5minutes2disney - anyone stay at Windsor Hills with them?

[FiveofusNL]

Hi All. Just wondering if anyone on the boards has stayed in a Windsor Hills townhouse through 5minutes2disney.com/ (under management of Oasis Vacation Homes)? I am looking at the "Wishes" and "Fantasmic" homes and would love some reviews of the homes/group. Thanks!

 

[connorlevismom]

I have not personally stayed with them (picked a different place because of price), but the owner seemed great and I would not hesitate to book with them. I just wish they were not so expensive!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I haven't stayed there either but have read good reports - one of the owners used to be on these boards. I have stayed in a TH at WH that uses the same management company and we found them to be very good

 

[FiveofusNL]

I have not personally stayed with them (picked a different place because of price), but the owner seemed great and I would not hesitate to book with them. I just wish they were not so expensive!

Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning towards others that seem to have the same amenities for a better price myself.

 

[FiveofusNL]

I haven't stayed there either but have read good reports - one of the owners used to be on these boards. I have stayed in a TH at WH that uses the same management company and we found them to be very good

Thanks. Even knowing that the management company is good to work with is nice to know. I might still end up with them, but I am leaning towards one of two other THs now that are better prices and have lots of reviews available.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Thanks. Even knowing that the management company is good to work with is nice to know. I might still end up with them, but I am leaning towards one of two other THs now that are better prices and have lots of reviews available.

The one we rent is on VRBO - we are going back for the 4th time at Christmas. Normally get a discount as we stay for nearly 3 weeks

 

[Belle599]

Yes, I stayed at their Wishes townhome in May 2009 - very satisfied!

You can see my photos and read about my experience in an old Trip Report I did - here is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2521131

 

[FiveofusNL]

Yes, I stayed at their Wishes townhome in May 2009 - very satisfied! You can see my photos and read about my experience in an old Trip Report I did - here is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2521131

Thanks!!

 

[mrsklamc]

We had a fabulous experience staying with them. Can't tell you who the property management company was at the time though as the owner did all the communications himself. Simply wonderful service and gorgeous townhome.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

We've stayed at fantasmic twice and love it! They are great to work with and the property is well maintained and so relaxing after a long day at the parks! You'll love it!

 

[FiveofusNL]

We've stayed at fantasmic twice and love it! They are great to work with and the property is well maintained and so relaxing after a long day at the parks! You'll love it!

Thanks!

 

[Jamnett]

I know this is an old thread, but it is the 1st that comes up when you search for 5minutes2disney. There are a lot of reviews for them, but nothing recent. I do not know why. My family of 5 just returned from 10 days at the Fantasmic townhouse in Windsor Hills and could not be happier. George was excellent to deal with. Answered all of my questions quickly. The house was better than the pictures and thoughtfully set up. Did not need for anything and very clean. Check in and out was a breeze and this would be our 1st go to on any future Orlando trip. Price was very reasonable and they cam through when we were left stranded by another home 9 days before our trip.
There was Disney decor, but not over the top. The kids loved the game cube and having 3 showers late at the end of a Florida summer day was a blessing.
Quiet street and section of the community.
I over payed by mistake and he promptly refunded my money. Oasis still manages the home and has everything set up and all questions answered.

Another Windsor Hills townhouse returned our money and cancelled on us without explanation ("Something came up with the house. Have a Good trip". was the note. -Beware - Canbemagic 2530 Maneshaw Lane. Bill was very responsive until he cancelled us after entering into an agreement and receiving money to rent us his home.)

 

[married2mm]

I love how you turned your negative into a positive.
Never stayed at WH ; have considered it previously and ended up at emerald island instead (price was the final decision. Maker)

I know this is an old thread, but it is the 1st that comes up when you search for 5minutes2disney. There are a lot of reviews for them, but nothing recent. I do not know why. My family of 5 just returned from 10 days at the Fantasmic townhouse in Windsor Hills and could not be happier. George was excellent to deal with. Answered all of my questions quickly. The house was better than the pictures and thoughtfully set up. Did not need for anything and very clean. Check in and out was a breeze and this would be our 1st go to on any future Orlando trip. Price was very reasonable and they cam through when we were left stranded by another home 9 days before our trip.
There was Disney decor, but not over the top. The kids loved the game cube and having 3 showers late at the end of a Florida summer day was a blessing.
Quiet street and section of the community.
I over payed by mistake and he promptly refunded my money. Oasis still manages the home and has everything set up and all questions answered.

Another Windsor Hills townhouse returned our money and cancelled on us without explanation ("Something came up with the house. Have a Good trip". was the note. -Beware - Canbemagic 2530 Maneshaw Lane. Bill was very responsive until he cancelled us after entering into an agreement and receiving money to rent us his home.)

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Their pricing for townhomes looks insane. We go in the off season (Sept and May) and I wouldn't pay more than $600-$650 for a townhome. Plus there is tax and fees on top of what they are listing for their weekly rates. I also travel with a baby and toddler and find the rates that they are charging for baby gear to be ridiculous. $30 for a pack n play? $30 for a high chair? Nope--I wouldn't pay that. Most owners include that stuff for free, or maybe $25 total to have access to ALL the baby gear (stroller, high chair, and pack n play.)

