FAQ

We make every effort to provide our guests with as much information as possible. Good Customer Service is very important to us and we hope to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.  As working parents ourselves, we appreciate how important a good holiday is to you and your family.

Pilgrim's Paradise Villas are you home away from home and a safe, luxurious base for your Florida holiday.

As we get asked questions regarding Pilgrim's Paradise Villa's we will post them here with our answers to help you.  

If you have a new question, please do drop us an email at pilgrimsparadise@hotmail.com and we will reply as soon as possible.

How far from the Disney/Universal attractions from the villas?

Please see our Distance to Local Attractions page

 

What is included in my stay?

We supply you with everything you would need to use on your Florida holiday:

• All bedding, towels including pool towels are provided
• Iron/Ironing Board, Hair Dryers and Flat Iron
• Fully equipped kitchen - everything a chef will need as well as upgraded appliances and gas stove.
• All utensils, glass, plates etc in the kitchen including Electric/Stovetop Kettle, Toaster, Coffee maker, Blender, Brita Water Filter, Slow-cooker,  Microwave, Keurig Coffee Machine etc.
• Starter Pack of toilet and kitchen roll and one load pack for washer & dishwasher
• You will need to buy any laundry tablets (recommend HE) etc, dishwasher tablets, food bags for sandwiches etc and your food.
• We have a travel cot, high chair, and 1 umbrella stroller.
• FREE High Speed Internet and Full air-conditioning.
• Gas BBQ is provided for an additional charge for your stay
• Pool heat can also be provided for an additional daily rate
• Smart TV's - Bring your login details for any online streaming services and you can connect to our Smart TVs
• Pool Door Alarm / Safety Fence
• Stair-Gates
• Reading Books
• Color Printer - for printing boarding passes or park tickets
• Use of Games Room
• West Haven - Harry Potter Themed Room with Slate Pool Table, Foosball, Light & Sound Air Hockey table. Also PS console and controllers/games as well as XBox 360 in the family room
• Solterra - Home Theater/Games Room with full air-conditioning, Foosball, Light & Sound Air Hockey and 1980's style cocktail Arcade Machine. PS4 console with controllers and games. Amazing Night Sky ceiling and LED lighting.   

 

How far is the amenity centre from the Solterra villa?

10 Min walk or there is free parking available there

 

Which airport is closest?

MCO Orlando is the closest at 29 Miles approx 31 Minutes.

There are tolls so have some change or use a Sun Pass.

SFB Sanford or PIE St Petersburg/Clearwater airports are also other options approx 60 mins away

 

Do you have a management company close by?

Yes - We use Florida Vacation Homes and James Sidaway is the contact. They are located locally and are on call 24/7

 

When should I apply for an ESTA?

Before you pay any money for flights or accommodation.

• An ESTA lasts for 2 years and all travellers from the UK need one to enter the USA.
• In some circumstances you may need a VISA instead of a ESTA.
• To apply for your ESTA please visit the official site. The cost is $14 

 

Do I need to hire a car if staying at the Villa?

Yes - It is more convenient and cheaper to hire a vehicle. It is possible to just use Uber and taxis if you choose, but can be expensive, however you do not need to pay the attraction parking fees. To get the most from your visit to Orlando I would recommend a hire car. There is so much to see and do that the parks.

What's the booking process?
It really is easy to secure your perfect vacation home with us!

Enquiry & Booking Process

We have never booked a villa directly before how can we check everything is okay?

Your holiday is important to you (and to us!) and you're parting with your hard earned money so it's right to want to be sure that who you're booking with is who they say they are and the home is to the standard you deserve.

There are lots of things you can do to put your mind at rest

• Check the owner has a Florida State License.
• You can request their license number or a copy of the license itself
• Check they exist on the portal - www.myfloridalicense.com
• some owners' licenses are organised as a group through their Management Company
• Read reviews - look on social media sites, their website, advertising sites
• Ask questions - any decent owner will be happy to help and answer any questions you might have (we are!)

Pilgrims Paradise Florida Villa's - Florida State License: license number is: DWE6313942

We're looking for a Vacation Planner...
Look no further!  To try and help you with your vacation, we've created a handy planner for you to ensure you get to do all those days out you're looking forward to!

Pilgrims Paradise Florida - Vacation Planner

You can also take a look at Undercover Tourist website for some get tools too!

How far are you from everything....?

We have created a list to hopefully help you see where our villa location is.  We've picked a few main things to look at as it's impossible to include everything but we hope this helps!

Pilgrims Paradise Florida - Distances

Are there any good restaurants in the local area?

There sure are and you'll be spoilt for choice!  We've put together a few recommendations for you.

Pilgrims Paradise Florida - Local Restaurant Recommendations

Can you recommend any Gluten Free Restaurants that are in the area?

