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Frequently Asked Questions | Orlando Vacation Home Rentals

Before you book your vacation rental home in Orlando with Discount Vacation Rentals Online, we’re sure you have plenty of questions on how to go about reserving your vacation stay in Orlando and what to expect after clicking that submit button. We are here to lend a helping hand in order to make this a quick and easy process so that you have more time to plan the adventure for your vacation! Listed below are some frequently asked questions to get you moving in the right direction:

How do I know which properties are available?
The best practice is to start your search for a vacation rental with only properties that are available for your dates of travel. Our system is designed to “Stop Searching and Start Choosing!” Therefore we highly recommend you start with putting in your dates of travel and the number of people traveling with you. This START HERE box can be found on the homepage in the top left corner underneath the Discount Vacation Rentals Online logo. Enter in your dates of travel and the number of adults & children, click the CHECK AVAILABILITY button. The system will provide you now with a list of properties that are available for your dates of travel. If the list of available properties is still too long, we recommend a second useful tip where you start narrowing down the specifics of your vacation accommodation.  On the left hand side of the list of homes being displayed, you will see the same yellow search rentals box with square check boxes listed under Advanced Search. For example, if High Speed Internet is a must-have for your party check the High Speed Internet box then first. The list will automatically narrow down in real time and display only the homes that have High Speed Internet now to your right. Still too long of a list? Check another Advanced Search box, for example check Game Room. Now only the properties with High Speed Internet and a Game Room will be listed to your right. Is the list too little or not displaying as many options as you’d like? Uncheck the least important advanced search box and the list will again, automatically update with properties that include the items you’ve requested. Pretty handy right?!

How do I choose and book my reservation with DVRO?
Visit the DVRO vacation rental home page and fill in the START HERE yellow box with your dates, number of people traveling in your party and you can choose the number bedrooms you need. Click the Check Availability button and you will be provided with a list of properties available for your dates. On the left hand side you will notice Advanced Search options and you can check or uncheck boxes, the list will update automatically in real time. Whichever box you check or uncheck, the list will always be properties that are available for your dates that meet the criteria of the advanced search box you have checked. You can now scroll down the list of properties available on your right, then click a picture of a home that’s of interest to you. Then the property page will load displaying all details for that particular property chosen. When you’re finished reading about that specific property, just click your back button and go back to the list of available properties. If you liked the home you just viewed, there is a Compare box you can check mark on the right hand side of that property listing as you have the list of all properties up on your screen. Click the Compare box. After reviewing the list of homes available, the fastest way to decide between two or three homes you like best is by using the Compare boxes. Make sure the compare boxes are checked for your top 2-3 home preferences, then scroll to the very bottom of the list and you will see a Compare Homes button. Click this Compare Homes button and you will have up to 3 properties listed next to each other to make an easy choice on which property would be your perfect vacation rental match. Once you have chosen your property, you can either click the “Book It Now” button on the property and reserve the vacation rental property online (this will block out that property so another guest cannot book it any longer online, as the home is held for your dates once your reservation is submitted) or you can give us a call at 407-492-0094 and a reservationist will help you make the reservation, whichever you feel most comfortable with. The booking form is described below in detail on what information you will need to complete your reservation.

What are my booking options?

  • Do you need a crib or high chair? For your little travel partners, you can rent a crib or highchair. The cribs typically delivered are folding Pack-N-Play cribs serving as a play pen as well. You may rent the crib or high chair for a minimum charge of $35.00 per unit, per week (7 nights total). The charge is not pro-rated if you are staying less than a week’s time (7 nights). For example, whether you are staying for 3 nights or 5 nights with DVRO, the minimum charge for your single crib rental is $35.00 plus tax. The crib or highchair will be delivered prior to your date of arrival check-in time of 4pm and picked up from the property upon your departure date.
  • If you need a full size crib (not a pack-n-play), these can be special ordered. Please contact our office by phone or request it in the comments box of your online reservation. Please note in the comments box of your reservation request, that you “would like a full size crib rental for your stay”. The price will be updated to $65.00 plus tax for 7 nights rental of a full size crib (please remember to pack baby’s favorite blanket and linen). DVRO has different resources for all crib rental in Orlando.
  • Would you like to rent a BBQ grill? If you are wishing to take delight in a scrumptious cook-out over your vacation time in Orlando, just let us know and we’ll have a Gas BBQ grill delivered to your home upon your date of arrival. A single tank of gas is included and all you’ll need to do is bring the ribs and BBQ sauce! The BBQ rental is a minimum charge of $50.00 per unit, per week. The charge is not pro-rated if you’re staying less than a week’s time (7 nights). The BBQ rate is not prorated. If you’re staying for 10 nights for example, the charge is for two weeks time at $100.00 plus tax and this will be automatically updated by our reservations team. Please note that some vacation homes may display a BBQ grill shown on premises (for example a photo of the BBQ Grill on the patio area of the home). You will still need to rent a BBQ to have it available for your use at the home.
  • Do you want the pool heated? You may choose to have your private pool heated during your stay within one of our fabulous vacation properties. We highly suggest you heat your pool during the cooler months of the year which are considered to be October through May here in Orlando. The charge for pool heat is $35.00 per night with a 5 night minimum charge to have your pool (and spa if applicable) heated. Any guest staying more than 5 nights that requests pool heat for their stay will need to select the number of days pool heat that matches the number of nights they’re reserving the home. For example: If you are reserving your home for three nights and you would like the pool and/or spa heated during your stay, you will still be required to select 5 Days pool heat as the minimum charge. A guest staying for 7 nights who would like the pool and/or spa heated during their stay will need to select 7 days of pool heat. Quantity will remain “1″ at all times. Days will match the number of nights you have rented the property. Our reservations team will update your reservation automatically to include the proper number of nights needed if your reservation is submitted with less than the minimum number of nights required.

