Orlando Vacation Homes Rentals

posted by orlandovacationhome on Oct 17

Universal Studios Orlando reported that their attendance was down 20% in the first quarter of 2009 according to the Orlando Sentinel (1).

The irony here is that a one day ticket price for the attraction is currently at an all time high.

Typically when most businesses face a downturn they often lower prices. This has not been the case with any of Orlando’s major theme parks for a one day pass. The theme parks have instead focused on extending length of stays and discounting for longer term packages. The laws of supply and demand either do not apply to major Orlando theme parks or are being ignored, as basic economics would say they need to lower prices.

The good news is that the Orlando vacation home market has slashed their prices in an attempt to attract vacationers out of the hotels and into more spacious and fully equipped vacation homes which typically run about the same price.

The closest vacation homes to Universal Studios area Vista Cay and the Isles at Cay Commons (these are both condominiums).

Vacation Homes Near Universal Studios

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posted by orlandovacationhome on Aug 13

The 2009 World Yo Yo Championship in Orlando, Fl is being held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel from August 13th, to August, 15th 2009. If you happen to be in Orlando this weekend, visit the Rosen Plaza on International Drive to see the greatest Yo Yo’ers from all over the planet.

The big Yo Yo final event kicks off on Saturday afternoon with the A1 class scheduled around 7.00PM. The competition will be staged throughout the day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The world Yo Yo championship is an unusual and spectacular event. Well worth the visit if you are visiting the area.

Check out some of the 2009 World Yo Yo championship hopefuls as they warm up in our videos below. We have also added a map to the Rosen Center (T 407-996-9840) where the yo yo event is being held.

Also, see a link to the yo yo events’ schedule HERE

View Larger Map

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posted by orlandovacationhome on Jul 5

Is September the Best Time to Visit Orlando?

One might ask, when is the best time to visit Orlando, Florida?

As the  best months go, the answer is generally September. There are several reasons for this:

1. School is back in session – The parks are empty.
2. Weather – It will begin to cool down and be more comfortable, but sunny enough to get a tan.
3. Rental rates for vacation homes are low in September. These rates typically offer a lot more value than  hotels.
4. Heavy incentives – When business is as slow as it is in September, renters pull out all the incentive stops to attract tourist dollars (i.e. two for the price of one, kids eat free, early bird specials, etc…)

Therefore, the best time to visit Orlando is September for several reasons. It is the slowest month of the year for tourism, the weather is typically great, and you can save a bundle.

Best Time to Visit Orlando

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posted by orlandovacationhome on May 30

New Roller Coaster Universal Studios Orlando

Orlando, Fla. – We just got back from previewing the state of the art roller coaster now under construction at Universal Studios Orlando. We also took some photos of the new roller coaster at Universal Studios Orlando.

The new Universal Studios rollercoaster is called – The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster.

The Roller Coaster is unique for several reasons. First, it actually goes through the theme park above the heads of tourists. Second, it has a record breaking loop. Third, the coaster has a staggering climb and drop of 17 stories with speeds up to 65 miles an hour.. Fourth, the ride is totally customizable to the rider – riders will be able to program their own music on the coaster and edit a video of their ride once they disembark to take home.

The ride will be an intense sensory experience with color changing LED/s and high energy visual displays.

Clearly, as the new roller coaster in Universal Studios Orlando, The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster will be the rollercoaster ride for 2009-2010 in Orlando.

See our new rollercoaster Universal Studios Orlando video preview below as well as a map of Universal Studios Orlando.

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posted by orlandovacationhome on Mar 13

Biketoberfest – Daytona Beach, Florida 2009

October 15 -18, 2009

Biketoberfest Information

Daytona Biketoberfest

There are some great rides around Daytona up and down the coast line as well as the traditional Daytona Loop.

Biketoberfest 2009 Events

The events at Biketoberfest in Daytona are similar to bike week. There are numerous bike exhibits, bars, vendors, concerts and bikini contests. There is typically something for every biker.

Biketoberfest Pictures Photos Pics

Some bikers stay in Orlando during Biketoberfest and ride over to Daytona during the day (about 50 minutes if the traffic is good) as this makes for a good ride. Staying in Orlando allows some to visit the major attractions while in the area. In addition, if you rent an Orlando vacation home you can get a house with a private garage and keep your bike protected away from prying eyes at night.

Biketoberfest 2009

October is the middle of rain season in Florida and is notorious for afternoon rain storms so come prepared.

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posted by orlandovacationhome on Feb 28

Hotel attrition clauses in room block contracts for convention and meeting groups have historically been standard policy. An attrition clause makes the booking entity pay for the rooms they book whether they use them or not.

Likewise, vacation home management companies have also had strict rental booking policies with regards to deposits and cancellations.

However, with the world economy crumbling at rapid speed, many companies and vacationers are hesitant to book a hotel or vacation home with a strict attrition/cancellation clause if they will be forced to honor them.

