Skyauction?

[JenLanDisney]

Again, thanks. For our next trip, I will try Sky Auction.

 

[TamaraQT]

I am still looking for something for the dates 8/13 - 8/20. I am trying to give skyauction a chance. I have to be a little more patient and see if some more August dates start coming back into inventory. I figured traveling the last 2 weeks in August before Labor Day would give me more options...I guess not.

 

[BonnieA]

Ok, if you purchase a skyauction certificate (you will not find them in the Florida rentals, look at the eastern coast listings). But you can use the certificates at any location that takes them. The certificates will cost $$299 plus $20 fee. I looked up your dates and there are some openings. I think at a westgate, orbit one and some others. These are 2 bedroom. More available if you only need 1 bedroom. But do it fast cause inventory changes a lot.

And by the way, there are 2 kinds of certificates, one for $249 and $299. I don't use the cheaper one, they always seem to make you add more money to your rental on their site.

 

[TamaraQT]

Ok, if you purchase a skyauction certificate (you will not find them in the Florida rentals, look at the eastern coast listings). But you can use the certificates at any location that takes them. The certificates will cost $$299 plus $20 fee. I looked up your dates and there are some openings. I think at a westgate, orbit one and some others. These are 2 bedroom. More available if you only need 1 bedroom. But do it fast cause inventory changes a lot.

And by the way, there are 2 kinds of certificates, one for $249 and $299. I don't use the cheaper one, they always seem to make you add more money to your rental on their site.

I did see Westgate Leisure and Orbit One and a few others. I guess I am expecting too much because I am not interested in the resorts being offered. I am interested in Fantasy World due to the lazy river and more than basic pools. So tell me more about how the 'skyauction certificates' work. How limited will I be for August. Is it easier to use them in the less busy season? I only travel to Florida between July and August and I am kind of 'picky' about where I stay. So please tell me if SkyAuction is worth my time and effort for the season I like to travel in?

 

[BonnieA]

Well of course there are no guarantees. There will be less inventory at your time of year. But sometime last minute places come up and like I said inventory changes day to day. Personally I would pick Orbit One over Fantasy World but that's just my preference and I don't usually use the resort pools.

 

[TamaraQT]

Well of course there are no guarantees. There will be less inventory at your time of year. But sometime last minute places come up and like I said inventory changes day to day. Personally I would pick Orbit One over Fantasy World but that's just my preference and I don't usually use the resort pools.

Why do you prefer Orbit One over Fantasy World? Please share your opinion. I would like to hear of your suggestions, advice on either one. I am trying to save alot of my budget to rent at Bonnet Creek for the week of 8/20 - 8/27. But I need a resort for the week prior (8/13 -8/20). Also if there is anyone else that has stayed at either Orbit One or Fantasy World, please chime in and share your opinion, advice and suggestions. I am willing to try skyauction and it seems Orbit One and Fantasy World shows inventory. Maybe I should start a thread to compare the two?

 

[disneysteve]

Why do you prefer Orbit One over Fantasy World? Please share your opinion. I would like to hear of your suggestions, advice on either one. I am trying to save alot of my budget to rent at Bonnet Creek for the week of 8/20 - 8/27. But I need a resort for the week prior (8/13 -8/20). Also if there is anyone else that has stayed at either Orbit One or Fantasy World, please chime in and share your opinion, advice and suggestions. I am willing to try skyauction and it seems Orbit One and Fantasy World shows inventory. Maybe I should start a thread to compare the two?

I've stayed at Orbit One 4 times I think. The most recent time was in November 2015 so not long ago. I've never been to Fantasy World.

For one thing, OO is way closer to Disney. You can be at Animal Kingdom in about 5 minutes and you don't need to travel on 192 or I-4 to get there so you avoid a lot of traffic issues. Also, OO is on the west side of 192 which is a better neighborhood all around than the east side. I think that's important if you want to venture out for shopping and dining nearby.

