Story Time Rentals

[connorlevismom]

I found Story Time through searching for townhomes in the WDW area. The townhomes looked great, and they were a great price.

I called the owner (who on the website claims 24/7) and he did not answer. So I left a message telling him the dates that we were looking at and asking for a little more information. About an hour later he calls me back and was pretty short, not giving me much information at all. I asked him if all of the units (there were 4) were open at that time and he said yes, they were. They he quickly told me that if I wanted any more information to let him know. And ended the call.

We were looking for several units in the same area so my DH and I decided that we were going to rent all 4 of them for our large party that was going down. I emailed Elias and asked him that if we rented all 4, if there was a discount. A while later I got an email telling me that no, there was no discount but that he would give me 2010 rates for my 2011 dates.

I called him back almost immediately after getting the email and again he did not answer. I told him that we were interested in booking all 4 units for that time period and could he please call me back and let me know how to pay our deposits.

Several hours went by and I did not hear from him. So I went to his website and submitted an online reservation again explaining that we wanted all 4 units. Again, never heard a thing. So I submitted another online reservation this time explaining that we have called and submitted and online reservation and could they please let us know how to pay. Never heard a thing from them. That was last Friday - today is Wednesday.

There is NO WAY that I would ever rent from this company. Apparently they do not want business and I would never trust them to be there if something were to go wrong in one of their units. Both times we called we had to leave a message (and they were during "business hour" even though he claims they are available 24/7) and one of those times we never even got a response.

Kristine

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I don't blame you and I feel the same way. And, as you said, if this is how they do business before you're there, imagine how unresponsive they'll be if there is a problem.

 

[webcreatrix]

I would love to hear any recent good reviews for Story Time. I am booked with them this summer after reading good reviews here. I had to change my dates with them and at one point, I waited 8 days (!!!) to hear something back from them regarding availability of my new dates. I understand that I'm the one complicating things with changes, but after 8 days I told them I wanted to cancel. Of course there is a cancel fee, so again I asked if they could accommodate our new dates and they said the could, but they'd have to split our stay between two units, there would be a cleaning fee, etc. Well, we really wanted to stay at WH and were already in with a deposit to them, so we decided to stick with them. I just recently submitted the remainder of the balance and now I'm kind of concerned.

 

[sjanus]

I'm surprised to hear that since there have been so much positive about the homes on here. I did speak to the owner one time and she seemed very invested in her properties from the conversation, but really don't know much beyond that. Perhaps some will be along to tell their personal experiences, as I know many have rented from them.

Sandy

 

[connorlevismom]

I'm surprised to hear that since there have been so much positive about the homes on here. I did speak to the owner one time and she seemed very invested in her properties from the conversation, but really don't know much beyond that. Perhaps some will be along to tell their personal experiences, as I know many have rented from them.

Sandy

I only spoke with Elias so maybe that was the difference. Maybe his wife is more of a people person. That does not excuse, however, the fact that I tried to rent from them 3 times and never heard from them.

Kristine

 

[caitty13]

We just stayed with them in February and didn't have a problem at all. If he had done that to use then I wouldn't have stayed with him either.

 

[GingerJay]

We rented from them as well, and they were great to work with in our experience. They responded well to email and phone...maybe it's just busy right now for them or something, maybe? I think that it's only the two of them and they own six houses out there, so I imagine they have a lot to deal with.

I understand that it can be frustrating to be willing invest a ton of money with someone and not be treated accordingly, but, at least in my experience, they were more than helpful

 

[webcreatrix]

To the OP, I completely understand your concerns. That said, for my own mental state, I'm glad to hear of good experiences otherwise!

 

[kaytieeldr]

OP - since you have changed your mind, and even though you've gotten no response, PLEASE e-mail them again, immediately, and tell them in writing you have changed your mind and will not be renting ANY units from them.

 

[connorlevismom]

OP - since you have changed your mind, and even though you've gotten no response, PLEASE e-mail them again, immediately, and tell them in writing you have changed your mind and will not be renting ANY units from them.

Is there a reason I need to or would it be just to tell them that I am no longer renting from them? Just curious.

