Storytime Orlando Townhomes...

[mousemomof2]

We are planning a stay in March 2008 with 5 adults and 3 children. Any one ever stay here. Any info would be great. TIA

Carolyn

[Soccerpooh]

We are staying in Storytime 3 this June, and would also love to hear the good and the bad- hopefully you will get some responses! Windsor Hills looks fabulous! :thumbsup2

[5mins2disney]

xx

[brauergirls]

We have looked at your townhomes but not available when we are going. Does it make a big difference if the pool is not south-facing? We love to have sun by the pool during the day. Also, do you see alot of Florida bugs in June around there? Do most require a 60 day full payment? Its very hard to know how close the clubhouse/pools are to the various townhomes listed. Any other info would be great.

Thanks

[5mins2disney]

xx.

[brauergirls]

Thank you so much for all your help. Very much appreciated.

[Lucky'sMom]

I hate to make anyone feel worried going into their vacation, but we have had a bad experience with the owner. I don't really want to go into all of the details on the boards, but the owner has "lied" to us. Promises were made that were not kept. Then the owner refuses to answer any further emails. I know this has happened to another DISer as well. Not the same issue, but the same lack of response. Once they have your deposit or money if you've already paid, they no longer care about you. Just our experience...

(I am referring to the Story Time owners)

[5mins2disney]

xx

[mousemomof2]

I hate to make anyone feel worried going into their vacation, but we have had a bad experience with the owner. I don't really want to go into all of the details on the boards, but the owner has "lied" to us. Promises were made that were not kept. Then the owner refuses to answer any further emails. I know this has happened to another DISer as well. Not the same issue, but the same lack of response. Once they have your deposit or money if you've already paid, they no longer care about you. Just our experience...

(I am referring to the Story Time owners)

You do have me worried! I just reserved a home. Can you give me some idea on how they "lied" to you. Did you actually stay there? I only have sent them 2 emails and received a prompt response but now that I have put my deposit down, should I worry?:confused: Please let me know more. TIA

[sympatico]

I was looking at the 6 bedroom house that they have which has great themeing. When I read their terms and conditions etc I found that they use Villa Direct as their management company. George has me worried about that.

[stczt]

NOw I am starting to get worried. We are staying there in Sept. Maybe I'll cancel and just forget about the deposit.

[5mins2disney]

xx

[mousemomof2]

I would be curious why all of their guest books are blank, which means they've been reset. There's no way to clear out a negative comment out of your owner's guest book unless you reset it to blank, FYI.

If you have lots of glowing, positive comments there would be no reason to clear it, right?

Ok George, now you really have me worried. :eek:

[goofymom23]

I just returned from a townhouse rental from Storybook. I will tell you that renting from them was a different experience. This was my first time renting a home and to be honest I will never do it again. Most of my reasons have nothing to do with this owner but simply because I miss the luxury of being served by the pool and being able to call someone to bring me what ever I need or have forgotten to bring. It also seemed like we were always driving.

The rental process was fine I had no questions and needed no email response from them. When we arrived to pick up the keys about 1:00 I was told they couldn't give them out until 4:00. This was policy and I did know this but I was very sick and desperately needed to lay down. They weren't sympathetic at all. We stayed in the parking lot and I slept while waiting for the keys. Once we got the keys we found out the house was furthur down 192.

The house was decorated fine and the furnishings were comfortable. I was suprised to find out the pool was the size of a hot tub but even small it was nice to have it. I could lay of the couch and the kids could have some fun.

The one thing to remember and I wish I had known is if you need it you had better bring it. You will need to bring paper towels, toilet paper, soap, ect. They did supply basically everything you would need in the kitchen if you plan to cook (remember dish soap).

All in all if you are excited about staying in a rental house I think this one will satisfy you but if you are still deciding between a resort and a house I vote resort.

[sympatico]

We knew all those things before we ever started renting and still love staying in a home. The townhouses all state that they have a splash pool and from the pictures you can tell it's smaller than a regular pool but it's nice to have. I like having the privacy and extra room. But as my friend's little grandson said to her "Everybody's different, Nanny, everybody's different." Hope it didn't completely spoil your vacation.

[5mins2disney]

xx

[Soccerpooh]

I did a little searching late last night, and found a DISer who stayed in Storytime 2 a week or two ago-"crazymama". She has a post over on the Universal Resorts & Hotels board, and I "hijacked" it and asked her about her stay at Storytime. She said she was very happy with the townhome, and that it was very well stocked with towels, etc.. She said check in was easy at VillaDirect as well. Also, no ant problems which apparently can be a problem sometimes to at Windsor Hills (hence the need, as George said, for exterminating service!). If you would like to read it yourself, it is the thread titled "Back from 1st visit to UO and PBH!", post #12. I am going to ask if she can post over here as well on her Storybook stay- I know I feel better after reading her reply! :thumbsup2

[luvmy3jewels]

My family has reservations in one of the Storytime homes in early May. I am a little anxious about it because I have heard both good and bad input about these, so I will be sure to post a trip report on these boards as soon as we get back from our trip!!

