Help - too many choices!

[cmjacobs]

I didn't realize how many rental properties there are around DW. How does one choose? Can you get better rates renting directly from owners? And how do you find owners. All I come up with are the websites for rental companies.

I'd really appreciate any advice you can give.

 

[cameron'smom]

I have been going through the same thing! I finally booked a home in Indian Creek last week. I used Florida Sun Vacation Homes due to good reviews on here and Tripadvisor. I thought that their rates were really good also. I have been dealing with a lady named Amy Cosme there and she is very nice and helpful.
You can look at many rentals by owner at
www.vrbo.com
www.orlandovillas.com
I decided to go through the agency b/c this is my first time doing this, and I had read some horror stories on here about renting from the owner. You can certainly save money going through the owner, and I will probably try it in the future.
Hope this helps!

 

[Nezza08]

Hi there!
I heard from friends that this place is also nice to stay near disney. And you will be renting a condo or townhouse from the owner.

kissimmeevacationrental.net

It doesn't hurt to check it out.

 

[Freaky]

There are many sites for 'rental by owner' - try homeaway.com which is a little better than VRBO as you can reduce the number of matches by your requirements. They also have a guarantee in place for some extra piece of mind.

Generally you will get a better deal with the owner rather than with the likes of Expedia or the management companies. You also then know exactly which home you are getting and what little extras it might have - eg games console, high chair etc. I would also check with the owner when the photos were taken to make sure it is all up-to-date and what you see is what you get (beware that a few just put up general photos issued by the resort which will not be of their actual home).

Good luck finding something - it is all part of the fun of planning

 

[Chelley00]

We use vrbo.com or fabvillas.com


We've only rented by owner, and have had really good luck. We spoke with the owner by phone, and then asked for their property management company and spoke with them as well before we rented. I know there is a link somewhere that you can check out the ownership of the home if you have the address. Some people recommend using a place where you can use a credit card (even credit card funded Paypal) so that you have file a claim with your credit card company if something goes horribly wrong.

 

[KayR]

I didn't realize how many rental properties there are around DW. How does one choose? Can you get better rates renting directly from owners? And how do you find owners. All I come up with are the websites for rental companies.

I'd really appreciate any advice you can give.

Take a look at this webpage that can help you make your decision - it gives you several things to think about that maybe you have not in the past. http://www.stayatemeraldisland.com/HomesForRent/GuideChoice.php

There are several websites such as VRBO.com and villas2000.com that have lots of vacation homes. Several communities also have their own websites by owner (including Windsor Palms Resort, Windsor Hills Resort, Emerald Island Resort).

Depending on the time of year you are looking to visit, the peak holiday seasons tend to book up faster/earlier.

Hope that helps,

--Kay

 

[cmjacobs]

Thanks for all the responses. You've given me a lot of good sites to check out. Still overwhelming but I'm enjoying looking at them all.

 

[NaplesRI]

You might also want to look at Lighthouse Key Resort. We have booked a 3 bedroom/ 3 bath suite for next March. It was reasonable and has a full kitchen and l/r, washer and dryer, and many other amenities. We had considered renting a home also but decided to try this out.
Good luck!

 

[conniehar90]

I ran across this owner about 4 years ago on this site. We have rented 2 different units from them and have always been totally satisfied. www.disneyneighbor.com