? Are you just going to rely on cabs and lift shares? If so this could prove to be quite costly.
Step 6. Budget and Affordability
Your budget will be a factor when choosing a resort, so make sure you know what your budget is before you make any commitments. When establishing a budget, you need to look at daily costs and what you get for these costs. For example, you may think a place looks expensive, however, when you break it down, you see the value you are getting for your bucks. The budget you have may not impact your decision or choice of the resort if you are only staying there for a few days, but it will have an impact if you are looking at staying there for a period of two weeks plus. Breaking down your budget alongside room or suite costs, and seeing if the resort is worth it is what you need to focus on doing.
Step 7. Food and Drink Considerations
The food and beverage options that a resort has to offer are important. If you are limited as to what you can eat and drink (and where you can go), it will leave you wanting to leave the resort more, and this can then be tiring. When considering food and drink, look at options and availability. For example, can you pre-book packages that cover your food and drink for your stay, or is everything on a pay as you go option? If there is not enough variety of food, drink and establishments on offer within the resort, then where is there nearby you can go? If you are wasting lots of time finding places to eat and drink each day, you will find you will have less time to soak up all that Orlando and Florida have to offer.
Step 8. Room or Suite?
When you are looking for the perfect resort, you need to think about whether or not you want a room or a suite. If you are traveling on your own or as a couple, then you may find that a room is more than adequate for your needs. However, if you are traveling as part of a large group or as part of a family unit, you may find that a suite is more appropriate. A suite would also be ideal for stays longer than a week, the extra space would allow you to feel totally relaxed. There will of course be a price difference between a room and a suite, so look at this and see if it is worthwhile for you and your trip.
Making the Booking in Advance
Now that you have followed all of the 8 key steps, it is time to take action. Prices may fluctuate, but this is not an excuse not to commit and book. If you book in advance you could stand to save some money on your booking. If you leave things, or if you wait until nearer the time, you may then find you pay more or you miss out on the resort of your choice. The resort you choose and stay in will impact your trip in many ways, so don’t leave choosing it to chance!