I'm hoping we'll be able to report a great trip!! We are really excited about staying in Windsor Hills and the pics of these homes look wonderful!:goodvibes

[Lucky'sMom]

Hi again. I posted earlier about our negative experiences with this owner. I've been getting alot of pm's requesting more info., and while I did respond to these, I'm afraid I'm just not on the boards enough to keep responding. As I stated before, we had 2 instances where the owner of ST townhomes was dishonest with us. We did not end up staying there. I, too, think that the townhomes look great, and the theming would be so much fun for the kids. I just wanted to give some honest feedback on what we have experienced with this owner. If you decide to stay there, I wish you the best on your vacation! :)

[Jeninindy]

Hi again. I posted earlier about our negative experiences with this owner. I've been getting alot of pm's requesting more info., and while I did respond to these, I'm afraid I'm just not on the boards enough to keep responding. As I stated before, we had 2 instances where the owner of ST townhomes was dishonest with us. We did not end up staying there. I, too, think that the townhomes look great, and the theming would be so much fun for the kids. I just wanted to give some honest feedback on what we have experienced with this owner. If you decide to stay there, I wish you the best on your vacation! :)

Thanks Lucky's Mom. The problems that you had were, I'm sure, very frustrating for you. I think though, but from the little information posted here, it sounds like you had a huge, huge problems with them.

The owners not refunding your deposit after you were unable to go and telling you that they don't have an ant problem (a simple exterminator visit would end the ant invasion that may have occured for that one poster) do not seem like issues that should deter others from renting from them or having second thoughts about their long awaited vacations.

Thanks again for your perspective though!!!

Jennifer

[5mins2disney]

xx

[Jeninindy]

I know of another home where the guests had an ant issue run by VD. Their solution? They told the guest to go to the store and buy ant spray, and deal with it themselves...and that they would reimburse the guests for any expenses incurred. It's not the problems, it's what you do about them that counts, everyone has them occasionally, to my way of thinking, this was not an acceptable response to a guest complaint (it took the guest over 8 phone calls / left messages to the MC to be told this).

Now that would be extremely inappropriate and I would be livid over that situation.

Still wishing you originally had availability for both weeks of my vacation!!! :)

Jennifer

[5mins2disney]

xx

[Jeninindy]

Haha..me too Jennifer! Maybe I'll buy another townhome when we're down there in 2 weeks! ;)

LOL!!! Well if you do, let me know!!!!!!

Jennifer

[Maria395712]

george
when you buy this other townhome can you make it a pet friendly one for my 3lb chihauhau please he loves it at windsor hills he was well behaved and is welcomed back[ I can't spell that name]
maria
thanks george

[5mins2disney]

x

[Maria395712]

good luck on the job . maybe someone here does have connections. I am going back may 7 for 4 nights looking to go to windsor hills but where i stayed with the dog is booked .it is so nice there . the grass was higher than the dog. he did enjoy the vacation and so did we. we ate at maggiano's for my big 50 birthday it was great we also ate 1st time at smokey bones we all enjoed that it was very good. so if I get a place for the 4 nights i will be back at windsor hills I already have the air just no where to stay yet
maria

[Lucky'sMom]

Okay, I wasn't going to go back to this thread, and here I am again. :laughing: I do consider lying twice to a customer a big deal. I find a townhome invested with ants a big deal. I find promising a customer a refund, and then not providing it a big deal. I prefer to deal with someone who is honest with me, and not someone who tells me what I want to hear just to get my deposit. Just my opinion, but I would think others would agree...:confused3

[5mins2disney]

x

[crazymama]

Hi everyone!
I thought I should pop in with my 2 cents worth FWIW!!! We have no complaints about our stay. Everything was as it should have been... except for the issue of no dishcloths (which I hope is remedied now) and the fact that there were smokers next door whose very strong smoke would blow over into our pool area making it very unusable... not ST's fault of course. They did move out on day 3 of our stay and we used the splash pool a few times. The kids really liked it...! There were no creepy crawlie critters and everything was very clean and neat when we arrived.
We had no difficulty finding Villa Direct's office. It was afterhours and getting the key was very simple. The instructions given from there to ST2 was straightforward. We liked our location which was a very short walk to the clubhouse... made running back for forgotten things hassle free!
I would not hesitate to rent from them again. I am sorry that other people haven't had as good an experience as we did. We were first time renters so didn't really know what to expect. It was great! Loved the space and convenience of doing laundry at my leisure!
Have a great day and I will be happy to answer any other questions if I can!:goodvibes

[Jeninindy]

