How do YOU choose a condo?

[stepnut]

I saw a post a while ago, perhaps from a condo owner, asking what people look for in a condo when choosing a vacation spot at WDW. Of course, the answers were what was expected: good price, clean, convenient, spacious, good amenities, blah blah blah...

And from my exhaustive search of condos, it seems like most of the condo owners can provide these. For my upcoming trip, I probably found 2 dozen condos that fit my requirements. Then my problem became, just how do I choose one.

I then chose based on decor. I was quite frustrated that all the condos I was looking at looked exactly the same. White walls. Beige sofa. Oak dining table in the mission style. Little or no artwork. No accessories or accents. Nothing rocked my socks. I am a decorator wannabe, and I decided that I didn't want my vacation spot to look less pretty than my own home. Maybe I'm a snob, but even a little wall color would help sway my choice.

So, I ended up spending a little more money to choose a condo that had dynamite decorating. Actual color on the walls! Artwork! Potted plants! Area accent rugs! A centerpiece on the table!

Is anyone else like me? Willing to spend the extra bucks for something pretty AND practical???

Stepnut

 

[spiceycat]

Cat lovers - that is why I use to pick CWR - not only could I take my much beloved Spicey.

there artwork had a cat in it. It was definitely different.

the Spanish influence is seen very, very much in Orlando. there are few older condo that aren't quite that bad.

but yes most look alike -they look alike for a reason - that is what sells.

that is why I like DVC so much, each and every DVC resort is different.

 

[disneysteve]

I choose based on location first and price second. I couldn't care less about the decor. I'm not buying the place. I'm just sleeping there for a week. As long as the place is clean and the bed is comfortable, I'm fine. So no, I would not pay more just for fancier furniture or prettier pictures on the wall.

 

[spiceycat]

hi Steve - have you seem the skyauction special

go to the search line - type in 'holiday'

you get a week in a condo for $199 - $179 + $20 fee.!!!! from now until April, 2009.

they have Orbit One

 

[4Seasons]

I look at this from an owner/landlord point of view (we don't own vacation rentals but we do own residential rentals).

Those extras:
A) cost more money
B) are very subject to theft and breakage (and yes you get a deposit on rentals but it's a royal pain in the rear fighting over subtracting items from the deposit)
C) require more maintenance, and
D) most people don't care about them, at least not enough to pay extra for slightly fancier decor

I prefer somewhat current style furnishings and clean, but I wouldn't pay extra for nicer pictures, knic knaks or flower arrangements.
As long as it's clean and I'm not walking into a 1970's time capsule I'm happy!

 

[earthfaries]

I go by www.tripadvisor.com

I go by reviews and pictures.

They list all the hotels and condos ~ by number compared to the others, they have extensive reviews and candid pics.
I have never gone wrong with tripadvisor.
I'd rather not stay in a condo that is number 150 out of 200 hotels/condos in Kissimmee.
The one we got for Jan. is number 2 out of all 170 lodging in Kissimmee!!! Can't wait!

 

[isla bonita]

It is great that there are all of the options mentioned above for vacationers to choose from.

If I had to ask each one of our family members what they would want.
Me king bed
DH fridge for cold ones
DS CD player
DS game system
DD pool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Each to his own.

 

[HeatherC]

My kids love the pool areas (especially if there is a lazy river...so that is what we look for...along with number of bedrooms and good reviews. Won't stay in a place that is run down....and luckily in Orlando you don't need to since there are so many.

Since we go to Orlando at least once a year and have done all the parks numerous times, we now like to hang out and relax more wherever we stay. So we definitely like a nice place to do that in.

Some of our favorites are Marriott's Grande Vista, Bonnet Creek, Regal Palms, Orange Lake...and on and on and on.

Heather

 

[Freaky]

We look for a nice resort, not too far from all the parks (not just close to Disney) - something not built too many years ago. DH looks for a unit with plenty of space so we can relax with the kids having their own rooms. Kids look for a games room and an area where they can play and meet other kids. I look for a spa - a place where I can relax with a nice glass of wine

 

[mareed]

I look at this from an owner/landlord point of view (we don't own vacation rentals but we do own residential rentals).

Those extras:
A) cost more money
B) are very subject to theft and breakage (and yes you get a deposit on rentals but it's a royal pain in the rear fighting over subtracting items from the deposit)
C) require more maintenance, and
D) most people don't care about them, at least not enough to pay extra for slightly fancier decor

I prefer somewhat current style furnishings and clean, but I wouldn't pay extra for nicer pictures, knic knaks or flower arrangements.
As long as it's clean and I'm not walking into a 1970's time capsule I'm happy!

We've rented individually owned condos & trownhomes many times. We hate the (mostly cheap) knic knaks and flower arrangements! We always have to move them all out of the way to the top of the fridge or back of the closet so we have room for our stuff.

