All Star Vacation Homes
****
$$$-$$$$
Location: 7822 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (U.S. 192), Kissimmee
Phone: 888-294-0854( Toll free US and Canada)
Web site: www.allstarvacationhomes.com

All Star Vacation Home Communities Include: Acadia Estates, Formosa gardens Estates, Windsor Palms Resort Community, Emerald Island Resort Community, and the Windsor Hills Resort Community.

In Brief
Located in Kissimmee, the homes are spread throughout several different neighborhoods, though none is located farther than 4 miles from Walt Disney World. The rental office itself is located along U.S. 192 (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway) only a short distance (less than 2 miles) from any one of the homes.
Truly a home away from home, vacation homes offer families both large and small an excellent alternative to staying at a resort or hotel.

The Hotel Versus The Vacation Home…How To Choose
When planning a vacation, whether to central Florida or another destination, the decisions you make regarding your accommodations are among the most important decisions you’ll make – and far more important than most initially believe.

With a vast array of accommodations to choose from, each offering amenities that can range from simple necessities (or the bare basics) to a plethora of posh pluses, diverse room layouts, various perks and packages, and numerous locals, it can be an overwhelming process. After all, where you stay and the type of accommodations you choose (whether hotel, motel, resort, bed & breakfast, house or condominium) will have an enormous impact on your entire vacation. Unfortunately for some however, this realization becomes apparent only after they’ve arrived – and when it’s too late to rectify the situation.

ghts:

Breathing Space
Because you will have the entire home to yourself, there is an abundance of room to spread out and relax without having to be on top of each other as is the case in most hotel rooms. You can unwind in the family room while the kids are off playing in the game room or one of the many large bedrooms. With televisions in every bedroom as well as the family room, there’s never any fighting over what program to watch. You can even enjoy a cup of coffee in the privacy of your own screened-in patio, sitting beside your private pool while the sun quietly sets in the background. Getting the picture?

You can choose from a variety of homes – there’s sure to be one to fit your family’s needs as you’ll find an array of 2- to 3-bedroom condos and town homes, as well as private pool homes with anywhere from 3 to 7 bedrooms to choose from.

In addition to having 4 distinct categories of homes, there are several floor plans within each category from which to choose, each uniquely decorated and chock full of family friendly amenities. All of the properties have a full kitchen, including a full refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, oven, and coffeemaker, as well as a washer, dryer, linens, and towels.

Convenience
You won’t have to make your way through the hotel halls and corridors during the middle of the night in your pj’s just to get a snack, some ice, or a soda. You can simply make your way directly to the refrigerator.

Trucking the entire family through a crowded lobby and across a busy parking lot with kids and gear in tow won’t be necessary either, as your car will be right in the driveway, just a quick step outside your front door. This also allows you to make several trips if necessary, not having to haul everything (or everyone) at once.

A trip to the pool is just a step out your back door and onto the patio, not down several flights and across the building. This, in my opinion, is huge with kids. You won’t find yourself having to split up if some members of the family are not up for splashing around or if the little ones need to head up to bed All of the homes are within 4 miles of the Walt Disney World Resort, so the trip to the parks is relatively painless. If you’re headed to Universal Orlando or SeaWorld, the exit to I-4 is quite close as well. U.S.192 can still get quite congested even with all of its improvements, making for pretty slow going at times. However, traffic is something that you will run into this no matter where you are staying when you’re driving during peak hours or during peak travel seasons.

All along U.S.192, no matter in which direction you are headed, restaurants are plentiful both in number and variety. Shops and smaller attractions line the highway as far as the eye can see. No matter in which neighborhood you may find yourself, you won’t have far to go to grab a bite to eat (though you may find it difficult to choose where to go with so many choices surrounding you), play a round or two of miniature golf, pick up those last-minute groceries, or even pick up a souvenir tee.

What’s Nearby:
The Formosa Gardens Village Shopping Center
Location: 7836 U.S. 192, Kissimmee (Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway)
Phone: 407-396-1188

There are an abundance of businesses, shops, and restaurants located here, and all within only a short distance to the many hotels found along U.S. 192. Just a few of the businesses located at the village include:
The Marketplace Supermarket (407-397-2210)
The UPS Store (407-390-1899)
A hair and nail salon (Salon Victoria); 407-396-8333)
The Photo Shop III (407-390-0222)
A luggage store (ACA Luggage; 407-390-9878)
With ten restaurants including
The Red Lobster (407-677-0191)
Outback Steakhouse (407-396-0017)
Giordano’s (407-397-0044)
Carrabba’s (407-390-9600)
The Cracker Barrel (407-390-1190)
TGI Friday’s (407-397-4300)
Subway (407-397-7119)
Take Japanese (407-390-0333)
Taste of China (407-397-9911)
Dairy Queen (407-390-8175)
Golden China Restaurant (407-390-1606)
Papa John’s Pizza (407-397-7272)
(A liquor and t-shirt shop are also located in the center.)

The All Star Vacation Homes Office is located here as well (along with four additional real estate management and sales companies). Just across the street there’s a large Walgreen’s.

There are of course a slew of restaurants, smaller attractions, and business located along the US 192 highway – all within only minutes (most only 5 to 10, with others 10 to 20) away. The entrance to Walt Disney is again only 4 miles or less from any of the vacation home areas.

