Storytime Orlando Townhomes...

[luvmy3jewels]

That's awful... Now I'm really getting nervous! We leave in a couple of weeks to stay in one of the Storytime Townhomes. I will be very ticked off if we arrive to nasty sheets and a dirty townhome.

I'm still crossing my fingers that Villa Direct will have everything straight for us when we arrive.

Will be posting a trip report as soon as we get back!!

 

[StoryTime]

We are planning a stay in March 2008 with 5 adults and 3 children. Any one ever stay here. Any info would be great. TIA



Hello
As the owner of Story Time Vacation Homes the
NUMBER ONE rental homes in Windsor Hills resort. By being on top you will always get other jealous owners making up lies to try to hurt you, these people that are answering for Story Time are not past guests they are owners trying to promote their own house by using Story Time. We have grown from 1 house to 5 houses in a year and a half and to provide the best service to our houses we have our own Story Time family managment company that just takes care of our 5 houses like only family can do, we are oncall 24- 7 to provide for you. We have the most modern electronic lockbox
no keys involved, you go right to the house and punch a private personal code and the front door will open.
This is easy for our guests they don't have to pick up keys at another location and drive all the way back to the house.
If any one has any questions please contact me Elias and Tanya at 201 851 1210.or e mail us at tanya@storytimeorlandorental.com


Thanks

 

[isla bonita]

"As the owner of Story Time Vacation Homes the
NUMBER ONE rental homes in Windsor Hills resort. By being on top you will always get other jealous owners making up lies to try to hurt you, these people that are answering for Story Time are not past guests they are owners trying to promote their own house by using Story Time"

As one of the home owners that have commented I think you should read the posts again before making a blanket comment as you have. We are a great group of owners that are supportive, helpful and have very kind words for each other. We also have tried to give out good information to potential guests.

"Just another warning about Villa Direct. A friend just returned from her visit to a Storytime TH. Even though the furnishings were outstanding, the place was filthy. The sheets had crumbs in them in one room and a blood stain in another, and there were dirty dishes in the sink. It was unacceptable"

"Our experience with the owners of ST was great, they even provided us with 2 sets of keys because we were there with friends and would leave the house and arrive back at different times, but we did have some issues with Villa Direct.

- The firs issue was when a couple of men showed up to fix one of the bed frames, but they just let themselves in the house without first ringing the bell. We got no notice that workers would do repairs on that day. They scared the hell out of our lady friend who was making breakfast for her children and her dh was showering.

- The phone and internet didn´t work half the time.

- We paid for pool heat and when we called VD they never turned on the heat. Our friends stayed there one week after we left, had the same problem, but called the owners who called VD and got their pool heat shortly after.

- Our friends rented a full size crib for their baby, but on the day before we left, her dh brought to the living room the pack n play that was in the WIC in the kids room upstairs, because they wanted the baby to nap there while the rest of us were in the pool. When the dh popped open the pack n play, a scorpion jumped from there (I guess technically it fell from there, not jumped, lol). The dh´s killed the scorpion (a small one, but imagine if it had bit the baby) and left it in a ziplock bag stuck in the mirror at the entrance of the house, so they could show the pest control people so they could exterminate accordingly. When we mentioned VD about the scorpion, they said it was not possible, that we were making it up. We just said, "ok, whatever, but the cleaning crew will find it there".
I don´t know in the US, but here in Mexico when you find one scorpion, you almost always find another because they tend to be in couples.

I thing a bad management company can give a good or bad name to the owners, so I am glad to know that they will be switching to another one."

If I were either of you I would be more concerned about the condition of your home and try and change what you can. That will effect what is written on these boards.

The comments I have made were nothing to discredit ST but to state VD is not the MC I would employ. I do not know how long you have been in business but having VD as your MC may not be a wise business choice.

 

[StoryTime]

.

