FAQ'S
HOW CLOSE IS YOUR HOME TO DISNEY?
Our home is just over four miles from the Disney main gate. (Take a look at our map on this site.) To the best of our knowledge, you won't find any homes that are closer. Everybody will tell you that their home is close to Disney and some of them actually are. But, if you look at a good map, you will see that Florida state road 192 runs directly through Disney's property. Approximately 60% of Disney's property (and all of the parks) are north of 192. Slightly to the east and south of 192, you will find Disney's Celebration. Our home lies just to the south of 192 just between Marker 4 and Marker 5. Now that the new Animal Kingdom hotel has been completed, it is less than 10 minutes away (on an extremely busy day) from our home. Try it for brunch. Like most Disney restaurants, the food is good--just expensive. (You can also go to a great link that shows you where all the markers are on 192 at http://www.highway192kissimmee.com/.) Be sure to ask other owners which marker is closest to their home.
ALL THE HOUSES LOOK THE SAME. WHAT MAKES YOURS DIFFERENT?
Many of the houses you see for rent on the internet are very similar. In our subdivision, for example, there were only four or five basic models built . However, our home was built by the foreman of the construction crew that developed Oak Island Harbor. This explains the custom floor plan and all the amenities you don't normally see at other homes--115 feet of waterfront, marble floors, a glass/marble fireplace, a private balcony overlooking the pool and water, stereo speakers in every room (including the garage/ping-pong area), French doors, a marble and brass his/her shower, pergo floors (Dalmatian room) and a private crib area off the master bedroom.
AM I RENTING THE HOME THAT I SEE ADVERTISED?
Yes. What you see is what you get.
HOW CLOSE IS YOUR HOME TO THE AIRPORT?
The airport will normally take you between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on traffic and the time of day.
HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO THE OTHER ATTRACTIONS?
Sea World is approximately eleven miles away, while Universal Studios is about twelve and a half. Wet n Wild is a little further--15 miles. (Take a look at our map.) Busch Gardens is just over 90 miles away. All the beaches are about an hour and fifteen minutes from our home. (Daytona, Cocoa Beach and Canaveral National Seashore.)
HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO SHOPPING AND A GROCERY STORE?
You will pass a shopping center as you exit 192 and drive to our home, less than a mile away. It contains a grocery store, a medical clinic, a Walgreen's (drug store) and other stores. More reasonable shopping, including Wal Mart, Publix (grocery) and others, is less than 3 to 4 miles in either direction on 192.
MY CHILDREN ARE YOUNG AND I WORRY ABOUT THE POOL, IS THE HOME CHILD FRIENDLY?
Our children were six and seven when we bought the home. We worried about the same thing.. All the doors leading to the pool have three levels of protection: 1) normal door locks; 2) manual dead bolts out of the reach of little hands and 3) electronic alarms. NONE OF THESE WILL SUBSTITUTE FOR ADEQUATE ADULT SUPERVISION. To further make the kids feel more at home, we feature Disney "tippy" cups, Disney character silverware and plates, a Mickey Mouse toaster and other Disney artifacts/artwork.
HOW DO I GET TO YOUR HOME?
After you make a reservation (see top of this page) and prior to your arrival, we will email you directions from the airport, along with information about how to get into the house (24/7), information about local shopping and a few tips about the vacation capital of the world.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
This home is completely furnished. In fact, it probably has more amenities than our personal residence which is a constant source of friction in our marriage. All you need is clothing, personal hygiene items and whatever CD's you want. We provide a number of video tapes (children and mature), a few toys for children and everything else. But you might want to bring some salt and pepper.
HOW DO I MAKE A RESERVATION?
You can call us at 708-482-4712 or email us at pirtle@att.net to find out if the week you want is available. To hold and confirm your reservation, we ask that you complete our reservation form (top of page) and send us your security deposit and rent check. Once we have your form and check, we will email you to confirm your reservation and acknowledge the receipt of your payments.
WHAT ARE THE TAXES THAT I HAVE TO PAY?
Florida has no state income tax and tourism is its biggest business. The state of Florida collects a 7% sales tax on all rentals. In addition, Osceola County, which is where Kissimmee is located, collects another 6%. The total is therefore 13%.