Need advise for Jan '14 trip

[wonder4fam2011]

Thanks in advance for your help!

Planning on heading to WDW early Jan and need to know how early out (or late) should we book a flight?

I know there are many links for offsite rentals but there is just way too much to go thru all of them. Never used them before but it seems to be more bang for your buck. But I have a few questions that maybe you guys can help answer. We are a fan of 4 (2 teens). We would prefer to stay offsite but close to avoid needing 2 rooms at the resort hotels.

Who are the various vacation home rentals you have used and who do you recommend?

Do you have to pay up front? And if you had to cancel your trip, do they refund your money?

Do they all charge for parking? Are there any fees on top of their rates?

Any other things we should be aware of by renting vacation properties?

Thanks again!

 

[mguedes]

Who are the various vacation home rentals you have used and who do you recommend?

Try www.paradisepalmsresort.com.br They have brand new homes and the community is amazing. I´ll be there in December.

Do you have to pay up front? And if you had to cancel your trip, do they refund your money?

You usually have to pay a deposit at the time of booking and the remaining balance sometime before check in. Refund policies vary from owner to owner.

Do they all charge for parking? Are there any fees on top of their rates?

I am not aware of any communities that charge for parking. It might have other fees such as cleaning, credit card, etc. Ask before booking.

Any other things we should be aware of by renting vacation properties?

Look for manned gated communities. I prefer townhomes or pool homes rather than condos (condos have that hotel feeling).
If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
Look for homes that are rented by the owner but managed buy a reputable management company.
Extra fees may apply - always ask before booking!

 

[rt2dz]

Cancellation rates and payments will vary. You will have to go through that on your own. Same with other fees, like parking. Some hotels charge and others do not. Some have resort fees and others do not. Some give free wi-if and others do not. The last one goes for rental homes too. Some rental homes charge cleaning fees, others do not. You get the idea.

We stay offsite every other trip and rent DVC points for the on years since we are a family of 6. Staying offsite in very nice digs are way cheaper than values, offer a ton more, and if you chose right, can be closer to the parks than the values and many of the moderates. So, you are correct, a lot more bang for the buck.

Condo/hotel deals can easily be found at Sniqueaway.com or Sky Auction. Have used both for non-Disney vacations. For Disney, we usually chose a rental home from VRBO.com (use the search function fully to weed through the choices). I pick Indian Hills, Emerald Island, Windsor Hills. I think it vacationcentralflorida.com has great deals on 2 & 3 bedroom town homes.

As far as flights go, start with airfare watchdog and Yapta.com. They will help you find a good deal, track as flights sell out and notify you (Yapta) if you qualify for a refund.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[spiceycat]

for the flight and rental car - you will need one staying offsite go to the transportation board - here a link
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

for renting a house
www.vrbo.com

you want Kissimmee - although Davenport and Clermont are definitely cheaper they are further away.

some people like Windsor Hills condo and I think houses - they have their own links as well.

if you want a condo then Wyndham Bonnet Creek - go look at its fan post here - they have some reasonable renters.