 

[cey]

Thank you to everybody who posted info on StoryTime Houses. This thread has certainly provided everybody with a lot of information. The motto I live with, is this someone I would like to do business with. I think that question has been nicely answered. I think I will be passing on these rentals in the future. Any other views out there?
_________________

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

I am sorry to read Story Time´s reply. I indeed stayed there last september and had great communication then with Elias and Tanya, I even recommended their
TH ST1 to friends of ours who stayed there for one week, a week after we left.

These friends had a positive experience (when the pool wasn´t heated they contacted ST owners directly who called VD and solved the problem) and they even called a little over a month ago wanting a house from april 28 until may 5th.

I have no reason to make up any stories about anyone. As a matter of fact I think that all my comments were issues with Villa Direct and saying that it is a great decision to change management companies. I don´t think there is any need to quote here the emails I had from them with the instructions of how to get to VD to pick up the keys or the one when we told them we had a great time and the only problems were the issues with VD, but I certainly still have those in my inbox.

The first posts of the thread would not discourage me of renting from them, but definetly the 2 posts made by them would.

 

[mousemomof2]

Whenever we feel "we" are being "attacked" it's a natural response to "attack" back. I will be staying in a Storytime townhome in March 08 and I am excited and looking forward to a great experience. Most of the negative comments, I believe, are against VD. There is good and bad in everything and I guess we have to make our own judgement.

 

[rockypal3]

IT'S FUNNY....I ONLY SEE REMARKS ABOUT STORY TIME TOWNHOUSES AND NOT ABOUT OTHER TOWNHOUSES.....MAYBE BECAUSE STORY TIME DOES SO WELL WITH THEIR DECOR AND MICKEY ROOM.....WE RENTED FROM THEM AND HAD A GREAT TIME....THE OWNERS, ELIAS & TANYA WERE THE NICEST PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH.....AND MY KIDS LOVED THEIR THEME ROOM....THEY REALLY MADE US FEEL AT HOME....TANYA, YOU DID A GREAT JOB AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT YOUR TOWNHOUSES - IT'S THEIR LOST IF THEY DON'T STAY AT YOUR PLACES......WE WILL STAY AT YOUR PLACE EVERY YEAR ....LOOKING FORWARD TO STAYING AT ALL 4 TOWNHOUSES....

 

[armywife01]

We are staying in Storytime 2 from June 4-11 and are looking forward to it greatly. Any correspondence that I have had with the owners has been positive and they respond to any questions promptly. With so many rental homes out there, people can choose to stay wherever they want based on their needs.

If I were the owner of a property that was being discussed, I would feel like I needed to defend it as well. It's only natural. Their posts have not discouraged me from staying in their home. Sort of like the mother lion protecting their cubs.

All I can think is that they must be doing something right to have been able to expand to 5 properties.

For anyone interested, I can post an honest report of my stay when I return.

 

[Maria395712]

it isn't the townhomes it is the MC they are talking about, villa direct .people have had problems with the MC. I have never stayed in any storytime townhomes since I can't bring my 3 lb dog but I would have loved to if I could. but I have found many other TH in WH that will take HIM AND WE LOVE IT THERE
maria

 

[mousebit]

We are planning a stay in March 2008 with 5 adults and 3 children. Any one ever stay here. Any info would be great. TIA



Hello
As the owner of Story Time Vacation Homes the
NUMBER ONE rental homes in Windsor Hills resort. By being on top you will always get other jealous owners making up lies to try to hurt you, these people that are answering for Story Time are not past guests they are owners trying to promote their own house by using Story Time. We have grown from 1 house to 5 houses in a year and a half and to provide the best service to our houses we have our own Story Time family managment company that just takes care of our 5 houses like only family can do, we are oncall 24- 7 to provide for you. We have the most modern electronic lockbox
no keys involved, you go right to the house and punch a private personal code and the front door will open.
This is easy for our guests they don't have to pick up keys at another location and drive all the way back to the house.
If any one has any questions please contact me Elias and Tanya at 201 851 1210.or e mail us at tanya@storytimeorlandorental.com


Thanks

I am so shocked by this post that I am just not sure where to start.


