It’s no secret that Orlando is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world! With its many theme parks, attractions, and beautiful scenery, it’s easy to see why so many people flock here for their getaways. Granted, if you’re here, you already know that and are wondering what you can do to help your vacation rental stand out from the crowd and get more bookings.
We’ve covered how adding a game room to your investment property can boost revenue and occupancy levels, but what about adding themed decor? While there is not currently a filter for theming in our market data to be able to share exact numbers, we do know from our years of experience that themed decor is an essential element of any great Orlando vacation rental!
Theming your rental not only makes it more appealing to guests, but it also helps bring their theme park experiences into their accommodation! Plus, themed decorations are an excellent way to make your rental stand out from the competition. With the right theme, you can ensure that your guests choose your property over another and have a one-of-a-kind stay!
Creating a Theme for Your Rental Property
The fantastic news is creating a themed space doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive! It simply requires some creative thinking and planning. Start by deciding which theme you want to use and then think of ways to incorporate it into the furnishings, artwork, and decorations in the room. Your imagination (and budget) are your only constraints!
Some choose to have multiple themes throughout the property — like a romantic Cinderella-themed bedroom with a king-size bed for adults, a Harry Potter-themed bedroom with twin beds, a Star Wars-themed bunk bed room for younger travelers, and a Marvel/superhero-themed game room! While others pick one theme for the entire property, whether around one specific movie (like Harry Potter or Star Wars) or a distinctive park (like Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios).
How Extravagant Should the Theming Be?
While your imagination and budget are the main limitations, you might wonder if your design investments will pay off in the long run. Is a slide in one of the bedrooms or an expensive lighting package going to make a difference?
Like with most else in our industry, the answer to this question will depend on a variety of factors and your specific property. As a general rule of thumb, if your investment home is in a high-end luxury resort, your guests will expect a more premium experience. But, if your goal is to have an affordable condo for small families, your decorations will likely be less elaborate.
Some homeowners even prefer to keep the theming light to create a clean, modern experience with a splash of added magic here and there. Think throw pillows, creative artwork choices, and small touches.
What are the Most Popular Vacation Rental Themes?
At this point, you might be curious to know some of the most popular themes to incorporate into your Orlando vacation rental. Some of the most treasured themes for Orlando vacation rentals include Disney, Harry Potter, Marvel, and Universal! The possibilities are truly endless, but here are a few to consider when planning your decor updates:
Disney Characters & Movies
Disney-themed rentals provide a wonderful way to bring out the inner child in your guests and help bring the Disney World theme parks to their vacation experience! Some of the most loved themes include:
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse
- Mickey and Friends (Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Pluto)
- Star Wars
- Beauty and the Beast
- Frozen
- Aladdin
- The Lion King
- Toy Story
- Avatar
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- The Little Mermaid
- Moana
- Finding Nemo
- …and the list goes on!
Harry Potter
Whether you theme the entire property or one room, Harry Potter is one of the most sought-after themes among vacationers! From the Great Hall to Hogwarts Castle, your guests can be transported into a world of magic and wonder that they won’t soon forget.
As a few more examples, you can have a special room dedicated to the Great Hall of Hogwarts with 4 house banners and magical furniture. You can also create a cozy wizard’s den complete with bookshelves full of spellbooks, potions, and charms! And if it’s a warm night outside, why not set up an outdoor area for guests to enjoy some Butter Beer under the stars?
Here are some additional ideas for bringing the magical world of Harry Potter to life:
- Bedrooms featuring the 4 houses (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin)
- Hogwarts themed mural
- Sorting Hat
- Wand displays
- Hedwig tribute cage
- Magic potions, cauldrons, and books
- Quidditch posters
Marvel & Universal Characters
Bring iconic Marvel superheroes or Universal monsters to life in your rental property! Choose one character or theme an entire room around them. Here are a few of the top themes:
- Iron Man
- Captain America
- Spider-Man
- The Minions
- Jurassic Park
- Dr. Seuss
Want a Professional Opinion?
If you need help creating a one-of-a-kind themed vacation rental experience in Orlando or have questions about the return on investment (ROI) you may achieve, the VillaKey team is here to help!
We manage over 100 vacation rentals in the Orlando market that range from luxurious 9-bedroom pool homes to modern two-bedroom condos. With over 25 years of combined experience, we have the data and knowledge to assist you in making the best decisions to reach your short-term rental investment goals.
Contact us today to get an expert opinion and to learn more about how we can work together to make your short-term rental investments successful!
Start by emailing Marcelle at Marcelle@MyVillaKey.com or schedule a time to chat on the phone via her calendar.