Windsor Palms Villas Rentals

[Kate-n-sam]

OK, I finally decided this is the way to go for 4 adults and 3 kids in April...I've researched this site:
http://www.windsor-palms-resort.com/index.html
and have chosen 5 or 6 homes I like.

This is direct through the owner and I have to admit I'm a bit nervous doing an internet transaction of this nature. ( I've rented lots of vacation homes before, but always through an agent (with an office )

Just curious what do I do next? Should I start with an email to my first first choice or email all of them? Sounds like a silly question.... I'm booking for 2 families and don't want to mess this up.
After I choose a home will I get a lease?
Any advice on obvious questions to ask?
Any experiences good or bad?

Thanks so much for any input!
Lynn

 

[JANNYANS]

E-mail them all then you will know who has your dates free Once you have decided on your homes each owner will send you their own booking forms and terms and conditions which they will need signed and returned and that should be that until you need to pay your final balance ,but each owner has their own way of doing things so check how yours like to do things .Booking direct with an owner is just as easy as using an agent don't be frightened.

 

[louise1928]

My husband and I are also interested in a villa at Windsor Palms...
This will be our first time renting from a private owner. We are a little nervous, but the idea of a vacation home instead of hotel room is very appealing. Has anyone else had any experiences with Windsor Palms???

 

[disneysteve]

We stayed in a 3-bedroom condo at Windsor Palms in November. We found the unit at:
http://www.windsor-palms-resort.com/

After contacting the owner and confirming that our dates were available, she e-mailed all the rental documents. After reviewing them, I mailed them back with payment including a security deposit. I paid in full and got a 10% discount for doing so. Some owners just ask for a deposit, then payment before your arrival. Some even let you pay after you leave (though most don't). Everything was absolutely perfect with the transaction and with the condo itself.

Questions to ask:
Full list of included supplies, amenities, etc. For example, do you need toilet paper, tissues, laundry detergent, or are they supplied. How about paper towels or dish soap? Is there a DVD player/VCR/CD player? Perhaps you'll want to bring a couple of movies or discs from home.

Confirm all fees. Is there a seperate cleaning fee? What's the charge for pool heat, if applicable?

Who manages the property and where are they located? You want to know who you contact during your stay in the event of any problem with the home.

Relax and book with confidence. Virtually all owners are wonderful to deal with and have the properties professionally managed and maintained. It is a fantastic way to travel and you'll never want to stay in a hotel again. If only homes like this were so readily available in other vacation spots.

JANNYANS - How do we convince the DIS folks that we really need a board devoted to rental homes?

Steve

 

[JANNYANS]

Steve-I don't know .The question of rental homes comes up time and time again as more people begin to realise the benefits of renting a pool home .Perhaps if we keep plugging away the powers that be will recognise the fact that there are other places to stay other than on site ,that there are people who want to stay there and that there are people willing to help them out with their postings and questions without being disloyal to Disney .Obviously there will always be those who are not interested but that is not really a reason for denying those who are and a separate board would make life so much easier to find the answers people are looking for.

 

[louise1928]

That would be great!

There are so many questions asked about renting vacation homes, it would make it more convenient to find the information you are seeking.

you got my vote!

 

[djm99]

I'm also renting a home that I actually got from www.vrbo.com. One thing I learned thoughout my search was most owners post their properties on many different websites, so it almost doesn't matter which site you use.

I'm renting a house that was recommended by several people from this board. Another thing I liked about renting thru personal owners was the different options of paying owners. I didn't want to rent from someone, and have to give them my credit card number/ or even another company for that matter. The owner I used takes Paypal, I love being able to have a accurate record of what I paid, (we are paying a little bit every month, he didn't ask us to, but this was easier for me).

This is the House I chose- the 6 bedroom - he also has a 4 bedroom and like I said others from this board recommended this owner to me. He's a little pricey, but I heard both his homes are beautiful!!!!! To view the 4 bedroom Virtour Tour click on view all my listings and his other home comes up. He also has a tour of Windsor Palms Resort . http://tours.360house.com/viewer.cfm?house=68670&RefURL=tours.360house.com

 

[disneysteve]

Here's the thread to post to if you want to suggest adding a rental home/condo/villa board.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=399301

Please make your voices heard.

Steve

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the great info. I have been in contact with my first choice, and so far everything seems to be going great. I will buy my airline tickets tomorrow, and firm up the house reservation on Monday.

We are so excited. After many trips to Disney properties, which I love by the way....we are excited to try something new for our growing family. Disney just doesn't seem cost effective for us anymore. Plus the fact that I won't have to pack a mountain of stuff just to go to the pool, then walk all the way there, woohoo!
(not to mention we can now put the kids for naps/bed and actually sit in the pool/spa) Used to be DH and I would sit around all night staring at each other while the kids slept in our 250 square foot room, unable to speak for fear of waking them LOL. Seems like a win win to me!

I would love to see a homes board as well, the search is so often disabled, it's hard to get the info without just posting a new topic, I know this one has shown up before

Thanks all
Lynn