You can either rent directly from an owner which we do or you can rent through a company like allstarvacationhomes.com or floridasunvacationhomes.com. You can usually get a better price renting directly from an owner. You can find listings on a number of different sites like vrbo.com (vacation rentals by owner), homeaway.com, and many others. Some of the subdivisions have their own websites like windsorhillsrent.com or stayatemeraldisland.com
Take a look at a few to get the idea of the choices you have. Decide on how many bedrooms you need, your budget, how close you want to be to Disney (generally the closer you are the higher the rates), what amenities you would like: private pool, game room, wifi internet, etc.
When you've picked out a few that you like you can email or call the owner with your dates and ask for a price that includes all fees, taxes and pool heat if you want it or need it.
When you know the owner's name you can check out whether they actually own the home by using the county tax appraiser website.
Just remember that when you rent a home you are responsible for everything yourself. You live like you would at home, taking care of the laundry, housekeeping and garbage. No maid service unless you pay a lot extra. There's toilet paper, dish detergent to start but you have to buy extra.
Also you have to reserve and pay in advance. Usually a deposit of about 20% of the total when you book and the remainder anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks prior to your dates. There's usually a refundable security deposit in the form of a hold on your credit card or a cheque. If there is no damage then it is returned to you from a week to a month after your stay.
If you rent at the last minute you'll have to pay the total of your rental up front at that time.
Most rental policies have a no refund if you cancel within a month of your dates and limited refunds before that so you should get cancellation insurance in case of emergency. ( insuremytrip.com)
Kissimmee vrbo site:
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando/kissimmee
Here's a map to show you where the subdivisions are. We usually stay in the Formosa Gardens area which includes: Windsor Hills, Emerald Island, Windsor Palms which all have manned security gates; Formosa Gardens Estates, Acadia Estates and Sunset Lakes have a coded gate ; and Rolling Hills, Indian Creek and the Oak Islands are not gated.
Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13
Good luck and ask any specific questions you have. There's always someone who will answer.