Hi everyone!
I thought I should pop in with my 2 cents worth FWIW!!! We have no complaints about our stay. Everything was as it should have been... except for the issue of no dishcloths (which I hope is remedied now) and the fact that there were smokers next door whose very strong smoke would blow over into our pool area making it very unusable... not ST's fault of course. They did move out on day 3 of our stay and we used the splash pool a few times. The kids really liked it...! There were no creepy crawlie critters and everything was very clean and neat when we arrived.
We had no difficulty finding Villa Direct's office. It was afterhours and getting the key was very simple. The instructions given from there to ST2 was straightforward. We liked our location which was a very short walk to the clubhouse... made running back for forgotten things hassle free!
I would not hesitate to rent from them again. I am sorry that other people haven't had as good an experience as we did. We were first time renters so didn't really know what to expect. It was great! Loved the space and convenience of doing laundry at my leisure!
Have a great day and I will be happy to answer any other questions if I can!:goodvibes


Thanks so much for posting your experience. I am glad you had a great stay.

We sent an email to the owner today to alleviate some of our concerns regarding some of the information posted here and she called us within a hour of sending the email.

First, they are in the process of switching management companies as they haven't been pleased with the service the current management company has provided. George, since you were so pleased with Oasis, I mentioned that company's name to them. (should you have a contact there, they might want to contact them directly)

Also, for future rentals, there will be a lockbox with a key on the door, no more going to the management company to pick up a key.

They have the townhouses treated monthly for prevention of ants and other little creepy crawlers. Should there be any kind of problem with the townhouse, whether it be bugs or something else, please call 24/7. I also have her home phone to call directly should anything not be taken care of in a timely manner.

She was geniunely concerned that someone may have been unhappy with there stay there. She even said although the deposits are nonrefundable, she has worked with people to apply the deposits to a different visit when a problem arose with their travel plans.

This is my third conversation with her and to me she seems to be a very concerned and forthright owner.

I hope there are others that are having the same experiences.

Jennifer

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Our experience with the owners of ST was great, they even provided us with 2 sets of keys because we were there with friends and would leave the house and arrive back at different times, but we did have some issues with Villa Direct.

- The firs issue was when a couple of men showed up to fix one of the bed frames, but they just let themselves in the house without first ringing the bell. We got no notice that workers would do repairs on that day. They scared the hell out of our lady friend who was making breakfast for her children and her dh was showering.

- The phone and internet didn´t work half the time.

- We paid for pool heat and when we called VD they never turned on the heat. Our friends stayed there one week after we left, had the same problem, but called the owners who called VD and got their pool heat shortly after.

- Our friends rented a full size crib for their baby, but on the day before we left, her dh brought to the living room the pack n play that was in the WIC in the kids room upstairs, because they wanted the baby to nap there while the rest of us were in the pool. When the dh popped open the pack n play, a scorpion jumped from there (I guess technically it fell from there, not jumped, lol). The dh´s killed the scorpion (a small one, but imagine if it had bit the baby) and left it in a ziplock bag stuck in the mirror at the entrance of the house, so they could show the pest control people so they could exterminate accordingly. When we mentioned VD about the scorpion, they said it was not possible, that we were making it up. We just said, "ok, whatever, but the cleaning crew will find it there".
I don´t know in the US, but here in Mexico when you find one scorpion, you almost always find another because they tend to be in couples.

I thing a bad management company can give a good or bad name to the owners, so I am glad to know that they will be switching to another one.

[5mins2disney]

x

[FLParadisevilla]

"It's got to be a huge bummer for the owners too, you work your tail off to make everything perfect for guests, then the MC let's you down"

I have to agree that the MC does play a critical role in the success of an owner and the success in the guest's vacation!

I would be furious if our MC let one of our guest's down, but that being said our MC also owns rental homes and has been on the side of being an owner before they were a MC so I think that makes a lot of difference in the way they are with our guest's.

George don't get yourself in trouble here or Mbb will have to get out her stick LOL :rotfl: :rotfl:

[5mins2disney]

x

[loubelou]

We are staying in Story Time 3 May 29th - June 5th. I'll be sure to post a review when we return. We aren't worried. We've read many more good things than bad about the Story Time Rentals and are looking forward to our vacation.

[isla bonita]

I need to jump in here and support George in his opinions. They are not the MC you want to have to deal with for sure.

Just yesterday our fridge in our rental home went. Gotta love that. Our MC had a new one installed by the end of the day. Our guests are happy, my MC was on the ball and took great care of our guests and I am very happy after checking in with the guests and they are fine about it.

You can not help things like this happening. That is life. It is how things are handled that make the difference.

This is just a heads up for all you rental guests. Ask who the MC is when renting. This is just for your benefit. Then ask how things are handled. Ask many questions. It is your vacation you want the best stay you can have. I also want the best stay for our guests nothing is better then word of mouth.

