What makes you choose a Vacation Home?

[Sarahboo]

This will be our second time in a vacation home near DisneyWorld. The first time we were primarily concerned with location, price and number of rooms. We loved the house we had, but this time we've added a few requirements:

1. Having a heated pool - We will be traveling in April just as we did last time. We didn't want to pay the extra to heat the pool on our last trip and man was it a mistake. By the time we realized that we wanted it heated, it was hardly worth the money since it would take some time for the pool to properly heat up.

This time we've rented a home that provides free pool heat during the month of April.

We also need the pool to be private and screened. This is an advantage to a home over a hotel and without a private, screened, heated pool we would likely not stay there.

2. We've found that we like having 2 master suites. The reason we rent a home over a hotel is because we're traveling with family. It was awesome having 2 master suites, one for my parents and one for us. It wasn't a pre-requisite last time, but it will be from now on.

3. Proximity to the parks and shopping. This is a no-brainer for us. We want to have to drive as little as possible.

4. Being in a neighborhood with a playground.

5. Being in a neighborhood that is easy to navigate when I'm running.

 

[denisenh]

For me:

High end furniture is what I like when renting a home. We are neat and light users and enjoy plush surroundings. I have stayed in basic furniture rentals and lived to see the light of a new day, but I don't enjoy that type of surrounding very much.

I like to sleep alone and a twin bed is fine for me. My DH can have the master suite. A queen suite for my DD14 and another of any size bed for my DD11 and we are fine.

Anyway, 3 bedrooms including one master suite with upgraded bathroom and another bath and 1/2 are minimum for us.

I always want a full stocked kitchen and washer/dryer.

And I HATE a lot of nic nacks and dust collectors. Sometimes I look at photos of potential rental homes. The bookcases are loaded with junk
I like sparse and clean better. Well placed upgraded plants and a decorator gadget or 2 is okay.

A clean heated private pool and nice pool area OR a nice community resort pool area, i.e. a lazy river and water park, even better with pool side service.

A plain simple contract. I realize that home owners need to protect themselves. I expect to pay for any damages and if I were to cancel of course, although I have never had to do either.

Tell me the price that I'll be paying on the website. If I have to figure in pool heat, tax, extra people, this , that and the other thing....forget it.
Better if it is bookable on a website. I have done that as well as spoken to the owner and sent a check.

Location isn't as important to me, in fact I could place it last. I have an idea of what I want to do on vacation but am open for change. We don't always do days of parks. Sometimes we just do one day at one park, sometimes we do none. I like Florida.

 

[loubelou]

We are first time renters but this was our list:

1) Location (I only looked at Windsor Hills)
2) High End Furniture, Decor, and Bedding. Our own home is very nicely decorated, so we expect the same in a vacation rental & are willing to pay for it. (It's still much less than staying on-site)
3) Pool and King-size bed are a must.
4) Disney themed kids' room
5) Price competitive with other homes that are similiarly furnished/decorated.

 

[Time4Orlando]

I agree with most of the posts on here. But I think it's all personal opinion. If you are concerned about price vs location, well then it's price that will sway your decision. Overall, I think what matters to most people is:

#1 Price - Most families are on a budget
#2 Location - Obviously most families want to be close to Disney, depending on how many times they will visit the park. Some families don't want to be so close because they want to visit other attractions like Universal etc. during their stay.
#3 Amenities - Is the pool nice? Does it have a gameroom? Is it in a neighborhood that has a community center? Is the community gated?

My 2 cents