All Star Vacation Homes Questions

[RllngRckBrw]

I was qondering about some experiences of others who have stayed in one of these homes. we are 2 possibly 3 families all with children (between the age of 6 months and 14) and are looking to share a home. What are some of the best and/or worst parts of being here? Our family has never stayed off property and was wondering if you could throw in some other tips as well. We will be driving from Ohio (16 hours overnight). I also had a question about the early check in. What time is it?

 

[twiter]

far away for there i think 16 hours :S

 

[sympatico]

I can't help much with AllStar except to say that they get very good reviews. We usually rent directly from the owner. We love staying in vacation homes. You have tons of room, privacy and amenities. Even when it's only my husband and me we still get a home. The biggest hurdle in staying off site is that you need a vehicle and since you're driving down that's no problem.
My husband, I and our 2 sons, wives and 4 grandkids stayed in a 6 bedroom home last year. Everyone loved it. The grandkids were between 2 and 4 yrs old and it was good that they had their own rooms and beds, made for more rested kids. They loved having their own pool. It was a lot less hassle just stepping out your patio doors than having to lug everything to a resort pool.
Most homes have game rooms with pool tables, air hockey, playstations etc. which is entertaining for the kids and adults. You can't beat having your own kitchen even if you only want to do breakfast and snacks. Washer and dryer is great.
Just remember that there is no maid service. You live like you would at home: looking after washing towels, taking out the garbage, making beds ( if you want to ) etc. When you check out you'll probably have to strip the beds and take everything to the laundry room along with towels, maybe start a load, put all dishes in dishwasher and start it, dispose of all leftover food and take the garbage out.
You'll have to buy toilet paper, paper towels, detergents, garbage bags etc when you get there or bring some with you if you're driving. ( I presume you still have to do this even when you go through AllStar.) You'll have to go grocery shopping. I'm not trying to scare you off but it's better knowing these things before hand than to be surprised when you get there.
My daughters in law said they would trade all the "magic" in Disney for having the extra room and privacy of a vacation home.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

Just remember that there is no maid service. You live like you would at home: looking after washing towels, taking out the garbage, making beds ( if you want to ) etc. When you check out you'll probably have to strip the beds and take everything to the laundry room along with towels, maybe start a load, put all dishes in dishwasher and start it, dispose of all leftover food and take the garbage out.
You'll have to buy toilet paper, paper towels, detergents, garbage bags etc when you get there or bring some with you if you're driving. ( I presume you still have to do this even when you go through AllStar.) You'll have to go grocery shopping. I'm not trying to scare you off but it's better knowing these things before hand than to be surprised when you get there.
My daughters in law said they would trade all the "magic" in Disney for having the extra room and privacy of a vacation home.

These are things that I have not completely thought of. It is by no means a deterent but just something for us to keep in mind. I would plan to take advantage of the mid week maid service, but still have thhe day to day things to take care of. I also would not mind getting groceries detergents, etc. I have already writen of the first day of our trip for me. The rest of the fam and who else wants to go to the parks can and I would plan to do those things after my nap.

What things are provided? I have never rented a vacation home before. Do they provide dishes, and linens? Everything else is up to us correct?

 

[sympatico]

These are things that I have not completely thought of. It is by no means a deterent but just something for us to keep in mind. I would plan to take advantage of the mid week maid service, but still have thhe day to day things to take care of. I also would not mind getting groceries detergents, etc. I have already writen of the first day of our trip for me. The rest of the fam and who else wants to go to the parks can and I would plan to do those things after my nap.

What things are provided? I have never rented a vacation home before. Do they provide dishes, and linens? Everything else is up to us correct?