[FLParadisevilla]

I don't know anyone named George who would ever say anything bad about anyone!! :lmao:

But I do agree with everything Deb said!

[5mins2disney]

xx

[jkelly86]

Just another warning about Villa Direct. A friend just returned from her visit to a Storytime TH. Even though the furnishings were outstanding, the place was filthy. The sheets had crumbs in them in one room and a blood stain in another, and there were dirty dishes in the sink. It was unacceptable. Villa Direct's response was that they could send someone the next day! :scared1: Needless to say, she spent 3 hours cleaning her 1st night. This was the week after Easter, but Villa Direct should be ashamed! I hope these owners switch their MC because the TH itself was wonderful.

[luvmy3jewels]

That's awful... Now I'm really getting nervous! :scared1: We leave in a couple of weeks to stay in one of the Storytime Townhomes. I will be very ticked off if we arrive to nasty sheets and a dirty townhome.

I'm still crossing my fingers that Villa Direct will have everything straight for us when we arrive. :headache:

Will be posting a trip report as soon as we get back!!

[StoryTime]

[QUOTE=mousemomof2;17755157]We are planning a stay in March 2008 with 5 adults and 3 children. Any one ever stay here. Any info would be great. TIA



Hello
As the owner of Story Time Vacation Homes the
NUMBER ONE rental homes in Windsor Hills resort. By being on top you will always get other jealous owners making up lies to try to hurt you, these people that are answering for Story Time are not past guests they are owners trying to promote their own house by using Story Time. We have grown from 1 house to 5 houses in a year and a half and to provide the best service to our houses we have our own Story Time family managment company that just takes care of our 5 houses like only family can do, we are oncall 24- 7 to provide for you. We have the most modern electronic lockbox
no keys involved, you go right to the house and punch a private personal code and the front door will open.
This is easy for our guests they don't have to pick up keys at another location and drive all the way back to the house.
If any one has any questions please contact me Elias and Tanya at 201 851 1210.or e mail us at tanya@storytimeorlandorental.com


Thanks

[isla bonita]

"As the owner of Story Time Vacation Homes the
NUMBER ONE rental homes in Windsor Hills resort. By being on top you will always get other jealous owners making up lies to try to hurt you, these people that are answering for Story Time are not past guests they are owners trying to promote their own house by using Story Time"

As one of the home owners that have commented I think you should read the posts again before making a blanket comment as you have. We are a great group of owners that are supportive, helpful and have very kind words for each other. We also have tried to give out good information to potential guests.

"Just another warning about Villa Direct. A friend just returned from her visit to a Storytime TH. Even though the furnishings were outstanding, the place was filthy. The sheets had crumbs in them in one room and a blood stain in another, and there were dirty dishes in the sink. It was unacceptable"

"Our experience with the owners of ST was great, they even provided us with 2 sets of keys because we were there with friends and would leave the house and arrive back at different times, but we did have some issues with Villa Direct.

- The firs issue was when a couple of men showed up to fix one of the bed frames, but they just let themselves in the house without first ringing the bell. We got no notice that workers would do repairs on that day. They scared the hell out of our lady friend who was making breakfast for her children and her dh was showering.

- The phone and internet didn´t work half the time.

- We paid for pool heat and when we called VD they never turned on the heat. Our friends stayed there one week after we left, had the same problem, but called the owners who called VD and got their pool heat shortly after.

- Our friends rented a full size crib for their baby, but on the day before we left, her dh brought to the living room the pack n play that was in the WIC in the kids room upstairs, because they wanted the baby to nap there while the rest of us were in the pool. When the dh popped open the pack n play, a scorpion jumped from there (I guess technically it fell from there, not jumped, lol). The dh´s killed the scorpion (a small one, but imagine if it had bit the baby) and left it in a ziplock bag stuck in the mirror at the entrance of the house, so they could show the pest control people so they could exterminate accordingly. When we mentioned VD about the scorpion, they said it was not possible, that we were making it up. We just said, "ok, whatever, but the cleaning crew will find it there".
I don´t know in the US, but here in Mexico when you find one scorpion, you almost always find another because they tend to be in couples.

I thing a bad management company can give a good or bad name to the owners, so I am glad to know that they will be switching to another one."

If I were either of you I would be more concerned about the condition of your home and try and change what you can. That will effect what is written on these boards.

The comments I have made were nothing to discredit ST but to state VD is not the MC I would employ. I do not know how long you have been in business but having VD as your MC may not be a wise business choice.

[StoryTime]

.

[cey]

:eek: Thank you to everybody who posted info on StoryTime Houses. This thread has certainly provided everybody with a lot of information. The motto I live with, is this someone I would like to do business with. I think that question has been nicely answered. I think I will be passing on these rentals in the future. Any other views out there?
_________________

[mexican-mouseketeers]

I am sorry to read Story Time´s reply. I indeed stayed there last september and had great communication then with Elias and Tanya, I even recommended their
TH ST1 to friends of ours who stayed there for one week, a week after we left.