To provide you with important insight on how the pool heaters will operate while you are visiting your vacation rental property:
The heaters will operate on a pre-set timer throughout the day. Each timer is set according to the stipulations set forth by the homeowners association. If you experience any type of mechanical failure with the pool heater during your stay, you will be entitled to refund once the issue is verified by a property management team. During the cooler seasons of the year, the drop in outside temperature will lead to a drop in the pool water temperature as well. The heaters turn off automatically when the outside temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit and will not turn on until the outside temperature has reached warmer than 55 degrees. This drop in temperature is not considered a mechanical failure and you will not be entitled to a refund of the pool heat cost.
The pool heaters are scheduled to run for a specified time frame each day (the time frame is decided by each, individual homeowners association or management company of which the home is subject to). The temperature of the pool water when heated is to be on average 80 degrees Fahrenheit (the pool water will be cooler than the suggested temperature in the morning hours due to the pool heater not running over night). If you decide to have the pool heat turned on, it will be turned on by a maintenance personnel and it may take 24-48 hours for the pool water to reach a comfortable temperature to swim. If the outside temperature is cooler than expected, it will take longer for the pool heater to heat the pool properly to the average set temperature. This is not a mechanical failure and you will not be entitled to a refund or compensation. If you have any questions regarding your pool heat during your stay, you will contact the property management company which is providing the rental home to you. They will have a well-educated maintenance staff which can help you with any questions or concerns you may have.

Bear in mind that pool heating is an option and the decision is yours, the guest. If the weather predictions are extremely low for your time of travel (to Florida standards that is), for example 65 degrees or cooler, you may want to reconsider whether you want to have the pool heat on, as you will still have paid for the pool heat cost, even if it is too cold outside for you or the kids to swim comfortably. A pool heater may struggle to keep the water temperature to a consistent level during cooler months in Florida but the pool heater is running and the service uses a utility which is a cost to the renter regardless of how often or little they swim while at the property. So ask yourself this: Will be using the home to swim in our private pool and enjoy the warm weather during our dates of travel? OR will we be out at the parks from sun-up to sun-down? Just something to think about and consider.

Are you bringing along the family pet? Please keep in mind that some units do not allow pets. Management companies will typically remove the guest and pet immediately from the home without a refund or compensation if the pet is found on the property without proper notification before the guest’s arrival. Please advise DVRO ahead of time if you’re planning to travel with a pet and we’ll make sure you and your family pet have a cozy PET-FRIENDLY rental property! A non-refundable pet deposit will apply to your reservation of $150.00.
Simply request a pet friendly home.

If available, would you like to check in early or check out late? Whether you arrived a bit ahead of schedule or have a change of plans toward the end of your stay in Orlando, we can arrange the extra time you’ll need for your vacation! If you would like to check in on your arrival date by 2pm there will be an early check in fee of $55.00 plus tax. If you choose late check out of 12pm on your date of departure, the fee is $55.00 plus tax. You can choose early check in and late check out for a total of $110.00 plus tax. The options of early check in and late check out are not available during high season such as Christmas and Easter. This option will only be confirmed if available a week prior to your arrival date. If the guest enters a home prior to the scheduled check in time of 4pm, you will be charged for an early check in. If the guest departs from the property after the scheduled check out time of 10am, the guest will be charged a late check out fee.

