Review Rental Homes

[dtum]

I've been reading that a lot of people rent homes when at Disney. How does this work and where do you find them? It appears to be a much better idea for a family of 7 than staying in a hotel. Thanks!

 

[sympatico]

On VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) and Homeaway you can find listings by owners. There's lots of other sites also. Also some companies like allstarvacationhomes.com and floridasunvacationhomes.com that rent out many homes.
Some communities have there own listings like windsorhillsrent.com and stayatemeraldisland.com
This is the vrbo site for Kissimmee (closest area to Disney):
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando/kissimmee
Here's a map to show you where each Subdivision (community) is:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13
When you rent a vacation home there is no maid service every day. The home is cleaned before you get there and after you leave. You can arrange for more cleaning but it costs extra. You use the home like your own: you're responsible for looking after garbage, buying toilet paper and other useables as well as your groceries, laundry (there's a washer and dryer).
When you are ready to leave you have to strip the beds, gather the towels and usually start a load of laundry; clean out your food, wash all the dishes, put out garbage etc. That's basically the checkout procedure but each owner has a binder in the house to let you know what to do.
There are tax record sites and other sites to check for ownership, foreclosure and 'for sale' homes.
You can always ask for specific information on these boards and usually someone knows the answer. Post your questions on the main board instead of the reviews board.
We've been renting homes for years and wouldn't stay any other way. Nice to have all the extra room, privacy, your own pool, and to be able for all the family to stay together.

 

[dtum]

Thanks for the info. I think we are looking at Windsor Hills 4-bedroom/4-bathroom (from Romancing the Mouse). DD and SIN want to go to Universal which appears to be 1/2 hour away, but the house and amenities look wonderful (the fact that one of the bedrooms is Indy Jones themed has GS in seventh heaven!)

 

[sympatico]

It will probably only take 20 minutes to get to US if there's no traffic hold ups on I-4. Lots of nice homes at Windsor Hills and in the other subdivisions also.

 

[dtum]

Thanks. I see you've been to Windsor Hills a few times. It sounds so much nicer than staying at a hotel.

 

[mommyof3grlz]

 

[dtum]

If your subscribing for info, here's the place we are looking at in Windsor Hills:

http://www.romancingthemouse.com/id35.html

 

[Hasil72]

Thanks. I see you've been to Windsor Hills a few times. It sounds so much nicer than staying at a hotel.

dtum, renting a home is fabulous! Everyone has their own space and it's much more relaxing than cramming into a hotel room. Plus you can relax by the pool at night and Windsor Hills is so quiet.

Have a great vacation!

 

[dtum]

Thanks! I got my spot reserved for June 2011. Long way off, but didn't want to miss out. We're all excited about having so much space. DS has already volunteered to BBQ steaks on the grill...

 

[bcinohio]

Besides checking the court records of the owners and the tax records if you book from VRBO or Homeaway you can purchase insurance from them for a small fee.