These friends had a positive experience (when the pool wasn´t heated they contacted ST owners directly who called VD and solved the problem) and they even called a little over a month ago wanting a house from april 28 until may 5th.

I have no reason to make up any stories about anyone. As a matter of fact I think that all my comments were issues with Villa Direct and saying that it is a great decision to change management companies. I don´t think there is any need to quote here the emails I had from them with the instructions of how to get to VD to pick up the keys or the one when we told them we had a great time and the only problems were the issues with VD, but I certainly still have those in my inbox.

The first posts of the thread would not discourage me of renting from them, but definetly the 2 posts made by them would.

[mousemomof2]

Whenever we feel "we" are being "attacked" it's a natural response to "attack" back. I will be staying in a Storytime townhome in March 08 and I am excited and looking forward to a great experience. :yay: Most of the negative comments, I believe, are against VD. There is good and bad in everything and I guess we have to make our own judgement.

[rockypal3]

IT'S FUNNY....I ONLY SEE REMARKS ABOUT STORY TIME TOWNHOUSES AND NOT ABOUT OTHER TOWNHOUSES.....MAYBE BECAUSE STORY TIME DOES SO WELL WITH THEIR DECOR AND MICKEY ROOM.....WE RENTED FROM THEM AND HAD A GREAT TIME....THE OWNERS, ELIAS & TANYA WERE THE NICEST PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH.....AND MY KIDS LOVED THEIR THEME ROOM....THEY REALLY MADE US FEEL AT HOME....TANYA, YOU DID A GREAT JOB AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT YOUR TOWNHOUSES - IT'S THEIR LOST IF THEY DON'T STAY AT YOUR PLACES......WE WILL STAY AT YOUR PLACE EVERY YEAR :thumbsup2 ....LOOKING FORWARD TO STAYING AT ALL 4 TOWNHOUSES....:yay:

[armywife01]

We are staying in Storytime 2 from June 4-11 and are looking forward to it greatly. Any correspondence that I have had with the owners has been positive and they respond to any questions promptly. With so many rental homes out there, people can choose to stay wherever they want based on their needs.

If I were the owner of a property that was being discussed, I would feel like I needed to defend it as well. It's only natural. Their posts have not discouraged me from staying in their home. Sort of like the mother lion protecting their cubs.

All I can think is that they must be doing something right to have been able to expand to 5 properties.

For anyone interested, I can post an honest report of my stay when I return.

[Maria395712]

it isn't the townhomes it is the MC they are talking about, villa direct .people have had problems with the MC. I have never stayed in any storytime townhomes since I can't bring my 3 lb dog but I would have loved to if I could. but I have found many other TH in WH that will take HIM AND WE LOVE IT THERE
maria

[mousebit]

[QUOTE=mousemomof2;17755157]We are planning a stay in March 2008 with 5 adults and 3 children. Any one ever stay here. Any info would be great. TIA



Hello
As the owner of Story Time Vacation Homes the
NUMBER ONE rental homes in Windsor Hills resort. By being on top you will always get other jealous owners making up lies to try to hurt you, these people that are answering for Story Time are not past guests they are owners trying to promote their own house by using Story Time. We have grown from 1 house to 5 houses in a year and a half and to provide the best service to our houses we have our own Story Time family managment company that just takes care of our 5 houses like only family can do, we are oncall 24- 7 to provide for you. We have the most modern electronic lockbox
no keys involved, you go right to the house and punch a private personal code and the front door will open.
This is easy for our guests they don't have to pick up keys at another location and drive all the way back to the house.
If any one has any questions please contact me Elias and Tanya at 201 851 1210.or e mail us at tanya@storytimeorlandorental.com


Thanks

:confused3 :confused3 :confused3 I am so shocked by this post that I am just not sure where to start.


First, let me say that I have an upcoming reservation at one of the StoryTime condos. Another family member made the choice before I had the chance to do the research. ASAP, I hit these boards (as I do for every Disney trip) searching for information on WH generally and ST specifically. One of the things I learned from PREVIOUS RENTERS was that there was reason for concern about some management companies. I checked my agreement with ST and found that their MC was indeed one that others had had problems with (not just at ST). After reading several GOOD REVIEWS here of ST and discussing with others who had trips in the past (GOOD or with only a FEW MINOR problems), I made the decision to stick with ST and be wary of possible problems with the MC. I assumed that good communication with the owner could help prevent some potential problems. And I understood that the owner was aware of the situation and in the process of searching for another MC. MY POINT: MANY NICE THINGS HAVE BEEN SAID ABOUT THE ST CONDOS HERE ON THE DIS AS WELL AS SOME REPORTS FROM PREVIOUS RENTERS WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE MC. THE POSITIVE REVIEWS POSTED HERE ARE WHAT LED ME TO MAKE THE DECISION TO KEEP MY ST RESERVATION.

