Emerald Island or High Grove? Any opinions?

[rysmama215]

We're currently looking to book a house in one of these locations for our November trip (11/10-11/17). I've seen a couple of good reviews on Emerald Island, but I'd love to hear more! What's it like? Anyone know anything about High Grove?

How far is the drive (honestly) from the parks? We're 4 adults and a 4 1/2 year old - are these good choices for a group like us?

We're looking currently at 4 bedroom houses with pools, and I'd like to book something relatively soon, so I can stop stressing over it...

I'm anxiously awaiting the trusted opinons of fellow DIS-ers!!

 

[MYDISNEYHOUSES]

I am not sure about where High Grove is located, but I do know that Emerald Island is about as close as you can get to Disney (less than 3 miles). It is also a resort community with a clubhouse. I think you would be very happy with Emerald Island.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

Hi,

I dont know about HighGrove either but this will be our second year staying in this villa.
http://www.onlinefloridavillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-2216.aspx

We like this villa because of the price and the location. Emerald Island is just really convienent to everything. The subdivision is really nice and quiet. For our family we do not do alot of parks but we chill out at the villa and barbeque and swim, swim, swim. You cant beat opening your back pation and just going out for a swim.

This villa is located off the main road so it is close up to the front of the property. You can easily walk to the playground or clubhouse.

I loved getting up early and using the fitness room and checking my email in the computer room.

There are Walmart, Publix, chain restaurants and anything you can imagine right off of 192. You are on 192 within minutes. Like the first poster said you can be at the door of disney in 5-7.

PM me if you would like more info.

 

[DisneyDadof4]

We stayed at this particular home in Emerald Island back in December. While it seems that it might be too big for your family, you can at least read the property description to get an idea of the community and its proximity to Disney and the surrounding area. I know that Florida Sun Vacation Homes does have smaller homes and condos available in the Emerald Island community.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay...and with four children (ages 10, 8, 5 and 2), we appreciated being so close to the parks.

If you'd like more details, please feel free to let me know.

Michelle

http://www.floridasunvacationhomes.com/property_vh.asp?Rooms=6&ID=12930&AD=12/8/2007&DD=12/15/2007

 

[rysmama215]

We've been looking through villadirect.com, which was recommended to me by a family member who used them. They seem to have quite a few Emerald Island homes on the site.

I have no idea which we'll be using at this point, or where in the complex they're located. At this point I'm just trying to get a feel for the complex itself, to see if it's something that would "fit" our family (which it sounds like it would be).

To the pp who said they used the fitness center - how is it? My father in law is a workout fiend, and said he'd be fine with whereve we decided to stay as long as there was a "decent" fitness center. Is it pretty good?

Thanks again!

 

[isla bonita]

Here is a map to show where each community is.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa/map.htm

Also here is a website that has a lot of photos of Emerald Island if you want to take a peak. I will admit I am bias to EI because we own there but it truly sells itself it is a beautiful site.

http://emeraldislandresortvacationhomes.com

I am sure either home will be a wonderful experience for your group. Have a fun vaca which ever you choose.

 

[5mins2disney]

We've been looking through villadirect.com, which was recommended to me by a family member who used them. They seem to have quite a few Emerald Island homes on the site.

Ahhhh!!! No no NO VD! Please, do yourself a huge favor and book a home in EI from a homeowner directly, like several of those mentioned in this thread, or go out and go to the EI homes website and book it directly yourself, and make sure their MC doesn't have VD in it's initials!! EI is a great resort, absolutely, just don't go through VD!

Trust me, as an owner in the area, I hear the "horror" stories from other owners, and from guests who have had bad experiences with this company...

You've been warned!!

- "Joe Smith"

 

[MaMa3Princess]

I remember running on the treadmill and doing the small free weight machine. It was empty most mornings ( I am a fitness junkie too, need my exercise like I need my coffee) The dry sauna was empty as well. But it was enough in there to get a good workout. I use to run the trail in EI until they started doing constructions and I heard about the alligator sitting So this year I will stick to using the fitness room and swimming.


When we rented we only dealt directly with the owner and he was good about answering our emails the same day as well as getting our receipts and instructions to us once we paid our balance. We have had no issues with our owner.

I want to do a family reunion eventually so that we can rent from Deb and use her fantastic villa


Good luck we are practically on waiting for these 20 days to pass!