Kristine

 

[smacky1]

I just returned from our trip and stayed in storytime townhouse #4. We loved it. The houses are very close to the main areas of the resort which is a BIG PLUS! Also, the house was very nice, clean and tastefully decorated. My kids loved the disney themed room and didnt want to leave. Washer and dryer worked great. We paid for pool heat and the pool was really warm. Would stay with them again in a heartbeat!

 

[webcreatrix]

I just returned from our trip and stayed in storytime townhouse #4. We loved it. The houses are very close to the main areas of the resort which is a BIG PLUS! Also, the house was very nice, clean and tastefully decorated. My kids loved the disney themed room and didnt want to leave. Washer and dryer worked great. We paid for pool heat and the pool was really warm. Would stay with them again in a heartbeat!

So glad to hear it! I'm really very excited to stay there! and in #4.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Is there a reason I need to or would it be just to tell them that I am no longer renting from them? Just curious.

Kristine

Yeah - just so it doesn't come back to bite you later. You know, them 'claiming' you have a reservation that prevented them from renting to anyone else and all.

 

[webcreatrix]

Yeah - just so it doesn't come back to bite you later. You know, them 'claiming' you have a reservation that prevented them from renting to anyone else and all.

I really don't think that's likely - you have to pay a deposit to book.

 

[momofsamandeden]

I too would be hesitant to rent from them despite the good reviews if they did this to me. The only interaction I had from them was when they emailed me about a different week than the one I asked for but I made no phone calls. Perhaps the wife is the way to go. I know you would get more out of me if you called than if you talked to my DH if he even answered the phone.
I would leave just one more message maybe telling them how you feel a little snubbed and would still like to rent from them because of their recommendation. I would also mention that there are several owners there with groups of townhomes.......

 

[connorlevismom]

I am sorry to hear about your home and what happened. I really am.

However, I was going to rent from your sister-in-law as well, and she was able to get ahold of you right away and that was last Wednesday. I guess your wife informed her that you would not rent 4 days in the middle of the week, which is fine, but you could have let me know that instead of just ignoring my phone calls. And you told me when we spoke that those dates were fine. I had several people tell me they would not do 4 days in the middle of the week and I totally understand, I just feel like I should have been informed of that from you when we first talked.

Kristine

 

[two*little*birds]

We rented from Storytime the last two years and can't say enough about them. They are fabulous.

I am truly sorry for your disappointment, and do understand your frustration.

Storytime homes are beautiful and very well managed. I too would rent from them again in a heartbeat.

 

[Beccabunny]

I am sorry to hear about your home and what happened. I really am.

However, I was going to rent from your sister-in-law as well, and she was able to get ahold of you right away and that was last Wednesday. I guess your wife informed her that you would not rent 4 days in the middle of the week, which is fine, but you could have let me know that instead of just ignoring my phone calls. And you told me when we spoke that those dates were fine. I had several people tell me they would not do 4 days in the middle of the week and I totally understand, I just feel like I should have been informed of that from you when we first talked.

Kristine

Just curious, does the sister-in-law rent out homes through Storytime or is it another group of homes?

 

[connorlevismom]

Just curious, does the sister-in-law rent out homes through Storytime or is it another group of homes?

A different group. I did not know that when I started talking to her about renting, but she mentioned that she had a sister who also has homes (because we needed 4 and she only has 2) and that she would contact her about it as well. That same day, a few hours later, she said she had gotten ahold of her sister and that she said they would not rent out 4 days in the middle of the week. So they obviously had phone or cell service during this time. I am not trying to be rude or anything, I am just irritated that they could not even let me know they were not willing to do the 4 days. I would have understood and moved on. But I waited a few days to move on because I had already called and told them that we wanted them.

Kristine

 

[webcreatrix]

I want to thank all of the above replies answering Kristine and stiking up for Story Time Homes and giving your good experience with story time homes, I really apreiciate it and at the same time I feel very happy knowing I can always count on you.
I hope I can serve you again in the future.
Tanya.
storytimeorlandorental.com

Hi, Tanya. I'm sorry for the awful weather issues you guys had in NJ. I'll be staying with you in June. I can say before the issue with not hearing from you for more than 8 days, I had never had a problem with you and Elias - I always received a quick and friendly response. I wouldn't have booked with you if not for the great reviews on this board and look forward to coming back in June to report our wonderful experience in your townhouse!