Other Businesses and Services
The All Star Internet Café; provides high-speed Internet access as well as fax and photocopying services. They also serve a variety of snacks and drinks (including Barnie’s Coffee). It’s located directly next to the All Star Vacation Homes office.

If you are in need of baby equipment contact the All Star office at 407-997-0773 and arrangements can be made for cribs, strollers, car seats, baby backpacks, bouncy seats, swings, gates, bed-rails, monitors, pack’n’plays, rocking chairs, and a slew of other gear through Frosty’s Baby Equipment Rental (additional fees will apply)

Value
Because the All Star homes can accommodate larger groups than an average hotel room or even many hotel suites, families with more than only 1-2 children and families traveling together will find the homes to be a very cost-effective alternative. With prices that range from as low as $109 per night for a 2-bedroom condo that sleeps 6, to as low as $309 per night for a 6-bedroom home that can sleep 14, you can be sure an equivalent room or suite at a hotel would be significantly higher (and in the case of a 5-, 6-, or 7 bedroom home would be near impossible).

Another unique feature of renting with All Star is that with a weekly rental comes a free car rental with Enterprise. The car-rental certificate is for an economy-size car, but you can upgrade to any size necessary (your will simply pay the difference). All Star even offers packages that include a luxury car rental with Luxury Rental Cars of Orlando (located right next door to the All Star office) too.

Amenities
Now I am sure some of you are thinking that if you don’t stay at a hotel or resort you will miss out on some of the guest services and amenities that they offer. While it’s true that the services and amenities may be slightly bit different than those found at a hotel, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. Estate, resort, and luxury homes all feature private pools and spas, most with a Jacuzzi, in a screened-in patio area attached to your home.

Several of the private homes offer game rooms and Internet access. The condos, town homes, and resort homes located in the Windsor Palms, Windsor Hills, and Emerald Island Resorts neighborhoods offer a main clubhouse with a small movie theater, game room, sport courts, central main pool, children’s pool, small convenience store, and fitness room much like you would find at a hotel or resort.

You can borrow video games to play and movies to watch from the main office at any time - and free of charge. If you need park tickets or dinner reservations, you need go no further than your own home. Kissimmee Guest Services (which actually is available to anyone) will come right to your doorstep to provide the tickets that you desire. In addition, an agent will sit down and talk with you about the parks, attractions, and dinner shows, as well as provide you with an area map and directions to reach your destination if you choose.

You can check out their Web site at www.kissimmeeguestservices.com or call 407-931-1027 or 888-294-0854 for more information.

The All Star Vacation Homes concierge service also offers help with dinner reservations, recreational activities, transportation and car rental, catered meals, and equipment rentals. You need not think that just because you are not staying at a full-service hotel that you’ll have to do without the full service – you most certainly won’t!

All Star: offers multiple bedrooms with one, often times more, master bedrooms
Hotel: one big room, with 1, maybe 2 additional bedroom(s) but only if you opt to pay for a suite

All Star: a separate family room, kitchen with eating area, separate dining room, game room ,and often private screened-in patio with a private pool and spa
Hotel: possibly a small central family area – though usually only if you opt for a suite; possibly a dining area though usually only if you opt for a suite, possibly a very small deck (often only large enough for two chairs)

All Star: Multiple bathrooms
Hotel: one bathroom; one and a half - possibly two if you opt for a suite

All Star: full and completely equipped kitchen
Hotel: may include a small kitchen or kitchenette if you opt for a suite otherwise generally only mini-sized appliances (if any are included at all – there may be extra charges in some cases)

All Star: TV with video game player and free game rentals at the office
Hotel: only select properties include video game players, most that do rent games do so at an additional fee

All Star: individually decorated and furnished giving a more homey feel (even in the properties that are lavishly and exquisitely decorated)
Hotel: Standard furnishings – generally however, the higher the price of the room the nicer the furnishings may be (GENERALLY however, most hotels with rates over $250 a night offer finer and more stylish furnishings – those with rates under $200 GENERALLY offer fairly standard and less intriguing furnishings)

All Star: private pools, many with enclosed patios sometimes with an additional community pool
Hotel: community pool(s) – some offer extensive water play areas (however they are among the most expensive resorts in the area)

All Star: concierge services and guest services are available (though some are available for an additional fee)
Hotel: may or may not include a Concierge and or Guest Services Desk (some Concierge services may require you stay in a club or concierge level room)

All Star: 1 weekly cleaning is included when you rent, additional cleaning is available for an extra fee
Hotel: daily cleaning is included

All Star: chef services and catering services are available for an extra fee
Hotel: room service may or may not be available, and the costs involved are generally rather high

All Star: laundry facilities are located right in the homes and there is no extra charge to use them
Hotel: may or may not include guest laundry facilities (and there is an extra fee to use the facilities), only a very few properties offer in-room laundry facilities

All Star: Internet access (in select units) is available at no extra charge (computers are also located in select units)
Hotel: Internet access may or may not be available. If it is, it is usually at an additional
fee at most hotels and resorts though it may be free at some – be sure to check ahead of time (*comparisons do not include the All Star condos – only the vacation homes)


The Type of Homes You’ll Find at All Star:
ALL STAR Vacation Homes offer a "Series" of homes to choose from. Depending on the number of people in your family, one type of house might be a better value or more comfortable than another. Be sure to check the square footage, the number of bedrooms, and the floor plans (all of which you’ll find on the All Star site) of each home you are considering – this will make it easy to compare homes to see which will be best for your family.