Now, I just don't know. I am concerned about an owner who would come on these boards and be so defensive and accusatory. Yes, other owners post here, but I have searched and read every ST thread and NOT ONE of those owners have in any way criticized ST. DISers who also happen to be owners post helpful comments for those of us who are traveling to their areas and searching for information, regardless of where we are staying. In addition to info about the Disney parks, I have seen advise on locations of grocery stores and WalMarts, shortcuts to the parks, discounts, Orlando attractions, and so on. I have even gotten advise from a DISer who happens to be an owner about the best off-site bakery to get my daughter's BD cake. And this morning I noticed a DISer who happens to be an owner posted a helpful link for a car bra for someone who was concerned about the love bugs on his new vehicle! MY SECOND POINT: PEOPLE HERE ON THE DIS (OWNERS & NOT) ARE GENERALLY KIND, HELPFUL AND UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MUCH A DISNEY VACATION MEANS TO FAMILIES. THEY SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND INVALUABLE INFORMATION. I REALLY WISH THE ST OWNERS HAD AS MUCH OF THIS SPIRIT AS THEY DO PRIDE IN BEING #1.

In the above quote, StoryTime refers to having a new "family MC" with "modern electronic lockboxes...right at the house" with "no need to pick up keys at another location." This tells me there was a problem with the past MC and the owner made the necessary change. :thumbsup2 MY THIRD POINT: SO WHY ATTACK PEOPLE HERE THAT HAD THE SAME OBSERVATIONS/OPINIONS? :sad2: PEOPLE WERE JUST GIVING THEIR HONEST REVIEWS IN ORDER TO HELP OTHERS! NOW, I WONDER IF I CAN APPROACH THIS OWNER AS A RENTER WITH A PROBLEM? (And, I wonder if I will be notified by the ST owners of this new MC change and check-in procedure since my paper work gives me totally different instructions to pick up keys at the old MC?)

The ST homes look lovely. Let's hope they stay that way with good management. I just don't know that they're right for my family...

[sympatico]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Mousebit. :thumbsup2 I had read all of these posts as they were posted when the thread first started and came to the same conclusion that you did. I find all of the Dis-owners very helpful and supportive of each other. It's great to have this site for information and help to those of us who like to stay in these homes. It has also given me a better understanding of the owners side of renting. Hopefully the ST people will cool off a little and see that no one was out to get them. I think their homes are wonderful and was planning to inquire about their new 6 bedroom for our trip but it was booked for our dates.

[horseshowmom]

[QUOTE=StoryTime;18902991]
I am concerned about an owner who would come on these boards and be so defensive and accusatory. Yes, other owners post here, but I have searched and read every ST thread and NOT ONE of those owners have in any way criticized ST.


In the above quote, StoryTime refers to having a new "family MC" with "modern electronic lockboxes...right at the house" with "no need to pick up keys at another location." This tells me there was a problem with the past MC and the owner made the necessary change.

I agree with both of these thoughts.

I've looked at ST before and have actually suggested them to some others. I would have been much more impressed with an owner who acknowledged that there had been problems with the previous MC (which there obviously have been) and that they had taken steps to correct the problems. That didn't happen here. In fact, the response was just the opposite. That bothers me...

[4eyedbuzzard]

It would seem to me that from reading this read that there were some MC problems in the past that ST has addressed. While there is no excuse for dirty bedding and linens, on the issue of bugs a home in Florida can have no bugs one day and be invaded by them the next. It's Florida, the bugs outnumber the humans 1,000,000 to 1, and there will be times even with diligent exterminating the critters will mount an invasion. "Over-treatment" is not advised as the stuff that kills/repels the bugs is toxic to most lifeforms, as in humans, as well.

I would, however, find that a simple honest admission that ST had MC problems and has resolved them would be better than being defiant or mounting a "counter-attack" against criticism.

We renters know that things like refrigerators and air conditioners break. We know that bugs can invade. What we expect in return for our money is lodging as described and prompt attention to problems. In the final analysis, what we value most is honesty.