Standard Fees applicable to all reservations:

  • Accidental Damage Waiver (ADW): This is a non-refundable, one-time fee of $50.00 for accidental damages that may occur during your stay. No security deposit will be charged to the guest from DVRO. The management company of the home a guest chooses to rent does have the option to have you, the guest, complete a registration or security deposit form prior to your arrival. Please inform the management company or DVRO of any accidents that may have occurred during your stay in the home and there will be no additional fees for accidents REPORTED to DVRO. The management company overseeing your property may choose to obtain a security deposit prior to the arrival date from the guest directly in order to safeguard the property. Accidents covered under the ADW only include: accidental plate/glass breakage, stained washcloth or towel, etc.Malicious, intentional damage, theft, willful conduct, gross negligence are not covered by the ADW. Additionally, you the guest, authorize DVRO or the management company of your home to charge the credit card on file with any additional damage payments.
  • Reservation Fee: This is a one time fee of $25.00 for administrative services including confirmations, updates, change requests, and check in preparation.
  • Cleaning Fee: A clean fee will apply as a one time charge to any reservation that is booked less than 5 nights. The cleaning fee amount charged is based on the size of your rental unit. When making your reservation the cleaning fee would be automatically added to the total of your reservation and will be displayed on your booking form total. Any stay 5 nights or more is not subject to a cleaning fee charge. The clean will be performed before arrival and after departure.

What should I expect after I book my reservation online?
After you submit your reservation request you will see a Submission Successful notice where you can choose to print a copy of the reservation for your records. You will also be provided with a customer or transaction ID# for future reference and an e-mail will automatically be sent through the reservation system. This confirmation which includes information on the receipt of payment will be sent to the email address you have provided on your request within 24/48 hours of the initial submission. The DVRO Confirmation is a printout of your reservation details in which you will sign and date at the bottom of the page assuring all information is correct, that you agree with DVRO Terms & Conditions. You will be required to sign both this confirmation printout and any registration documents required by the management company of your vacation home. Both documents may be faxed, mailed or emailed to our office with your original signature. This actual DVRO Confirmation is your official acceptance of the reservation request and of the final balance charge that will take place 30 days prior to your arrival date. Once the reservation confirmation, down payment receipt, final balance receipt (and security deposit form if applicable) are signed and returned to our office you will then receive your check-in directions for your specific rental. A final confirmation which will include: directions to the property management check-in office, here of which you will be picking up the key to your rental property and the directions to your vacation rental. If you will be arriving after business hours there will be a lock box in the front of the office. In this lock box will be an envelope with your last name printed and it will contain all of the information you need for your check-in. Some specific vacation rentals will allow direct check-in at the property and this will be stated on your final confirmation. You will drive to the property address that DVRO has provided and outside the front door will be a metal lock box. You will enter in your lock box code and a key for the property is inside this lock box. Upon check-out you will place the key back inside this box.
As required by Florida Law and Statutes, all guests are required to register upon arrival. Kindly sign and return your registration form or security deposit forms located within your after-hours envelope, back to the office the following business day. A 24 hour emergency phone number will be provided for each guest and is to be used for Emergencies Only. This 24 Hour Emergency Number will be for you to contact the management company in regards to a true emergency that cannot wait to be resolved until the following business day.

What is the Check In time? Check Out time?
Check in time is 4pm. Check out time is 10 am. All keys to the unit must be returned back to the SAME location from which you picked them up. Please do NOT leave any keys inside the rental unit. If you lose your property key, you will be subject to the replacement fee according to the terms of the property management company. If you do not return the key to the lock box or the lock box top is not returned to its proper place, then the guest will be responsible for the cost in replacing the lock box. The management company will be the guest directly for the cost incurred.

What to do and who to contact while in the rental home?
DVRO has authorized all of its management companies to deal directly, promptly and immediately with any concerns or complaints our guests may have during their stay. The management company has full power to negotiate directly with the guest in order to resolve any issue or concern at that point in time. The guest is required to register any complaint with the management company involved and demand proof of the claim. DVRO will not accept any unregistered complaints made after the stay. Refunds or compensation will not be provided to a guest if the claim was not registered with the management company during the guest’s dates of stay. The claim must then be validated by the management company and they may choose to refund or compensate the guest as they deem reasonable.

Policy Information:
A reservation made within 30 days of the guest’s arrival date will be subject to be paid in full.
If the arrival date is 31 days or more in the future at the time the reservation is made, the following will apply:

Down Payment: A non-refundable down payment is required with each reservation. The reservation down payment of $200.00 is required in order for DVRO to accept the reservation request. The down payment portion is deducted from the grand total amount of the entire reservation and once it is applied it will leave a remaining balance.
The remaining balance: The remaining balance will be due 30 days prior to your arrival date and will be charged to your credit card on file automatically. If you wish to provide another Credit Card for the balance or multiple cards to split the balance, simply give DVRO a call prior to the 30 day mark.

