Need help in renting a 4-5 Bedroom home...

[lbrown]

We are planning a WDW trip this December and would like to rent a 4-5 Bedroom house for 9 people for 1 week. I don't even know where to start looking. Any suggestions??? : confused3

 

[dougsmom98]

I like to look on vrbo.com and do a search for Kissimmee. Before you do this though, you may want to narrow down the area you would like to stay in. Many people on this board, like to stay in Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms, Emerald Isle and Indian Creek developments. They are quite close to Disney and very nice developments. I have stayed in Windsor Palms and I loved it. On our last trip we stayed in Davenport instead of Kissimmee. We find homes in that area to be a little more budget friendly but the trade off is adding an extra 10 minutes to our park commute.

 

[sympatico]

The subdivisions closest to Disney will usually be more expensive. They would be in the Formosa Gardens area and include Formosa Gardens, Emerald Island, Indian Creek, Rolling Hills, Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms and a few more. These are about 5 min from Animal Kingdom and a little more to the rest of Disney. There are also subdivisions in the Davenport and Clermont areas on route 27 which would be further away ( 15 - 20 min ).
If you rent directly from the owners you will see exactly which home you'll be renting. That way you can see the floor plan and extras they have to offer. Some homes are in a resort which has a clubhouse and community pool (Emerald Island, Windsor Hills and Palms, Terra Verde to name a few) and others are in estates which have no clubhouse and community pool.
Try these sites for renting from the owners: vrbo.com and homeaway.com (Kissimmee area), or windsorhillsrent.com
Windsor Hills is the newest of the developements and is very nice.
It takes a lot of time to sift through all the homes and what they offer. When you find one you like email the owner and ask some questions and for a quote.
To reserve a home you have to pay a deposit when you book and the rest about 8 weeks before you go. If you have to cancel within a month of your departure you lose your money unless they can rent it out again, check their cancellation policy. It's always a good idea to get cancellation insurance.
Hope this helps and I'm sure you'll have others give you more tips.

 

[Lisa BC]

Since you are in the research phase, I would encourage to check this website as well: www.allstarvacationhomes.com

This is a management company that manages homes in several different neighborhoods. They do have a good reputation, although you'll pay a premium to rent through them... but their website is really good with lots of info. It will give an idea what each of the neighborhoods is like, and what kind of homes to expect in each of the neighborhoods.

It will be easier for you to pick a home once you decide what amenities you want - bedroom configurations, community pool (with or without slide), playground, games room at the house or community based activities, golf, etc. Once you have determined what you want and how much you want to spend, you can start searching for it.

You'll be able to get some more specific suggestions once you decide the amenities as well... you can always post again, with your list of wants...

Good luck!

Lisa

 

[Mainebound]

I just did a huge search for 4 bedroom homes, especially in Windsor Hills. We ended up renting a 6 bed home because our friends decided to join us, but I can tell you that IMHO the 4 bedroom homes are a great value in WH. 3 bedroom townhomes with spalsh pool wil run you $900-1150. All the 4 bed quotes were clustered around the $1200 mark for our week in March 08 (peak season), several at $1100. And then it jumped several hundred dollars to get into a 5 or 6 bedroom (little diff in price b/t those in the quotes I received).

Prices at WH are noticably higher than even at neighboring resorts such as Emerald Island. And prices in the Formosa Gardens area (where WH and EI are located) are higher than other areas. This is due mainly to their prime location relative to the WDW parks.

And if you are willing to go out a couple of miles, well, we had quotes for nice 5 and 6 bedroom homes for $700 for the week...

If you are interested in the WH 4 beds we had on our short list, send me a PM! M<aybe it will save you some time!

Oh, and we also use fabvillas.com, in addition to VRBO and windsorhillsrent. you will find different homes on each site. In fact, we found the home we rented on fabvillas rather than the other two sites, so I am glad we checked all 3.

 

[BrockHouseOrlando]

Hi

Our home is on Highgate Park in Davenport. Its a quiet gated community, set back from the hustle and bustle, you would'n't even know you where near the H27. Many of the homes back onto conservation areas so you are not overlooked, they are great spacious homes with pools and spa's, some have their own games rooms etc.

