hello blacktop
ive just returned from a holiday in new york and orlando. it was my 1st time in orlando. one mistake i made was not going for a hotel on international drive, it was exceptionaly cheap, the hotel was very good with friendly staff, great pool, gym, games room etc... but the location was next to the freeway with no shuttle service to universal etc... it cost me $40 round trip every time in a taxi to universal studios/international drive.
make sure your hotel costs include local taxes and breakfast. my hotel price did include taxes but no breakfast and a hidden cost of $10 per day for all the facilities ie pool etc was not included.
if you went for a hotel on international drive with a shuttle service to all the attractions great. if you wanted a villa with a pool make sure its near all the attractions, if not ok, as you are planning to hire a car. but having a villa nearby to all the attractions would be ideal if one night your party decided to have a meal and a few drinks and then jump on an "i ride trolley" for $1 http://www.iridetrolley.com/index.html and with superb routes to all the attractions on international drive "seaworld" "aquatica" "universal studios" and all the shopping outlets.
go to google for villas http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=orlando+villas+near+universal&meta=
i had a look at a good wee site http://www.vacationrealty.com/united-states/florida/orlando plenty of villas to suit all budgets.
as for a beach holiday for a few days, unfortunatly ive not done this around florida but i am sure a search in google will help.
hope this gives you some ideas on planning your trip.
regards
jim