House Rental for Disney + Universal?

[bellarella]

We've been to Disney a few times, but have always stayed onsite.

This time, we are thinking of driving down and going to Disney plus Universal and Cape Canaveral. I'd like to do a house rental or even a resort that has at least 2 bedrooms (we are a family of 5, so 4 bedrooms is ideal) plus kitchen, if we could, but don't know where to begin. I've looked in this thread, but it's all overwhelming. Could someone help me get started?

Thanks!

 

[sympatico]

Here's a map to give to a general idea of the subdivisions that are in the area:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

Some of the subdivisions like Windsor Hills #1, Emerald Island #15 and Windsor Palms #13 have a manned gate, resort-like facilities, 2 and 3 br condos, 3 br townhouses, and 4- 6 or 7 bedroom pool homes. There are other subdv. like Rolling Hills, Indian Creek, Oak Island that are not gated and have only pool homes, and a couple of subv with only pool homes and a coded gate like Formosa Gardens Estates, Sunset Lakes, Acadia Estates. All of these are on the west end of 192 near the Animal Kingdom side of Disney. There are many other subdiv. off Poinciana Blvd like Terra Verde #62 and those in that area. Also along hwy 27 in the Clermont and Davenport areas and some off I-4 exit 58 Champion's gate area. On the map they all have blue markers.
Find the area you'd like to stay in then look at homes in the Kissimmee area on http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando/kissimmee
or http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rentals/florida/kissimmee-area/r696
For Clermont and Davenport just back out to the Disney/Orlando area.

Some of the subdivisions like Windsor Hills have their own listing site:
http://windsorhillsrent.com/
On any of the above sites you'll be dealing directly with owners. If you find something you like email the owner and ask for a quote.
There are some agencies that you can go through like allstarvacationhomes.com floridasunvacationhomes.com http://www.oasisvacationhomes.com/ but I've found their prices higher than dealing directly with an owner.
None of the above have anything to do with timeshare presentations.

There are also timeshare resorts like Bonnet Creek #118(which is basically on Disney property), Vistana Resort #114, Floridays #121, Silverlake #19, and many others. I'm not as familiar with these but some are marked on the map.
These would all be condos. You can just say NO to the timeshare presentation unless you've booked a special deal that includes having to do the presentation.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Sympatico--that's a great map!

bellarella--we are also a family of 5 and considering staying off-site next time for a Disney/Universal trip. I've been reading this board for the last few months and have bookmarked some properties that people have recommended to check out further when we are ready to take the plunge.
Here are some I bookmarked:

http://www.vrbo.com/344435
http://www.vrbo.com/294090
http://www.vrbo.com/229838

http://storytimeorlandorental.com/
http://5mins2disney.com/
http://www.orlando-villa-holiday.com/index.html

There are tons out there...it's overwhelming!

 

[sympatico]

I was going to mention Encantada and forgot. There are so many that you just have to get to the place where you find a few that you like and ask for quotes.

 

[4forMe]

Here is another map that has all the different subdivisions and their proximity to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios:

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/villa-map.php

We are planning a future combined Disney/Universal trip with extended family so I have also been researching homes. I think I have narrowed it down to Lake Berkley and Terra Verde Resorts. If you search vrbo.com, these subdivisions are located in the Central Kissimmee, FL area. You can also see their locations in the above map. They are both gated which we prefer as well.