For any reservation made within 30 days of the arrival date, the entire reservation amount will be automatically collected upon receipt of the reservation request.

Cancellations:

The reservation deposit is non-refundable with each reservation request made by the guest. Any cancellation request received 31 days or more before arrival will be processed and no cancellation fee will apply. The down payment of $200 will be withheld and is not refundable. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to arrival date and it is also non-refundable once applied to the reservation. Any cancellation received 30 days or less to date of arrival will be processed and no cancellation fee will apply. The total booking amount will be withheld and is not refundable.
Change of dates is not considered a cancellation and can be requested up to 31 days prior to arrival. Change of dates are subject to availability. Please submit a change of dates request to: reservations@discountvacationrentalsonline.com. The change of dates will only take effect when confirmed to the guest by DVRO. The guest may also request via email to shorten the length of their stay and/or downgrade in the size of their home if requested 31 days or more prior to their arrival. DVRO will automatically update the charges on the guest file in order to update the final payment amount. If the request is sent within 30 days or less of arrival date, the final payment will remain the same regardless of changes. Changes requested will only take effect when confirmed to the guest by DVRO. All cancellation requests and/or change requests must be submitted in writing via email with a receipt request.

Items Included in your Vacation Rental Property

What is supplied in the full kitchen?
Your kitchen will include the following: refrigerator, freezer, oven, stove, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, blender, cutlery and pots & pans of various sizes (at least one sauce pan and one frying pan). There will be glasses, cups, plates, bowls and silverware available for the specified maximum number of people permitted in the home. Guest is responsible for their own groceries, detergents, soaps and paper products for the duration of the stay.

What other items will be supplied in the unit?
For your convenience there is a washing machine, dryer, broom, dustpan, iron and ironing board in the rental unit. No chemicals will be kept in the property therefore, you will be responsible for picking up your own cleaning supplies, detergents and soaps. However, starter paper products will be provided. You will have 1 (one) roll of toilet paper and a bar of hand soap in each bathroom. A single trash bag will be located in each trash bin within the property.

Will linens and towels be provided?
There will be additional bed linens (sheets and blankets) provided in the home. Towels are also provided for the specified maximum number of people permitted in the home. Please keep in mind no chemicals or cleaning products are left on premises. You will be responsible to purchase soaps, detergents or cleaning supplies you require during your stay.

Is there a telephone in the rental unit?
There is a telephone provided in the home which may be used for local calls free of charge. You will need a calling card or credit card number in order to make a long distance phone call. Many homes have different providers and the procedures may vary depending the rental unit’s provider. Some units provide free national calling and some even have free International calling at your service. Read the description for each property for further details.

What is a Best Value Vacation Rental?

The Best Value Option is not a specific property you are reserving. With the Best Value option you may choose the number of bedrooms and the type of rental you would prefer such as a pool home, town house or condo. Discount Vacation Rentals Online will then choose a property from our inventory for you that meets your criteria chosen. This is the most budget-friendly option. We cannot describe in advance nor promise specific amenities to a property as we allocate your reservation to a property only after you submit your reservation online. Though you can request specific booking options you would like in the property as described below. When you’re viewing the slide show of photos on the listing of a Best Value Option, this will be a compilation of photos from several different properties, only giving you an idea on the type of interior and exterior examples. You may stay in one of the home’s pictured or you may not. DVRO chooses the property from our inventory of vacation rentals for you that meets your needs. The Best Value Properties are visible to the guest as they will be labeled Best Value or with a code consisting of only 3 characters, for example: 2BC, 3BH, 4BT, etc.

Key Note:
Specific Homes: Homes that have a code consisting of letters and numbers (usually a code consisting of 4- 8+ digits or characters in the code) are specific rental properties. The home that is displayed in pictures (and video) will have the amenities as described under the specific property. The home that you reserve is the home that you will be staying in. So as the saying goes: what you see is what you get!

With the Best Value option the guest does not know exactly which home is allocated to them prior to making their reservation. The home DVRO has chosen will be disclosed to the guest when the full balance is paid and the signed paperwork has been returned 30 days prior to their arrival. However, it is still subject to change if deemed necessary by the management company.

