Resort Vs Vacation Home

[AEM121305]

Will Be Travelling To Wdw In The Next Few Weeks With A 5 Yo And 2 Mo Infant. Cant Decide Between A Moderate Resort Or Staying Off Property In A Villa Or Vacation Home. Too Much $$$ For Key West Or Wlv. Anyone Stayed In A Vacation Home Or Off Site Suite Like Sheraton Vistana Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

yes - I have several times.

www.condodirect.com
www.skyauction.com - when it has one.....

you want a house directly from the owner
www.vrbo.com

these are hotels sites but also have homes and condos
www.hotelkingdom.com
www.hotelmartusa.com
www.expedia.com
www.onetravel.com (I have not used this one personelly)

stayed in Sheraton Vistana Resort, Hilton Grand Vacation Club, Orange Lake, Celebration WOrld resort (TAKES PETS!!!!).

have seem nice reviews about Cypress Pointe

 

[kilee]

First let me welcome you to the DIS!!! You found a great place for loads of info!!!

We LOVE the pool/condo rentals. They truly can't be beat for size and price. They will almost always cost you less than a WDW deluxe and if you really shop around sometimes even less than a moderate.

The search can be overwhelming. However, we've used the following sites:

www.vrbo.com
www.onlinefloridavillas.com
www.orlandaovillas.com

 

[Kellydelly]

We have 4 little ones and have rented private homes the last three times we visited Orlando. Can't beat the space and privacy a home offers! We book our homes through Alexander and Associates.

http://www.floridasunshine.com/

 

[vascubaguy]

Will Be Travelling To Wdw In The Next Few Weeks With A 5 Yo And 2 Mo Infant. Cant Decide Between A Moderate Resort Or Staying Off Property In A Villa Or Vacation Home. Too Much $$$ For Key West Or Wlv. Anyone Stayed In A Vacation Home Or Off Site Suite Like Sheraton Vistana Thanks

I'm assuming you were looking at booking your stay on-property at OKW or VWL direct thru Disney? If that is the case, you might consider renting points from a Disney Vacation Club member to stay on-site at one of the DVC properties (Old Key West, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Villas at the Wilderness Lodge, or Saratoga Springs). Renting points can save anywhere from 40-70% off the normal rack rates.

 

[Time4Orlando]

I would try www.DoOrlando.com...they have both the pool homes and Sheraton Vistana for rent.

 

[TravelinGal]

As a TRAVEL AGENT, I can confidently recommend AWARD POOL HOMES . (<--click on name to link to their website specials page) I have worked with them for the past 8 years and never had a bad stay myself - or for a client. I do NOT make anything by referring them this way (I'd appreciate a name drop if you do book, but I don't earn anything - Robin @ Aurora Prestige Travel Service). My point is that, from a Travel Professional standpoint, they are a safe and reliable company to rent a private pool home through. They also have homes STARTING AT ONLY $99 per night - that sale would work with your travel time frame! You can't beat it!

Their homes are all within 9 miles of WDW main gate. EASY access and there is a large grocery store nearby. (a Publix, if I remember correctly)

I was wavering back and forth between staying onsite or offsite for our May trip, and I know once we got in a small hotel room I'd be wishing for the nice spacious home. Especially with a baby (18 month old at time of travel) - He needs quite to sleep well - and we need to be able to do things (not be stuck in one room anyway) when he's napping.

 

[minnie29uk]

Last minute villas.com is a great site to try too,
Regards,
Lynn

 

[Brian Noble]

Here's how I would rate the pros and cons of each.

Onsite/Moderate: a "resort" feel in the grounds. Daily maid service. Bell service. (Expensive) restaurants onsite. Disney transportation---leave your keys the side-table for the duration. One (smallish) room. Probably the most expensive option.

Offsite/Suite hotel: More room. Daily maid service. Usually bell service. Less expensive. Often includes a simple breakfast buffet, but other reastaurants may be a walk/short drive. Maybe a kitchenette (sink/fridge/micro), and *possibly* an equipped kitchen. You'll need a car.

Private pool home/condo: The most room. No maid service/bell service. Usually less than suite hotels for similar quality/amenities. Usually no restaurants within walking distance. You'll need a car. Equipped kitchen. Washer/dryer en suite. Probably a private pool.

You have to decide what's most important to you: being pampered with lots of service and feeling like you are at a "resort" but paying more and having only a little private space, or having lots of room and amenities, but doing more for yourself.

We really like being able to have breakfast in our jammies without worrying about how we look to other guests, taking a dip in a private pool right outside our living room, and having space/facilities to deal with a kid that is sick (both kids were knocked out for 1-2 days each last year---on different days!) We don't care that no one makes our beds for us, or vacuums every day, or drives us from place to place. So, we REALLY like pool homes/townhouses. But, they really aren't for everyone.