Vacation Home for WDW Trip recomendations

[bscs]

We have had a wonderful time renting a villa and now that is the only way we will travel for a week long vacation. We like to use www.vrbo.com. If this is your first time renting a villa off site, you might want to stay at one of the closer developments. The Formosa Gardens area is really nice and they have really nice developments like Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms, Emerald Isle, Indian Creek... We have been staying further out in the Davenport area and we really enjoy that, but it does add an additional 10 minutes to our commute to the parks. For us, we have found it is worth the additional commute because we have found the villas in this area fit our budget a bit better. Good luck.

This is funny I was scrolling down fast and stoped when I saw your Picture Your dh looks a little like mine. Probably not really but when scrolling fast and him wearing sunglasses. Then I noticed you are going to FL at same time as us. Then I noticed you are also from Maine. Coincidances

 

[dougsmom98]

Hey, you're right! My DH and your DH do look alike. Yeah, we're from Maine too. We live about 30 miles west of Portland, in the Sebago Lake region. February is the time to get the heck out of Maine for a week so it isn't surprising that we are going around the same time. We are teachers and can only go during school vacation weeks. Nice to "meet" you!

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

The house was so beautiful but it was $2600. We are looking more in the $1600 and under range. We want to be close to Disney since we are spending most of our time there. I have been looking at Townhomes and Condos but we really want our own private pool. Even though we are going in December I love sitting outside in a heated pool. We really only need 3 or 4 bedrooms but large enough for us to relax and not feel like we are on top of eachother the whole trip. I hope that helps. I appreciate the websites. I have been requesting quotes left and right of different properties.

We are renting the following WH 4bdr/4bth villa June 6 - 13 and I will post a review during and after our stay. It seems very well appointed and has almost everything I was looking for like a pool, pillow top mattresses, game room(typ. garage conversion), etc. The themed rooms (princess room or AK room may be just what your DD wants) and smaller kids toys I didn't need, but the computer, printer, pool table and foosball, video games etc. are great for my older kids. Jan(owner) has told me they are in the process of installing a spa/hot tub later in 2007(I don't know when). All at a reasonable price for a WH villa within my budget (and yours) and the owners and MC (Marlyn) are very friendly and communicate promptly. Several links to the property follow: http://www.floridavilla-uk.com/ar_windsor_hills_1.htm , http://www.vrbo.com/122340 , http://www.windsor-hills-orlando.com/ruellan.htm

P.S. Tell Jan that Len B referred you - maybe I can weasel a referral discount out of her for my next FL trip.

 

[Chelley00]

We stayed at a lovely place in Sunset Lakes last October. It took us maybe 10 minutes to get to WDW taking the back roads. We had a private pool and 6 person hot tub with lake view to the back and woods view to one side. It was quiet and comfortable and the owners were fabulous! We had snacks, milk and Pepsi waiting on us when we arrived, and the owners called in the middle of the week to see if we had everything we needed. We paid around $125 a night and had 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. They had a portacrib, toddler bed, stroller, highchair and pool toys for our use.

http://www.fabvillas.com/florida-vacation-rentals-villa-1420.html


We found them using www.fabvillas.com

 

[Ontmomof4]

Hi Another place you can check out is www.romancingthemouse.com
I you are interested in the referral discount PM me for more info. This was a great house and pool heat is included as well as BBQ and lots of other things that you have to pay extra for.
Linda

 

[MissLori]

We are renting a house in Indian Ridge in August, never done this before so it will be an experience. We are looking forward to it. My daughter will be visiting a friend to check out the WDW CP program and then we will be visiting Universal.

 

[Mainebound]

Hi Another place you can check out is www.romancingthemouse.com
I you are interested in the referral discount PM me for more info. This was a great house and pool heat is included as well as BBQ and lots of other things that you have to pay extra for.
Linda

I just looked at their website and while their insistence on Saturday-Saturday rentals did not put me off (many parts of the country with tighter rental markets also insist on this) their explanation really annoyed me! I'm glad you had a great trip with them but I personally will be looking for a less preachy home owner.

 

[jekajekalynn]

A great site I use is fabvillas.com , it's owner direct so you don't have to pay those hefty middle man fee's like on all star homes' website.

We are going to stay in Debs vacation house here.http://disneyvacahome.com/


She is a really nice owner , and gave us a good rate.

 

[Ontmomof4]

Sorry you feel that way.There was no preaching other than there views and reasons why they do what they do.They met us at the house with warm cookies and flowers juice and muffins at no extra cost.They were super friendly and they helped with directions and tickets advice.There were no extra fees as most other homes charge(pool heat ,cleaning,ect.)and no preaching.They live in WH so they are avaliable if a problem should arise,which none did.No rental company to deal with.
Linda

 

[isla bonita]

I just looked at their website and while their insistence on Saturday-Saturday rentals did not put me off (many parts of the country with tighter rental markets also insist on this) their explanation really annoyed me! I'm glad you had a great trip with them but I personally will be looking for a less preachy home owner.

