More Orlando Vacation Rental Tips

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.

One key part of the package is accommodation. The traditional approach is to rent one or more hotel or motel rooms, depending on the family or party size, and that approach works fine for many groups. But over the last twenty years an alternative has emerged that lots of families increasingly prefer.

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.

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:

• What is the minimum number of nights 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?
  

• Will you repay any deposit or rental payment if I decide to cancel before the booking starts?
  

• Does the rate you've quoted include everything - there are no extras are there?
  

• Will I be staying in the property that I've seen online?
  

• 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?
  

• Do you accept credit cards and if so, which ones do you accept?
  

• When and how do I pay any security deposit to cover any damages?
  

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