Need accomodation recommendations please!

[jag182]

This will be our first time to Disney. Three kids (3, 5, & 7). We'd like a place to stay like the Villas at Disney but hopefully less than $3500 for the week. $1800-$2300 for the week would be better. Can I get a few suggestions for off Disney property that has Disney villa type accomodations (2 bd. rm., kit, washer/dryer, etc....). I'd really like a place with nice pool for the kids. We are thinking on early July this year. I guess even time shares to rent would work too. Have no idea where to start. Soo much stuff to look at when Google'd for Disney vacations.

P.S. I was looking at some homes with a pool to rent in Celebration (VRBO web site). They look nice but I was told that the homes to rent in "Celebration" where not actually in the Celebration community. That's confusing as well.

Thanks for any advice.

Jeff G.

 

[sympatico]

to the DIS !

Try Windsor Hills condos or townhouses, even pool homes. You can rent directly from an owner on www.windsorhillsrent.com or through vrbo.com or homeaway.com for Kissimmee. Windsor Hills is only 5 min from AK.
You could also try allstarvacationhomes.com or floridasunvacationhomes.com and rent through an agency. We like going through owners. Have stayed there 3 times in townhouses and a 6 bedroom/
You could rent a 4 bedroom pool home for the price you're willing to pay. Some of them go for $1250 - $1500./wk. According to the time of year you can get a 3 bedroom condo for less than $100/nt . Lots of kids rooms are Disney themed. Check out these for example: http://www.storytimeorlandorental.com/
There's also the new Reunion Resort which has it's own water park and other activities. You can rent from their site www.reunionresort.com or from an owner on vrbo.com or homeaway.
Other subdivisions with community pools are Emerald Island, Windsor Hills, Terra Verde and many others. Windsor Hills is #1 Reunion Resort #22
Map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

Windsor Hills map: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bQv1oPRCk...AAARw/sCTaWOkayxg/s1600-h/windsorhillsmap.jpg

 

[tami82]

try themagicrentals.com. We booked a princess themed condo (Magic Villa 6 in Windsor Hills which is running us $125 per night. They are also pretty new from May 2008. The owner has 5 other themed condos anywhere from 3 to 6 bedrooms. We were going to stay onsite but after some thought figured it would be better if we werent all confined to one room and my two girls would be so happy to sleep in their own princess room. Also with a private splash pool. After i saw the website it really made me double think staying inside Disney. After i showed my husband the pictures of the condo (after being dead set staying onsite at a monorail resort) and the room for the kids, he finally caved and told me to book it. I couldnt be happier with the decision.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Another vote for Windsor Hills. If you request a quote from windsorhillsrent.com you will get so many responses and some great rates.

 

[HeatherC]

You certainly don't have to pay anywhere near that amount of money for a week in a villa. Truly. There are so many beautiful places that cost much less.

Here are a few places to check that are really nice:

www.wyndhambonnetcreek.com - practically onsite, beautiful resort.

Marriott's Grande Vista, Horizons and Cypress Harbour Resorts,

Hilton's Grand Vacation Clubs...they have 2 in the area.

(Bonnet Creek would be my first choice because it is brand new and the location is fabulous. Kids would love the pool area with lazy river.)

Hilton, Marriot and Bonnet Creek can all be rented directly through their websites, but you may find cheaper rentals through an owner since they are all timeshare resorts. Same with Orange Lake.
Orange Lake Resort

Windsor Hills Resort...lots of people love this place.

Reunion Resort

Many others as well, but these are some of the nicer ones that I can think of off the top of my head.

Hope this helps you!

 

[HeatherC]

Forgot to mention...if you are interested in Bonnet Creek, one owner to rent from would be Ken Price through www.vacationupgrades.com. Many people on these boards have rented from him before. Would definitely be cheaper than booking through Wyndham.

Also...check out resort reviews on www.tripadvisor.com ...very helpful site.

Good luck!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

There are so many options, you can get bogged down really quickly!

I'm currently searching, but I can tell you how I narrowed our search:

First off, we have 4 kids, ages 3-14, so we need space, and I try my best to accomodate their different needs and wants. Close to WDW for breaks, extra stuff available for the older two, etc.

I looked in the Unofficial Guide to WDW, which has a map of all the communities outside WDW. Since I wanted break time, I narrowed it to the 12 or so closest to the parks.

Then, I looked at our family's specific needs/wants: The older 2 want a game room. A private pool would be nice--some could take a dip while others napped. DD14 is requesting her own room (may not get it, but it's a birthday trip, so maybe...) DH needs a king sized bed. DD6 would kill for a princess room, while DS3 has no clue, but would probably love a themed room as well.

Obviously, your list would be different, but once you know what you would really like, you can then narrow your choices. I think you can save a lot of your budget if you would be happy in a condo. Then again, a house with a game room (some have nice play areas for kids) might have appeal. The townhouses and stand-alones frequently have private pools--might be easier so you don't have to schlep 3 kids and associated gear to the community's pool every time. Maybe you'd like a hot tub?

I checked several developments and found many, many rentals that suit our needs. I will send out inquiries about some questions, see if I can get a better deal. Windsor Hills is popular and has many nice features, but a little pricier. you ahve to decide if the price is worth it to your family. Many of the "older" (by a few years) developments aren't quite as fancy, but still very nice, and less pricey. Really, they all look lovely.

Happy hunting!