A lot of people ask us when is the best time to go to Disney? There are many answers to that question, and if you're a family travelling then your times of the year can be limited due to school holidays. I have been to Orlando for 9 of the 12 months, and each time has been a different experience in terms of the weather and the crowd levels. The busiest times of the year are Easter, July to August, and Christmas, with the Easter holidays being particularly busy due to to the weather being warm but not too humid. Summer brings the risk of hurricanes and high humidity, but is one of the popular times due to school holidays in both the UK and USA.

If you're looking for mild weather, lower crowd levels and all around cheaper prices, then the best times would be January to February, and September to November. You will see wait times for rides significantly lower and hotels and flights offering special rates. However, if school holidays are your only choice, then the last two weeks of August are usually ideal due to the Americans going back to school earlier, and flight prices dropping slightly from mid-August. 

I've had the privilege of experiencing staying in hotels and also a villa whilst in Orlando. A car is essential if staying in a villa due to the distance from the parks. Now, if driving in America fills you with dread, then a Disney hotel is going to be the best option for you due to the proximity to the parks and the good transport links that they offer. 

Staying in a villa is like staying in a home away from home. They are extremely spacious and come in all different sizes, from a three bed villa all the way up to a seven bed villa! This is a fantastic option for families as children can have their own rooms whilst giving the adults the space they need when on a Disney holiday. Villas will almost always have two lounge areas, a spacious kitchen, several bathrooms and a large outdoor pool area. 

Locations of the villas vary from a 15 minute to a 40 minute drive away from the parks. Most of the villas will be in gated communties, in close proximity to a supermarket - ideal for stocking up on breakfast supplies to start the day off right before hitting the parks. 

For me personally, staying in a villa will always be my preferred option when staying in Orlando, especially when travelling with family. I recently travelled out with my family, including my two 5 year old nieces, and having a villa just fitted in perfectly with our plans. 

There are a lot of benefits to choosing a villa and car hire whilst holidaying in Disney World, the main one for me being flexibility. We were able to come and go from the parks whenever we wanted, we were not limited to resort bus timetables, and there was no waiting around for buses; if we wanted to leave a park and come back later then we could. Disney days are long and very tiring, and if you're going in peak summer time then do not underestimate the weather, it is very humid. Add this to the constant walking around the parks and queuing for the rides and it makes for a very tiring day, especially for children. Having the space of a villa to go back to can prove invaluable. If you want to head to the park early morning you can then head back to the villa early afternoon to cool off in your own private pool, and then head back to the park in the evenings to enjoy the fireworks. 

You will also no doubt need some free days away from the parks, and a villa gives you the freedom of waking up whenever you wish; there are no set breakfast times you have to adhere to, and the pool is all yours to enjoy by yourselves (no need to put down towels on the sunbeds!). It's also nice to get away from the busyness of the parks and enjoy the peacefulness that the villa communties offer. If you have young children then preparing food in a hotel room or finding something suitable on the hotel buffet can sometimes be stressful; with a villa you have all the amenties of a kitchen and also the advantage of either eating out or buying food in the supermarket to prepare in the villa. All in all a less stressful environment.

Driving in another country can seem quite terrifying, but in truth is a lot easier than it seems. The roads are wider, everything is well signposted and all cars are automatic. When hiring a car in Orlando bear in mind the size of your party when choosing your vehicle. We had a party of seven, so went for a Dodge Caravan which seats seven - however, this severely impacts the boot space when all seats are taken. Travelling with children meant we had a lot of luggage, and we therefore made the decision to hire two cars to give us more flexibility and to also give us room for all the luggage - especially considering you'll no doubt return home with more than you came with, thanks to Disney! 

Hiring a car also gives you the chance to explore more areas away from Mickey Mouse land. Below are a few suggestions that will show you more of Florida than just the parks.

1. Winter Park - this beautiful area is situated just north of Orlando. It was once considered a winter resort but is now a bustling arts and culture filled city which includes the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum and a street full of quaint shops and restaurants. The main highlight is the boat ride you can take winding through the pristine winter park chain of lakes whilst admiring the enormous houses situated along the lake. 

2. Kennedy Space Center - within an hours drive from Orlando you can get up close to the Space Shuttle Atlantis, go beyond NASA's gates or see a rocket launch!

3. Gulf Coast beaches - the beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast are easily accessible on a day trip from Orlando, taking around 2-3 to drive, you'll be thankful you made the trip when you see the white sand beaches and the warm blue waters of the Gulf Coast. 

1. Choose a car suitable for your party - consider luggage and boot size.

2. Keep parking receipts when you arrive in the parks, as tickets are valid all day for all parks, so you can hop between them. 

3. Check in online for your car hire before your trip; this saves lots of time at airport.

4. If you are arriving late into Orlando, prebook a welcome pack for when you arrive at the villa. It is so much easier knowing you have the essentials waiting for you when you arrive. 

For more inspiration, visit our Florida Holidays pages.