Anyone Have Experience With All-star Vacation Homes?

[ClanHarrison]

My family of 8 are interested in renting a 5-br pool home through ALL-STAR VACATION HOMES for Aug. 2005.

Anyone have any experiences (good or bad) with this company?

Anyone know how far it is from Universal Studios (drive time)?

I appreciate this board and all of it's members who contribute so much of their time and help to give the public a quality-filled vacations!

 

[SherGoof]

ClanHarrison:

I goofed and posted my reply as a new post - see my response under Relpy to Affordable Homes if you like.

 

[tednvon]

Hi...All Star homes is one of over a hundred companies that sells and rents homes in many different housing developements. All Star homes itself is just an office where you pick up your keys.

No matter what anyone tells you, there are no housing developments close to Universal. They are all closer to Disney but accessable from I-4 quite easily. I would figure 20 to 25 minutes from any home to Universal Parking lot.

All Star has a good reputation. If you want newer and closer to Disney look at Emerald Island, Formosa Gardens, Oak Island Cove, and Wyndam Palms.

You should absolutey be able to see the home on the internet with lots of pictures. I would insist on King beds in the masters and TV in all bedrooms. If you see double beds, I guarantee the home is furnished bare bones.
I would compare prices at www.villadirect.com and see how you do. They have all very nice homes also.

Good Luck....We have owned and rented an high end 7 bedroom in the area which is now sold, so feel free to post with more questions or PM if you would like.....Ted

 

[debden]

Not only do you want King beds in all the master bedrooms and TV's in all of them(as Ted stated) but you also want to make sure you have enough bathrooms for everybody! As we all know there is nothing worse than to have to wait for a bathroom! (Especially us women)....
We rented a 4 Bedroom/4 Bath home for 6 of us. Lot's of space,bedrooms,and bathrooms and we love it that way!
Debbie

 

[ClanHarrison]

tednvon:

Thank you for the suggestions. I've already begun to look at the properties.

I can't help but notice that a lot of the homes don't seem to have quite the amenities we are looking for as do All Star i.e. garage game rooms, theatre rooms, large screen t.v.'s (meaning 42 in. & larger) etc., but they are very nice. If you know of more nice/upscale developments, with these features, please let me know. By the way: where was your home located (any info. you wouldn't mind passing on would be appreciated). You can PM me.

debden:

My plan is exactly what you suggested with the bathrooms & t.v.'s. With 8 people, bathroom time and televisions is not an issue I want to be dealing with on vacation (we'll have 4 adults, 1 teen, 1 pre-teen & a 9 y/o & 7 y/o). If you don't mind sharing, where did you stay?





Thank you all for this valuable information!

 

[mbb]

5 bedroom, 6 bathroom home..
it's on www.vrbo.com but doesn't have the games room.
The owner is great to deal with PM if you want more info

Have fun planning!!

 

[tednvon]

Hi to ClanHarrison,

We owned in Emerald Island which is one of the most popular and new developements. It is just 6 minutes to Disney. Lots of Emerald Island homes can be seen on www.villadirect.com and www.vrbo.com and www.vacationrentals.com

The game rooms are usually in the 6 and 7 bedroom homes and a few 5 bedrooms.

You cannot go wrong in either Emerald Island or Formosa Gardens. All Star has a lot of homes in FG and they are fabulous but usually at the very top of the rental market. FG is the same distance to Disney as Emerald Island.
If you can afford Formosa Gardens, go for it. The big homes in EI gor for $260 to $350/ night. Many in FG are $300 to $500/night depending on the time you are going to Disney.

Our former home is www.7bedroomorlando.com . We had lots of families of 8 or 9 who loved the 3 private suites and the baths for the kids.

Hope this answers your question. If you want you can email me via this site or just post again with questions...

You will have a wonderful time in any of these homes....Ted

 

[debden]

We use this website for vacation homes: www.vr360homes.co.uk
and we also rented these homes: www.villaraymar.com and www.executive-florida-villas.com
There are soooo many vacation homes to look thru and find the one that's right for your family.
We have never been disappointed with any of the homes or their locations.We like them a little out of the mainstream away from Disney World.
Good Luck with your search!!
Debbie

 

[ClanHarrison]

Originally posted by debden
We use this website for vacation homes: www.vr360homes.co.uk
and we also rented these homes: www.villaraymar.com and www.executive-florida-villas.com
There are soooo many vacation homes to look thru and find the one that's right for your family.
We have never been disappointed with any of the homes or their locations.We like them a little out of the mainstream away from Disney World.
Good Luck with your search!!
Debbie

Debbie, thank you sooo much for your help!

Villa Raymar is beautiful! Did you stay in this particular home?

Do you recall if the location was very convenient to shopping? Was going to the market convenient? Were the highways easily accessible? We want to go to some of the other Orlando attractions like Sea World (we're going to USO our first day & stay on-site for one night then go to the vacation home), restaurants (if you have any restaurant suggestions it would be helpful), Medival Times, Gatorland etc.

