Geo Travel Blog

For many millions of families, an Orlando vacation can be the trip of a lifetime: each year around fifty million people travel to Central Florida, drawn by delights such as Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. And what is on offer can be really magical of course.

Where to stay in Florida is an important decision. Most families and groups still choose to book a hotel or motel and there are many to consider, including those actually at Disney World and the many that exist within a few miles of the Magic Kingdom. But more and more visitors have become aware of an alternative that has grown up during the past few years.

The area just to the south of Disney World now contains many thousands (yes, thousands!) of condos and single-family homes that are owned by investors and absentee owners and that are available to rent out on a short term basis, just like a hotel or motel. They offer all the home comforts such as kitchens and multiple bathrooms, plus they generally have far more living space than hotel rooms can offer.

In the main, these homes are just a short drive away from the Disney main gates. There is a wide variety of places to choose from, including large single family homes of four, five, six bedrooms or even more. At the other end of the scale there are two and three bedroom condos. In an effort to meet every imaginable need, some resort-style communities have been built around central clubhouses that incorporate exercise facilities, tennis courts and even a movie theater.

For many people these offerings mean that a vacation rental home is the first choice when booking a Disney vacation – but there can be some surprises in store for the unwary.

With the rise of the Internet, vacation rental companies and even individual owners have developed professional-looking websites that provide pictures and descriptions of the properties on offer. But as with much of the information available on the Internet, sometimes not all is revealed up-front. Before reaching a decision there are some very important questions to consider:

* How many nights is the minimum I can book?

* What do I have to pay you before a booking is confirmed?

* Do I pay the full amount up front and if so, how much in advance of the booking?

* What is your refund policy if I cancel?

* Does the rate you’ve quoted include everything – there are no extras are there?

* Will we actually be staying in the home that you’ve shown me pictures of or do you allocate homes only on arrival?

* How soon can I get into the home on the day I arrive?

* What’s the latest I can check out on the day of departure?

* Can I pay by credit card?

* Do you require any security deposit to be held until after departure?

So the overall message is: just like making any substantial purchase, get the answers you need before you commit to a booking.