As an owner personally I would not like to dictate how any one should spend their vacation.

I know that when we rented I wanted both weekends to extend our vacation. When flying you basicly loose 2 days because they are travel days. I am not as experienced with renting our home like some. I have been doing it for less then 3 years. Maybe they know something I do not.

All I do know is that having the choice to vacation how I choose is what I want to offer to our guests. The days inbetween I offer at a discount and hope for the best.

 

[5mins2disney]

As an owner personally I would not like to dictate how any one should spend their vacation.

I know that when we rented I wanted both weekends to extend our vacation. When flying you basicly loose 2 days because they are travel days. I am not as experienced with renting our home like some. I have been doing it for less then 3 years. Maybe they know something I do not.

All I do know is that having the choice to vacation how I choose is what I want to offer to our guests. The days inbetween I offer at a discount and hope for the best.

Some of the VRBO "best practice" books (Karpinski / Glossbrenner) suggest that a Sat-Sat limited booking calendar is one effective way of running your vacation rental home. It is done, from the owner's point of view, to prevent gaps in your calendar. If I add up all of the gaps on our calendars caused by non Sat-Sat bookings, for instance, it adds up to weeks of open time we can't generally book!

We considered this practice too, just for that reason, and we may still do so at some point, but felt it would limit our bookings too severely. Some do this though, and are quite successful at it, they are one such example. We decided early on that we'd let people come and go any time really, the only thing we then limited later on was holiday periods, where people would want to come for 1-2 days over, say New Years, stay for the peak night only and that would leave us with lots of open days we couldn't book, so we instituted a 7 night min stay on holiday periods, we lose too much income if we don't do it that way, and as you know, it's hard to even break even at this!

The long drawn out justification though probably isn't needed, especially if it puts people off, and the part where it ties it into religion, best to stay neutral on topics like this! It's probably driven by more of a business decision than any other single factor, and the fact that they act as their own MC since they live in Windsor Hills, and don't want to work on Sundays, and that they will make more $$ over the course of the year running 4 homes, if they don't have gaps all over. Also, since they are their own MC, it simplifies their mgmt tasks since all checkins and checkouts are on Saturdays.

Hey, good for them if it works!

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

I just looked at their website and while their insistence on Saturday-Saturday rentals did not put me off (many parts of the country with tighter rental markets also insist on this) their explanation really annoyed me! I'm glad you had a great trip with them but I personally will be looking for a less preachy home owner.

I agree. We looked at their site a month ago and were really put off by their prices - and even more so by their opinions:

On their pricing policy: http://www.romancingthemouse.com/id70.html
Why should I only get a 15% discount as a first time renter, and why does it seem the rate is at minimum 15% less than the, er, ah, rate? Hmmm. If I'm referred by a past renter I get a 30% discount, but only 15% if by their ad? And BTW, I thought it was the past renters that got referral commissions / discounts for sending in business? Hmmm. A 30% corporate discount? Seems to me that most everybody could claim either a referral or corporate discount. But they have warm cookies, flowers, juice, and muffins at no extra cost, right? Well, I'm sure most of us understand the first rule of the universe: There's no such thing as a free lunch - EVERYTHING costs. I'd be more impressed by a lower rate with an option to buy the cookies. Anybody reading this ought to demand a minimum 30% discount from this owner as a STARTING point - and perhaps explain to them how this "money stuff" really works.

On Sat - Sat policy: http://www.romancingthemouse.com/id95.html
It's for their convenience, not mine. I do business with owners who book based upon MY convenience. Lots of owners, esp. TS and certain markets do this and it has to do with maximizing occupancy potential. Spare me the contrived BS - and don't tell me how to plan my vacation.

On their goals: http://www.romancingthemouse.com/id33.html
More BS. Tell me you're in the rental BUSINESS to make a profit or offset ownership costs. Spare me the story and don't insult my intelligence.

From http://www.romancingthemouse.com/id81.html - Including such hits as: "If you want your children to grow up to be happy..."; the footrub/washing of feet ritual with "When Kayla grows up, she will recognize a quality guy when she sees one and her future husband will thank you for teaching her to plan & execute this kind of ‘family tradition’; and "For more ideas like this, just ask for our ‘email hints for the romantically-challenged’".

"...just ask for our ‘email hints for the romantically-challenged’". WOW!

I'll be very honest, I don't need unsolicited opinions on how my children should be raised, I don't need Biblical passages used to send a "romance" message on the home page, or religious ritualism blended into a romantic foot massage. And whether the religious overtones are simply due to the owner's zeal, or worse, as a aid to promoting business, I think they are better left out of an advertisement/business website. This is a business transaction. I'm renting vacation accomodations. The USE OF religious references and overtones thru-out the website is a turn-off to me, and I'd imagine to many others as well. Religion, family matters, and child-rearing are private personal matters and are best left out of business transactions.