This planning stage is very exciting and we are all looking forward to this vacation (August 2005).

 

[ClanHarrison]

Originally posted by tednvon
Hi to ClanHarrison,

We owned in Emerald Island which is one of the most popular and new developements. It is just 6 minutes to Disney. Lots of Emerald Island homes can be seen on www.villadirect.com and www.vrbo.com and www.vacationrentals.com

The game rooms are usually in the 6 and 7 bedroom homes and a few 5 bedrooms.

You cannot go wrong in either Emerald Island or Formosa Gardens. All Star has a lot of homes in FG and they are fabulous but usually at the very top of the rental market. FG is the same distance to Disney as Emerald Island.
If you can afford Formosa Gardens, go for it. The big homes in EI gor for $260 to $350/ night. Many in FG are $300 to $500/night depending on the time you are going to Disney.

Our former home is www.7bedroomorlando.com . We had lots of families of 8 or 9 who loved the 3 private suites and the baths for the kids.

Hope this answers your question. If you want you can email me via this site or just post again with questions...

You will have a wonderful time in any of these homes....Ted

Ted:
Your information is proving very valuable to me and I thank you for taking your time to share it. I just may be taking you up on your offer so be ready for the questions!

 

[ClanHarrison]

Originally posted by mbb
5 bedroom, 6 bathroom home..
it's on www.vrbo.com but doesn't have the games room.
The owner is great to deal with PM if you want more info

Have fun planning!!

mbb:

Thank you for your post. You know, I am having so much fun planning this vacation. If Orlando is more fun than the planning, I may never go home

 

[debden]

Hi Clan,You sound really excited and that's great! It is so much fun planning a vacation!!
Yes,we did stay at Villa Raymar! It's a big beautiful home with a very large pool and big jacuzzi and we enjoyed the pool table and fooze ball table too! It is located in Hampton Lakes and they have a big grocery store about 1/2 mile down the road.Very convenient! It is easily accessable by I4 and 192 (I think those are the routes).It's off US 27 (Davenport) and about 20 minutes from Disney. We love the location.
We also stayed at the house then went to Royal Pacific at Universal for our last couple of days.
I can't give you restaurant suggestions since we went back to the house every afternoon to swim,relax,and eat. Maybe someone else can jump in and help you out.
Good Luck,Hopefully they have availability for your dates.
Debbie

 

[tednvon]

Hi again,
Spouse Yvonne and I are retiiring in January and will be staying in Hampton Lakes for 2 1/2 months. It it a very nice developement out on highway 27 and a nice easy drive to Disney.
My first stop will be casting to check on part time jobs a Disney...a a dream we have had for many years.

Good Luck and see you around Hampton Lakes!!!

Ted

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by tednvon
Hi again,
Spouse Yvonne and I are retiiring in January and will be staying in Hampton Lakes for 2 1/2 months. It it a very nice developement out on highway 27 and a nice easy drive to Disney.
My first stop will be casting to check on part time jobs a Disney...a a dream we have had for many years.

Good Luck and see you around Hampton Lakes!!!

Ted

Congratulations!!
We're arriving on the 23rd of January at Vistapark...
You and Yvonne will have to come over for a visit!!

...Mickey will be fortunate to have you on the team! I love the buttons new CM's wear.."I'm Earning My Ears"

 

[tinkerbell13]

Does anyone know anything about the Linfield Estates area?
We are looking at a rental there for Oct., but haven't heard anything about this area. Any help would be appreciated.
Susan

 

[tednvon]

Hi..Lindfields is a Large developement that actually had a number of condo developments in it as well a lot of nice homes. It is a little older than the brand new developments just east toward Disney. Lindfields if off 192 and a nice location to get to Disney World. As with ALL the rental homes it is in a big neighborhood so you will need to drive to restaurants, stores, gas, souvineers. It is not in walking distance to any of these, but neither any other homes no matter what anyone says!

If the price is right, it is a very safe and secure place. Each home is furnished by the owner and will differ greatly in terms of amenties like king vs. queen beds. TV in all bedrooms, hot tubs plus pool, DVD or VCR, and quality of furniture....I think you would be happy with the location.....Ted

 

[tinkerbell13]

Thanks Ted, We will have a car and don't mind the driving, we are from Southern California so it is no problem! We are still looking at a lot of homes in the area, this board has been very helpful to find a nice area. I really don't want to be squished into a hotel room for a week with my family of 5. We may even get a bigger place and have our two friends stay with us. Thanks again.
Susan

 

[debden]

You can also try www.floridastarrvillas.com

 

[ClanHarrison]

Bump


(I thought this was an informative thread).

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by ClanHarrison
Bump


(I thought this was an informative thread).

I agree