First, let me say that I have an upcoming reservation at one of the StoryTime condos. Another family member made the choice before I had the chance to do the research. ASAP, I hit these boards (as I do for every Disney trip) searching for information on WH generally and ST specifically. One of the things I learned from PREVIOUS RENTERS was that there was reason for concern about some management companies. I checked my agreement with ST and found that their MC was indeed one that others had had problems with (not just at ST). After reading several GOOD REVIEWS here of ST and discussing with others who had trips in the past (GOOD or with only a FEW MINOR problems), I made the decision to stick with ST and be wary of possible problems with the MC. I assumed that good communication with the owner could help prevent some potential problems. And I understood that the owner was aware of the situation and in the process of searching for another MC. MY POINT: MANY NICE THINGS HAVE BEEN SAID ABOUT THE ST CONDOS HERE ON THE DIS AS WELL AS SOME REPORTS FROM PREVIOUS RENTERS WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE MC. THE POSITIVE REVIEWS POSTED HERE ARE WHAT LED ME TO MAKE THE DECISION TO KEEP MY ST RESERVATION.

Now, I just don't know. I am concerned about an owner who would come on these boards and be so defensive and accusatory. Yes, other owners post here, but I have searched and read every ST thread and NOT ONE of those owners have in any way criticized ST. DISers who also happen to be owners post helpful comments for those of us who are traveling to their areas and searching for information, regardless of where we are staying. In addition to info about the Disney parks, I have seen advise on locations of grocery stores and WalMarts, shortcuts to the parks, discounts, Orlando attractions, and so on. I have even gotten advise from a DISer who happens to be an owner about the best off-site bakery to get my daughter's BD cake. And this morning I noticed a DISer who happens to be an owner posted a helpful link for a car bra for someone who was concerned about the love bugs on his new vehicle! MY SECOND POINT: PEOPLE HERE ON THE DIS (OWNERS & NOT) ARE GENERALLY KIND, HELPFUL AND UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MUCH A DISNEY VACATION MEANS TO FAMILIES. THEY SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND INVALUABLE INFORMATION. I REALLY WISH THE ST OWNERS HAD AS MUCH OF THIS SPIRIT AS THEY DO PRIDE IN BEING #1.

In the above quote, StoryTime refers to having a new "family MC" with "modern electronic lockboxes...right at the house" with "no need to pick up keys at another location." This tells me there was a problem with the past MC and the owner made the necessary change. MY THIRD POINT: SO WHY ATTACK PEOPLE HERE THAT HAD THE SAME OBSERVATIONS/OPINIONS? PEOPLE WERE JUST GIVING THEIR HONEST REVIEWS IN ORDER TO HELP OTHERS! NOW, I WONDER IF I CAN APPROACH THIS OWNER AS A RENTER WITH A PROBLEM? (And, I wonder if I will be notified by the ST owners of this new MC change and check-in procedure since my paper work gives me totally different instructions to pick up keys at the old MC?)

The ST homes look lovely. Let's hope they stay that way with good management. I just don't know that they're right for my family...

 

[sympatico]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Mousebit. I had read all of these posts as they were posted when the thread first started and came to the same conclusion that you did. I find all of the Dis-owners very helpful and supportive of each other. It's great to have this site for information and help to those of us who like to stay in these homes. It has also given me a better understanding of the owners side of renting. Hopefully the ST people will cool off a little and see that no one was out to get them. I think their homes are wonderful and was planning to inquire about their new 6 bedroom for our trip but it was booked for our dates.

 

[horseshowmom]

I am concerned about an owner who would come on these boards and be so defensive and accusatory. Yes, other owners post here, but I have searched and read every ST thread and NOT ONE of those owners have in any way criticized ST.


In the above quote, StoryTime refers to having a new "family MC" with "modern electronic lockboxes...right at the house" with "no need to pick up keys at another location." This tells me there was a problem with the past MC and the owner made the necessary change.

