Totally overwhelmed looking at vacation rentals - help!

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

I am beyond overwhelmed at this point looking at all the various vacation rentals. We are heading down in February for two weeks and wanted to rent a house since it appears my in-laws will be flying over from France to go with us!

There are so many choices, it's just nuts! We don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but I had to stop looking after I found a rental double wide for $700 a week

Anyone have a favorite site or villa for that matter? Last time was so much easier, we stayed on site but with four adults and three kids we'd prefer a house! Feel free to PM me too.

 

[utahkennedys]

I am also looking for a huge family reunion for next fall and it can be overwhelming...I would start by choosing a development. For me it is Emerald Island or Windsor Hills only since these are newer, in a good location, and get good reviews. Once you have a few developments narrowed down, that should help. I think it's actually kind of fun! Good Luck!

 

[isla bonita]

I think you shoulkd step away from the computer for a minute. Think about what kind of vacation it is going to be. Meaning will I need a to be spending a lot of time in the rental home if so you want somithing that will please you all because if they ain't all happy neither will you be.
Now you will look at price
bedroom configuration
amenities
location Narrow it down to what you are looking for then choose from the short list. Here is a map to help out with communities.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa/map.htm

Here is a site with homes from emerald island if you are interested?

http://emeraldislandresortvacationhomes.com

There now don't you feel all better. Not I am sure LOL

 

[Lisa AF]

I love this home and nice owners. The pool area is the nicest I've seen at any rental home and VERY reasonably priced. 4 bed 3.5 baths. http://www.amazingdays.org/photo_gallery.html
Found out yesterday that it is already booked for our trip next June. To bad. I'm having a hard time finding something comparable.

 

[mbb]

I think you shoulkd step away from the computer for a minute. ......

........There now don't you feel all better. Not I am sure LOL

I *think* I've seen that double wide listing somewhere, too BelleBooandAmisMom....
That's too funny!!

And like Deb says, take a break for a day...and really think about one thing..how close to you want to be WDW?

If your answer is "I want to be as close as we can" - then we can help you narrow it down....but your budget might have to be a little more than what you want it to be to get that close spot, and for it to have all the bells and whistles.

Budget is the first consideration?
But you still want a fab house with alll the amenities? We can help you narrow that down too.

Have a quick look up on our Reviews Board..there are a few "Dis'er Tested" home up there, that just might fill the bill for you

Let us know how we can help!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Thanks everyone!

Price is more important than distance at this point. We'll be driving and don't mind driving, we'll be there for two weeks it looks like and spending a week of it at WDW the rest will be at Universal (I know, I know) and other area attractions. We're not opposed to a 30 minute drive to get a great value.

There will be four possibly five adults and the three kids (10b, 5g, and 2g). Sleeping areas are a toss up. Our last vacation with the in-laws was to a 100+ year old farm house on the northern coast of France, it was nice, but very unique. No one is that picky about sleeping area. We do plan on doing meals (breakfast and dinner) and spending time at the pool - a must!

 

[paslea_pooh]

I think you shoulkd step away from the computer for a minute. Think about what kind of vacation it is going to be. Meaning will I need a to be spending a lot of time in the rental home if so you want somithing that will please you all because if they ain't all happy neither will you be.

Good advice from isla bonita !

Step away. Think about the vacation you want. I think a pool home would be one of your best bets. The room you get for the price you pay, is awesome. Plus, the pool. A heated indoor pool with kids, can't be beat.

You can go to vrbo.com and search for Orlando. We will be staying at Windsor Hills in December b/c we couldn't stay where we wanted to on property over Xmas. It's fairly close to WDW and alot of the townhouses/homes have their own pools.

Here are the links

Windsor Hills

Windsor Palms

 

[isla bonita]

If you are staying for 2 weeks that will allow you a better price. No matter where you are staying. I am sure of that.

You really need to decide the bed configuration it looks like you can get by with a 3 bed with a couch that opens but personally I think if you get a good price go with the extra bedroom. Not having a sleeper in the livinmg room or family room allows you to utilize the space and it also aleviates some work in putting it together every day. You will not want to do that for 2 weeks.

We never just do disney. We always travel around the area to discover a bunch of stuff. Having your own car will be a plus with the travel and also to shop. Having a kitchen will help save a bunch.

We have a sams club card and we go on line and do click and pull to order our food. Not all we still need to go to the reg. market because we never go through 3 lbs of butter and such when we stay our 2 week vaca.

Now you keep asking questions to make this as painless as possible for you. Remember everyone is counting on you to make this the best vacation so if you are prepared it will come off like a charm.

I do want to mention we had a great time picking our own fruit out on 27. It was wonderful eating also. You might want to do that inbetween swims it is worth it take my word and the home made margaritas are to die for. Now when checking into the amenities make sure they have a blender for some drinks. I made the kids some great smoothies from the fruit. A blender is a must do not rent a home without one or bring it with you if this sounds like something your group would enjoy.

Hope it is some what helpful. We will be down at the same time as your group so we might run into you. And no you can not borrow our blender. LOL

Have a great vaca planning session tomarrow.

 

[paslea_pooh]

Thanks everyone!

Price is more important than distance at this point. !

What is your budget for 2 weeks ??

We are paying $1700 for 10 days during Xmas. Tax and pool heating included.

ETA: 3 bedroom sleeps up to 8

5 minutes from WDW

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

What is your budget for 2 weeks ??

We are paying $1700 for 10 days during Xmas. Tax and pool heating included.

ETA: 3 bedroom sleeps up to 8

5 minutes from WDW

That is a dang good question! The in-laws don't care and DH wants to pay for everyone himself. Under $2,000 would be good I guess, the lower the better since DH is a penny pincher and a half, so is his mom, makes these trips fun!

I am an obsessive trip planner and so is my MIL so between the two of us we have a list of two dozen homes that don't look too bad, can we narrow it down, no. It's group vacation planning! The kids are trying to convince their aunt and uncle that they want to fly over with their new cousin for the adventure too. So that would add another two adults and an infant.....

I think I've given myself a headache thinking about it, I'm going to bed so I can wake up in the middle of the night thinking of the things I need to check out and look up!