Most economical way to rent a condo, last minute?

[kwnancy]

Depending on the rest of hurricane season, We are planning a trip to WDW in November. It will be a last minute trip, as the $$ is in our 'evacuation fund' and won't know until November (after the brunt of hurricane season) if we still have the $$ saved.

So, my question -- I want to rent an off-site condo, need kitchen facilities. What is the most economical route? Do you know for sure you have a specific date when you bid on skyauction? Also looking for other suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[bearzabout]

I think the cheapest would be through winning a home and away auction through Skyauction. A winning bid of around $50 plus $195 service fees and $20 service charge (about $265) for a week stay is common. Their inventory of RCI condos changes all the time. Some resorts don't post excess inventory until about 2-3 weeks out but most post excess inventory early to make sure that units don't sit empty.

Don't wait too long before your travel dates (1-2 weeks out). It can take about 10 days to win the auction, make the condo reservation and get your paperwork through the mail. I find that inventory tends to dry up about 1-2 weeks away from the travel date.

If you don't want to pay to win the auction then hope a unit is available, you can reserve one through Ready Set Go auctions but pay more in the end (around $350 for the week). They may email your paperwork so this may be faster.

One bedroom units are usually available somewhere. I have gotten great units only a few weeks before my stay, but there are no guarantees. Do your homework ahead of time so you know what units and resorts are acceptable.

If you win a Home and Away auction, you will also get a $100 Skyauction certificate to use on a future auction. I use them to cut future week stays to around $165 or for bidding on restaurant gift certificates.

Also check Ebay. If someone has a paid reservation but has to cancel, sometimes they will list a last minute trip at a great price.

 

[horseshowmom]

I second ebay. I've done very well on there. Last year, I had three of the 2BR/2BA units at Cypress Pointe Grande Villas for $300 each per week the week before Christmas (16th-23rd).

This year I was planning on bidding on a 3BR/3BA unit at Grand Beach for Thanksgiving week but had a change in plans. I posted a link to the auction on here (after finding out that we couldn't go . I think the final bid was $500+.

When I use ebay, I only rent from people who have been members for a significant amount of time, have excellent feedback, take Paypal, and I always use a credit card for additional protection.

Another option is to go to www.windsorhillsrent.com or www.vistacayrent.com and send out a general inquiry. Tell them that you are specifically looking for discounted last-minute pricing and that if they are interested in submitting a quote for your specific dates, you would like to hear from them (figure out what you minimum requirements are and include them in the inquiry). Both are upscale properties (Vista Cay is on Universal Drive next to the Orange County Convention Center).

You can do the same thing with www.vrbo.com. It has condos and houses.

SkyAuction does sound great, but I don't have any experience using it (yet ).

Good luck!

 

[HeatherC]

If you work for a town/municipality or government office also check out www.govarm.com or www.getravelop.com.

Another vote for SkyAuction. Click on their vacation rentals link and type in November.

Good luck to you.

Heather

 

[scanmom]

www.hotelkingdom.com last year we went on a last minute trip to WDW, and got a 2BR at Cypress Point Resort for $99.00/night. This is the 2nd time we have used hotelkingdom, and we have never had a problem. At CP, we got one of the best locations they offer.... right at the volcano pool, with a balcony overlooking it! We could sit on the balcony in the evenings and watch the kids in the pool while we had a cool drink!! (our kids are older). The condo was beautiful, and like I said, we had NO problems with check-in, even though we booked 1 week ahead!

 

[PoppyAnna]

Another option is to go to www.windsorhillsrent.com or www.vistacayrent.com and send out a general inquiry. Tell them that you are specifically looking for discounted last-minute pricing and that if they are interested in submitting a quote for your specific dates, you would like to hear from them (figure out what you minimum requirements are and include them in the inquiry). Both are upscale properties (Vista Cay is on Universal Drive next to the Orange County Convention Center).

Good luck!

This is what I am planning on doing in a week or two, there is a link at the top of the windsor hills home page to email all rentors, apparently you do get bombarded with replys but you can save some serious money - especially if it's for a late booking (we are looking at first two weeks in oct).

Good luck!

 

[meandtheguys2]

If you work for a town/municipality or government office also check out www.govarm.com or www.getravelop.com.

Another vote for SkyAuction. Click on their vacation rentals link and type in November.

Good luck to you.

Heather

I've been watching both of these sites, and have a question for those who have dealt with them. We are traveling in January, and there are NO deals yet. Is this relatively their MO?