book online for accommodations or go through a travel agents

[youngb1978]

Our plan is to go to orlando next October and do universal and a couple other things. I have been looking at either house and condos or hotels. Should I book online and chance the exchange or go through a TA and hope they can find me a better deal. We are a family of 5 so really don't want to be cramped and would like to be able to make some meals. Some prices are amazing until you figure out the exchange and most condo want a security deposit which I would lose money on when I exchange from canadian to American and then back again..any suggestions would be great.

 

[Badamon]

We typically rent independently through VRBO and have had great success with both houses and condos alike. Although the accommodations are rarely perfect, they certainly have met our needs. We struggle a bit in the kitchens as well stocked to an owner isn't always our opinion of what a well stocked kitchen is to us, but we've always managed. We're never really looking to cook a gourmet meal, just something quick and satisfying. A few of the houses have shown their wear, but overall have been as described. The exchange issue can get tricky, I had to work at understanding our refund last time. We've never used a TA renting outside of the parks.

 

[youngb1978]

We typically rent independently through VRBO and have had great success with both houses and condos alike. Although the accommodations are rarely perfect, they certainly have met our needs. We struggle a bit in the kitchens as well stocked to an owner isn't always our opinion of what a well stocked kitchen is to us, but we've always managed. We're never really looking to cook a gourmet meal, just something quick and satisfying. A few of the houses have shown their wear, but overall have been as described. The exchange issue can get tricky, I had to work at understanding our refund last time. We've never used a TA renting outside of the parks.

Do you have any area you recommend.

 

[Badamon]

Do you have any area you recommend.

We liked Terra Verde resort. Rented a townhouse/condo that worked well for us. We're a family of 4 and this offered each of the kids their own room. It would have accommodated more, easily. The unit we rented offered a private hot tub/spa. There are also houses available within the same resort, some I believe with their own splash pool. The resort has a nice community pool area, club house, volley ball and ping pong table. Because it is a bit out of the way off 192, it was very reasonably priced (IMO). We were within a 10 min. drive to the parks and literally a stones throw to two super Walmarts. Good luck with the search!

 

[greenclan67]

We love orange lake. We rent through a great owner for there. The 2 bdrm condos have 2 Queen's in one and a king in the other. 2 bathrooms, full kitchen and washer/dryer. We love it.