Am I asking for too much?

[lchuck]

I'm looking for some advice from the offsite experts out there. We are going to Disney in late May / early June 2016 and want to stay offsite. I'm looking for a 3BR condo for an 11 night (Thurs-Mon) stay and I would love to pay about $800 all inclusive (taxes, cleaning, etc). We went this year and enjoyed leaving the parks a few of the days for afternoon breaks, so I don't want to be too far away, but am OK with a 15 min or so total drive. I've collected a couple dozen quotes so far and they're closer to $1100-$1200, in the Windsor Hills, Crestwynd Bay, Emerald Isle areas. Where should I be looking to find something in my price, or am I just asking for too much bang for the buck? Feel free to tell me I'm crazy and need to adjust my expectations if that's the case. Thanks!

 

[disneysteve]

So you're looking to spend about $73/night for a 3-bedroom condo. That might be pushing it. Do a search on VRBO.com with those criteria though and you might be surprised.

 

[disneysteve]

I just did a quick search a there are a few places coming up under $80. Take a look.

 

[lchuck]

Is VRBO.com the best place to look in your opinion? I've looked around on there and found places that list their avg price per night at $80 or less, but once you look at the final detailed price, it ends up in the $1100 range, with the taxes and cleaning fees and damage fees figured in. Like I said, maybe I'm just asking for too much.

 

[disneysteve]

Is VRBO.com the best place to look in your opinion? I've looked around on there and found places that list their avg price per night at $80 or less, but once you look at the final detailed price, it ends up in the $1100 range, with the taxes and cleaning fees and damage fees figured in.

Well, the "damage fee" is typically a security deposit, so you'll get that back (assuming you don't trash the place) so that doesn't really count.

Also, the listed price isn't always the "best" price. I'd suggest putting in some inquiries, ask folks for their best price, and see what they say. Especially on longer rentals, owners are often more willing to be flexible on price. Don't be afraid to negotiate if their number is at least close to your number.

 

[lchuck]

That's great advice. I figured since it was a rental by owner site there wouldn't be much wiggle room on the price, but I will definitely be looking back over these properties and submitting some additional inquiries. Thanks again!

 

[disneysteve]

It's exactly because you are dealing directly with the owner that there is room to negotiate. There's no middleman. The worst they can do is say no and hold firm to their price.

Of course, bottom line is that $100/night for a 3-BR condo is a very good deal and sure beats any hotel you'll find but if you can find a deal, all the better.

 

[disneysteve]

duplicate post

 

[Woodview]

May I ask .....How much are you paying for Disney Tickets And Food inside the Parks ?

Would it be more than $ 800 for the family ?

Would you pay $ 1500 for Tickets ?

So why would you expect to pay $ 800 for a 3bed Condo ?

Do you really expect a Condo owner to subsidise your vacation .?

You would like to pay $ 73 per night for a 3 bed Condo ..... not much is it .

It would be the same as a Motel rate for 1 ( one ) room for 2 people per night .

 

[disneysteve]

You would like to pay $ 73 per night for a 3 bed Condo ..... not much is it .

It would be the same as a Motel rate for 1 ( one ) room for 2 people per night .

Exactly. That's why so many people love renting condos and houses. You can get them for the same price as a tiny budget motel room.

 

[sympatico]

Try Grand Palms, Encantada, Sun Lake, Villas at Island Club, Caribe Cove. They are just a little bit further west on 192. On vrbo these can be found on Kissimmee west and far west. Remember you usually get what you pay for but they also may be perfectly fine.

 

[disneysteve]

Remember you usually get what you pay for but they also may be perfectly fine

Yes and no.
If one particular rental in a development is charging a lot less than the others, be careful. But some developments tend to be cheaper overall either because they are a bit farther away or a bit older or not gated communities or don't have as many amenities at the clubhouse. As long as the unit meets your needs and the other stuff doesn't bother you, don't be afraid to grab the bargain. Just make sure to do your homework.

 

[ParkHopperFan]

Essentially you're looking for a place that is willing to accept $64/night before taxes. (Transient tax in Florida is 13%). That is pretty low. If you were to find someone to offer that rate I would be very wary of what you are getting.

 

[lchuck]

Like I said in the OP, there's a good chance I'm asking for too much. After receiving your feedback, I'm now moving toward being OK with paying $1000 for the 11 days, but just trying to get more out of it (private pool/hot tub, game room, etc). Thanks for the pointing me in the right direction and for all of the advice.

May I ask .....How much are you paying for Disney Tickets And Food inside the Parks ?
Would it be more than $ 800 for the family ?
Would you pay $ 1500 for Tickets ?
So why would you expect to pay $ 800 for a 3bed Condo ?
Do you really expect a Condo owner to subsidise your vacation .?
You would like to pay $ 73 per night for a 3 bed Condo ..... not much is it .
It would be the same as a Motel rate for 1 ( one ) room for 2 people per night .

We will be paying approximately $1500 for tickets (about $150 per day for the 4 of us) for the parks, but that gets me access to 4 different parks that cost north of 4 billion dollars to build. For $70 per day, I would be willing to settle for a house that costs much less than that (maybe only half a billion).

 

[greenclan67]

I love Orange Lake and it has tons of amenities. I have a great owner that we rent 2 BDRM.condos from but 3 are available at a higher cost. Depends on when u are going how much they are per night as well. High season will be more expensive.

 

[dja14]

I don't know, I think that's pretty low. Our 3 bedroom we rented is further out, (I think-it's not too far for us) and we are paying 450 a week (75 a night-1 night free per week) before taxes. I thought it was a really, really good deal. I couldn't imagine finding anything less. I would think a house with a private pool would be quite a bit more

 

[disneysteve]

I'm now moving toward being OK with paying $1000 for the 11 days, but just trying to get more out of it (private pool/hot tub, game room, etc).

That's a different story. Now instead of a condo you are looking for a house. You can definitely do that for under $100/night. I just looked at Lindfields ,for example, and there are plenty of 3 BR homes for under $100. The lowest was $887.85 for 11 nights in late May/early June.