Where do/did you find your off-site condo/house?

[marshallandcartersmo]

I posted this on the Orlando board but didn't get much response. Might be better here??

We're in the early stages of planning a Spring Break trip towards the end of 3/11, and since Disney (so far) hasn't released any packages for our dates, I'm starting to look offsite.

But I have no idea where to start! there are 1000000s of off-site condos (would probably like this option, like the resort feel rather than a private home) but those of you that found one.....did you go directly through the resort, use VRBO.com, priceline???? And how do I know which ones are closest to Disney? Is there a list somewhere?

We went offsite our last trip, but a relative planned the whole thing through their timeshire exchange, and we just showed up. Don't have that luxury this time.

 

[mrspopeye]

We will be staying off site for the second time this fall. I personally enjoy having our own large space, and I could never imagine staying on-site with the four of us crammed into a 300 sq ft or so space for days and days.

In 2008, I spent an extensive amount of time narrowing down choices on vrbo.com. Finally decided on a villa in Trafalgar Village in Poinciana. I was given an alternate home in the neighborhood, and not the one in the picture, which was upsetting because I spent all that time picking out the perfect home and my girls has looked at "their room" only to find out we were in the house next door to the one in the pic. The house pictured in vrbo was nothing like it was in person, in great disrepair with a for sale sign. The villa was ok but the TV did not work the whole time and management was not helpful. The sheets were not washed either when we arrived. Poinciana was also too far from the parks IMO.

So, needless to say, when looking for a condo or villa for our upcoming fall trip, I started out reserching places that had the most feedback and had a better track record as far as customer service, rather than letting the pictures guide my decision.

We decided to rent from Story Time Orlando in Windsor Hills for our upcoming trip. Of course, you won't find perfect feedback for every place you look, but there was way more positive comments and over a longer period of time, which was my deciding factor. So far, the owner have been responsive and pleasant. I hope our stay there will be equally as pleasant. They stay booked up, so that also should say something.

There also seems to be a lot of positive feedback about the Bonnet Creek area, and I think there is even a disboards thread on it. You might find some info there.

Good luck!

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Alot of Disers seem to love Wydham Bonnet Creek. After all the positive reveiws I have read on the Dis we plan to stay there next trip.

Here is the review thread with great info and pics....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2114303

 

[Darcy03231]

www.vacationhomes.com
www.vactionrentals.com
www.vbro.com

Last time we stayed offsite we rented this house:

http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/32411.html

We were very happy with our stay there and I would rent the same home again.

 

[richmond282]

vrbo.com

 

[Jaime4004]

I've always booked with homeaway.com. You can narrow the search down by the things that are important to you (#bedrooms, bathrooms, pool, etc, and most importantly, price!)

 

[mrsklamc]

http://www.windsorhillsrent.com/

 

[Thumper_Man]

On our first trip, DW and I stayed offsite and booked through a site called Magical Memories. I found THIS site through Expedia. We got some really good rates for a 2 bedroom 2 bath villa with dining room, living room and kitchen. Even had a washer and dryer in the condos which made it nice. We didn't have to pack as much for a week and a half stay.

 

[bcinohio]

Just rented offsite for the first time in July. Found a 4bed, 3 bath, pool, gameroom house on VRBO. We had a great trip and would stay offsite again in that house.

 

[savannahcat]

We use vrbo.com and have always had good experiences. I look at the following neighborhoods because they are all close to Disney:

Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms, Emerald Island, Formosa Gardens.

All of these are very close to Animal Kingdom, and are not much farther from the parks than Animal Kingdom Lodge. I'm sure there are lots of others that I didn't list in the same area.

 

[Shleedogg]

The last time we stayed off site we booked it through my parents' timeshare. We didn't use their week, but they have a section called "getaways" with steep discounts for Interval members. We got a 2 bedroom at the Sheraton Vistana Villages for $535 and a 1 bedroom for $335, each for a week stay. My SIL tried to book through her travel agent SIL and the best she could do was in the $900 range. If you have a relative that has a timeshare, I'd ask them if they have any discounts for condos.

We've stayed at both Sheratons near Disney, The Vistana and the Vistana Villages. If you get an option for both, choose the Villages. They are gorgeous. I prefer to stay on-site with Disney, but if and when we do other things around Orlando, the Vistana Villages will be my first choice. The Vistana is really run down and badly in need of some updating (as of 2005).

I would check tripadvisor if I were you. Just look in their top list and read reviews. Or do it reverse and go to priceline or expedia or another travel site and see what deals you can get, then look at their reviews on specific condos that you find.

 

[DawnM]

I always buy blowout weeks at SkyAuction and then book them later, but I don't think you will be able to get condos during peak season for the same rates.

Dawn

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

this is a great thread!!

And I've read lots of great things about Bonnet Creek, I just can't figure out where people are renting from. I guess VRBO, etc......

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

 

[abmitch01]

I've used VRBO with no problems. I 've done rentals through the Windsor Hills site twice, I liked that. The owners were really helpful and there are tons of properties to choose from

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I've used VRBO with no problems. I 've done rentals through the Windsor Hills site twice, I liked that. The owners were really helpful and there are tons of properties to choose from

do you have that site? thanks

 

[abmitch01]

http://www.windsorhillsrent.com/

I can't recommend those properties enough. both times the houses were better than we had even hoped

 

[Pembo]

We stayed at Windsor Hills last June and it was wonderful. We were "home" from Epoct after Illuminations in 20 mins. We rented from magicalvacationhomes.com

 

[okeydokey]

We've used villas2go4

We stayed a few times in Highland Reserve and really liked it.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

when I'm searching homeaway.com or vrbo.com......which area is closest to Disney? Kissimmee??

thanks