best website to find offsite condo deals

[coastiewifern]

My daughter's team will be playing soccer at the disney showcase at ESPN complex. We played that complex in August and stayed at a condo that I felt was too far from the complex. I did like having the condo for a few important reasons: I can feed her healthier with our own kitchen, we can have separate bedrooms which allows everyone to get better rest and having in unit laundry to wash her uniform.
We will have to drive down Thanksgiving day (we live less than 3 hours) and should be staying 2-3 nights. Where can I begin searching for a decent deal on accommodations and can anyone recommend a place? I know it will be a busy time of year with the holidays.
But willing to look at hotel options with laundry if you don't think I'll be able to find a condo for 2-3 nights
Thanks

 

[thumbalyna]

I use www.closesttodisney.com their condos are at Windsor hills.

 

[Dave1234]

Another option:
http://www.windsorhillsprivaterentals.com/condos.php

 

[FayeW]

Another option:
http://www.windsorhillsprivaterentals.com/condos.php

Think you for the link. I emailed an owner about 2 hours ago, and received an outrageously low quote for our dates in February, almost too good to be true, actually. Is there anyway I can find out if the owner is legit and has good reviews before I give a deposit?

 

[shocker]

I know what the OP is asking for, a search engine for condos. I don't know how to find that either but we are starting to look hard at Lighthouse Key at www.lighthousekeycondos.com for all the reasons the OP mentioned. It seems to be run more like a hotel than offerings from individual owners. I'm also not seeing an attempt to "sell timeshares" in the reviews of this place.

Another one to look at is Vacation Rentals by Ownder at www.vrbo.com but has SO many it can be overwhelming (use the search parameters to try and limit the results) it will show info on reviews and owners to try and confirm legitamacy.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Since you're a military family, you might find this website useful.

http://www.afvclub.com/

Great vacation deals for military families.

 

[coastiewifern]

Since you're a military family, you might find this website useful.

http://www.afvclub.com/

Great vacation deals for military families.

Thanks I already checked here and they did not have anything for our time frame. It is also fairly important to be close to the complex which many were not.
Also seems like many are requiring a minimum 4 night stay. I may just have to look at a hotel with a kitchenette or something.

 

[thumbalyna]

Thanks I already checked here and they did not have anything for our time frame. It is also fairly important to be close to the complex which many were not.
Also seems like many are requiring a minimum 4 night stay. I may just have to look at a hotel with a kitchenette or something.

Like i said we use closesttodisney.com got a 2 bedroom condo for 2 nights for 220.

 

[spiceycat]

can you use RCI - then would go with Vacation Villa at Parkway or Silver lakes] in the last call.

both are close. now the closest - BWV is a Disney and would be too expensive.

 

[FayeW]

Well, I took the plunge and rented from a private owner via the link that dave1234 posted. I got a fantastic rate of $500 for 6 days, all fees included, for a 2bdrm condo. I have sent a deposit via paypal and have received the rental confirmation, unit location and even the access code for the lockbox so everything looks legit. I am very excited to be planning a trip as we haven't been to Orlando since Dec/08!

 

[coastiewifern]

Well, I took the plunge and rented from a private owner via the link that dave1234 posted. I got a fantastic rate of $500 for 6 days, all fees included, for a 2bdrm condo. I have sent a deposit via paypal and have received the rental confirmation, unit location and even the access code for the lockbox so everything looks legit. I am very excited to be planning a trip as we haven't been to Orlando since Dec/08!

Congrats! I think I may contact some to just see what they say. Part of the issue is that if they progress in the tournament we need 3 night if not we need only 2. I would understand if owners didn't want to deal with that uncertainty. A hotel may be more flexible. But I guess it won't hurt to ask

 

[darrius1st]

The best sites i have found are TUG, EBAY and REDWEEKS, you rent from owners or large volume rents and you get the best prices and have never had a problem and now since I'm rid of my own timeshare I will depend on these sites even more just go to the sites and check them out.