 

[rysmama215]

Ahhhh!!! No no NO VD! Please, do yourself a huge favor and book a home in EI from a homeowner directly, like several of those mentioned in this thread, or go out and go to the EI homes website and book it directly yourself, and make sure their MC doesn't have VD in it's initials!!
- "Joe Smith"

You lost me with the making sure the MC doesn't have VD in its initials. What does that mean?

 

[isla bonita]

What George might be saying is villa Direct may not be the best choice of MC's.

 

[rysmama215]

What George might be saying is villa Direct may not be the best choice of MC's.

I understood that. I'm new to all this, and I don't have a clue what an MC is.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Management Company (MC)

 

[rysmama215]

I must need a midafternoon coffee or something! Thank you for clearing that up - it all makes sense now!!

 

[isla bonita]

Glad I could clear things up some.

 

[KerriMc]

I don't know anything about Emerald Island, except from what I've read on here and all of those things have been good (which is always a good sign). Kind of like Windsor Hills ... everything I read on here about it was good and we were just there two weeks ago and it was AWESOME!!! Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!

High Grove is right at the junction of Hwy 27 and 192. It is a much further drive, although if traffic is really good it isn't horrendous. If you are travelling back and forth to WDW daily that would add up, but if it is only once or twice it isn't too bad.

We stayed in a 4 bdrm home in High Grove in March 2005. The house was lovely, but would have preferred a south facing pool for all day sun (didn't know about that then). The whole area wasn't done when we were there, just most of right side was done. At that time they didn't have it gated, but it is now (noticed when we drove by this past March). One thing that was a bit of a bother was the smelly water. I dont' know if this problem has been fixed, but the smell of the water was very gross. Sulpher like. This comment had been written in the owners' book multiple times so it wasn't only us. The MC told us to just run the water for awhile and it would clear up. It didn't. We eventually got used to it, except in the main bathroom upstairs where it was the worst. Other than that, the home was lovely. The immediate area was nice to walk in. BUT ... I far prefer Windsor Hills. Much nicer and much closer to WDW.

Good luck with your search ... the stress isn't over once you book, sorry to tell you "you've only just begun!!!" ... then you worry about deposits, planning WDW, travel (flights, etc) ... oh I worry until we get there and then I start worrying about the next one when that one is over!!!!

Have you checked Windsor Hills out too?

Kerri

 

[Mainebound]

We have stayed at EI in 2005 and 2005. The specific homes are in my signature. They were both awesome. We loved E.I., and its proximity to the WDW parks, which we visited every single day (as well as Universal), often making 2 trips a day (came home to nap with the kids). Very lovely and very safe. Great proximity to supermarkets, restaurants, and shopping, on 192, also. I recommend it very highly.

We also rent direct from owner and IMHO it is the only way to go.

 

[rysmama215]

Thank you all so much for your help!!

I think we've *almost* settled on a home in Emerald Island, and I've been dealing directly with the owner - which is, as you've all said, much easier.

The only question I have is that I've noticed most of the owners don't give out Management Company info until you get there. How do I tell if it's VD in that case?

 

[MYDISNEYHOUSES]

I would just ask. I am sure they would not mind giving out that info.

 

[horseshowmom]

Hi,

I dont know about HighGrove either but this will be our second year staying in this villa.
http://www.onlinefloridavillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-2216.aspx

We like this villa because of the price and the location. Emerald Island is just really convienent to everything. The subdivision is really nice and quiet. For our family we do not do alot of parks but we chill out at the villa and barbeque and swim, swim, swim. You cant beat opening your back pation and just going out for a swim.

This villa is located off the main road so it is close up to the front of the property. You can easily walk to the playground or clubhouse.

I loved getting up early and using the fitness room and checking my email in the computer room.

There are Walmart, Publix, chain restaurants and anything you can imagine right off of 192. You are on 192 within minutes. Like the first poster said you can be at the door of disney in 5-7.

PM me if you would like more info.

Very reasonable price for both the house and the pool heat! I may check on this one sometime myself.

 

[suggies08]

We've stayed in Highgrove before and honestly will never do it again. While the home was beautiful and spacious the location was just a little farther out than we wanted. We stayed there while they were still developing. We were told it was 10 mins from Disney but to be honest with you, with traffic its going to take you more like 20 mins. We never made it within 10 mins. Emerald Island on the other hand is fantastic! We've stayed there a few times and LOVED It!!!! If you can swing it go with Emerald Island!