$600 a week for a house, would you do it?

[mapmakerj]

We are going to DW next June and were planning to stay onsite for the EMH and the option of hopping back to our resort for a quick pm swim, but a co-worker of my DH made him an offer I am finding hard to refuse. THe co-workers parents own a home in Kissimmee and rent it out from spring to fall for family and friends for $600 for the week. It is a 2BD, 2Bath home with a screened in pool off of Osceola Pkwy just before you get to the FL Turnpike. Would you rent it? Would the drive to the parks be too bad in early to mid-June? We like the idea of not having to share a pool and being able to have quick meals in our "room" when we are there. We would be there for 2 weeks and doing both DW and US. Any opinions on price or location?

 

[spiceycat]

I think that is pretty good.

here are owners rental for you to compare their prices to his deal

www.vrbo.com

www.redweek.com

you could probably get a timeshares - 2 bedroom 2 bath for less using skyauction - closer to WDW.

www.skyauction.com - if you like to do auction

otherwise

www.condodirect.com

or
www.hotelkingdom.com

lots of people here like Cypress Pointe

tell him you are thinking of going with one of the others and see if he won't reduce his price.

 

[ddoll]

We always rent homes when we bring the whole family. I think it's wonderful. We find it an absolute luxury to get a break from the crowds. There are many plusses: more bathroom space than a hotel room, your own pool, your own laundry facilities (no dirty laundry to bring home), save money on meals, and some much needed privacy.

 

[califred]

Last year we rented a 5 bdr and 4 bdr villa, together it was about 1700 dollars and well worth it for the 19 of us. It was nice to be able to cook if we wanted, to have our own pools and to have space for the kids and adults to not all be on top of each other.

And we did laundry every couple of days too

 

[disneymom3]

That seems kind of high for a 2 bedroom. YOu could get several different condos for less than that on Hotel Kingdom.

 

[prncess674]

Why not do the first week in the house and the second week onsite at WDW. Use the first week to tour and do many of the non Disney activities.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

I just paid $650.00 US through a travel agency for a 2 bd/2 bath. Doesn't sound like this "friend" is giving you a deal. I'd look around! Good Luck!

 

[SusanDK]

The Osceola Parkway just near the Florida Turnpike turnoff is not that great of a location for a trip to WDW. It shouldn't take that long to drive to the parks, perhaps 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions, but you will pay tolls both ways. I haven't been in June, so cannot speak for the traffic at that time of year. You will be quite a distance from Universal.

I would check around for some of the all-suites hotels that are closer to WDW. You might be able to find something in a similar price range that will give you condo-like accommodations.

Susan

 

[magsmouse]

We stayed in ahouse last week and it was great. The kids loved having their own pool and it was a nice break from the hectic pace of the parks (they were very crowded last week). See if you can get closer in for that price, you probably can. Good suggestion to split the time, 1 week on 1 week off.

 

[disneysteve]

I think you can do better. If not cheaper, at least closer. For $600, you can probably get a 3-bedroom house within 10 minutes of Disney. Check the sites spiceycat listed above.

 

[wicket2005]

Staying in a house is lovely, we have done it twice. Once in Kissimmee and the other in LBV. You do get a lot more space and it is so peaceful after a hectic day at the parks.

However, Kissimmee is a lot further away from the attractions which is why we wouldn't go back there to stay. We did seem to spend an awful lot of time getting stuck in traffic going to and from the parks.

 

[HeatherC]

Like others have said, you might be able to get a better deal elsewhere. But...when you consider you get a whole house for less than one tiny room onsite for $600 it still is a great deal.

By renting timeshare villas and using skyauction is how we are able to go more than once a year. I just couldn't do it if we stayed onsite. Mostly because I have three kids and we would either need two rooms or be crammed into one. With my kids still pretty young, this is no vacation.

If you are considering offsite near the parks, consider Cypress Pointe thru Hotel Kingdom...very reasonable....also you could try SkyAuctions ready set go auctions.

Best of luck and happy planning!
HeatherC

 

[murcor]

We are going to DW next June and were planning to stay onsite for the EMH and the option of hopping back to our resort for a quick pm swim, but a co-worker of my DH made him an offer I am finding hard to refuse.

Hmmm.....Im sure the house would be great...but I am a sucker for location, convenience etc. I vote for onsite or very close by.

Angela

 

[isla bonita]

The house sounds great. I am not one to stay on site. I know but the room to spread out and not be spending a ton of money suites me. I would try both then you can see what is the best fit for you. If I had to spend the money for on site in a two bedroom I would not be able to go as often. I love Disney but I do not like not being able to swim late at night with a pool home it is at your back door. This again is not for everybody.

 

[mbb]

www.vrbo.com
www.orlandovillas.com
www.rentalo.com
www.villasflorida.com

Just do a search for 3 bedroom homes...you'll be pleasantly surprised I think

 

[lilsonicfan]

When I was looking for 2 bedroom places, I found that most 2 bedroom detached homes were mobile homes. Not my cup of tea for a vacation. We ended up renting a 3 bedroom condo instead for less than $600/week... Anyway I would definitely search through VRBO as well and other such sites as I think you can find a better deal. Try to stay in an area that is close to Splendid China - near mile markers 4/5 on the 192. It's a great area, easily accessible to parks, and the traffic isn't horrible.

 

[BonnieA]

I always stay off site. I have rented both condo's and houses in the past and will again this November. But as others have said, $600 seems a little high for a 2 bedroom location that far away. In January I stayed in a 3 bedroom condo for $399/wk ($499+tax for June). It was very convenient.
I have a 4 bedroom/3 bath pool home with hot tub rented for November. It is in Rolling Hills which is just a few miles from disney. Getting that for $833/week including tax and hot tub heat. Got both from vrbo.com