Everything such as dishes, pots and pans, small appliances, kitchen utensils, linens, towels, most have baby stuff like high chairs, cribs (sometimes it's a full size crib and sometimes a packnplay), even strollers sometimes. You need to ask about the baby stuff if you need it so you'll know for sure. You just have to bring the stuff you would use up. There's always enough toilet paper, dishwasher tabs etc to get started but you need to buy more as well as soap, shampoo and personal items. If you want a bbq you should inquire about whether one is provided or if you have to rent one.
When you get there you'll find a binder with information in it about the house, garbage day, what to do on check out etc.
Pool and lawn maintenance is provided. Pool heat is usually extra if you're going from Oct to Apr. and well worth it.
Some subdivisions like Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms, Emerald Island have clubhouses with resort pools, playgrounds etc and some subdivisions like Formosa Gardens Estates, Indian Creek, Oak Island Cove, Rolling Hills just have the pool homes. The first three also have manned gated security, FGEstates , Acadia Estates, Sunset Lakes have a coded gate and the other three have no gate.

 

[TC1026]

RllngRckBrw,

Here is a list of the items that you will find standard in any AllStar Vacation Home: http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com/vacation-home-standard-amenities.asp I would pack a fe of the items that you use at home but don't want to buy on vacation, a couple of trash bags, dish washer tablets, things that come in big boxes that you many only need 3 of...you could also mail stuff to AllStar and it will be at the office when you check in. We have done this the last few trips where we have flown...less stuff to carry and the airlines charge you more to carry it youself!!

We stayed with them about 2 years ago when we were looking for a rental property. We liked them so much we ended up picking them to manager our property. The customer service is great. For years we stayed on property and it's awesome, but unless it's a small group you can spend tons on hotels/multipule rooms for just 1 family. We are now a family of 5 and have stayed in rental homes in other places (Outer Banks and Cape Cod)...it was sort of a revelation for us...why do we spend all this money on a hotel when we could stay in a house with a private pool, game room, or just about anything you may want. As with everything, there are some good and some bad...if you need maid service every day then a rental home is not for you...but if you can live without it there is plenty to look forward too Our house has a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse themed room, so between that and the Game room and the pool my kids are fine with a day or 3 off from the parks...lots to do at "home"!

Driving from 1,000+ miles is always an adventure. We live just outside of Philadelphia and have made the trip by car 2x in the last 2 years. We only had 2 kids for both of those trips but both work out OK. We had done several 8 hrs trips but never longer!! The first time was an experience, at the time the boys were 5 and about 3. They thought it was an adventure ( and it was!!), totally worth it. Lots of great road trip memories. We are looking forward to the next one with number 3. We will likely drive down this summer. We did the drive over 1.5 days. Hampton Inn somewhere along the way works out great, and cheap, all of us in one room and the rate includes breakfast for about $100. As for early check in, it's only available if the house is not rented the day before your arrival. Normal check out is 11 am, chenck in 4, so you could probable get there by 11, maybe earlier if you set up with early check in. What ever time you think it will take to drive, it will probably take more

The staying with multiple families...well sometimes its good and sometimes not so good. Our house is a 3/3 with two master suites...it works out great if you have the grandparents or another couple( 2 smaller families). AllStar has house/condos of all sizes in several communities. Our house is in Windsor Palms, I like the community a lot. Another option would be to stay at 2 (or more) properties close together so that you can have your space!! No mater what you decide, it sounds like a great time.

Tim

 

[deejay-55]

You will have a great time – once you have stayed in a villa with your own private pool and spa, you will wonder why you ever chose a hotel.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've rented twice with All Star Vacation Homes (one 6 bedroom home and one 7 bedroom home in Acadia Estates) and I can't say enough GREAT things about our experiences . As others have said....it is just like being at home with washing towels, making beds (if you wish), cooking, etc..........but for the room it can't be beat . We did 2 family trips with 13 people the first year and 8 the next and we chose it so we could all stay together in one place and it worked out great . Having your own pool and everyone having their own bedroom/bed is priceless!!!! We will always rent with All Star whenever there is a need for a home vs a resort/hotel room . As far as check in......I can't remember what time the office opens/closes, but if it's after hours they put your packet/house keys in a lock box and give you a code to retrieve it when you arrive. And if you depart during non-business hours, you return the keys to a lockbox upon checking out.....couldn't be any easier or more convenient . Good luck and have a great trip.......you can't go wrong with All Star Vacation Homes .