Just back from rental home in Kissimmee. Any questions?

[peacefrogdog]

With these rental homes, are you expected to clean up the house before you leave, or does someone come it to clean it? Are linens and towels provided or do you have to bring your own?

 

[Bichon Barb]

For the person interested in Emerald Isle, we are renting a three bedroom townhome next month. The gentleman that owns it was having a hard time filling February, so we were fortunately to get an unbelievable rate! Here is his website:

http://www.orlando-rental-home.com

Re: Towels, etc., here is are some of the items on the itinerary he gave us: cups, plates, utensils, etc., appliances, dish clothes, towels, ironing stuff, high chair, 2 TVs, CD/tape player, a couple of videos, books, toys, sheets, bath towels, pool towels, blankets, etc, etc, etc.

They have a services that cleans before you get there and after you leave.

I'm so glad this thread started. There was offsite bashing going on on the resorts board (you'll get stuck in traffic, you'll get lost, you lose the "magic" if you stay offsite). I'm glad to hear that the resort really is close to the parks.

 

[FLeisure]

peacefrogdog,
Normally included in the price of your rental is a 4 hour clean up if you are staying 6 days or more. If you are staying for a shorter period then there is a cleaning charge......or at least that is our policy !

It isn't necessary to clean up after your stay but it is always helpful if you can throw the sheets in the washing machine and set the dishwasher. The maid will appreciate it enormously !

Linens and towels are usually included but it does pay to check this before you book.

Bichon Barb,
Hard to believe these people who bash folks for staying off site. Frankly at the price Disney charges these days it's beyond me how families can afford to stay on site. The price of attraction park tickets, meals and hotels is enormous and by staying off site and enjoying the other things that Orlando offers, you can get so much more out of your vacation.

OK, I'm biased here, but renting a vaction home has to be the way to go in my opinion. I always used to rent one before moving here a few years ago and wouldn't do it any other way. The price of a home or a hotel on US 192 is far more reasonable than the ridiculous rates that Disney wants and as a family can make a massive difference to the budget !

As far as traffic is concerned you'll have absolutely no problem from Emerald Island. The only traffic problems I've ever encountered are during peak vacation times when the drive from the West end (US 27) can be tedious.

Be interested to read your opinion on Emerald Island when you get back. Enjoy !

 

[Bichon Barb]

No problem FLeisure, I'll definitely do a rental report when I get back.

Don't get me wrong, I used to love staying on site when it was just my husband and I (D.I.N.K's - Dual Income No Kids), but now it just make a lot more sense to rent a home. It will be nice to do the parks all day, come home, have happy hour by the pool , and either grill something or order take out. Of course we'll go out a few times, but at least we don't have drag the boys out and make them wait at a restaurant if we are all tired.

Now, if a Wilderness Home didn't run $224 + tax a night off season, I'd love to go that route, but that would add up to over $1700!!!!

Just my humble opinion.

 

[FLeisure]

The bit we used to love was getting up early-ish and going to the parks.....then returning home for lunch (much cheaper!) and a splash in the pool. We then used to return to the parks about 4-5pm and stay until it closed.

It made for long and totally relaxing days when sometimes you can get stresed out trying to get it all done !

 

[karenvicki]

Peacefrogdog:
To answer your question, both linens and towels were provided for us. Even pool towels! The house was fully furnished and even included videos and board games and some kids toys. Some homes even have Nintendo or Playstation (ours did not and it was just as well).
As for cleanup, as FLeisure said, most stays of 6 days or more earn you a free house cleaning. However, we were asked to run a load of linens through the laundry before we left (and stick them in the dryer) so the cleaning company could get the full load done before the next renters arrived. We also were asked to put out the garbage on the appropriate trash pick up days. We ran a vacuum and emptied all the trash at the end of our stay just because it seemed like the right thing to do.
As I've said before, it was a great and positive experience from start to finish and I'd do it again in a second!