Long-term rentals in Orlando?

This is a shot in the dark, but has anyone here every rented a place in Orlando for a long term, like a month? Or if you're local, do you know of such places? I'm curious to know if it's possible to get a place for a month or so for less than a grand that's not a dump.

Any suggestions?

Less than a grand might be pretty darn hard. Vacation condos seem to go for many hundreds to a thousand a week in season. You might be able to swing something off-season though, negotiating directly with an owner.

Here's one management agency (read: middleman between you and an owner) that I've looked into for a weekly rental--they list monthly rates as "call", so it might be worth calling just to see what kind of numbers they can quote you. It's not going to be anywhere under $1K, but it's a data point.

http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com/

If I were trying to do this, I'd try to hook up with an "apartment finding" service and see if this is business they'd be willing to take on. Also, you'll probably need to look a bit farther afield than the immediate WDW area for something in the price you're hoping for.

Brian - isn't summer "off-season"? I thought the winter months were high season in Orlando [just as they are in Vegas].

Besides the winter holidays, summer is the busiest time of year at the Orlando parks even with the lousy weather. I'd stay away from the parks at all costs during the summer if you have any flexibility at all.

From the Mouse's Mouth:

http://www.mousesavers.com/seasondates2004.html

Cheapest in Jan through early Feb, September, and November through early Dec. The high-end resorts are also discounted after things get truly hot in late summer.

Prices are highest during schools' winter break, followed closely by mid-feb to the end of easter break.

Basically: it's most expensive when schools have vacations and it's cold up north. It's cheapest when schools *don't* have vacations.

Here are what Disney considers "seasons":

Value
01/01 --> 02/11/04
07/05 --> 09/29/04
10/31 --> 12/19/04

Regular
04/18 --> 07/04/04
09/30 --> 10/30/04

Peak
02/12 --> 04/17/04

Holiday
12/20 --> 12/31/04

Jeff, what about an Extended Stay hotel?

You can stay at Extended Stay America for about 270 a week Jeff. That is for the Universal Studios Extended Stay. *** Edited 4/27/2004 5:34:02 PM UTC by DragonRider***

My buddy and his father own two condos in the area. Not to sure how close to anything but you can PM me and i'll get you some info.

I found a few sites:

Rentalo

All Rentals By Owner

ER Homes

Though, most of these if not all are well over $1,000 a month range. If you could get other people to rent the condo with you though they seem like really nice places to stay.

Home Rental Ads has some really nice houses for rent right around your price range. Upon farther search into this site, I think it is for long-term renals and not for just a month.

Good luck with your search. *** Edited 4/27/2004 5:55:31 PM UTC by Sarah Jackson***

Yeah, I did spot the ESA hotel near Universal.

Right now we're contemplating the month of June, which would not be ideal for theme parks, I know. However, the reasons for being there are not limited entirely to theme parks.

---

onceler said:
Value
07/05 --> 09/29/04

---

That's pretty wild. July is a "value" season? I hardly think the parks are empty that time of year.

onceler, if you look carefully, the july/august periods are only "value season" at "Deluxe" and "home away from home" resorts (the latter are DVC properties, usually). July and August are "Regular Season" at "Value" and "Moderate" resorts.

-brian, who's got kids just entering the Disney Age, and so has done *lots* of research.

*** Edited 4/27/2004 5:54:14 PM UTC by Brian Noble***

Ya, I got my info off the Polynesian page. I was doing tons of research until I realized I was going down durning the peak season where all prices were through the roof.

Keep in mind....Just because the hotels might not be charging peak rates doesn't mean the parks aren't going to be packed. You have a lot more day guests in the summer than at other times of the year.

Right---I'm only using this as a guide to what rentals might cost.