As a sign of the times, many hotels in the Orlando market are throwing out the attrition clause as an incentive to get groups to actually book. This should also be a signal to vacation home management companies to relax some of their non-refundable deposit and cancellation policies to encourage potential bookers.

The market and economy is changing at lightning speed, and the short term rental industry must react accordingly.

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posted by orlandovacationhome on Jan 21

On this post, we develop three scenario forecasts for the Orlando Florida short term rental industry for 2009 compared to 2008. This market includes hotels, vacation homes and timeshare rentals.

As we always indicate, no one can predict the future. If you had listened to economists predictions for Florida over the last two years you would realize that most of them have been stunningly wrong.

Although some Orlando short term rental products will fare better than others, 2009 will most likely be very bad and possibly have longer term systemic consequences than what is generally recognized today.

Best Case:

Occupancy Down 7%

ADR Down 8%

= Total Room Revenue Decline of 14.4%

Expected/Most Likely

Occupancy Down 13%

ADR Down 18%

= Total Room Revenue Decline of 28.6%

Worst Case

Occupancy Down 20%

ADR Down 24%

= Total Room Revenue Decline of 39%

Short term rentals in Orlando will be affected at many levels. Inferior product in inferior locations will be effected the most, while good product in the best locations will be affected the least.

We are advised from professionals in the field that large feeder markets to Orlando such as school groups, conventions and the UK are rapidly evaporating. Gas prices are also sneaking back up and affecting the drive markets. In addition, some theme park ticket prices are now at record highs for single day passes – even as short term rental properties slash their rates.

How we calculate the numbers using an algorithmic statistical regression is not disclosed, so always deem the authors of this blog as incompetent, and read our disclaimer above.

Orlando Tourism 2009

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posted by orlandovacationhome on Jan 12

Mardi Gras Universal Studios 2009 Orlando, FL
Select Saturday Nights February – April

Universal Studios Florida® , Universal Orlando®, Orlando, Florida

407-363-8000, 1-800-837-2273

Bands for Mardis Gras 2009 Include:

02/07/2009 KC & The Sunshine Band

02/14/2009 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

02/15/2009 Village People

02/21/2009 NE-YO

02/28/2009 Pat Benatar

03/07/2009 Barenaked Ladies

03/14/2009 Montgomery Gentry

03/21/2009 Collective Soul

03/27/2009 Boys Like Girls

03/28/2009 Kelly Clarkson

04/04/2009 MC Hammer

04/11/2009 Trace Adkins

04/18/2009 Nelly 

For the biggest party East of the Bayou, New Orleans comes to life in Orlando at Universal Studios. Guests can catch beads, listen to real New Orleans musicians, see the Mardi Gras parade with hundreds of costumed characters, stilt walkers and Mardi Gras Floats.

Mardi Gras has been held at Universal Orlando® for many years, and as with age, has become a well prepared and matured Orlando event.

Various concerts are held throughout the park. As you explore, experience some real New Orleans cooking and drinks.

You can enjoy all this with a regular Universal Studios Florida® ticket

Visit the Mardi Gras website to learn more or play our preview below.

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posted by orlandovacationhome on Jan 3

Once again, Sea World ® has increased their ticket prices. The new price increase (1) (the third in the last year) for a regular one day admission is still priced about five cents below Walt Disney World ® and Universal Studios Orlando ®.

It is interesting that Orlando area parks have aggressively increased their park prices given the current face of the economic crisis, and the fact the number of tourists to the area have plummeted since November 08.

Sea World’s parent company is Busch Entertainment Corp., which also owns Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Aquatica, a major Orlando water park.

The standard Sea World ticket has gone up approximately 15% since October 2007, bringing the one day standard price closer to its multiday pass. This encourages visitors to purchase the multiday and capture the ancillary revenues via their outlets for their Orlando vacation.

Some Orlando parks are able to package their tickets with on-site hotels, further encouraging tourists to stay on site rather than book an outside hotel. Please see our other blog posts on the value opportunity this creates for vacationers. Despite these changes, Orlando area vacation vacation homes still present the best value in the market on a per square foot basis(2).

SeaWorld Orlando

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posted by orlandovacationhome on Dec 28

The Daily Telegraph, a major newspaper in  in the UK, reported today the UK economy could shrink as much as 10% in 2009 (1). This forecast was not totally dismissed by the Centre for Economics and Business Research also based in the UK who estimated GDP in real terms will decline a more conservative 2.5% (1B) - still a decline of historic proportions.

As we have outlined in a prior post (2), the UK is the largest detached international market feeding the Orlando tourism economy. The impact of a major recession in the UK could wreak havoc on the local short term rental market which includes hotels, vacation homes and timeshare rentals.

The peak travel months for the British to Orlando are June, July and August. The UK is also a big market filler in the early fall when the domestic market for Orlando is relatively slow. Orlando has relied on the British in September to help “fill in the gaps”.

On the bright side, the British and the European Union governments have begun to implement a series of economic stimulus measures on a massive scale (3). The timing and effectiveness of such efforts remains to be seen, but if you live and work in Orlando, the health of the UK economy will most likely effect you.

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