First ever WDW trip, booking villas?

[PoppetK]

Hi

I'm usually over on the DLP board as our last 2 Disney trips have been there. We've finally decided to go to WDW in 2013 when our youngest child will be almost 4.

It's ages away yet but have already started to look into villas. My brother-in-law will be joining us so a villa off-site will be the way to go.

So far there's 2 companies I like the look of. James Villas have a lot of nice ones and also an American company called All Star Vacation Homes.

Has anyone got any advice on which is best? Good/bad stories to help us decide which ones to book?

There's one villa in particular on the All Star site that we adore, anyone who wants a nosey can look here:

http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com/res/property.asp?ID=673

James don't have anything like this, but will be slightly cheaper I think. Although a bonus with the All Star one is we can book 2013 now and get it for the 2011 price.

We're off to see my inlaws this weekend and will be discussing with the brother in law (have only really chatted over email until now). We want to make some firm decisions this weekend so we know how much money we need to save.

I can't believe I'm looking into a holiday 2 years before we go, but I'm SO excited lol

 

[madmumof2]

I don't know about those companies but I just booked my first villa holiday with Cosmos

I'm going October 2012

 

[matty624]

I'd always recommend going direct with villa owners,
http://www.vrbo.com is a good site to start off with, but there are quite a few others.
We've always had good experiences, and tend to check out the ownership of the house before we pay by using US real estate websites (lost all my favourites a couple of weeks ago, so dont have a link at the moment)
The only time we had a problem with a villa was the first year, when we went through an agency. Ds and dd were toddlers, we'd booked a 4 bedroomed villa, but were allocated a 3 bed condo. The company sorted it out, but not until about night 3, and even then, the villa wasn't on the estate we'd chosen. Wasn't happy! Ever since then, we've booked with owners, as then you know (hopefully) exactly what you're getting.
As for location, everyone has their own opinion. We prefer not having to use 192 too much, so usually opt for a house down Poinciana Blvd.
http://www.orlandovillas.com/Map.aspx is a good map of most of the villa locations.

 

[matty624]

Just had a look at your link. Never seen a property with so many big tvs before!!!!! Outside!?! I love my tv, but the owners have gone a bit nuts there. Anyway, looks very nice... Quite a high weekly rate, but it does mention car rental, not sure how that'd work with someone from Uk, as ours usually comes with all the insurances included, but certainly worth a look.

 

[lin85prest]

We always book direct from the owners. The villa seems to be quite expensive, we have 17 nights in a 6 bdr all en suite, pool heat, games room, bbq etc for £2250. No car rental though

 

[PoppetK]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I've been a bit wary of booking direct with the villa owners. What if it's not as nice as advertised or not as clean as you like? Although if it seems good perhaps I should be considering it. Thanks

Yeah that villa is expensive, but we're happy to pay that for the right sort of accommodation. This is going to be the only WDW trip for a looooong time so we're happy to pay and make it special - which that villa certainly looks to us.

Regarding the hire car, I've been in touch with them about that. We do have the car for free but have to pay the insurance direct to Enterprise. This was the same with Virgin when I priced a Disney villa.

Thanks for the links, I'm off for a browse now.

 

[madmumof2]

If you're still no decided on this one or direct booking have a look at Cosmos.

I booked 2 weeks for 5 of us, flights and car included for just over £3200.

Granted though, the villa is allocated on arrival but they have plenty and guarantee they're all top spec Plus with a package like that you'd get extra protection if something goes wrong. When dealing direct with a villa owner you never know who you'll get.

 

[matty624]

If you're still no decided on this one or direct booking have a look at Cosmos.

I booked 2 weeks for 5 of us, flights and car included for just over £3200.

Granted though, the villa is allocated on arrival but they have plenty and guarantee they're all top spec Plus with a package like that you'd get extra protection if something goes wrong. When dealing direct with a villa owner you never know who you'll get.

Well you're quite right, you never know till you get there. What I will say though, is that the one time we did have a problem, it was when we had booked a package! The travel companies use management companies that do indeed have plenty of properties, but again, some of them can be located quite some distance away. Maybe we were unlucky, but the year we got 'allocated' a second story condo, instead of the house we had booked, when we did get a house, it was in Davenport.... a good 20 minutes to Disney, and 40+ to Universal! We said never again, and never have...

 

[irisheyes123]

I have not used all star so can't help you with what they are like But reading the car hire conditions you can decline the car and they will give you $100-150 back you only get the car for 7 days and with paying extra rental and tax and insurance it will more than likely work out better to book it yourself through a uk agent .

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Windsor Hills is a gated community and in a good position for WDW. They have their own website for owners to offer rentals and there are also plenty on VRBO. It might be worth having a look at prices to compare rates.

We have stayed there 3 times but in a townhome and would go back in a shot

 

[PoppetK]

I have not used all star so can't help you with what they are like But reading the car hire conditions you can decline the car and they will give you $100-150 back you only get the car for 7 days and with paying extra rental and tax and insurance it will more than likely work out better to book it yourself through a uk agent .

Thank you so much for pointing that out, I'd completely missed that fact. I would probably have noticed at booking and then been really annoyed at myself for missing.

Hmmmm, that kind of turns me off the All Stars one. It's the top end of our budget as it was but the extra for the car is probably a bit off a stretch.

Back off to google I go! Thanks again for the links everyone

 

[PoppetK]

Wow, lots of lovely villas on VRBO. Thanks again guys

 

[Invisable89]

I'd HIGHLY suggest looking at http://www.orlandovillas.com/ as myself & many people i know have stayed at villa's listed on the website.

Emerald Island is very popular, so is Indian Creek, Sunset Lakes & Windsor Palms.

Also have a look on http://www.villa.us/ - my Dad knows the couple that own the villa's listed on this website.