1st Time Staying Off

[katyjeka]

Hi. We've been to WDW a total of 11 times, and have always stayed onsite. We have 3 dd's, and have decided to try a villa offsite. I must admit I'm a little nervous, however we only plan on spending a few days at disney and the rest trying new things. We go Dec 8th - 19th, and will hit disney early on. There is sooo much info. on places to stay that I must admit I'm a bit confused. Any advice on a particular property, 3 or 4 bedroom home, that you've stayed at would be greatly appreciate. We're looking for clean, pool and spa, game room not necessary, and would also consider a townhome w/splash pool. Can you give any help?? Thanks Janice

 

[spiceycat]

both Emerald Isle and Windsor Hills get very good reviews here.

http://emeraldislandresortvacationhomes.com/

http://www.windsorhillsrent.com/

here is a map
http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa/map.htm

both are good locations for WDW.

when I rent a home it will probably be further away so hopefully can get a good price on it.

right now going through the timeshares.

 

[KayR]

Hi. We've been to WDW a total of 11 times, and have always stayed onsite. We have 3 dd's, and have decided to try a villa offsite. I must admit I'm a little nervous, however we only plan on spending a few days at disney and the rest trying new things. We go Dec 8th - 19th, and will hit disney early on. There is sooo much info. on places to stay that I must admit I'm a bit confused. Any advice on a particular property, 3 or 4 bedroom home, that you've stayed at would be greatly appreciate. We're looking for clean, pool and spa, game room not necessary, and would also consider a townhome w/splash pool. Can you give any help?? Thanks Janice

I would recommend that you think about what you really need in your home and what you would like to have.

Questions such as

-Beds - how many and what size
-How far from Disney do you want to be
-Do you want a gated community or no
-Do you want homes all around you or do you want a conservation or lake view behind
-Do you want community facilities
-What is my budget (make it realistic for the features and amenities that you want)
-Other home amenities (pool / spa / internet access / luxury / Games Console / Computer / themed rooms / Movies and games provided etc)


If you like the look of certain communities - look for community websites. A lot of the communities have owners getting together to advertise their homes on a community website. Windsor Palms, Windsor Hills, Emerald Island all have this and I am sure other communities do to.

When sending an enquiry, let the owners know about what you must have or if your dates are fixed. Also tell them about what you would like. That can help owners decide if they should offer you their home. (For example, if you wanted a home with a spa and that was a must have - owners without spas should do you the courtesy of not replying). There are a number of 4 bedroom homes out there, and by narrowing down what you want, you should get more qualified replies and it should make it easier for you to choose.

Be aware that a lot of owners are from the UK and other countries, so don't let that fact put you off a particular home.

-Kay

 

[horseshowmom]

I haven't stayed at either of these, but:

www.romancingthemouse.com
There are some reviews for this one on the review board link (at the top of this board), and they have been great. I'm tempted by this one myself.

Also, I know that there's a poster on these boards who has a place with a townhouse with a splash pool. I think the user name is 5mins2disney. There may be some posts on his place on the reveiw board too. It sounds great too. I think the website is www.5mins2disney.com.

Good luck!

 

[5mins2disney]

I haven't stayed at either of these, but:

www.romancingthemouse.com
There are some reviews for this one on the review board that accompanies this board, and they have been great. I'm tempted by this one myself.

Also, I know that there's a poster on these boards who has a place with a townhouse with a splash pool. I think the user name is 5mins2disney. There may be some posts on his place on the reveiw board too. It sounds great too. I think the website is www.5mins2disney.com.

Good luck!

That would be us all right! We have had quite a few DIS members stay with us and all have given us great feedback so far, and there are a few good reviews you can look at on the reviews section of this board on our place!

Thanks for the mention!

- George