Highgate is around 8/9 miles from the disney maingate, and close to I4, a mile from the 192. You are 5 minutes from a Walmart and even less to the nearest Publix. Mine is a small 4 bed, but there are much larger 4 and 5 bed homes available, all can be booked direct with the owner at

www.orlandoexclusivevillas.com


HTH
Carole

 

[Blondiex46]

I rented one In Calla Lily which we haven't been to yet but I did alot of research spoke with the 10 people that were going, asked them what they wanted in a place to stay for 10 days and came up with what I got. We started with 7 days and kept adding days and the wonderful homeowner lowered the price with the days added. I checked in allstarvacations and vrbo.com . We ended up with a 5/6 bedroom (there is a sofabed). I wanted one with a computer in it, have a laptop but there are others that want to check there e-mails and they aren't using my laptop, lol. Also wanted somewhere that could seat all of us. There are 5 children and men going and they wanted a game room and of course there is a pool. Also I wanted a bbQ so I would recommend figuring out what you want in a vacation home and take it from there .

 

[BrockHouseOrlando]

I rented one In Calla Lily which we haven't been to yet but I did alot of research spoke with the 10 people that were going, asked them what they wanted in a place to stay for 10 days and came up with what I got. We started with 7 days and kept adding days and the wonderful homeowner lowered the price with the days added. I checked in allstarvacations and vrbo.com . We ended up with a 5/6 bedroom (there is a sofabed). I wanted one with a computer in it, have a laptop but there are others that want to check there e-mails and they aren't using my laptop, lol. Also wanted somewhere that could seat all of us. There are 5 children and men going and they wanted a game room and of course there is a pool. Also I wanted a bbQ so I would recommend figuring out what you want in a vacation home and take it from there .

Great idea, you must make a list of everything that you want from your vacation home, and take it from there, then you can start making a short list. All the communities are nice, it depends on what you and your family need from your vacation

 

[KayR]

Take a look at this guide to renting on the Emerald Island website

http://www.stayatemeraldisland.com/HomesForRent/GuideChoice.php

It was put together to help guests make an informed choice on the home that they need. Hope it helps.

--Kay

 

[Sunrisedream]

Sunset Lakes in the Formosa area also has 4,5 and 6 bed homes. Another great site is www.orlandovillas.com

 

[smi727]

Check out www.mvrh.com. We're staying there in July and get a great rate!

 

[FLParadisevilla]

You can try www.indiancreekflorida.com as well.

 

[Brian Noble]

As you start to narrow down your search, here are some factors that first-time renters sometimes don't consider:

* Do I want full sun all day in the pool (south-facing)? Do I want to have some shade too? Is it important to me that the pool have some privacy?

* How do I get/drop off the key? On-site, or remote management co?

* Do I need to pre-pay a deposit, or will a credit card imprint be acceptable? (If you pre-pay, you need to wait until the owner pays you back. If you give an imprint, you aren't charged unless there is damage, and it is easier to dispute an unfair claim.)

* Do I really want upscale furnishings, or will I spend my vacation worrying that my kids are going to ruin something? (Those homes look great, but...)

* How far is "minutes from Disney", really? After all "30 minutes" is still "minutes". This matters less if you don't come back mid-day.

 

[tiggercrazy]

www.ourfloridavacationhomes.com

We have rented from them for the last 3 years and love their homes in Davenport. Very nice people!

 

[mbb]

You can have a look "upstairs" on the Review Board, too

We've got a few reviews of homes - and hopefully more! - that would qualify as "DISer Approved", I think

Have fun!

 

[TravelinGal]

I'm really looking forward to the rental we have for Sept/Oct

This year we are staying at The Diamond on the Island and our price (for Sept/Oct) is around 146 a night INCLUDING pool heat, spa (hot tub) heat and ALL taxes. (rates will vary depending on when you go, of course...)
The owner is very friendly and easy to work with. Tell him Robin in Colorado sent you. (I don't get anything, but it's always nice for the owners to know how you heard about their home)

Emerald Island (the residential housing community) is about 2 to 3 miles from WDW. EASY EASY to get to and from. We had no problems going home midday for our little one to nap and then going back to the parks when he woke up.

 

[lbrown]

What great info to start with, I will be busy looking at quite a few websites. Thanks again!

 

[KayR]

For homes at Emerald Island you can look at www.stayatemeraldisland.com

Also in the same area is Windsor Palms www.windsor-palms-florida.net

Enjoy.

--Kay