 

[Jamnett]

Their pricing for townhomes looks insane. We go in the off season (Sept and May) and I wouldn't pay more than $600-$650 for a townhome. Plus there is tax and fees on top of what they are listing for their weekly rates. I also travel with a baby and toddler and find the rates that they are charging for baby gear to be ridiculous. $30 for a pack n play? $30 for a high chair? Nope--I wouldn't pay that. Most owners include that stuff for free, or maybe $25 total to have access to ALL the baby gear (stroller, high chair, and pack n play.)

The fantasmic home had all the baby gear you would need included in the home Strollers, pack n play, even a cooler bag. We stayed for 10days and price was very reasonable compared at other homes. I checked for months on all of the sites (VRBO, AirBNB, etc) I found this directly on one of the WindsorHills rental sites. If you are interested I would definitely recommend emailing the owner and asking for a quote. Don't just go off the web listing for any rental home.

 

[leanne11]

We haven't stayed there. But WH is terrific..no worries there.. i find the charges for baby equipment. .absurd. .u only bought it once .y would u keep charging renters for that. .if they too high..pick someone else..believe me.tons too choose from. We used dave at vacation central florida and paid $399.. for townhouse with splash pool..and u will b surprised how many will haggle. .just ask..

 

[connorlevismom]

Their pricing for townhomes looks insane. We go in the off season (Sept and May) and I wouldn't pay more than $600-$650 for a townhome. Plus there is tax and fees on top of what they are listing for their weekly rates. I also travel with a baby and toddler and find the rates that they are charging for baby gear to be ridiculous. $30 for a pack n play? $30 for a high chair? Nope--I wouldn't pay that. Most owners include that stuff for free, or maybe $25 total to have access to ALL the baby gear (stroller, high chair, and pack n play.)

Just a question, you do realize what you max of $650 for 7 nights boils down to, right? I have a friend who owns a WH townhome and your $650 for the week amounts to $70 a night after the owner pays taxes and the cleaning fee. So really the owner gets $490 of your $650. I know for a fact that the energy bill alone costs $300 a month.
So I have to wonder why you think someone should rent their 3 bed/3 bath townhome for lower than what it costs to stay in a motel 6 and anything more than that is considered insane.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Just a question, you do realize what you max of $650 for 7 nights boils down to, right? I have a friend who owns a WH townhome and your $650 for the week amounts to $70 a night after the owner pays taxes and the cleaning fee. So really the owner gets $490 of your $650. I know for a fact that the energy bill alone costs $300 a month.
So I have to wonder why you think someone should rent their 3 bed/3 bath townhome for lower than what it costs to stay in a motel 6 and anything more than that is considered insane.

It's not my job as a vacation home renter to concern myself over if the rent I'm paying a home owner is enough to pay their utilities or any other bills associated with maintaining their home. It was their decision to buy the home, rent it, and determine what rates to offer their home at. I'm a savvy shopper when it comes to nearly everything I choose to spend my money on. So I shop around and go with the rental home that's being offered at the lowest price that still has the features we want and has good reviews.

I think it would be ridiculous to instead base your rental home choice on which offer made the most profit for the owner. I personally don't give a rip about that.

Who ever said owning a rental home in the Disney area was a guaranteed income making opportunity? The market is over saturated with rental homes and those who know how to shop around can get a great deal. I can book a townhome through Vacation Central Florida for about $500 a week in the off season. They own multiple WH condos and townhomes and I don't doubt that they make a profit each year. I think that some vacation home owners find that they do better keeping their occupancy rate as high as possible while offering lower rate than only being at 20-50% occupancy and offering higher rates.

A vacation home is an investment with risk involved and the market determines rental rates, not energy bills.

 

[connorlevismom]

Well lucky for my friends they can get higher rents AND her home is filled 90% year after year. Why? Because she provides good customer service and she keeps her home high end and always up to date. And it is unbelievable clean. Places like Vacation Central Florida are a whole different breed of homes. So yep - you can get their homes for $500 a week and the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies in that situation. I have heard plenty about the quality of their homes and your right, they cater to bargain hunter for sure. My friend chooses to go a different route with her homes and her guests are her top priority, which is why she does so well. Different strokes for different folks. I have never stayed with 5minutes2disney, but I would bet they cater to clients looking for a higher end home as well. Just like my friend does.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Well lucky for my friends they can get higher rents AND her home is filled 90% year after year. Why? Because she provides good customer service and she keeps her home high end and always up to date. And it is unbelievable clean. Places like Vacation Central Florida are a whole different breed of homes. So yep - you can get their homes for $500 a week and the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies in that situation. I have heard plenty about the quality of their homes and your right, they cater to bargain hunter for sure. My friend chooses to go a different route with her homes and her guests are her top priority, which is why she does so well. Different strokes for different folks. I have never stayed with 5minutes2disney, but I would bet they cater to clients looking for a higher end home as well. Just like my friend does.

I'm not sure why you are concerned about renters like me, who seek out the best value for their vacation dollars, if your friend charges $700+ a week for her WH townhome and maintains an occupancy rate near 100%?

There is a market for "high end homes." I'm definitely not it. We like rentals that are spacious (2-4 bedrooms depending on who is going), clean, and have a comfortable living room and functional kitchen. I need baby gear--crib and high chair. Beyond that, I'm not really interested in paying top dollar for a huge flat screen, granite countertops, marble bathroom, etc. I've rented through Vacation Central Florida twice. My initial visit with them was not perfect and the owner of the company MORE than made things right with me--thus why I rented with them a second time and had a fantastic experience.

Your whole post sounds rather snobbish and uppity to me.