As for the resort itself, I can't compare since I've only been to one, but we've never had a problem at Orbit One. The units are clean and well equipped. Nothing fancy for sure but nothing I'd complain about either, especially for $50 or so per night. We've always had an enjoyable stay there.

 

[TamaraQT]

I've stayed at Orbit One 4 times I think. The most recent time was in November 2015 so not long ago. I've never been to Fantasy World.

For one thing, OO is way closer to Disney. You can be at Animal Kingdom in about 5 minutes and you don't need to travel on 192 or I-4 to get there so you avoid a lot of traffic issues. Also, OO is on the west side of 192 which is a better neighborhood all around than the east side. I think that's important if you want to venture out for shopping and dining nearby.

As for the resort itself, I can't compare since I've only been to one, but we've never had a problem at Orbit One. The units are clean and well equipped. Nothing fancy for sure but nothing I'd complain about either, especially for $50 or so per night. We've always had an enjoyable stay there.

I've stayed at Orbit One 4 times I think. The most recent time was in November 2015 so not long ago. I've never been to Fantasy World.

For one thing, OO is way closer to Disney. You can be at Animal Kingdom in about 5 minutes and you don't need to travel on 192 or I-4 to get there so you avoid a lot of traffic issues. Also, OO is on the west side of 192 which is a better neighborhood all around than the east side. I think that's important if you want to venture out for shopping and dining nearby.

As for the resort itself, I can't compare since I've only been to one, but we've never had a problem at Orbit One. The units are clean and well equipped. Nothing fancy for sure but nothing I'd complain about either, especially for $50 or so per night. We've always had an enjoyable stay there.

Thanks for the feedback. We do not plan to spend much time at Disney this year. In fact, we may not see Disney at all, so location isn't really that much of a factor. It's more of having stuff to do while at the resort. I guess I should look for a daily activity schedule at each resort too. My DD9 loves poolside activities and contests.

 

[disneysteve]

Thanks for the feedback. We do not plan to spend much time at Disney this year. In fact, we may not see Disney at all, so location isn't really that much of a factor. It's more of having stuff to do while at the resort. I guess I should look for a daily activity schedule at each resort too. My DD9 loves poolside activities and contests.

That could certainly be a deciding factor. I can't really help you there as we've never done any of the onsite activities at Orbit One. I have no idea what they offer. For us, it's a place to stay. We've been in the pool once or twice but not for many years. We didn't use the pool in November.

 

[ustasmom]

Doesn't Orbit One have a daily upcharge? I bought a week at Summer Bay and paid the $39 for the insurance. I moved the date and there went the insurance. Not a fan.

Personally I would just keep bidding on the taxes/charge included auctions as long as your dates are offered.

I am doing one week at Summer Bay and then moving to Bonnet Creek for a week.

You really just have to know where the resorts are and what amenities are included. I stayed at Best Western Saratoga Villas for $199 for the week. While they have a laundry room, I want a washer and dryer in my condo. So now I know to look for condos that have a washer and dryer.

 

[disneysteve]

Doesn't Orbit One have a daily upcharge?

Yes, they have a "resort fee" of $8, I think. I was fine with that since I like the resort and the price was still dirt cheap.

 

[TamaraQT]

I am doing one week at Summer Bay and then moving to Bonnet Creek for a week.

You really just have to know where the resorts are and what amenities are included. I stayed at Best Western Saratoga Villas for $199 for the week. While they have a laundry room, I want a washer and dryer in my condo. So now I know to look for condos that have a washer and dryer.

Yes, that is what I am doing this year. I am trying to decide for a less expensive resort to stay at from 8/13 to 8/20. We then move to Bonnet Creek from 8/20 to 8/27. I am trying to find something with nice pool amenities and activities for under $500. I was using SkyAuction and it had a few Orbit Ones and a few Fantasy World for under $500 for the week. It looks like they are gone from inventory right now so I may have to start looking at other options.

