Vacation Homes - Need help finding!!

[msr709]

Hi All, I have been numerous times to WDW but always at hotels because its usually just me and one other. Now I have finally convinced the whole family to come and we are looking for a vacation home NEAR WDW for next summer, we'd like to get one with a pool. (Since the search feature has been disabled it makes it tough to find stuff here now). I did read and got the link for Windsor (which looks fabulous) but I want to offer several options. Does anyone have a link to other vacation homes that would care to share? And could anyone share experience on renting the home, how to go about it and what are the "hidden costs". TIA!

 

[disneysteve]

Windsor Palms is probably the newest, along with Wyndham Palms. We're booked at Windsor in November and can hardly wait to get there.

A site that lists many different locations is Vacation Rentals By Owner at http://www.vrbo.com/vrbo/flcentral.htm

We've stayed in the Lindfields subdivision several times and loved it every time. That is just pool homes, not condos, and they are older (probably early 1990's or late 1980's) but well maintained.

Windsor Palms is actually about 2 miles closer, though, and was just opened last year. From what I've seen, prices are comparable so I'd opt for closer and newer myself.

As for what to expect - Expect to be spoiled to the point that you won't ever want to stay in a hotel again, even if there are just 2 of you going. You can rent a 2-bedroom condo for under $60/nite offseason. No hotel can match that for space and amenities.

Not really much in the way of hidden costs. The kitchen is stocked with cooking and serving items. You just supply the food. Also, you need to supply things like paper towels, dish washing supplies (sponge, soap, dishwasher detergent), trash bags (sometimes supplied), tissues, extra toilet paper, laundry detergent. Other than that, they provide everything else you could want or need. Some homes have VCR's, DVD's, video game systems, etc., but you need to bring your own tapes/discs/games.

Its a great way to travel. I wish facilities like this were so readily available in other locations around the country.

Steve

 

[msr709]

Thank you DisneySteve for your quick and helpful reply. I just loved the ad for Windsor and would definitely be interested. Now to convince the others . . .LOL! Has anyone else stayed at other sites they care to share?? TIA

 

[marybet]

We stayed in a vacation home in May. I found it on this site
http://www.orlandovillas.com/. It was located in Florida Pines, had 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, owned by Dave Healey. You can see it at www.floridavilla.com. It was great and so much nicer than a hotel.

It took us about 15 min. to get to the Parks. Parking was $7 and you could go to another park and just show your parking pass.

There was a screened pool and the grandchildren loved it. And it was so quiet. None of those hotel noises. We did breakfast at the house and that saved time and money. I did take extra toilet paper and paper towels since we drove down and had room, but there was a grocery store about 10 min. away and they were building one that will be even closer.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

[marybet]

I just tried those links to see if they worked and the second one didn't, sorry. I am new at posting links so will try again. This is for the villa that we rented. http://www.floridapines.com/villa-details1.htm.

I found this site from another DIS poster. These are all private owners and are cheaper then ones you get through a realty or rental company because you rent direct from the owner. I was concerned at first but did a little research, took a chance and it turned out great. As one owner said, it is a matter of faith on both parties. They are trusting that you won't destroy their house and you are trusting that the house is all they say it is.

 

[JANNYANS]

try looking on http://www.orlandovillas.com http://www.vacation-rentals-orlando.com http://www.orlandovillas.co.uk

they are all sites where you book directly with the owner and you will get a wide choice of homes.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I stayed at a lovely 4 bedroom home, 3 baths, private pool, etc.. i found it through www.orlandovillas.com and it was GREAT! can't beat the comfort of staying in a private house. anyway the subdivision is Oak Island Cove, one of the very closest to Disney (only took about 5 min to get there!)

the specific site is: www.floridavillas4u.net . The owners live in the UK but are extremely helpful/easy to get a hold of! they have a management company that takes care of their home.

Agreed on the subject of hidden costs - there are very few. At first I was a bit nervous about sending money so far away, but i trusted my instincts, and the owner who was SO fabulous - and in the end, we couldn't have loved the house more! so great to come home after a long day at the parks and let the kids crash in the living room or in their bedrooms...

 

[msr709]

Thank you ALL for your helpful responses. I have bookmarked each link so I can then look at these at my leisure this weekend with the family and start planning!!
One more question to those who have already done this, I would imagine there is a deposit on top of the cost of the rental, what would be considered a fair deposit? I see that in a lot of these links you deal with the owners directly and I want to know what I am doing. Where could we research about these homes which you deal directly with the owner? Thanks again and any more information would be appreciated.

 

[JANNYANS]

As an owner maybe I can help you .There will be a security deposit needed -just as there would be in an hotel.This may be collected in different ways-either by cc when you get to the home and the man co will deal with it or by adding to the final amount payable to the owner and they will return it to you after their home has been inspected by the man co.The amount varies I require $300 which gets returned within two weeks and have yet to withhold anything.What sort of thing would you like to know about the homes ? I am sure that all owners would have no problem answering any questions and indeed generally enjoy talking about their homes.Keep asking questions.Ask for a complete total of the rental costs especially if you want pool heat and ask for taxes to be included and it should be quoted for you .There shouldn't be any hidden costs unless there is some necessity to charge something against the security deposit.Homeowners will require a deposit from you -generally non refundable -some will return it to you in case of cancellation less an administration fee if there is enough time to relet the dates .
Hope this helps if you need anymore info feel free to pm me.

 

[crazywig]

i used www.vrbo.com to find our rental last january.

we rented in rolling hills, which is so close to disney! january is the low season so we could be at the gates of MK in 10 minutes!

it had 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 living areas, a private pool, fully stocked kitchen (cups, plates, silverware etc.) all we needed was to shop for snacks (we ate out every night).

we paid $900 (inc. taxes)for a week, plus pool heat which i think was around $100...we really needed the heat, it was soo cold that week, down to freezing! the security deposit was high imo, $450 or so, but we got it all back within 3 wks.

the management company the owners have is florida leisure and they were great...the owners promised a pack and play and it wasn't there when we arrived, we called the mgt co. and they brought one over immediately.


i was nervous to rent as well, as the owners were in the u.k., but my entire experience was positive and i can't wait to do it again, i absolutely loved it.

 

[Lisa AF]

I posted a while back on how I verified my home through the tax website. The link to that post is http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=404891

We stayed in a vacation home last visit to WDW. We rented from a private owner. The rate was GREAT and the home was beautiful. Their site is http://www.vrbo.co.uk/ . We have reserved another home for our next trip and again got a wonderful rate, that site is http://www.disneyvilla2rent.com/.



Hope this helps. You'll never go back to a hotel again!!!

 

[lisag1]

I also have to say that you wont look back once you've stayed in a villa. We're a family with 3 young children and have stayed at Hampton Lakes, Chatham Park, Rolling Hills, Formosa Gardens, Windsor Palms and we've never been let down with any of the houses we've rented. We've now took the plunge and are due to close on a property at Rolling Hills (did say once you've stayed in one you'll never look back - unfortunately for my husband who has to pay for it!!). In the past the websites I've used to book villas are:-

www.villas2000.com
www.pvillas.com
www.vacationvillas.com

or just do a general search on google for kissimme vacation villa homes

Good luck in choosing!

Lisa