REALLY low quotes coming in

[dfarner]

I need to ask a question to some of you all that are experienced at renting villas or who own villas in Orlando. Right now we have June 20th-29th booked with the 4/3 deal at Fort Wilderness Cabins. With the room, park hopper ticks, and the dining plan it is going to run us about $4,000. We go to Disney often, and the thought of staying offsite in a condo or TH is appealing to us for the extra space, washer/dryer, kitchen, etc...I started asking for quotes for those dates and I am getting quotes in the range of $85-$90/night (less than the rates published on owner websites). Are the low quotes because the demand has gone down for that period due to Disney's 4/3 deal? Is it because the economy is so slow and they're just not filling up? I have gotten quotes from owners in WH and Ginn Reunion. We have never stayed at one of these resorts, and although the rates are good I keep thinking "if it sounds too good to be true it probably is". Is anyone else getting quotes like this?

 

[Brian Noble]

$90 a night is not ridiculously cheap for a condo, especially if it does not include the 12.5%-13% (depending on county) lodging tax. Even a townhouse might come in close to that---again, especially if it doesn't include taxes or pool heat.

It is a little on the low side, but not a lot.

 

[dfarner]

$90 a night is not ridiculously cheap for a condo, especially if it does not include the 12.5%-13% (depending on county) lodging tax. Even a townhouse might come in close to that---again, especially if it doesn't include taxes or pool heat.

It is a little on the low side, but not a lot.

That is a good point that I forgot to mention. Several of the quotes DO include tax (we wouldn't need pool heat).

 

[dougsmom98]

I think people realize that the economy is bad right now so they are trying to get your business. That being said, I would look for a place that seems to have a strong rental history and if you can find someone that has been doing this for a while, they are less likely to foreclose between now and June.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We stayed in a 3br TH at WH over Christmas and paid $100 + tax each night for a lovely well looked after home

 

[CarolA]

This is why I don't plan to buy a home to rent. Supply and demand. Prices in Orlando have always been kept fairly low due to more supply then demand. Throw in the current economy and.......FIRE SALE! So I don't think your pricing is out of line.

 

[mareed]

I think the prices you're receiving are normal - especially considering that pool heat is not needed for that time of year. When we send an inquiry, we frequently get many quotes clustered around the amounts you've listed that we choose from. Choose one that looks the best to you and enjoy your savings!

 

[smegan10]

Hi,

Can you please tell me where you are getting the cheap quotes for Reunion Resort as we would love to go there but didn't think we could afford it !!!

Thanks for your help

 

[Freaky]

I must say $90 incl tax is quite cheap. Just make sure that they are a stable owner - look at the previous bookings they have had. If you can see that they have been taking decent bookings the chances are that the home will still be there come June. There are many going to foreclosure and up for sale so just check things out thoroughly. Recent reviews from past guests should also give you a feel for the property and it's owners.

Tracey

 

[dmla3820]

We are planning a trip mid March, staying on WDW property for two nights but looking for something the other 7 nights. Are you looking at a specific site for renting villas? If so would you mind letting me know the details?
Thanks for your help in advance! D.

 

[csss31399]

June 13-20 for 3bedroom in WH for $600 including taxes and cleaning.

I used homeaway.com so I can filter by price and location. I did have POR booked, but this will be about the same cost and we can eat some meals there and have our own pool. I like it...it's relaxing.

 

[Redwitch]

Buy trip insurance!

 

[cruiserkaren]

I sent out an inquiry and wasn't real impressed with the quotes. Go figure. Maybe I was expecting too much of a deal.

 

[FayeW]

We rented a 3bdrm condo at Windsor Hills in Dec/08. Our cost for 9 nights, including all taxes and fees was $88.90 per night. We rented through Florida Sun Vacation Homes and were very pleased with their service. We would rent from them again.

 

[dfarner]

We are planning a trip mid March, staying on WDW property for two nights but looking for something the other 7 nights. Are you looking at a specific site for renting villas? If so would you mind letting me know the details?
Thanks for your help in advance! D.

I sent out specific inquiries for several of the condos at windsorhillsrent.com. I didn't do a general inquiry, but you can do that on the same website and just filter for what size home you want. I also sent a couple inquiries through VRBO (for the Ginn Reunion properties). I have not looked at Florida Sun or Homeaway, but I may look at those sites.

Thank you all for responding. Truth be told, I hadn't even thought of foreclosure. I guess if the home's availability calendar is pretty booked up then that's a good thing. It looks like the prices are in line with what some of you have gotten. I guess I'm just used to paying Disney prices!

 

[HeatherC]

DFarner - We stay offsite every trip. Just prefer the space with 5 of us.

We have never paid more than $100 a night for a villa in the Orlando area including tax.

So these deals are definitely the real thing. I have learned that there are just so many rentals in the Orlando area that it is worth it to negotiate.

We are staying at Bonnet Creek in a week or so and the owner actually reduced the rental cost after I asked him. I think he was afraid of us cancelling totally. I would imagine most owners would rather have someone renting for a smaller amount than having their place sit empty.

Good luck to you!!

 

[summermac]

The v5 BR illa we had booked was $1200 for the week and I felt that was pretty good price. That was at Windsor Hills.

I sat down & did multiple calculations after the 4/3 deal came out and in the end, we opted to stay on site this year. I figure a deal like 4/3 isn't going to happen often so we took advantage of it. It's the first trip for my kids so that factored into it too - the whole "magic" thing.

Future trips will probably be offsite b/c before the 4/3 we were saving a LOT of money on an off-site accomodation.

 

[Mysteria]

We got a 4 bedroom house w/pool and games room in May for under 1000 all incl. for 10 days. Without dogs we may have been able to do a little better even. Prices are good right now and people are willing to negotiate.

 

[tiggerplus5]

I just booked a 5 bedroom villa for much less than they were advertising. Their ad said $995 per week and we are paying $1400 inclusive of taxes for two weeks. More than $700 off! Two weeks in July 2009 and we get to bring our dogs! And it's not far from AK on the west side. We don't like the east side of 192, it's way too busy.

I'm a wee bit nervous about the whole foreclosure thingy. We'll just have to have hope the key is there when we arrive!

 

[dfarner]

I just booked a 5 bedroom villa for much less than they were advertising. Their ad said $995 per week and we are paying $1400 inclusive of taxes for two weeks. More than $700 off! Two weeks in July 2009 and we get to bring our dogs! And it's not far from AK on the west side. We don't like the east side of 192, it's way too busy.

I'm a wee bit nervous about the whole foreclosure thingy. We'll just have to have hope the key is there when we arrive!

Good for you! Did you ask for a discount or did they just offer it in the quote?