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...without hiring a car. Neither me or the mrs want to drive in orlando, but still want to hire a villa rather than using hotels. Has anybody done this without having a hire car, and how feasible is it in terms of getting to the parks, etc?
Mmmm, unless you really, really, really don't want to drive you're going to make things very difficult/expensive/restrictive for yourselves in my opinion.
Everyone drives in the US, way of life and all that, when I say drive I mean sort of command a car to go roughly in the direction they want to go - you'll be fine, if in a villa you will need a car to get out to the parks, restaurants, groceries, and further afield too if Orlando gets too much, Taxis are mega $$$$$
Only double if you find one actually on international drive , but mainly hotels andvaparments there outwith international drive not much of a bus service
As mentioned, if you stay on International Drive it's a doddle. Great bus service to all the parks. If staying in a villa then pretty much impossible I'd say.
Any particular reason you don't want to drive?
If you stay in a Hotel they usually have morning bus services to all the parks. Most Hotels have self catering rooms if that's your thing. International Drive can be a bit Blackpool in places so my advice would be to choose where you stay carefully. Have you looked at Westgate Lakes Resort on Turkey Lake Rd. Its not on Int drive but I'm pretty sure they have buses to all the major parks and to Int Drive. Driving in the US is ok; both myself & my GF drove in Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale and I don't think she'd mind me saying she has a diminutive stature accentuated by the size of US vehicles. If its a financial reason then I'd advise your holiday would be hindered by not having a car. Basically I wouldn't go without a hire car/mpv.
Vista Cay on Universal Blvd might be worth a shot. Condos though, not villas. I don't know of villas close in to I-drive, and we've been loads. If you're not driving, you might have to look at condos, suites or hotels if you want to be close in. I can't imagine not driving if I had the choice though. We've had villas in Kissimmee, Clermont, Davenport and Hampton Lakes, and had an MPV each time, though there are 5 of us and have been joined by US rellies every time.
I went to a conference in orlando and stayed at Westgate lakes which was OK but definitely nothing special. It was a pain to even get to the other side of Westgate lakes without a car, nevermind the rest of Orlando. You are in America, car culture rules, hire a car.