Vacation Home Rentals???

[tebookie]

Just found out yesterday that my family will be able to fit in a vacation to Orlando in June. Actually June 14-18 Friday - Tuesday.


Can anyone help us with websites or emails for renting a vacation home? Any info would be great!

Thanks

[Puffy2]

Tons of sites out there for you to look at. Here is one link with a good deal on a brand new home: http://www.orlandotripplanner.com/vacationhomes/rental.htm

[tmli]

I've booked with a private owner I found at www.vrbo.com. They have a huge selection and the best rates. We got a 3 bdrm villa for $74/nt in Kissimmee , full kitchen, laundry, 2baths etc. Stayed at this property last year for almost twice as much. We booked thru a travel agent--the place was great. I'm sure for half the money we'll enjoy it more this year.

[Mr D]

My family of myself, my wife, our 8 year old son, my stepdaughter and her 4 year old daughter stayed at a vacation rental home from just after thanksgiving for a full two weeks. I plan on definately doing it again, so much privacy, security, the quiet, and the luxury. Only bad part of that vacation was the cutbacks at WDW. We had our own private heated enclosed pool. Two big TVs, VCR, washer and dryer and the latest in a fully equipped kitchen that was lavisly supplied with all means of cookware and utensils. I paid $66 a night, but that was a special rate for then because of the downturn in the travel industry after 9/11, normally I think they are $120 a night.

Originally I had completely paid for 10 nights at The Disney Institute for a room with a kitchen, we cannot eat out much because of allergic reactions most of my family can have. That cost me $3906 but then I found out about renting a home, it wasn't far, about 15-20 minutes total to get to the park, i think it was about 5-7 miles away towards Haines City.
I managed to get my refund back from Disney but not until the day before we left, that was cutting it close!:rolleyes:

The website is at Families First (http://www.familiesfirst.com)

They only require one night prepaid for a deposit, we were never in contact with a salesperson to try and get us to buy a home but after all due thinking I think I may just do that, it would certainly guarantee us a safe and clean place to stay while on our annual Orlando vacation. Plus it might make its own income. But anyway check this one out and also the several other management groups that offer these, IMHO with the massive cutbacks at the resorts it may be the best way to stay from now on.

[FLeisure]

Mr D,
If you are seriously considering this please make sure you do your homework.
There are a few thousand Short Term Rental homes in the area now and if it is vital that you achieve a certain amount of income to pay for the house, my advice is don't do it.

If, however, you are in the fortunate position of income not being the key, then it probably is a good investment on a longterm basis. At present there are many good deals to be had as some folks who should never have bought get out.

Take care and take your time.

[Mr D]

Actually its my goal to live in Orlando or Florida period of about 4-6 months of the year. see where I live? I still have 2 feet of snow in my yard, we really do get 6 months of winter here in central Alaska and I work seasonally in the construction trades.

[MalcolmC]

Mr D,

Living in Alaska and wanting to head south - does that class you as a snow bird?? ...or does age come into it?

Renting out a property is not as straightforward as it sounds. Trust me I've got one;)

Now if you wanted to rent it for 4-6 months, I'm sure you could do a deal.

There are some Brits who go over for the Winter months - that's our ultimate aim.

Seriously though, we always rented a place until we bought our own. It's peaceful, secure, plenty of space, come and go as you want. You can throw the kids in the pool to keep thenm quiet when they're bored etc. etc.

Where we are, Hampton Lakes, has tennis, basketball and volleyball to amuse the kids as well so Mum and Dad can have a rest when we come back from Disney or wherever.

[candygold]

We stayed in a beautiful home we rented through ************************ . It had a heated pool and jacuzzi, plenty of room for privacy. We can't wait to go back.

[FLeisure]

Thanks Candygold.....it will be our pleasure to see you again.

Is there anything we can do better ?
Anything that would make your stay nicer ?


:p