[PeachesDoesHair]

Hello
As the owner of Story Time Vacation Homes the
NUMBER ONE rental homes in Windsor Hills resort. By being on top you will always get other jealous owners making up lies to try to hurt you, these people that are answering for Story Time are not past guests they are owners trying to promote their own house by using Story Time. We have grown from 1 house to 5 houses in a year and a half and to provide the best service to our houses we have our own Story Time family managment company that just takes care of our 5 houses like only family can do, we are oncall 24- 7 to provide for you. We have the most modern electronic lockbox
no keys involved, you go right to the house and punch a private personal code and the front door will open.
This is easy for our guests they don't have to pick up keys at another location and drive all the way back to the house.
If any one has any questions please contact me Elias and Tanya at 201 851 1210.or e mail us at tanya@storytimeorlandorental.com


Thanks


:confused3 Wow. As someone who has been consistantly reading these boards for the last several months I can't say that I have ever seen someone say something bad about a home just to promote their own. In fact, I don't think you can advertise your home in posts?? Most everything I have read has been helpful and honest. When renting I am looking for the owners to be respectful and professional not only to me but to the other people in their industry. The owners on these boards do not bad mouth other houses. I have seen them go out of their way to help people like me have a great vacation.

[Mainebound]

Most everything I have read has been helpful and honest. When renting I am looking for the owners to be respectful and professional not only to me but to the other people in their industry. The owners on these boards do not bad mouth other houses. I have seen them go out of their way to help people like me have a great vacation.

I have to agree. The owners on these boards -- the owners who participate regularly -- are fantastic.

Threads like this are far from the norm.

Let's get back to the business of helping each other plan GREAT offsite stays!!

[StoryTime]

Ok George, now you really have me worried. :eek:

AS THE STORY TIME OWNER, FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE THAT THOUGHT I WAS REFERRING TO THEM....MY COMMENT WAS DIRECTED TO 5MINS2DISNEY (owner) NOT TO OUR GUESTS OR FUTURE GUESTS.....

LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE SAID, LETS GO BACK TO WORK HONESTLY.....




WE HAVE A FAMILY MANAGEMENT COMPANY NOW THAT WILL BE THERE FOR OUR GUEST 24/7.....WE ARE THERE TO MAKE YOUR VACATION THE BEST IT CAN BE (like it was for my family).....WE PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT INTO OUR TOWNHOUSES/VILLA.....THANK YOU VERY MUCH ....STORY TIME OWNERS

tanya@storytimeorlandorental.com 201-851-1210

[5mins2disney]

You haven't "proven" anything and you're right, I no longer wish to be affiliated with this post in any way shape or form, hence I deleted any posts I have made to this thread, which were mostly about Windsor Hills Resort and not your homes in any way.

[dreams n wishes]

As a vacation property owner myself, it amazes :scared1: me to see that a property owner has the audacity to try to give a bad reputation to another home owner. This is no longer about the managment company but now it is also about the guestbook. I wonder what is going to be tomorrow. However, I am glad to see that we have been able to identify who these owners are (such as 5mins2disney). If this was my case I wouldn't hesitate to contact my attorney. Wouldn't you think they removed all their negative posts for a reason?:confused:

*~`Dreams n Wishes`~*

[4eyedbuzzard]

If this was my case I wouldn't hesitate to contact my attorney.

Yawn
popcorn::

[luvmy3jewels]

As a past renter of a Story Time 3 townhome, I can honestly say that George (5 mins to Disney) was much more helpful regarding questions I had about Windsor Hills than the owners were. In fact, when I first started visiting this board, last fall, I actually saw at least one post from him that recommended StoryTime as homes that have a character themed bedroom for kids. His recommendation helped me to decide that Story Time was the place to stay. If not for this board, and George, I would have never found Story Time to rent from.

I will say that there were several negative posts that made me nervous about my decision. However, these were all from people that had stayed in the ST townhomes, not owners of other competing properties.

Thanks George for all of your help and advice from the best places to eat to directions to the back entrance to Disney. As someone who regularly reads the posts on this board, I think you have done a great job selling people on Windsor Hills rentals, and not just your own!!

As far as Villa Direct goes, it was a pain to have to go pick up the key from them and then go find the townhome. We also noticed a few signs that the home was not being maintained as well as it possibly could. So I think the owners have made a wise decision to switch management companies.

[luvmy3jewels]

I forgot to add....

The fact that there are so many Story Time townhomes and none had comments in the guest book DID make me nervous as a renter. I thought that it was very strange they had received no feedback on their properties.

[mbb]

OK folks...

We have to remember this is an open message board, and there are guidelines and rules that we all have to play by.

For sale or rent posts are not permitted.

The folks here that are owners are reminded of that (if there are ever any issues), and Kilee and I do permit them to be upfront that they own homes.
They can provide information about their communities, but not direct links to the homes they have for rent.

We feel that the help they provide is invaluable to people interested in a villa/townhome/condo rental vacation.

Personal attacks will not be tolerated.

You have all read that when considering a rental property for your vacation, you must practice due diligence, do your homework, investigate however you can.

And if you feel comfortable renting a property at that point, then you enter into an agreement with the owner or management company for the property you've selected.

Private/mgmt rentals are the same as staying at any hotel.
Individuals may experience issues that they have concerns with, and seek resolution for them.