 

[sympatico]

We've rented individually owned condos & trownhomes many times. We hate the (mostly cheap) knic knaks and flower arrangements! We always have to move them all out of the way to the top of the fridge or back of the closet so we have room for our stuff.

I agree with that. We have so much stuff scattered around that there's not room for the nick knacks. It doesn't matter about wall color, I'm not going to be there that long. I'd rather have a nice mattress , good electronics, if it's a house then good pool area, wireless internet etc.
When we took the grandkids I did look for Disney theme kids rooms.

 

[gqchicago]

I can tell you this...my DW and my SIL (and therefore all of us in our family) have rented dozens of vacation homes, and they absolutely will NOT rent the standard white walls, beige furniture, cheap oak table type of decor you see in 90% of the vacation home rentals out there. To them the decor, look and feel of the place, etc, is very important, and they think most of the places out there are decorated like the interior of a Winnebago camper.

Most of the places in Florida were done by furniture store "packages" which is why they all come out looking the same. What can I say, they're picky, but I've heard that same thing from quite a few other people, and I don't mean anything by this at all, but mostly women. Men seem to care more about things like electronics, pools, game rooms, but it's usually the women who pick out the place we're staying on vacation so there you have it! hehe

 

[momofdbsdc]

I actually like beige! We settled on the condo and couple that we have rented from the last few years for a number of reasons;

1. Good references

2. I liked the look of the decor

3. Child friendly. I have 6 children, 2 under the age of 6, I don't want a lot of knick knacks to put up high where they can't be damaged!!!!

4.When we first rented, we wanted things like, bed rails, pack and play...we no longer need them, but it is nice when they are offered!

5. Keyless entry... I don't want to have to find a management company after driving 20 hours with 6 kids.

6. I like a view from the verandah. I don't want to look at a parking lot.

7. A blender...I want my Margharita!!!!

8. Playstation to keep the kids busy, while I watch the sunset and drink my margharita!

Happy Planning!

 

[Southernswthrt1]

I highly recommend Wyndham Bonnet Creek. It is right next door to CBR. Less than 5 minutes to MGM and EP. Less than 10 to MK and AK. The absolute best, as far as location!

And the rooms are gorgeous...very luxurious. Will post pics when we get home. I wish I were still there. You can book them through Expedia or Hotels.com

 

[Figment22]

These are my minimum requirements for a condo rental:
King size bed in the master bedroom
A good size television in the living room (36 inches or better)
Cable equipped televisions in each of the bedrooms (one condo we stayed in had a TV in each room but the one in the third bedroom didn't have cable. Crazy!)
High speed Internet access (WiFi preferred)

The one thing that you cannot tell from a website is the quality of the bed. We just stayed in a condo that met my overall requirements but the master bed was awful in quality. I won't rent that unit again because of the bad quality of the bed. Unfortunately, that's something you can only discover by staying in the unit.

 

[englishteacha]

I narrowed down my choices by price, then looked to see which of those condos were closest to where we wanted to be. Decor didn't matter, though a few more expensive condos had some cute Disney theming. I won't pay extra for it, though.

 

[wahoostampingirl]

I will pay slightly more for upgraded furnishings and decor. To me, vacation=more luxurious surroundings. We use a large vacation rental company and while they are more expensive, the condos and houses are very nice and the service is excellent.

On the other hand, if I decide to stay in a more budget accommodation, I won't complain as long as it's functional and clean.

But to me, that's one of the great things about staying off site. You can get a great condo for less than the price of a moderate Disney hotel. Savings AND Luxury! That's a good vacation.

 

[Southernswthrt1]

I will pay slightly more for upgraded furnishings and decor. To me, vacation=more luxurious surroundings. We use a large vacation rental company and while they are more expensive, the condos and houses are very nice and the service is excellent.

On the other hand, if I decide to stay in a more budget accommodation, I won't complain as long as it's functional and clean.

But to me, that's one of the great things about staying off site. You can get a great condo for less than the price of a moderate Disney hotel. Savings AND Luxury! That's a good vacation.

My thoughts EXACTLY!!!

 

[dawnball]

Location, ease of access/rental, management company, price.

I like Windsor Hills. I like keyless entry. I dislike a couple of management companies pretty strongly. The first few times we rented we were very price conscious. We paid a little more for our last rental. It was cleaner, better equipped, and easy, easy, easy from start to finish. I'd rent from them again.

 

[LilMamiBella]

I'm having a problem deciding on which house to pick. I don't really care for the decor of one house but it is cheap at $1300. I found two really nice houses that have themed bedrooms for the kids but they are both about $1900. But these are 5 and 6 bedroom houses I'm looking at, and even if I went with one of the expensive houses it would still be cheaper than getting 3 rooms at All Star Movies.