Vacation Homes

[AWD]

We are considering renting a vacation home
for our next trip. We will be spending time at Universal, Sea World and a couple of days at Disney. I've been looking at homes on the
A1vacation site, and I also looked at Premier
Homes website. I would be interested in an executive home (3-4bdrm.) with a really nice pool. What are the really nice areas or communities???? In the past we have stayed
at deluxe resorts at Disney. We would like to try
something different this trip.

 

[horseshowmom]

Try www.hayesvacationrentals.com or 800-847-8110. We've stayed with them twice and were well satisfied. Their rates include all taxes. Some of their pools have slides too.

 

[PTKeil]

try vrbo.com...(vacation rentals by owner). We rented a 4BR 3BA with private pool (which I have told my kids that I will be jumping into, clothes and all on arrival), two master BR, and only two stop lights away from the main gate for $124/night. That includes the 12% (ouch) tax they charge for rentals. Just make sure you check out their cancellation policy, any cleaning fees, pool heating fees, and know EXACTLY which house you will be staying at. Some of the larger companies won't tell you until you get there, which made me nervous. Also, I found it much more convenient to rent a house that has a lock box on the front door as opposed to one that you have to go to an office first to check in. With the lock box all you need are directions and the code...no extra stop. floridacontact.com also has nice homes, and they email you your choices and you get to look at them an pick which one suits you. Good luck!!!

 

[PTKeil]

Thought of a couple other things that I made sure of..... Make sure the house has two living areas. This was important for us and the kids. We could sit and play cards while the kids could watch movies, etc. Another is to pay close attention to the color of the carpet and upholstery. Remember, if it's white, it's easily stained and you are responsible in the event something is spilled.

 

[pats]

I checked out vrbo.com and noticed he prices are considerably lower than most other homes sites. So i emailed several owners and got great responses. 2 of them offered me lower prices than were on their sites also. I took one which is i kissimmee $550 for 7 nights 4 bedrooms 2 baths and the owner, who lives in UK. gave me the name of the managment co. who runs it. I called and they were very nice and answered all my questions about the property. I was mostly concerned about sending a deposit and finding out i was shammed. I think i got a great deal though..the hotel i had book was $500 more for the week. and we have a private pool at the house..yee haa

 

[tednvon]

We have used vrbo.com many times and never had a problem ....the owners are great to deal with and very anxious to please....beware! alot of big companies have snuck their add into vrbo because it is so successful....shop around for a good deal. the homes are located mostly west and south of disney....If you get a "Davenport" Location it is south on 27 and a very easy drive to Disney on I-4 to the new entrance...no hassels on 192 which is under construction...also some really good golf and orange groves down on 27....good luck...Ted

 

[athurstance]

I have to agree about the Davenport area. We always stay on the US27 and it is an excellent location. You can play golf at any of the courses along here you don't have to be staying at the specific resort - there is a good range to choose from.

Oct/Nov 1987 Travelodge Maingate East (WDW)
1991 Anaheim (DL)
1993 Camp Davey Crockett (DLP)
1995 Hotel Cheyenne (DLP)
1996 Sequoia Lodge (DLP)
Oct 1997 Esprit Villa(WDW)
Mar 2000 Esprit Villa(WDW)
Feb 2001 Esprit Villa(WDW)
Dec 2001/Jan 2002 Esprit Villa (WDW)

 

[pats]

The house we got is in Davenport Lakes. i did not know there is a new entrance over that way. How would i get to it from there and avoid 192?

 

[pats]

Just wanted to bump this up. Can someone explain the other way in to me, near animal kingdom. Are there signs for this entrance i should look for?

 

[vernon]

Nearest to WDW I would say Lindfields and Indian Ridge Oaks are two of the nicer developments ( but there are a few new ones going up as well)

As far as renting direct from an owner I would caution that unless you have gone this route before and are happy to take the small risk the house isn't completely suitable to you, it is a risk. Using a rental company gives you the security that if there is something your not completely happy with there is a very good chance you can get moved to another house. Booking direct with an owner you are commited to that single house.
IMHO it is unlikely this will happen, but it isn't impossible. For people new to this option I think the slightly higher cost of using a management company is a worthwhile insurance policy.

P.S I say this as an owner of a rental home and I do rent out direct but I think it would be remiss of me not to state that view because, even though it costs me money, I think it is a much safer option to use the agents.

 

[tednvon]

Hi, two comments, Most of the complaints I have seen about houses and condos have been with big companies....we stayed one time in a "big company" house....13 inch TV in living room,no Tv is master bedroom....bed in master was a double bed, not queen, pool was cold, lawn was poorly kept......next year...VRBO.COM for 2/3 the price...Two King beds, TV in all 3 bedrooms, nice pool...just my experience!....number 2....from Davenport get on I-4 East and get off at Huge Disney/Celebration exit...really slick....Ted

 

[pats]

Thanks, tednvon. I'll have to try that. I dont know if the construction on 192 will still be there when we go, but this wasy will be a lot easier .

 

[tednvon]

As I recall Davenport Lakes is about a mile or two south of 192 on 27....from here it is definately closer to Disney via 192, but whether it is quicker depends on the congestion on 192....You might try both...I-4 may be about 5 minutes longer, but no hassel.....192 can get very crowded at certain times when big rush to disney..usually 8:30 to 9:30 am.....so either way YOU ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD and it will be wonderful....let us know how you liked the house...Ted