Private House vs Condo

[bassguy66]

Hello All,

This is a question that has a few parts to it....

First, I'm really torn between getting a private home vs getting a condo. We have 4 of us, 2 adults, two 10 yr old boys. What are the pluses & minuses for renting a house vs a condo?

We are looking for a 4 night stay, and plan on hitting Universal Studios, Wet & Wild, and then maybe just 1 chill day. A pool is a must, and having a gameroom and other activities might be beneficial for the boys.

What is the best area/town to stay in? I don't want to be 20-30 mins away from the parks. Price range is $100-150 a night....and we are going 4/23 thru 4/27 so many places have a minimum stay that won't work for our 4 nights.

I have found a bunch of options through VRBO & Homeaway, and even on TripAdvisor.....just want to make sure we are making the right choice.

Any & all comments are welcome.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

A private home is going to give you absolute privacy, while you will still have "neighbours" at a condo or timeshare.

Many condo/timeshare resort will give offer multiple pools (some with special features like a waterslide or lazy river), extra onsite amenities (mini golf, basketball courts, paddle boats, etc.) and scheduled activities (karaoke, bingo, crafts). Some of those may have a fee, some may not.

You may get daily housekeeping at some condos or timeshares. You won't in a private home.

I think it just depends on what you, personally, want on vacation. We have an older DS, and he enjoys the resort amenities and activities (so do we!). If we had several kids (and some young enough to need naps, etc.) the privacy of a pool home would definitely appeal.

Our favourite resort in Orlando is Sheraton Vistana Resort. It give us the best of both worlds.....low-rise buildings (so it doesn't feel "hotel-ish"), huge villas (1200 sq. feet) with a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, multiple bathrooms and laundry facilities, and still all the amenities we want in a vacation resort (mini golf, 7 unique pools, 7 hot tubs, a "fun team" that organizes daily activities, beach volleyball courts, basketball courts, etc.).

 

[sympatico]

If you're going to Universal and W&W then you'll be at least 20 minutes away maybe more if you're planning on a pool home. Zoning laws don't allow short term rentals in Orange County where Universal is so all of the pool home rentals are south of there in Osceola County. Vista Cay is the only private townhouse resort in that area but they have no private pools only a main resort pool.
Indian Wells is an older pool home community just off 535, it has mostly permanent residents with a few rentals. Lots of timeshare resorts in the are though.

 

[mikehn]

for just 4 nights, I wouldnt rule out a hotel. There are some nice hotel suites in your price range.

 

[kathy884]

We usually do the condo (rent from an owner at a timeshare resort), as it gives us more of the resort feel that we love. We also like talking to other families at the pool, like amenities like tennis courts to be closer than they are at gated communities, like the tasteful furniture that isn't subject to owner preference, etc. I do though like a house if you have a really big group and all want to stay together in the same place. // Usually a community condo or house will be a little less expensive than a timeshare condo. We think, though, the timeshare condo (especially an owner rental) is a great deal in the Orlando area (so many great resorts).

 

[DawnM]

I did not know that! Interesting.

OP, we are currently in a townhouse. We are in an end unit and it is very quiet! We dont' have anyone above us which is very nice and only one neighbor.

It is a 4 bedroom, 1800 sq. ft. townhouse South of Orlando.

We have been very happy with it.

Dawn

If you're going to Universal and W&W then you'll be at least 20 minutes away maybe more if you're planning on a pool home. Zoning laws don't allow short term rentals in Orange County where Universal is so all of the pool home rentals are south of there in Osceola County. Vista Cay is the only private townhouse resort in that area but they have no private pools only a main resort pool.
Indian Wells is an older pool home community just off 535, it has mostly permanent residents with a few rentals. Lots of timeshare resorts in the are though.

 

[jeff968]

Check out the Hilton Parc Soleil. It is on the Palm parkway. Go out the resort, turn left, and 10 minutes later you are at Universal. It is a fantastic (condo/timeshare) resort, Orlando's newest, has everything you are looking for as well as Hilton quality.

 

[bassguy66]

Check out the Hilton Parc Soleil. It is on the Palm parkway. Go out the resort, turn left, and 10 minutes later you are at Universal. It is a fantastic (condo/timeshare) resort, Orlando's newest, has everything you are looking for as well as Hilton quality.

Beautiful resort Jeff...but a 2 bedroom is $500+ per night. That isn't going to happen, when we can get a house or condo for $100-150.

Thanks to all that replied.