Some of you may know I have to be on a gluten free diet & it is so difficult to find somewhere good, so you don't feel like you are an outsider 😢 So I have compiled a list of great options in the area and on the Disney Complex.

2021 Gluten Free Disney Restaurants

How can I see updates and offers on the villa?
You can sign up on our website or follow us on Facebook to receive regular updates on the villa, offers and general information about Orlando, the villa, days out and our family! 😊

Pilgrims Paradise Florida - Facebook Page

What are the Terms & Conditions of booking?

Please find attached our standard booking form which we require completing to secure your booking, along with your deposit.  

This will be forwarded to you upon confirmation of booking.

Can you help?!  I have so much to remember and organise - how do I know what to pack?

We sure can help!  Take a look at our useful Packing Tick List to help take the pressure off your planning!  

If we've missing anything, please do let us know and we'll add it on! :)

Pilgrims Paradise Florida - Packing List

What should I bring to wear and what will the weather be like?

Orlando is known for sudden afternoon thunderstorms with heavy downpours in the rainy season between June and September usually around 1 - 3pm daily.

You may want to be prepared with light rainproof jackets and umbrellas to carry in case of a sudden downpour, especially in the parks or you can pick up some rain ponchos at local stores... Also great for super wet rides 😊

June 1st through November 30th is hurricane season which can bring strong winds and heavy rains. Being inland within Florida you will find Orlando does not usually get hit with severe Hurricanes as the coastal regions get the worse of it. Watch the local TV channels for watches and warnings.

Winter months can still be warm but you may want to be prepared with warmer outer clothing for the evenings and visiting air conditioned shopping centres!

What should we do if there is a hurricane warning?

Florida is very good at monitoring hurricane movements and advise on the course of the hurricane etc. 

• TV stations update regularly and you will see updates along your TV screen. 
• Keep a check on the news and stay in touch with us if you have questions or concerns.  
• Please also refer to your Terms & Conditions of booking in relation to weather warning. 
• We have prepared some information should you be a guest in the villa when a hurricane is imminent or passes over.

Pilgrims Paradise Florida / FEMA Hurricane Preparation Document

Why do we have to pay pool heating and why is it charged extra?

Some people don't use the pool, or don't mind if the pool is not heated - this is why it is charged as extra and not included within your villa rental fees. 

As new holidaymakers to Florida in the past, we stayed at two villas during July and August and weren't aware about pool heating so never requested it.  
If you request pool heat for the summer and the air temp is above 88F then the pool heater will not turn on.

• This is NOT a fault and just the way the heaters protect themselves from overheating in the hot Florida sun.

Lots of guests will be on days out for the majority of their holiday and therefore won't be making use of the pool and then may make the decision not to include pool heat as they won't benefiting from it on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, electricity is expensive in Florida and as homeowners we will pay up to 12% tax on pool heat which is a direct cost to us.
The daily cost charged also includes pool maintenance which ranges from weekly pool cleaning and repairs and maintenance needed throughout the year.  

Pools lose heat in the air and is harder to keep warm when the external air temperature is lower.  
Sadly pool covers aren't always used effectively by guests which contributes again to loss of heat to the pool.  

• Which is another reason why some guests choose not to include pool heating.

We require our management company to attend our villa prior to arrival to ensure the pool heating is switched on and the water is able to heat for arrival.  
They then need to return upon departure to switch the heating off.  

All management companies will make a charge for this service.

Should something go wrong with the pool heating during our guests' stay, there will be a call-out fee by the technician to attend site and ascertain the problem prior to fixing it.  
This is an additional cost which needs to be allowed for and factored into our costs.

It is generally felt that people would welcome the pool heating NOT to be included in their accommodation fees, especially if it was something they wouldn't choose to include themselves.

Please note that the spa is heated alongside the pool. We can however have a specific charge for SPA heat ONLY as another option which is cheaper and will still come on even if the air temp is over 88F.

If you do decide to add pool heat, you must bear in mind it will take a day or two for it to get up to temp fully.

What do we do about bugs in Florida?

With Florida being a tropical warm state, you are going to experience bugs during your visit - they love the warmth as much as we do!  

Whilst we do carry out regular pest control and maintenance in and around the home, you may experience extra visitors during your stay. In the summer months you will find a lot of "Lovebugs", they tend to linger on warm sunny walls and look like to 2 bugs joined together, these bugs are more of a pest and are harmless.  

If you encounter any pest issues during your stay, please report to our Management Company.  

Please note that pests are 'controlled' not 'eradicated' and they are persistent, hence the term 'pests'!  

We want you to enjoy your holiday as much as possible and appreciate you reporting any issues to our management company for them to address.  
Our pest control company may carry out a visit during your stay to keep on top of them - if they advise us before arrival, we will obviously inform you of their visit.  
However, this is often subject to last minute scheduling and therefore we may not always have advance notice to inform you.  A calling card will be left by the company if they have visited the villa while you are out having fun!