After going through their website, we honestly weren't sure whether to laugh or run - so we did both - and rented a similar very well appointed home for $500 less for the week.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

Some of the VRBO "best practice" books (Karpinski / Glossbrenner) suggest that a Sat-Sat limited booking calendar is one effective way of running your vacation rental home. It is done, from the owner's point of view, to prevent gaps in your calendar. If I add up all of the gaps on our calendars caused by non Sat-Sat bookings, for instance, it adds up to weeks of open time we can't generally book!

We considered this practice too, just for that reason, and we may still do so at some point, but felt it would limit our bookings too severely. Some do this though, and are quite successful at it, they are one such example.

...Hey, good for them if it works!

Does it work though? If their booking calendar http://www.romancingthemouse.com/id28.html is accurate they have 8 weeks of reservations total out of 48 possible for all four properties from June through August. If I were an owner I'd like to be at least at 50% already for the summer season - and many owners are booked solid into fall already. My analysis: Their prices are too high, their Sat to Sat scheduling too inflexible, and their personal stuff turns people off. But what do I know - I'm just a potential customer.

Edit: And BTW, someone should tell these owners NOT to post the last names of guests and their reservation dates on their website. When you click on a link above each property on the master availability calendar it brings up the reservation names and dates. It's a serious security issue, and especially bad for people with uncommon last names.

 

[deejay-55]

Probably the easiest way to find a choice of homes and get price comparisons for Windsor Hills is to visit the owners' group site at www.windsorhillsrent.com

 

[Ontmomof4]

Wow some of you are having a bad day.

I replied because this place came recomended to us and we tried it. We found it to be less than most homes in the area and did have some perks, such as personal service for ones like us new to the area.They also take great pride in their homes and were immaculate unlike some that peolple complained about and lack of help from their management company.It also goes to say you get what you pay for.

With that said this was just a suggestion to ones that asked for advice on a nice house in Windsor Hills.Which it is.So no need to slam people because of the way they advertise or what ever unless you have been and can find fault.
Everyone has to chose a place that is right for them.

 

[dana1003]

never stayed offsite? is it worth having to rent a car, get food etc.? considering an oct trip.

 

[mungo]

I do think its worth it. I know this is a disney board, but we do like to do other things besides Disney. i couldn't cope with just staying within disney for 2 whole weeks. We like to see what else is going on in Florida. Disney will do all in its power to keep you on property, spending your dollars there, but there are some great places to eat, much cheaper, and not as busy (well some of the time.)

 

[dana1003]

I do think its worth it. I know this is a disney board, but we do like to do other things besides Disney. i couldn't cope with just staying within disney for 2 whole weeks. We like to see what else is going on in Florida. Disney will do all in its power to keep you on property, spending your dollars there, but there are some great places to eat, much cheaper, and not as busy (well some of the time.)

thanks..appreciate the honesty. i wouldnt mind doing disney for like 2 days but i would also like to bring the kids to sea world,universal and int drive.worth thinking about

 

[cdndislvr]

Wow some of you are having a bad day.

I replied because this place came recomended to us and we tried it. We found it to be less than most homes in the area and did have some perks, such as personal service for ones like us new to the area.They also take great pride in their homes and were immaculate unlike some that peolple complained about and lack of help from their management company.It also goes to say you get what you pay for.

With that said this was just a suggestion to ones that asked for advice on a nice house in Windsor Hills.Which it is.So no need to slam people because of the way they advertise or what ever unless you have been and can find fault.
Everyone has to chose a place that is right for them.

I appreciate you posting your review of this MC and the link to their website as I am looking for a last minute rental in June for 21 days and they may have availability for us. I have not decided whether to rent from them or not, but the email response I got from Mark was very pleasant, and they were more than willing to relax their Sat to Sat rule to work within our dates and even give us a larger home for the price of a smaller home. He has not updated his calendar on the website as not one of their homes has 21 days of availability, and we would either have to switch homes (not REALLY wanting to to do that) or he may work something out with one of his other reservations to give us 21 days in a row.

On a side note, anyone wanting to recommend a property that has 21 days in a row this June/July please let me know. We are a family of four and are considering a home with a full size pool or a townhouse with a splash pool in either Windsor Palms or Windsor Hills.

 

[PeachesDoesHair]

We have emailed Mark (Romancing the Mouse) and we find him to be very friendly, quick to answer questions, and I think he really wants you to have a great vacation. I don't find their website to be "preachy." I think that they are quite passionate about what they are doing, and I think they want to share that passion with their renters.

Everything I have read about them has been positive. We are most likely going to rent from them in June of 2008 and take our whole family. Being able to pick two twins beds in a room or one king bed was one of the things that we really loved about them.

Hi, Ontmomof4!