 

[BonnieA]

I only stayed in Fantasy World for a few days quite awhile ago. They could have improved a lot since that time but I am afraid to commit. Didn't like the townhouse layout. Two bedrooms upstairs, one full bath up and one full bath down. I thought that was inconvenient for the second bedroom upstairs. The furniture was old, the double bed had a sag in the middle that you could see. Lots of marks on cupboards. But like I said it was a long time ago and I hope they at least upgraded the furniture. Best to get the opinion of someone who has stayed more recently. I have stayed at Orbit one many times. If I can't get Cypress Palms, that is my go to place.

 

[ustasmom]

I got a 2 bedroom at BC for $100 per night. Summer Bay was $245 plus $20 plus $39 insurance for the one bedroom for the week. My husband and college son are joining us for the second week. We are doing the water parks that week with one long day at Disney since my son hasn't ever been. So since we have shorter park hours I wanted a nice resort for relaxing and having fun.

Having stayed at both the Summer Bay (192W) and Saratoga Villas (192E) I have to say that I prefer to stay on the west side.

And pool experiences are always different. The first time at Disney we stayed at Summer Bay we were right across from the pool so the kids swam every day. The next time we were not near the pool so we never used the pool (until we got to BC and they loved those pools.) And we didn't swim at Saratoga Villas. We had a couple of Disney nights so they swam at Kidani, Jambo, and Boardwalk. So they are getting particular about where they want to swim. (And every day I still hear from my 8 year old that she wants to go to the pool with the sand in the bottom. lol)

 

[DianeV]

I am looking for August dates and I noticed almost all of the listings now have date surcharges which really jack up the price

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Ok, if you purchase a skyauction certificate (you will not find them in the Florida rentals, look at the eastern coast listings). But you can use the certificates at any location that takes them. The certificates will cost $$299 plus $20 fee. I looked up your dates and there are some openings. I think at a westgate, orbit one and some others. These are 2 bedroom. More available if you only need 1 bedroom. But do it fast cause inventory changes a lot.

And by the way, there are 2 kinds of certificates, one for $249 and $299. I don't use the cheaper one, they always seem to make you add more money to your rental on their site.

How does the $249 certificate add more money to your rental? Sorry, not trying to sound dumb...just confused.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Doesn't Orbit One have a daily upcharge? I bought a week at Summer Bay and paid the $39 for the insurance. I moved the date and there went the insurance. Not a fan.

Personally I would just keep bidding on the taxes/charge included auctions as long as your dates are offered.

I am doing one week at Summer Bay and then moving to Bonnet Creek for a week.

You really just have to know where the resorts are and what amenities are included. I stayed at Best Western Saratoga Villas for $199 for the week. While they have a laundry room, I want a washer and dryer in my condo. So now I know to look for condos that have a washer and dryer.

How did you get Best Western Saratoga Villas for $199 a week? Wow! That's a bargain....do they charge resort fees?

 

[BonnieA]

How does the $249 certificate add more money to your rental? Sorry, not trying to sound dumb...just confused.

On the redemption site where you use that particular certificate, the places I want seem to cost $100 plus your certificate. I've also seen $200. The other certificates for $299 I can find what I want without having to pay more money.

 

[ustasmom]

Just to update: I lost $300 to Skyauction. I had purchased a week but they didn't give me the contact information to reach the resort. I booked elsewhere since they weren't responding.

Never again!!!!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Yes, that is what I am doing this year. I am trying to decide for a less expensive resort to stay at from 8/13 to 8/20. We then move to Bonnet Creek from 8/20 to 8/27. I am trying to find something with nice pool amenities and activities for under $500. I was using SkyAuction and it had a few Orbit Ones and a few Fantasy World for under $500 for the week. It looks like they are gone from inventory right now so I may have to start looking at other options.

A 2 bedroom at Silver Lake is coming up for 8/13 - 8/20 for $299 + $20 + $1 (or more if others bid on it). We just stayed there for Spring Break and had a great time. Here's a link to the auction: http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/2662322