An Orlando vacation is the dream getaway for most families. Every year about fifty million people make the journey to Florida to enjoy the pleasures that Disney, Sea World and Universal provide. It’s a truly magical place for the whole family.

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.

The majority of these homes are only a few minutes away from the gates of Walt Disney World. Property sizes and styles vary tremendously: some are as small as two bedroom condos while single family homes can have as many as six bedrooms or more. Some resort-style communities offer communal gyms, tennis courts and even movie theaters to meet the demands of those vacationers needing entertainment every minute of the day.

For many people these offerings mean that a vacation rental home is the first choice when booking a Disney vacation – but there can be some surprises in store for the unwary.

Helped by the communication tools of the Internet, a lot of owners and almost all of the vacation rental companies have built clever and convincing web sites with photos and summaries of why you should book with them. But they are in business to make money and you should be very clear about all the terms and conditions before you buy. For example, you should ask:

* Do I have to book a minimum number of nights?

* 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?

* What happens if I need to cancel a booking I’ve made?

* Are there any additional fees, for example cleaning costs?

* Are you confirming availability of the home that I’ve seen on the Internet, rather than just allocating a random property when I arrive?

* How soon can I get into the home on the day I arrive?

* What time must I leave on the final day of my vacation?

* Can I pay by credit card?

* Some companies require a security deposit in case of damage to the property – do you?

The best advice anyone can give is to make sure you understand the full terms and conditions before you sign up.