What's Reopening for Business in Orlando

Orlando’s theme parks are gearing up for holiday travelers this summer who make up the bulk of their business. This is good news for homeowners looking for travel guests to return to their Orlando vacation homes after a drop in the market resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

An approved proposal to reopen short-term rental homes is allowing homeowners to welcome back their guests. This is significant for the state’s economy because the vacation-rental industry generates an estimated $27 billion annually, according to a report by the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Reopening Popular Theme Parks in Orlando

Universal Orlando’s water parks and theme parks will welcome guests starting on June 5. Universal…

What's Open for Business in Orlando

The Coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on life in Central Florida. Here is a rundown on what’s closed and open in the Orlando area as of March 24, 2020: 

Theme Park Closures

Walt Disney World - the theme parks and water parks are closed through March 31, 2020. All locations at Disney Springs are temporarily closed. 

Universal Orlando - the  theme parks, hotels and Universal CityWalk are temporarily closed. Universal says it anticipates remaining closed through March 31 – but will continue to evaluate the situation. Guests can call this number for more information: (877) 801-9720.

Sea World Orlando - our theme parks, effective March 16, through the end of the month. Guests can obtain the latest information on park operations by…

Team Donovan Records $250 Million in Orlando Vacation Home Sales

Team Donovan crossed a major milestone recently in our real estate business. We have passed $250 million in sales of properties in the Orlando FL area. Our first closing was in October, 2005, and since that time we have specialized in the sale of homes in the theme park/resort area of Polk, Osceola and Lake Counties. 

Most of the homes sold during the last 12 years have been furnished vacation homes, condos or townhomes. We work with clients from around the globe, especially from the UK. 

Florida has long been a popular choice for British holiday visitors searching for a break during the dreary winter. Attractive exchange rates, low air fares, and the lure of the area theme parks, have made the Orlando area in particular a popular holiday…

Why It's Important to Get Reviews for Your Vacation Rental

If you plan to list your Orlando vacation home on a rental website like FlipKey or HomeAway, there are several things to do to ensure that your listing stands out from your competition, such as having good photos and a good description. But it's also important that you have a process in place to collect guest reviews.

Why Guest Reviews Matter

Here are a few reasons why it matters for you to acquire guest reviews for your Orlando vacation rental. 

#1 - Plain and simple, guest reviews help you rent out your property. Studies have shown that 81% of travelers find user reviews important on travel booking sites.* Prospective guests read reviews to see how much other visitors have liked a particular property, and whether there were any problems with…

What Size Vacation Home Should I Buy?

There are many factors to consider when buying a second home, such as location, whether you need rental income and of course, how much it will cost. One of the decisions you’ll have to make as you start your vacation home search, is how big a home you need. 

There are a wide variety of housing choices to consider in the Orlando area for your vacation home. If you don’t need a lot of space, you could opt for a one or two bedroom condominium. There are several condo/hotels next to Disney that provide the amenities of a luxury hotel with the ability to rent the unit out when not in use. Properties like the Blue Heron Beach Resort or Floriday’s Resort provide on-site management that takes care of cleaning and maintenance, as well as all interactions with…

Best Theme Parks in Orlando - Part 2

People come from all over the world to Orlando to experience the thrills and excitement of the area theme parks. Just imagine if you owned a vacation home in Central Florida. You could go to Disney anytime you wanted! In a previous article, we shared five of the best theme parks in Orlando. Here are five more to check out when you and your family are on vacation.

Epcot – Walt Disney World’s second major theme park has fewer attractions than the original Magic Kingdom, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty for everyone to do. Popular attractions for older children and adults include Soarin’ and Test Track. Younger folks will get a kick out of collecting passport stamps from the different countries featured in the World Showcase. No visit to Epcot…

Best Theme Parks in Orlando

One reason people decide to buy a vacation home in Orlando is to be close to the world’s best theme parks. Whether you’re a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie, animal lover, or a child at heart, there’s a park for everyone to enjoy – whether you’re 8 or 80! Here is a look at some of the best theme parks in Orlando: 

Magic Kingdom – No trip to Orlando is complete without a visit to the place that put the city on the map. The original Walt Disney World park is still the most popular - and for good reason.  Guests of all ages, including the toddler set, can enjoy a large number of rides. Visitors are still delighted by classic attractions like the Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. Children can meet their…