Ten Questions Before You Book That Orlando Vacation Rental Home
An Orlando vacation is the dream getaway for most families. Every year about fifty million people make the journey to Florida to enjoy the pleasures that Disney, Sea World and Universal provide. It’s a truly magical place for the whole family.
Even though tourists spend most of their time at the theme parks, accommodation is obviously a very important issue for them to decide on. Hotels and motels are the obvious choice and there are many of them to pick from. But a new industry has developed during the past few years that is becoming increasingly popular.
There are now literally thousands of single-family homes and condos in the Disney World and Orlando areas that are rented out by their owners on a short-term basis, just like hotel or motel rooms. So families and groups who want to enjoy more space and the comforts of home have a definite alternative.
Most of the properties are situated within just a few minutes’ drive of the Disney theme parks. There is an enormous variety of property styles and sizes, ranging from two bedroom condos to six bedroom single family homes or even larger. Some communities include additional facilities such as a movie theater, a club house and a gym for those moments when Mickey isn’t capturing your attention.
The vacation rental industry has grown in popularity so much that few families want to return to the restrictions of a hotel once they’ve sampled the extra freedom and flexibility. But like any purchase, there are hidden aspects to think about.
Helped by the communication tools of the Internet, a lot of owners and almost all of the vacation rental companies have built clever and convincing web sites with photos and summaries of why you should book with them. But they are in business to make money and you should be very clear about all the terms and conditions before you buy. For example, you should ask:
* How many nights is the minimum I can book?
* How much deposit do I have to pay to secure a booking?
* When is the total rental payment due to be paid?
* What is your refund policy if I cancel?
* Can you confirm the total amount including tax and other charges that you will require?
* Will we actually be staying in the home that you’ve shown me pictures of or do you allocate homes only on arrival?
* What is check in time on the day of arrival?
* What is check-out time on the day I leave?
* 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.