Best way to hire a Condo or Townhouse or Villa in Orlando

[anniemouse]

We're off to orlando in Oct . We're a family of 5 so looking at either a condo, townhouse or small villa. I've already looked at the owners direct website and seen some nice places but I am really worried that there may be some dishonest people out there who could take my money and run. Maybe I am being overly cautious but is there any way I can check this? Is it better to hire via a management company ? If anyone has any ideas or good links I would be very grateful. Cheers!

www.villas2000.com/
www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/ are reputable agencies that have been recommended to me although I haven't used them personally, I know friends that have. There are disney discussion boards with UK sections if you don't get many replies on here! HTH

I can recommend Loyalty Homes which is run by an english lady called Yvonne who is based in Orlando. She has been in the business out there for around 10 years now and only manages luxury properties with private pools within 4 miles of Disney. All homes are in a lovely residential area with community pool, childrens play area and tennis courts. Many of the homes have a gamesroom too which is ideal for the children.

She often has special offers from around $100 per night which works out cheaper than two rooms in a cheap motel.
www.loyaltyusa.com

Hve you seen the DIBB website (Disney Information Bulletin Board, which is all about Disney for Brits here), I have found it really useful for planning our Florida trip. I just booked a hotel direct, but there are loads of villas advertised on it and many of them owned by forum members with recommendations from others etc. Hopefully you will find something you like.

I am going this summer and we have booked a villa through owners direct. This is our 3rd time using owners direct, and have been really pleased both times (1st time for Florida, however). I know a few other people who have booked properties through them and have had no other problems.

We've got a villa in Orlando and at the moment I advertise on holiday-rentals and owners direct. I've just purchased advertising on the dibb so am putting an advert on there tomorrow.

Most advertisers are 100% genuine. We've also got a villa in France that we rent through the same websites and I'm always worried that the people renting aren't genuine or that they'll trash the place. I fully understand your concerns but it is two way!

I'd suggest phoning the owners and speaking to them directly. You can probably judge a reasonable amount from their attitude to you. If they don't give a phone number (and some don't because of the amount of spam calls that you get) then email them and ask them to phone you back.

ooh, Badpups, we are thinking of going to France in the summer as can't be arsed with all the daft security to go to the states now. Can you link to your villa please?

I'm not allowed to link as I don't advertise on MN. However, if you pm me I'll be happy to provide details. We don't have much availability left for the summer though.

But is it advertising if I ask?
By 'PM' do you mean CAT? If so I'm not set up for that.
could you email me details at [email protected] Thanks

I use a site called www.vrbo.com
If you are cautious about the honesty of some people, then go with one that accepts credit card payment. Even if you only pay a small amount of the rental on that, then if it all goes belly up, the credit card company will refund.We have chosen villas through this site for a number of years and have yet to be disappointed.