DH & I are planning a family trip to Orlando for 6, our expense. We're leaning toward renting a villa over staying in a hotel. I've found tons of villas online, but I've noticed that most of the owners have UK email addresses and do not offer phone numbers to contact them. Several also require cash, check or MO payment.

So my question to you guys - are there known "scams" that locals are aware of, but tourists continuously get trapped in? (Every city has at least one "haha, stupid tourist" pitfall that locals are aware of!) Any rental companies or people that you know, in particular, to avoid? How about any you know are legitimate?

Yes, we have had a few of the online scams here in Tampa and also in Orlando area. I will try to get you a list of good places to contact in the next few days....Dave

We're going to Disney in 3 weeks. It's 3 adults and a child and we rented a townhouse in Windsor Hills. It's 5 miles from Disney.

I'll post my experience when I get back - I'm still a little nervous about renting from an individual. We found people that live near us so my boyfriend says he will go over there and raise some hell if we get screwed somehow - lol! (we paid with a credit card)

Here's the listing:

Windsor Hills Resorts - Townhouse

I thought this was a cool site too!!

Magic Kingdom At Large

Thanks guys, I'd appreciate the info.

We have one we really like, and I have the contract filled out but not signed/sent. The guy seems legit and he uses a local mgmt company, which is a heck of a lot better than someone saying "just send me a check."

BTW - we found ours through VRBO too, after seeing some that looked kind of shady on other sites based in the UK.

We're going late February. This year is my parents 35th anniv and my in-laws' 40th, so this is our gift to them. I go to Tampa all the time for work, but haven't been to Orlando. We have friends there so we're hoping to get the low down on good places to go.

Disney doesn't do much for me. I grew up in San Diego and went to DLand all the time, visited about 2 years ago and it was way too -- over the top. But we'll see - really depends on what the parents in the group want to do since it's their trip (just my bill). I would like to get a scuba dive in, and go deep sea fishing. Hubby wants to go to Canaveral - he's a space/science nut. My parents want Sea World (we had annual passes in San Diego, and they've missed it dearly) and Medeival Times. The in-laws are from Europe and have no clue what they want.

That's a lot for 1 week.

Yeah - that is a lot! We're doing all 4 Disney parks and Universal. My boyfriend has never been and I've been twice ... once as a kid and last time in my late teens. The little one is my nephew, he's 8, so it should be really fun. He's excited!!

We're flying in on a Sun and leaving on a Sat. That doesn't leave time for much else. My boyfriend also wants to go to Cape Canaveral but sadly, I don't think we'll have time. I didn't know there was a Medieval Times in Orlando - I'm adding that to the list. I've never been to one.

Are you looking at Windsor Hills? I know there are a few similar places in that area.