Renting a Home

[kcarp]

Hi, I & my family are starting to plan our next trip to Orlando, since it will be 10 are more of us going for 7 nights, I was thinking about renting a home with 3 or 4 bedrooms and a heated pool for this trip. We will be going back and fourth to Disney & US/IOA so I was thinking about a home in the middle of the two destinations. I would like to hear from people that done this or know some good websites I could check out. Me & my family have been to Disney several times and always done the Hotel thing, just looking for something different this time for 10 people, any other ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[martina857]

I would go for a 4 or 5 bedroom house on Windsor Palms or Emerald Island (EI is my favourite) Disney is just a few minutes and Universal is easily accesible via I4 . Check out some homes on www.daystarvillas.com

 

[bethyg]

I've seens www.allstarvacationhomes.com advertised on Mary's all ears' site. Looks like for a 7 night stay, you get a free rental car. I'd love to hear any feedback on those who have stayed with all star vacation homes.

 

[SammieG]

we have stayed here and its great!
www.askews-villa.co.uk

 

[maps]

Try www.orlandovillas.com or www.vrbo.com
These are sites where you can rent with the owner and save some money. We've rented homes the last 3 yrs.

I just came back yesterday and stayed in a 4 bedroom in Emerald Island. It was fabulous. Lots of room and the pool and spa were heavenly. Definitely won't stay in a hotel again!

 

[JANNYANS]

If you are looking at more than 10 then you need a 5 bed home minimum .
10 people will fit into a 4 bed .

 

[kcarp]

First I would like to thank everyone that provided links and info for my questions. That’s what I love about this message board you guys have all the answers. I have some more questions. We really like Windsor Palms and Emerald Island, these areas really look nice. How far is Magic Kingdom’s parking lot from these two areas? Is there a shuttle bus that runs from Windsor Palms or Emerald Island? How far is the closest Supermarket? When someone is advertising $900 a week are they talking about 7 full days? What was your biggest mistake you made and what was the one thing you did that you were glad you did when you rented a home? I really appreciate the help!

Thanks again

 

[tednvon]

Hi,
Emerald Island And Windsor Palms Will Be About 10-12 Minutes To The Parking Lots, Maybe A Little Less Depending On Traffic.

No Shuttles To Either...Emerald Island For Sure...Nothing Is Within Walking Distance, No Matter What You May Hear...

A Week Is 7 Nights...in At 4pm Out At 11am In Most Homes.

Spend The Money To Get At Least 4 Bathrooms...for 10 People Our Home In Emerald Island Had 6 Full Baths And No One Ever Said It Was Too Many...

Biggest Mistake...take The Cheapest House and Regret Not Having All King Beds For Couples, Heated Large Pool, Enough Baths, And No Tvs In The Small Bedrooms...remember For 10 People The Difference Between 6 Bedrooms And 4 Baths And 4/3 Will Be About 5/day Per Person

Good Luck

Ted

 

[martina857]

Ted,
There was a shuttle last time I was EI, it goes from the clubhouse but you do have to pay for it. I did not use it and was told by the staff that it is totaly unreliable. Same applies to WP, if you stay at a private resort you are really going to need a car.

M

 

[VacationDad]

The only advice I can offer is to stay away from ResortQuest vacation homes. They are usually the cheapest ones that pop up on places like Expedia and Travelocity, but you will regret trying to save $20 a night if you rent there.

 

[kfeuer]

How far is Magic Kingdom’s parking lot from these two areas? Is there a shuttle bus that runs from Windsor Palms or Emerald Island? How far is the closest Supermarket? When someone is advertising $900 a week are they talking about 7 full days? What was your biggest mistake you made and what was the one thing you did that you were glad you did when you rented a home? I really appreciate the help!

Thanks again

We just stayed at Windsor Palms last month. Animal Kingdom was about 10 minutes away, and about 15 minutes for the other parks (we honestly spent less time in the car then we usually spend waiting for and riding on buses when we stay onsite). There's a yucky Winn-Dixie less then 5 minutes away, and a much nicer Publix about 10 minutes away.

Our biggest mistake was paying for hot tub/pool heating in Feb.--it was woefully inadequate (although others have had different experiences--if you're going during cooler months, question the owner carefully on this).

 

[kcarp]

Thanks everyone, you guys are sure making this easy for me! Last May I was on vacation in Texas, I remember swimming at night and saying the water was really cold. The hotel worker told me the pool was not heated and that was the last week of May. My question is, the house I choose will have a pool, do you think I need to heat the pool in late May?

Thanks

 

[tednvon]

It never hurts if you really want to swim a lot and like it warm...Ted

 

[kcarp]

Ok, so I been looking and finding some really nice homes. One thing that puzzles me. The homes that advertise 2, 3 & 4 bathrooms that I have been looking at, they don't show many pic's of the bathrooms and the one's they do show is just a bathtub, no shower! I have no problem with taking a bath sometimes, but I want a shower. Anyone have any pics I can view? I have looked on all the main sites you kind people have provided for me.

Thanks

 

[isla bonita]

here is a link directly to emerald island
http://emeraldislandvillarentals.com
they are great use them and will be going back sept/oct.

 

[isla bonita]

The homes say how many baths. They are all brand new homes in EI they have showers that are walk in type in the master suits and they have regular tub showers in the regular bathrooms.

 

[califred]

We went last March with 19 people and stayed in two houses they were awesome for a group that large. And we ate breakfast at home daily and were able to cook dinner at home a few nights as well.

We did have one of the pools heated and we needed it b/c there was no way to swim in the other pool it was too cold (we were there March 6-16)

 

[isla bonita]

The best place to grocery shop is further up 192 or coming out of Formosa gardens blvd take a left. The publix will be on your right at the second light I believe. It is quieter heading in the direction. But let me make a suggestion and see if it flys. We belong to Sams Club and they have this option on line called click and pull. We order ahead of time and it is all on dollies and we pay and pack our car. we do not run up and down aisles and go crazy. If you are having that many people a case of soda is a better idea. Check it out and see if its for you? It is on 192 the same street EI is off of except further down maybe 10 miles or less in the other direction. You can get what ever you need I am not sure how long you will be down there but cases of water, soft drinks, while there grab your beer wine and hard alcohol the prices are good. It is a real time saver. We always go down with a group so we need a lot of stuff. We purchase all breakfast foods so we can eat before heading out. Saves a ton on drinks in the park also. We freeze water and juice boxes and pack them in a back pack we have never not been able to get in any of the parks. Hope I answered some of the questions. If you need any directions I am going to get you a site that is 192 or else known as Irlo Bronson Hgwy.
http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/map/map2/kiss192map2.htm
PM me if you need any more help.

 

[kcarp]

Hi isla bonita,

Wow! Thanks for all the tips and the great 192 map site. I have looked at a lot of sites but I find myself going back to the Emerald/Windsor homes. I found a home I like and have been emailing the owner he is in the UK. I have made online purchases before, but I am a little nervous with the deposit and payment through Pay pal. I never used this before, I’m sure it is safe, but still worried.

Thanks again

 

[Beastlover]

Hey-I just PM'd you (a reply to yours ) I used All Star Vacation Homes and absolutely loved it!! They were fabulous. My "cutting" them out isn't anything personal. I would/almost rented from them again, until I just got creative in my vacation planning.

Good Luck!