Having a Review Board, and actively or seldomly participating here, can be a double-edged sword for private owners.

They have to take the good with the bad.

The Managment Compaines have to take the good with the bad, too.
It's only from renters that owners will hear if their Mgmt. Co. has done well in acting for them as their representatives.

Now, we're all going to take a deep breath, and move on.

:sunny:

[Minnie]

As a vacation property owner myself, it amazes :scared1: me to see that a property owner has the audacity to try to give a bad reputation to another home owner. This is no longer about the managment company but now it is also about the guestbook. I wonder what is going to be tomorrow. However, I am glad to see that we have been able to identify who these owners are (such as 5mins2disney). If this was my case I wouldn't hesitate to contact my attorney. Wouldn't you think they removed all their negative posts for a reason?:confused:

*~`Dreams n Wishes`~*

Personally I have to wonder when I see a post like this from a "1" time only poster :rolleyes1

George has been nothing but kind to all of us that are looking for rental homes. Whether at his own properties or helping someone find a fit at another property, or help with any type of Orlando questions.

Moderators..... I do think the post that I have quoted should be deleted!

[4eyedbuzzard]

As a past renter of a Story Time 3 townhome, I can honestly say that George (5 mins to Disney) was much more helpful regarding questions I had about Windsor Hills than the owners were. In fact, when I first started visiting this board, last fall, I actually saw at least one post from him that recommended StoryTime as homes that have a character themed bedroom for kids. His recommendation helped me to decide that Story Time was the place to stay. If not for this board, and George, I would have never found Story Time to rent from.

I will say that there were several negative posts that made me nervous about my decision. However, these were all from people that had stayed in the ST townhomes, not owners of other competing properties.

Thanks George for all of your help and advice from the best places to eat to directions to the back entrance to Disney. As someone who regularly reads the posts on this board, I think you have done a great job selling people on Windsor Hills rentals, and not just your own!!

As far as Villa Direct goes, it was a pain to have to go pick up the key from them and then go find the townhome. We also noticed a few signs that the home was not being maintained as well as it possibly could. So I think the owners have made a wise decision to switch management companies.

Well stated. During the past two months of reading/posting here since planning our upcoming trip, I've never read any of George's(5mins2disney) posts that do anything but promote Windsor Hills AND off-site resort homes in general vs WDW resorts.

In all of his posts I've never inferred anything more than that the experience of both owners and renters is heavily dependent upon the performance of the many MC's being paid to manage these properties. Some are good, and some are not so good(is that gentle enough for the warm and fuzzy PC police?). When he's criticized certain MC's or disagreed personally with property policies, he's offered his experience, inside knowledge, and reasoning to back it up. He's even told of his own problems experienced by him and his renters and his own struggle to find a good MC.

I can pretty much guaranty that George's participation on this board results in way more bookings for his competition than for his own properties, just do to the types and sizes of units, renter's needs, and limited availability of his own properties. I've many times seen him suggest that prospective renters seek out other WH properties than his own.

Anyone reading this thread should be advised that IMO, BOTH 5mins2disney and storytime are probably among the nicer properties available at WH. The dispute here has gotten a little out of hand. Both of these owners seem to take a lot of pride in their properties and their customer service. Both, I'm sure, put much effort into the business end of being "hoteliers" and making sure guests are satisfied. I honestly wouldn't think twice about renting from either one of them, though I do think both should take a breather from this thread. It's not doing either one of them any good at this point. Hint, hint. ;)

[tednvon]

As some of you know, I am in the "former owner" of Emerald Island rental property catagory and have watched this topic on the disboards evolve since 2002 from an occassional question about rental homes and condos to an almost frantic pace of posts asking extremely detailed questions about every room, neighborhood, costs, back roads, pools, and of late management companies.

I think what has happened with the Story Time post was a tempest in a teapot just waiting to happen. Our current owners who post here frequently are passionate in both their love of Disney and desire to help others enjoy the off-site experience. If ever the old addage, "The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions" might be a perfect fit, this is it.

It seems to me that the more we "off site pro's" offer the more is asked in terms of detail and alas personal opinion vs. information.

And I know, and indeed still enjoy, the rush that goes with being " the one who really knows and gives out all the valuable advice." But there is a trap with being so giving and generous with information...we start to tell people what we think vs. giving information...not that we are wrong , but it can appear very one sided at times.

I could not agree more that it may be time to take a deep breath, and understand that a few people cannot and should not be the expected to plan hundreds of vacations for others. Others need to have their own experiences and then choose to post on these boards.

I totally agree that all the owners who post here frequently have hearts in the right place and really care...but...........
anyone can get a lawyer for any reason and put good people in a very very scary position...anger and protecting ones financial assets is strong motivator...

Thanks for listening...Ted

[mbb]

Have a good day everyone.
:sunny: