Orlando vacation rentals?

Hey friends...so as we all know...$$ is tight...looking to see if there is any way to make a trip happen in the forseeable future with my kids. I adore Disney...and would love to take them before they are too old for the real magic!! So, does anyone know of a place to rent for 10-14 days, sleeps 8 (5 kids 2 or 3 adults), reasonable distance to Disney? I know of vrbo.com and homeaway.com but hoping to find a friend of a friend with a deal...you know? LOL Also, we are looking to come off peak, so not over Christmas, not march break or summer...

Thanks in advance!!

I live here... well I suppose we all live "Here" but I live in Orlando. What price range do you want- there are TONS! Just up the road from me are some nice rental town houses, I can get prices for you in a day or two.

I was spoiled on my last vacation...2 bedroom condo on the ocean on Hilton Head Island for $700/month. I'd like to find a deal like THAT!! LOL Sometimes, it is cheaper to rent for a month than for 14 days...even if we won't actually USE the whole month.
As for budget...don't really have one... I've seen places from $700-$1500/week...I'd rather stay away from the high end please. Not much help eh? What it boils down to is that I can't afford this trip but I am going to try my best to make it happen anyways, so any deal (on a safe/clean place) would be a bonus. I found one of those extended stay places last time I was there, but as we were going to go check it out, one of the local police suggested that maybe we could find a better place that was safer for the kids LOL It looked clean, but the cops are there daily, looks can be decieving so that was why I appreciate local help.

I will check the place up the road.... it is on universal Blvd, all new, near nice resorts. Also, along 192 there are tons of vacation rental homes- but have to check up on those.

Yeah, most of the "Extended Stay" near OBT or such are dicey. There are a couple near sea world that are ok - I can get you names for those since they are also right around my neighborhood.

Any clue on time of year or dates? If you go slightly off season, everything is cheaper AND parks are not crowded.

Also, if you find anywhere online, and want to send me the address, I can let you know if it's a decent neighborhood or not.

Thanks Leaping, and yeah for sure off season... maybe end of January? I have to be in Washington Feb 9th...so maybe Jan 29th to Feb 8th? Again, totally flexable, just looking for the best deals. I wish I could go now, this is MY fave time to go...but I just can't pull the $$ to do it.

I'll make sure to make it up to you for helping me out....