Travel Tips by Category

Before you buy anything, take a quick look around your villa — many owners leave pool inflatables, noodles, and toys behind for the next guests. It’s a nice little bonus and can save you a few dollars, especially if you’re travelling with kids who want something fun for the pool straight away.

If your villa doesn’t have any, Publix usually stocks a good selection of ready‑to‑use inflatables. They’re often placed near the entrance or in the seasonal aisle, especially during spring and summer. You’ll find everything from simple rings to giant loungers, and they’re easy to inflate with the villa’s pump (most villas have one tucked in a cupboard).

Checking the villa first, then grabbing anything extra locally, is the easiest way to get pool‑day fun sorted without overspending.

If you’re visiting Florida between November and March, pool heating is one of those extras that’s genuinely worth considering — especially if you’re staying in a villa. Early mornings and evenings can feel surprisingly cool, and unheated pools often drop to temperatures that make swimming… optimistic.

Most villas offer daily pool‑heat options, and while it’s an added cost, it makes a huge difference to how much you actually use the pool. Heated water turns chilly morning dips into something relaxing, and it keeps the kids happy throughout the day. If your villa has a spa or hot tub, heating usually improves that experience too.

For the best results, switch the heating on for your whole stay rather than day‑by‑day — it takes time for the water to warm up, and consistent heating keeps it comfortable.

One of the easiest ways to settle into your villa smoothly is to do a quick first‑day essentials shop. Stocking up early means you won’t have to make a second supermarket run when you’re tired or mid‑holiday. Florida villas usually provide a starter pack, but it’s rarely enough for a full stay — so having a ready‑made list saves time and stress.

Here’s a solid set of essentials to grab on arrival:

• Toilet roll — villas often leave only one or two rolls
• Bottled water — especially useful if you’re not keen on Florida tap water
• Snacks — cereal bars, crisps, fruit, poolside treats
• Bin bags — US villas rarely provide enough
• Washing pods — handy for clothes and towels
• Dishwasher tablets — another item often missing
• Breakfast basics — cereal, milk, bread, fruit
• Drinks mixes — great for improving the taste of tap water
• Pool essentials — sunscreen, after‑sun, floats if needed
• Cleaning wipes — useful for quick tidy‑ups
• Ice lollies or Mickey bars — perfect for villa pool days

Doing this shop on day one sets you up for a smooth, comfortable stay and avoids the “we’ve run out of everything” moment halfway through the holiday.

Florida takes pool safety extremely seriously, and every rental villa is legally required to have safety features in place to protect children. When you arrive, make it a priority to check the pool area so you know exactly what’s installed and how it works.

Most villas will have one or more of the following:

• Pool alarms — sensors on doors leading to the pool that beep loudly when opened
• Safety fences — removable mesh barriers that block access to the water
• Self‑closing doors — doors that automatically shut and latch behind you
• High door latches — placed out of reach of young children

These features aren’t optional — they’re part of Florida law to prevent accidents, and villa owners can face penalties if they’re missing or disabled. If something isn’t working, contact the management company straight away so they can fix it.

Checking the pool area as soon as you arrive gives you peace of mind and helps everyone relax safely for the rest of the holiday.

Staying in a private villa is one of the best ways to enjoy an Orlando holiday, offering space, privacy, and a home-from-home feel. However, packing bulky baby equipment or worrying about how you will cook those poolside dinners can add unnecessary stress to your travel planning.

The good news is that you do not need to pack your entire nursery or buy expensive equipment when you arrive. You can easily rent essential items for your stay, including:

• Baby and toddler gear: Travel cots, highchairs, bed guards, and safety gates can be delivered directly to your villa.
• Strollers: Lightweight strollers or sturdy double strollers are essential for long days walking around the theme parks. Renting one locally is often much cheaper than renting inside the parks daily.
• BBQs and grills: Many Florida villas do not include a BBQ as standard due to local safety and cleaning regulations. Renting a clean, gas-filled BBQ is the perfect way to enjoy poolside dining.

Most reputable rental companies in the Orlando area will coordinate with your villa management company to deliver and set up these items before you even check in, and they will collect them after you depart. This saves valuable luggage space, prevents airline damage to your own gear, and ensures everything is clean, safety-checked, and ready to use from day one. Be sure to book these items well in advance, especially if you are travelling during school holidays or peak summer months.

Florida villas are designed to stay cool, but their air‑conditioning systems work differently from what we’re used to in the UK. Most property managers recommend keeping the thermostat set around 78°F (about 25–26°C). It might sound warm at first, but Florida AC units are built to run steadily rather than blast cold air. Setting them too low can actually freeze the system, causing it to shut down completely — and nothing ruins a holiday faster than a broken AC in 35°C heat.

If the villa feels a little warm when you first arrive, give the system time to catch up. These units cool gradually, not instantly. Use ceiling fans to circulate the air — they make a huge difference and help the room feel several degrees cooler without stressing the AC.

If you really need it cooler, adjust the temperature in small steps (1–2 degrees at a time) and let it stabilise. Your comfort stays high, the system stays healthy, and you avoid an emergency call‑out fee.