The Best Value option will ask you, the guest, which amenities you may require with the reservation (these special requests must be entered in the comments box upon the submission of your reservation request and are subject to availability):

  • Would you like a spa with your pool? The spa option will be a charge of $10.00 per reservation. In Florida, a spa is attached to the pool normally and they both use the same volume of water. Pool heat will be required for this spa to be heated as well. By you selecting this option, DVRO will choose a property that also has a spa. Who wouldn’t enjoy watching the sunset in a toasty spa after a long day of walking through the great world of Mickey!
  • Would you like a Games Room in your home/garage? The games room will generally include a pool table and may include one or more other type of table game (for example: foosball, air hockey, ping pong, or even a dart board to test your skill). The games room is only $15.00 per reservation!
  • Would you like a Play Station/XBox/Game Cube for the kids? You can add a PS2 or similar game console to your home for only $10.00 per reservation. This way the kids have entertainment at home all day and night if you run into a rainy day while in Florida.
  • Would you like internet access in your home? High Speed Internet access will be provided in your vacation home for only $15.00 per reservation if you choose to add this option. Don’t forget to bring along your personal laptop.
  • Are you interested in an upgrade to a premier home? Every Best Value reservation made with DVRO will be placed originally in a standard rated home. If you’re interested, you may choose to be in an upgraded home which will generally include a higher standard home consisting of more TV sets, DVD player(s), and more elaborate furnishings. Your upgrade can be arranged for only $15.00 per reservation and you’ll enjoy the priceless comfort and satisfaction of a premier home!

Helpful Tips:

Please be sure to read the Terms & Conditions for additional details regarding your reservation. Every reservation falls under the Discount Vacation Rentals Online T&C. Guests are subject to the follow the specific rules & regulations in force by the management company for their vacation home. Other mandates can be found posted within or around your rental property. The management company may choose to charge a guest for any damaged, stained, lost, stolen, or broken item(s) in need of repair or replacement that they deem necessary and the cost will be billed directly to the credit card(s) held on file for the reservation as the guest’s billing information is provided to the supplier of the rental property for such incidences.

Please help us take care of these splendid vacation homes and treat the vacation home as you would want your home to be treated by guests. A white folder of helpful tips will typically be displayed in the home asking the guest to follow certain guidelines such as, but not limited to:

1. No Smoking within any vacation property. Violators will be subject to extra deep-clean costs.

2. Pets are only permitted within designated pet friendly homes. Violators will be subject to pet fee.

3. Guests are permitted to enter and exit the property only on their scheduled dates of stay. Guests who enter the home prior to their scheduled check-in time, will be required to pay for an early check-in. Guests who depart later than their scheduled departure time will be required to pay a late check-out.

4. A minimum temperature for which the A/C can be set will be noted. Lowering the A/C beyond this minimum may cause the A/C unit to freeze and the guest is held liable for the repair cost.

5. Do not tamper with the pool heat box. Guests who help themselves to pool heat will be charged for the standard pool heat costs over the duration of their stay by the management company. Please place the child-safety fence back in the upright position on the pool deck prior to departure from the home.

6. You will be expected to place your garbage in the proper collection bin.  Any excessive trash within the home or left upon the exterior of the property will subject the guest to proper cleaning charges and/or an excessive trash fee.

7. Please do not place paper towel or other items other than toilet paper in the toilet bowls. Plungers are provided but if a plumber is needed the guest will be subject to the cost incurred.

8.  Any damage that is malicious or intentional to the home including the exterior or interior, or contents within the home will result in repair or replacement charges that will be billed to the guest directly by the management company of the property. Stolen items from the property will result in charges that will be billed to the guest directly by the management company and the incident will be reported to authorities. The management company of a vacation property may require you to complete a registration form and/or security deposit form authorizing $300 upon your arrival date which is then held during your dates of stay in order to safeguard the property. This is not a charge through Discount Vacation Rentals Online. The security deposit is authorized and released back to the guest at the discretion of the rental property supplier and/or property manager, not by DVRO.

9. Keep your key in the lock box. Lost or stolen keys will need to be replaced and the guest will be charged directly by the management company to cover this cost. Upon checkout of the home place the key back in the lock box with the lock box top secured safely in place. If you lose the top of the lock box that holds the key, you will be charged for the lock box replacement.

10. Please clean up spills, smudges or stains made by your party on the floor, carpet, or bedding (towels, pillow cases, sheets and blankets). These items need to be enjoyed by the next party entering the home and we’d greatly appreciate your help in cleaning up if your toddler spills their juice on the floor for example. Carpet cleaning or dry cleaning costs will be a result of items left stained by a guest and the guest will be charged directly for such cleaning costs or replacement of the items damaged/stained.

For further questions please contact DVRO via email or via phone. We’ll be happy to assist you in reserving your perfect vacation property in Orlando.

Please be sure to read the Terms & Conditions for additional details regarding your reservation.