I agree with both of these thoughts.

I've looked at ST before and have actually suggested them to some others. I would have been much more impressed with an owner who acknowledged that there had been problems with the previous MC (which there obviously have been) and that they had taken steps to correct the problems. That didn't happen here. In fact, the response was just the opposite. That bothers me...

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

It would seem to me that from reading this read that there were some MC problems in the past that ST has addressed. While there is no excuse for dirty bedding and linens, on the issue of bugs a home in Florida can have no bugs one day and be invaded by them the next. It's Florida, the bugs outnumber the humans 1,000,000 to 1, and there will be times even with diligent exterminating the critters will mount an invasion. "Over-treatment" is not advised as the stuff that kills/repels the bugs is toxic to most lifeforms, as in humans, as well.

I would, however, find that a simple honest admission that ST had MC problems and has resolved them would be better than being defiant or mounting a "counter-attack" against criticism.

We renters know that things like refrigerators and air conditioners break. We know that bugs can invade. What we expect in return for our money is lodging as described and prompt attention to problems. In the final analysis, what we value most is honesty.

 

[PeachesDoesHair]

Hello
As the owner of Story Time Vacation Homes the
NUMBER ONE rental homes in Windsor Hills resort. By being on top you will always get other jealous owners making up lies to try to hurt you, these people that are answering for Story Time are not past guests they are owners trying to promote their own house by using Story Time. We have grown from 1 house to 5 houses in a year and a half and to provide the best service to our houses we have our own Story Time family managment company that just takes care of our 5 houses like only family can do, we are oncall 24- 7 to provide for you. We have the most modern electronic lockbox
no keys involved, you go right to the house and punch a private personal code and the front door will open.
This is easy for our guests they don't have to pick up keys at another location and drive all the way back to the house.
If any one has any questions please contact me Elias and Tanya at 201 851 1210.or e mail us at tanya@storytimeorlandorental.com


Thanks

Wow. As someone who has been consistantly reading these boards for the last several months I can't say that I have ever seen someone say something bad about a home just to promote their own. In fact, I don't think you can advertise your home in posts?? Most everything I have read has been helpful and honest. When renting I am looking for the owners to be respectful and professional not only to me but to the other people in their industry. The owners on these boards do not bad mouth other houses. I have seen them go out of their way to help people like me have a great vacation.

 

[Mainebound]

Most everything I have read has been helpful and honest. When renting I am looking for the owners to be respectful and professional not only to me but to the other people in their industry. The owners on these boards do not bad mouth other houses. I have seen them go out of their way to help people like me have a great vacation.

I have to agree. The owners on these boards -- the owners who participate regularly -- are fantastic.

Threads like this are far from the norm.

Let's get back to the business of helping each other plan GREAT offsite stays!!

 

[StoryTime]

Ok George, now you really have me worried.

AS THE STORY TIME OWNER, FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE THAT THOUGHT I WAS REFERRING TO THEM....MY COMMENT WAS DIRECTED TO 5MINS2DISNEY (owner) NOT TO OUR GUESTS OR FUTURE GUESTS.....

LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE SAID, LETS GO BACK TO WORK HONESTLY.....




WE HAVE A FAMILY MANAGEMENT COMPANY NOW THAT WILL BE THERE FOR OUR GUEST 24/7.....WE ARE THERE TO MAKE YOUR VACATION THE BEST IT CAN BE (like it was for my family).....WE PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT INTO OUR TOWNHOUSES/VILLA.....THANK YOU VERY MUCH ....STORY TIME OWNERS

tanya@storytimeorlandorental.com 201-851-1210

 

[5mins2disney]

You haven't "proven" anything and you're right, I no longer wish to be affiliated with this post in any way shape or form, hence I deleted any posts I have made to this thread, which were mostly about Windsor Hills Resort and not your homes in any way.

 

[dreams n wishes]

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`~*

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

If this was my case I wouldn't hesitate to contact my attorney.

Yawn