pool home advice and suggestions please

[Ourtoystory]

Hello Dis'ers!

We are currently planning our first family vacation to Disney! Yipeeee!

We are travelling with my family (infant and 6 yr old), my parents and sister (and her two kids) so we believe a pool home villa is the best accomadation for us this time.

I have done the research on communities and thanks to you all know the main websites for finding homes. If someone could be so kind as to answer some questions please.

Is it possible to find a 5 bedroom pool home for rent in the $1300 US range (including pool heat and taxes) for the last week of April (generally considered mid season)? We are living in Canada and have to convert to Canadian funds. So everything is more expensive for us. Perhaps $1300 isn't reality? I have been hesitant to contact owners until I know if our price range is OK.

We would love the formosa gardens area obviously but are all the villa communities safe?

If a home doesn't have a gas bbq is it possible to rent one?

Finally, anyone have any home suggestions for us? I would love to hear about (and have links) to some of the homes you have all stayed at.

Thanks in advance! We have to get on this and book something soon!

 

[BonnieA]

Check out this site. http://www.vacationhomes.com/city_search.cfm?l=33&qb=1 I used this company last December and had no problems. There are quite a few houses here that may work for you pricewise. And keep in mind the other developments in the Formosa gardens area like Windsor Palms, Windsor Hills, Rolling Hills and Emerald Island as all are great places and very close. I stayed in Rolling Hills which is a little older than the rest, not gated, but I felt quite safe.

 

[kilee]

I think you are going to find the best deals (and in your range) by 1- going direct from the owner, and 2- possibly consider staying in the Davenport area.
You will have about a 15-20 minute drive to the parks-- but you can usually save several hundred by staying there. Sometimes up to $500-700 for a week. The drive isn't bad, and does go by really quick. We've done it and never had a problem with it.

Anyhow-- just be prepared for a lot of research. I think your price is reasonable-- you'll just have to look around a bit.

Try some of these sites:

www.orlandovillas.com
www.vrbo.com
www.onlinefloridavillas.com

 

[minnie29uk]

Yes,your price range is realistic,but its just after Easter and many homes will already be booked.I could of booked April twenty times over.So delay no longer and book.
Do ask about barbecue.My home Insurance does not allow me or my guests to have barbecues(its in my T and Cs)

Have a great holiday,
Lynn

 

[alexcturner]

Hi, Just a note. There are some areas of Davenport that are closer to Disney than 15 -20 minutes. I think you can find what you are looking for if you are flexible. The next 3 months have been heavily booked for alot of owners. Good Luck!

 

[JANNYANS]

Try this home
www.karensfloridadream.com

I think she may be able to help you.It is in Davenport but close to the 192/27 junction so you can use Sherberth Road .

 

[winniedapooh]

I sent you a PM on a home we have used 4 times now. It is in Windsor Palms and they also have two homes in Windsor Hills. Theirs homes are not only decorated unbelievably they are well stocked too! Good luck and I hope this helps you.

 

[disneyinmay]

Can you post or send that info? I am looking for a home as well. The choices are overwhelming, so I would like to get a recommendation from someone who has stayed at one. Thanks!

 

[AEM121305]

We recently just returned from Disney. We stayed in the Solana resort which is a gated community. Very nice. We booked it last minute(3 days before we left) and got a great deal.. . It is only about a 10 to 15 min drive to Disney. The villa had a pack and play and high chair for no additional cost(we were travelling with an infant too) I highly recommend staying in a home esp with an infant. You can go to the Solana resort website and do an inquiry. Home owners will email you with availabilty. Good Luck.

 

[bvc314]

We haven't stayed in this home yet (we're going in June), but I wanted to post because the owners have been so very nice. They have 4 rental homes in Windsor Hills and Windsor Palms. The homes look beautiful and their prices are very reasonable and include many extras. I have gotten feedback from a couple of people on disboards who have stayed with them and the reviews have been excellent. The website is www.romancingthemouse.com.
Good Luck in your search!

 

[bamaslp]

Hi! We are going in 3 weeks. We are staying in a 5 bedroom home with pool and spa for $1100. This includes everything. It is in Windsor Hills. Belle Vue
Go to windsorhillsrent

 

[TravelinGal]

We are going the first part of May and we got a 6 bedroom home in Emerald Island (lovely NEW gated community - near Formosa Gardens - so new, not all the streets show up on Yahoo maps or mapquest!).

Our rate for 10 days/9 nights is $1275. total. Including pool heat, spa heat and all tax.

Send messages to bunches of people and make an offer of what you are willing to pay. Someone should respond and accept your offer!

Some homes do come with a gas grill. You CAN rent them from outside sources if the home does not have one. But as a PP said, make sure they allow them before you rent one. Would be really bad to lose your deposit because you violated their terms.

 

[hezell123]

Send messages to bunches of people and make an offer of what you are willing to pay. Someone should respond and accept your offer!

As TG said, I can't stress the importance enough of telling people how much your willing to pay or can pay. You will probably find several people that are willing to work in your budget

 

[Evans Family]

I'm renting a 4bed/3bath home w/pool for $1100 per week the first week of April. We found an owner on www.vrbo.com "Vacation Rentals by Owner" It is a great site and you rent directly from the owner not from a rental company. Take a look at that sight.

 

[Disneymama1]

Try www.vacationneardisney.us We just returned from renting and had a great house in Davenport. I think most of their properties would fit your price range and Shane is very easy to work with. Plus, you do not have to go to a management company to pick up the key. there are key lockboxes on the houses. Very easy to get to and very easy to get around once we were there. He has several areas to choose from.

 

[disneycruising]

We rented a vacation home in the WDW area, during Thanksgiving a few years ago. It was a great experience for us. We have four children, so the extra space was a big plus. I also like having a full kitchen and a washer and dryer.

The only negative think I can say about it was the pool heat. The pool heater was turned on when we arrived!! As you can imagine it took days to heat the pool. If I was to rent again...I would ask about this.

Cindy

 

[Kay1]

I'm subscribing to this thread. I want to rent a 3-bedroom around Christmas time. I made a request at Premier Villas but haven't been contacted.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Being a regular visitor and frequent villa renter the only negative I can see is having to drive everywhere - which can be difficult if you want to go out in the evening for a drink.

Other than that Villas are brilliant.

 

[dgaston]

What to say? We have rented the same house twice for extended family vacations with different sides of the family, and also stayed in a condo at Windsor Palms just last week. I found the house on vrbo.com and encourage others to look there.

 

[irishnewbie]

like you we are hoping to rent a villa for our holiday. it will be for 3 weeks and i followed the advice of some of the replies on this thread and posted a general enquiry to some owner rental websites ,advising of my budget and a lot of owners responded. i'm not sure about area's though. what's recommended , what's not. this is our first visit to florida, even the U.S so i'm hoping for a bit of advice. what's orange tree community like?what about the golf course communities...we're not golfers should we stay away?? any help would be gratefully appreciated....the advice posted so far has worked anyway so thank you!