Vacation Home Rentals Question

[izzy]

A friend is interested in renting a house for 5 days in July 2009 for her and her family. It will be about 7 people total. Anyway, she was asking me which are good companies to use to rent through, and I told that I didn't know, but that I knew if I posted on this board this I'd be sure to get some great suggestions for her!

Also, which communities would you recommend to her? She'd like something within 10-15 minutes of the WDW complex, and she'd like at least a 4 BR pool home.

TIA!

 

[timmac]

I'm posting this in good faith and hope that it doesn't get censored out since it has no affiliation with the DIS (though I don't think any competitors are sponsors either), and with a note that I personally have no affiliation or interest in this company either. That said, Lou Mongello (a fairly well known name in the Disney fan/podcast community if you aren't already familiar) has frequently dropped "All Star Vacation Homes" as a good source, and has had their CEO, Steve Trover, on his show, to talk about the process.

http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com/

http://www.wdwradio.com/content/view/34/51/

Hope this helps, have a great vacation!

 

[timmac]

One more option I want to mention (again, no personal affiliation or any of that) is the Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane (or "Dreams Villas of Orlando", both refer to the same thing, I think). These are actually townhouse style 3 or 4 BR units, but the pool is communal.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/DreamsVillas/

I figured they are worth mentioning since they are part owned/operated (forgive me if I'm flubbing the details of this) by John Magi, one of the members of the DIS unplugged podcast, and CIO of Dreams Unlimited Travel. (Dreams unlimited is the travel company operated by the owners of this site)

While I haven't experienced it personally, reports have been very positive, and it seems like a good accommodations for a good price. More importantly, though, the level of trust I have in the people and affiliations I just explained is something I don't think I could replicate anywhere else.

 

[sympatico]

A friend is interested in renting a house for 5 days in July 2009 for her and her family. It will be about 7 people total. Anyway, she was asking me which are good companies to use to rent through, and I told that I didn't know, but that I knew if I posted on this board this I'd be sure to get some great suggestions for her!

Also, which communities would you recommend to her? She'd like something within 10-15 minutes of the WDW complex, and she'd like at least a 4 BR pool home.

TIA!

Another good company besides allstar is floridasunvacationhomes.com . But we usually rent directly from the owners, which usually works out to be less expensive. You can go to vrbo (vacation rentals by owner). This is the listings page for Kissimmee:
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando/kissimmee
Just pick out a few that have what you're looking for and email or call the owners and ask whatever questions you want and ask for a quote which includes tax, any fees and pool heat if you need it.
The subdivisions in the Formosa Gardens area are within 10 min of Disney Animal Kingdom and a little more to the other Disney parks. Some of these include: Windsor Hills, Formosa Gardens Estates, Rolling Hills, Indian Creek, Windsor Palms, Oak Island Cove, Emerald Island, Sunset Lakes, Acadia Estates etc.
Here's a map: http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa-map.php

 

[mncherokee]

I just got back from Windsor Palms - 5 bedroom pool home direct from owner. Send a private message if you want more info.

Lisa

 

[mickeynut1]

We've used All Star Vacation Homes ( www.allstarvacationhomes.com ) twice for a group of 13 people the first time and 8 the next and had a great experience both times . We stayed in Acadia Estates (both times), which is very convenient to everything . The reservation process is very simple and the All Star staff is just wondeful to deal with . And what you see online is what you get.......but the pictures don't do the homes justice, IMO.

 

[Hasil72]

We've rented through both owners and All Star Vacation Homes in the same area off of 192. Each way (VRBO or ASVH) has it's own pro's and con's depending on the season. Just as the others have said I would stick to the developments in the Formosa gardens area; there's a wide range of communities, home sizes and prices. We never found the commute to be more than 15 minutes from the villa to the park (or MK parking lot). And there are so many restaurant and shopping options just in the two mile radius, it's crazy. One tip, I would not recommend shopping at the grocery store in the shopping center just in front of those developments. Take the extra 5 minutes and drive to Publix, Target or Walmart.

Good luck!