Renting a Pool Home - Information Overload

[trinchick]

So I've been over-thinking and over-researching a rental for our upcoming 10-day trip in August. I've searched/read hundreds of threads on this board and also pored over a multitude of listings on vrbo.com/homeaway.com and flipkey.com

I've only managed to confuse myself, and I'm no nearer a decision.

I'd be infinitely grateful if people could recommend a 4+bedroom home/villa with private pool (larger than splash pool) close to Disney. Criteria are clean, close, and good value, preferably with a grill.

We don't need tons of bells and whistles but nothing too outdated (like some of those aqua/blue carpets I see in the photos freak me out).

No preference of Windsor Hills/Palms vs Bonnet Creek (which I'm not sure we can do anyway since our check-in date is mie-week) vs Indian Creek or other. We don't need fancy clubhouse or community pool as we plan to just use the private pool with the house.

Thanks in advance!

 

[kymom99]

I don't have an exact answer for you, but I would suggest you go with your gut. I have done this for other places and never have I been disappointed. On the other hand, I have recently been looking for a vrbo place in San Diego for a future trip and can't make up my mind. I think I will go back to the hotel we used before. Something in my gut tells me to go with the familiar.

I will say that I have a place in the Disney area picked out for a trip we want to take in 2 years. It is a 4 bedroom, but I don't know if the pool will suit you. I have looked around at others but I keep coming back to this one. If it is still available in 2016 I will book it. Here is the link:

http://www.vrbo.com/835586ha

 

[okeydokey]

We have rented a few in Highlands Reserve in Davenport and have been happy with them all. We used www.villas2go4 and did a property search for Highlands Reserve.

 

[Donaldswife]

So I've been over-thinking and over-researching a rental for our upcoming 10-day trip in August. I've searched/read hundreds of threads on this board and also pored over a multitude of listings on vrbo.com/homeaway.com and flipkey.com

I've only managed to confuse myself, and I'm no nearer a decision.

I'd be infinitely grateful if people could recommend a 4+bedroom home/villa with private pool (larger than splash pool) close to Disney. Criteria are clean, close, and good value, preferably with a grill.

We don't need tons of bells and whistles but nothing too outdated (like some of those aqua/blue carpets I see in the photos freak me out).

No preference of Windsor Hills/Palms vs Bonnet Creek (which I'm not sure we can do anyway since our check-in date is mie-week) vs Indian Creek or other. We don't need fancy clubhouse or community pool as we plan to just use the private pool with the house.

Thanks in advance!

Here is a link to the house we rented a couple of years ago. It was wonderful and the owner was great to work with. He has another very similar home in Windsor Hills if this one is not available. Would totally recommend and would rent from him again if we decide to do offsite again.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p268588#calendar-bar


ETA: Here is alink to his website which also shows the other property he has for rent.

http://www.bestdisneyhome.com/

 

[dwfanatic]

We have rented several times from www.fvhl.com. We most recently stayed in a 5 bedroom home with pool in August. Our good friends just rented the same house and are at WDW right now! The homes on the site are all less than 10 minutes from the parks. Please PM me and I will give you lots of info! If you decide to email them, tell Robin I said hi!!

 

[allaboutthemouse]

I feel your pain I went through all this searching two years ago when we were looking for a house to stay in - I just wish someone would tell me where to stay and be done with all the looking!
So here you go...we stayed at the Magic Star Villa -VRBO Listing #255398 - loved it! I actually wrote a review, something I don't generally take the time to do, so that says something. And with all the reviews after mine, it looks as though it would still be an awesome place to stay. I would book it again if we were going.
Good luck!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

So I've been over-thinking and over-researching a rental for our upcoming 10-day trip in August. I've searched/read hundreds of threads on this board and also pored over a multitude of listings on vrbo.com/homeaway.com and flipkey.com

I've only managed to confuse myself, and I'm no nearer a decision.

I'd be infinitely grateful if people could recommend a 4+bedroom home/villa with private pool (larger than splash pool) close to Disney. Criteria are clean, close, and good value, preferably with a grill.

We don't need tons of bells and whistles but nothing too outdated (like some of those aqua/blue carpets I see in the photos freak me out).

No preference of Windsor Hills/Palms vs Bonnet Creek (which I'm not sure we can do anyway since our check-in date is mie-week) vs Indian Creek or other. We don't need fancy clubhouse or community pool as we plan to just use the private pool with the house.

Thanks in advance!

We used to rent pool homes many years ago (2003-2006) but we rented through a management company called Villadirect.com. I can't recommend them since we honestly haven't used them since 2005. I just wanted to say be sure to look at location!! Anything in Davenport or Clermont is much further from WDW than you need to be. It will easily add another 10-15 min drive each way to the parks. There are plenty of great options much closer such as Windsor Hills. We were totally clueless the first time we rented a pool house and ended up way down Rt. 27 and it was a good 25 min drive to the parks. You live & learn the hard way sometimes.

Don't write off Bonnet Creek so quickly. It's a point-based timeshare which means you can be very flexible with check in dates. If you look on the BC thread called "We LOOOOOOVE Bonnet Creek" (something like that) it mentions renting from Ken Price at Vacation Upgrades. He is a Wyndham owner who rents his points. While I didn't rent from him myself, I did discuss a 3-nt weekend stay and he was very honest that due to his certain booking fees for guests & higher weekend point rates, his best pricing is for longer stays. I appreciated his honesty. I did recommend him to a coworker for a Williamsburg stay at a Wyndham resort 2 yrs ago and she still raves about nice he & his wife are and it was great doing business with them.

Our kids are teens now and our stays to WDW are rarely more than 3-4 nts anymore so we stay onsite lately but if we ever wanted a condo again I would definitely call Ken Price and do a BC stay. It's property is surrounded on 3 sides by Disney. It's right "next door" to CBR so I feel it's as close to WDW as one can be while still being off site. We had some time to kill waiting for a flight once so we did a little walk through of their property. Not an official tour so we didn't get to see inside but the exterior is beautifully maintained and the lazy river looks very inviting.
hth

 

[trinchick]

Many, many thanks for all of the responses. As one of the pp's noted, I wish someone would just tell me what to do! There seem to be so many great options and it's hard to compare apples to apples.

I value the opinions of the travelers on this board, so I'm grateful for the suggestions.

Off to do more research!

 

[zoie101]

I have rented several times thru global resort homes
Very affordable, really nice homes
Gated community
Less than 3 miles from animal kingdom
Will never stay on site again
Have rented 5 bed room
And 4 bedroom homes with pools and spas
The kids love it.

 

[DisneyMama629]

I've rented this one several times. The owner is a member of Tour Guide Mike and is wonderful! Tell her Krista sent you!

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/...Florida-vacation-rental-home-proID-58183.html

It's close to Disney, good dining options, clean, great pool with pool toys, etc. It's great!