Would you like to stay in a wonderful fully furnished and equipped home for your Disney vacation instead of a cramped hotel room? Then look no further. More and more travelers are enjoying the flexibility, comfort and value offered by staying in a Condo or Townhouse vacation rental.

So what is a Condo?

A Condo is a full home on one level, joined together with other Condos to form larger buildings. The Condo is still very private; you can have as little or as much contact with your neighbors as you want. A Townhouse is very similar, the main difference being that it is built over two floors with bedrooms upstairs. These homes are set together in communities. Each vacation condo or townhouse is privately owned and looked after to the highest standard. The owners are jointly responsible for the upkeep of the excellent facilities and grounds.

Why should you stay in a Condo or Townhouse for your vacation?

If you are planning a Disney vacation with family or friends, or even just as a couple, Condos and Townhouses have so much to offer. A Condo can vary in size from having one bedroom to up to four and offers you all the facilities, and more, of an average home. Many have two Master Suites and are ideal for two families. They are extremely well equipped and maintained. When you arrive at your vacation Condo you will find they are fully furnished and equipped with everything you will need to ensure you have a comfortable stay. Standard items will include towels, an iron and ironing board, hairdryer and alarm clocks.

Not everyone wants to cook on vacation but if you do there are dishes and glasses provided as well as the pots and pans. There will be a large fridge to hold the cold drinks you will need after a tiring day at the parks. Even a dishwasher so that you will not even have to wash out that glass! There will also be a washer and dryer available in the condo, meaning you can bring less with you, leaving more room for those Disney souvenirs on the way home.

Your condo will also have TV and DVD/VCR as standard. As these homes are privately owned you may also find extra touches the owners have provided for your enjoyment such as a Playstation or Xbox. Most condos will offer you free local telephone calls and you will find some also provide Internet facilities. Many of the condos will provide you with highchairs and cribs for the children. A Condo or Townhouse means flexibility for your Disney World vacation. Come and go as you please. Come home from the parks in the middle of the day so the kids can have a rest or a dip in the pool. In the evening parents can relax and watch TV, or entertain friends they have met while at the pool or picnic area, safe in the knowledge that the kids can sleep undisturbed in their own bedrooms. Families and friends can sit around the breakfast table together and plan the day ahead, or later, have dinner and chat about meeting Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World.

What else does a Vacation Condo have to offer?

The communities where you will find your Condo or Townhouse are like luxury resorts. They offer you facilities like swimming pools, hot tubs, gyms, tennis courts, games rooms and the list just keeps on going. All these resort facilities are yours to use, without charge, when you are staying in a vacation Condo or Townhouse. Also you will not need to pay for pool heat, the pool is already heated for you; this is an automatic saving over a villa. The costs for pool heating vary, but is usually around $20-$30 per day. That's quite a saving!

Many feel that the communal pool is a much safer option over a private pool, allowing you to control when your children visit the pool; with a villa there is always the risk that small children will try to go outside to the pool while you are not looking. Children love to play around with others in their own age groups - and this gives Mum and Dad a chance to catch some sunshine and relax poolside without having to constantly watch and/or entertain the kids. Mums & Dads always tire of the water before the kids do, so, while the kids are playing you can relax a little, it can be a bit much to be constantly on pool duty in a pool home. The community aspect within these resorts means you too can get to know others and make new friends.

A Vacation Condo or Townhouse offers you fantastic value for money. When renting a hotel room you are getting on average 200 sq.ft. and paying per person. If there are more than two people in your party you then need two rooms, and you will pay a premium to have connecting rooms. When you rent a Condo or Townhouse you pay for the whole house regardless of how many are staying in it, and even then the rates are often lower than a single hotel room, and you are getting a living room, a kitchen, and dining room and however many bedrooms you need.

So how do I book a Condo?

You can book a Vacation condo or townhouse using a travel company or management company. The downside to this is that you normally do not get to pick the individual home you will be staying in or the area it will be located in. You do not have the opportunity to communicate with the owner of the condo or townhouse and ask any questions.

Prices can be higher if you use one of these companies to book your vacation condo, so if you really want to grab a bargain and save even more money, book direct with the owner. This way you are cutting out the middlemen. This saves both you and the homeowner money. When booking direct with the owner they will quote you their direct prices, they know they do not have to pay any commission to the management or travel company, so they will offer you the lowest price available. Why not visit a Condo and Townhouse specialist site such as TheBigCondoList.com that lists Disney Condo and Townhouse vacation rentals available directly from the owner.

You can see the actual houses available and view photos of the individual condos and townhouses .You can choose how many bedrooms you need and the actual area your vacation condo or townhome will be located in. If you need a highchair or cot you can ask the owner if these are provided. You can then send out requests to the owners on your shortlist who will then provide you with their best prices and if their homes are available on the dates you request. All you need to do then is select which one you want to book and arrange the details with the owner.

Anything else I need to know before booking a vacation condo or townhouse?

When you are planning your Disney World vacation staying at a Condo or Townhouse there are a few hints and tips to remember.

Remember you will be staying in someone's home and most homeowners will ask you to provide a small security deposit in case of damage or breakages.

If you have only ever stayed in a hotel before transportation is something to consider. A few of the communities offer shuttle buses to the theme parks, however, the best way to get the maximum enjoyment and flexibility while on vacation in a Disney Condo or Townhouse is to hire a car.

Don't be afraid to ask the Condo or Townhouse owner any questions you have. They will be only too glad to help.

So, next time you are planning a Disney World Vacation, think about a Condo, look at the facilities on offer, then book, you will not be disappointed.