Storytime Orlando Townhomes...

[luvmy3jewels]

As a past renter of a Story Time 3 townhome, I can honestly say that George (5 mins to Disney) was much more helpful regarding questions I had about Windsor Hills than the owners were. In fact, when I first started visiting this board, last fall, I actually saw at least one post from him that recommended StoryTime as homes that have a character themed bedroom for kids. His recommendation helped me to decide that Story Time was the place to stay. If not for this board, and George, I would have never found Story Time to rent from.

I will say that there were several negative posts that made me nervous about my decision. However, these were all from people that had stayed in the ST townhomes, not owners of other competing properties.

Thanks George for all of your help and advice from the best places to eat to directions to the back entrance to Disney. As someone who regularly reads the posts on this board, I think you have done a great job selling people on Windsor Hills rentals, and not just your own!!

As far as Villa Direct goes, it was a pain to have to go pick up the key from them and then go find the townhome. We also noticed a few signs that the home was not being maintained as well as it possibly could. So I think the owners have made a wise decision to switch management companies.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I forgot to add....

The fact that there are so many Story Time townhomes and none had comments in the guest book DID make me nervous as a renter. I thought that it was very strange they had received no feedback on their properties.

 

[mbb]

OK folks...

We have to remember this is an open message board, and there are guidelines and rules that we all have to play by.

For sale or rent posts are not permitted.

The folks here that are owners are reminded of that (if there are ever any issues), and Kilee and I do permit them to be upfront that they own homes.
They can provide information about their communities, but not direct links to the homes they have for rent.

We feel that the help they provide is invaluable to people interested in a villa/townhome/condo rental vacation.

Personal attacks will not be tolerated.

You have all read that when considering a rental property for your vacation, you must practice due diligence, do your homework, investigate however you can.

And if you feel comfortable renting a property at that point, then you enter into an agreement with the owner or management company for the property you've selected.

Private/mgmt rentals are the same as staying at any hotel.
Individuals may experience issues that they have concerns with, and seek resolution for them.

Having a Review Board, and actively or seldomly participating here, can be a double-edged sword for private owners.

They have to take the good with the bad.

The Managment Compaines have to take the good with the bad, too.
It's only from renters that owners will hear if their Mgmt. Co. has done well in acting for them as their representatives.

Now, we're all going to take a deep breath, and move on.

 

[Minnie]

As a vacation property owner myself, it amazes me to see that a property owner has the audacity to try to give a bad reputation to another home owner. This is no longer about the managment company but now it is also about the guestbook. I wonder what is going to be tomorrow. However, I am glad to see that we have been able to identify who these owners are (such as 5mins2disney). If this was my case I wouldn't hesitate to contact my attorney. Wouldn't you think they removed all their negative posts for a reason?

*~`Dreams n Wishes`~*

Personally I have to wonder when I see a post like this from a "1" time only poster

George has been nothing but kind to all of us that are looking for rental homes. Whether at his own properties or helping someone find a fit at another property, or help with any type of Orlando questions.

Moderators..... I do think the post that I have quoted should be deleted!

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

As a past renter of a Story Time 3 townhome, I can honestly say that George (5 mins to Disney) was much more helpful regarding questions I had about Windsor Hills than the owners were. In fact, when I first started visiting this board, last fall, I actually saw at least one post from him that recommended StoryTime as homes that have a character themed bedroom for kids. His recommendation helped me to decide that Story Time was the place to stay. If not for this board, and George, I would have never found Story Time to rent from.

I will say that there were several negative posts that made me nervous about my decision. However, these were all from people that had stayed in the ST townhomes, not owners of other competing properties.

Thanks George for all of your help and advice from the best places to eat to directions to the back entrance to Disney. As someone who regularly reads the posts on this board, I think you have done a great job selling people on Windsor Hills rentals, and not just your own!!

As far as Villa Direct goes, it was a pain to have to go pick up the key from them and then go find the townhome. We also noticed a few signs that the home was not being maintained as well as it possibly could. So I think the owners have made a wise decision to switch management companies.

Well stated. During the past two months of reading/posting here since planning our upcoming trip, I've never read any of George's(5mins2disney) posts that do anything but promote Windsor Hills AND off-site resort homes in general vs WDW resorts.

In all of his posts I've never inferred anything more than that the experience of both owners and renters is heavily dependent upon the performance of the many MC's being paid to manage these properties. Some are good, and some are not so good(is that gentle enough for the warm and fuzzy PC police?). When he's criticized certain MC's or disagreed personally with property policies, he's offered his experience, inside knowledge, and reasoning to back it up. He's even told of his own problems experienced by him and his renters and his own struggle to find a good MC.

I can pretty much guaranty that George's participation on this board results in way more bookings for his competition than for his own properties, just do to the types and sizes of units, renter's needs, and limited availability of his own properties. I've many times seen him suggest that prospective renters seek out other WH properties than his own.

Anyone reading this thread should be advised that IMO, BOTH 5mins2disney and storytime are probably among the nicer properties available at WH. The dispute here has gotten a little out of hand. Both of these owners seem to take a lot of pride in their properties and their customer service. Both, I'm sure, put much effort into the business end of being "hoteliers" and making sure guests are satisfied. I honestly wouldn't think twice about renting from either one of them, though I do think both should take a breather from this thread. It's not doing either one of them any good at this point. Hint, hint.

 

[tednvon]

As some of you know, I am in the "former owner" of Emerald Island rental property catagory and have watched this topic on the disboards evolve since 2002 from an occassional question about rental homes and condos to an almost frantic pace of posts asking extremely detailed questions about every room, neighborhood, costs, back roads, pools, and of late management companies.

I think what has happened with the Story Time post was a tempest in a teapot just waiting to happen. Our current owners who post here frequently are passionate in both their love of Disney and desire to help others enjoy the off-site experience. If ever the old addage, "The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions" might be a perfect fit, this is it.

It seems to me that the more we "off site pro's" offer the more is asked in terms of detail and alas personal opinion vs. information.

And I know, and indeed still enjoy, the rush that goes with being " the one who really knows and gives out all the valuable advice." But there is a trap with being so giving and generous with information...we start to tell people what we think vs. giving information...not that we are wrong , but it can appear very one sided at times.

I could not agree more that it may be time to take a deep breath, and understand that a few people cannot and should not be the expected to plan hundreds of vacations for others. Others need to have their own experiences and then choose to post on these boards.

I totally agree that all the owners who post here frequently have hearts in the right place and really care...but...........
anyone can get a lawyer for any reason and put good people in a very very scary position...anger and protecting ones financial assets is strong motivator...

Thanks for listening...Ted

 

[mbb]

Have a good day everyone.