Formosa Gardens Vaca Homes

[WDWfamilyvacation08]

We are booked into a Vacation home in Formosa gardens. Does anyone know how far of a drive ( time wise, We are from Canada and measure distance in minutes/hours) it is from there to the four main disney parks. We want to plan on being at some park openings and would like to plan how early we will need to leave. Also have never stayed in a vaca home before are they worth it. we are a family of 15 6 adults and 9 kids.

 

[Trixie15]

I'll be watching for replies. We are staying in Formosa Gardens in May, so I'd like to know the answer to this as well.

 

[sluggozmom]

Me too... I am staying at Nearest-Disney on Sea Pearl Drive.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[WDWfamilyvacation08]

thanks, I am driving the family crazy but i like to be prepared with all info since this will be our biggest family vaca.

 

[DonnaL]

By using the Sherbeth Road shortcut, which goes from Route 192 to Osceola Pkwy near AK, you will be on property in less than 10 minutes from Formosa Gardens. You will exit your development onto Formosa Gardens Blvd and turn right toward 192. The 192 intersection is about 1 mile, maybe a bit less. Once at the intersection, you will turn right onto 192 and I believe Sherbeth Road will be the next light. You will turn left onto Sherbeth and follow to intersection of Osceola Pkwy (again, maybe a mile or so). At Osceola, turn right and follow the directions to each park. Osceola is actually onsite and is very well marked with road signage to each park. AK entrance is actually very close to Sherbeth Road. Once you turn on Osceola you will see the AK sign within a minute. The entrance is on the left side of Osceola.

 

[KayR]

We are booked into a Vacation home in Formosa gardens. Does anyone know how far of a drive ( time wise, We are from Canada and measure distance in minutes/hours) it is from there to the four main disney parks. We want to plan on being at some park openings and would like to plan how early we will need to leave. Also have never stayed in a vaca home before are they worth it. we are a family of 15 6 adults and 9 kids.

From nearby Emerald Island, we allow the following times to get from the home to the park opening rope drop (which is located inside the park past the entry gates). Bear in mind, getting there early usually gets a close parking spot to the main entrances so we often walk rather than catching the trams. If you will be taking strollers and catching trams, allow time to fold them up and remove any items from the baskets.

If you need to purchase tickets on your first day, allow more time that day too.

To: Animal Kingdom: 15-20 minutes
To: EPCOT / MGM Studios 20-25 minutes
To: Magic Kingdom 45 minutes.

This schedule timing usually gets us there in plenty of time for rope drop. Note this is not driving time! When I go, this is the timing I use for the main parks. (Driving, getting to the front gates, security, time to catch breath etc) and does allow a little wiggle room (i.e. we tended to get there in plenty of time for rope drop and therefore we got to see the opening 'show'.

Magic Kingdom is much more than the others because a) it is at the top of the WDW resort area, so the furthest away and b) you have to walk/catch a tram to the ticket/transportation center and then catch either a monorail/ferry a to get to the park entrance.

And as an aside, as a family of 15 - have you made any dining reservations? If not I would recommend doing it if you want to eat at any of the sit down restaurants. Even with a group of 15, we have had great luck getting reservations even the night before. You tend to have to get first seating for lunch (11.30am ish), but we found that after arriving at the parks early, we were ready for lunch at 11.30am. Dinners tended to be around 4.30pm-5.00pm. It had to work that way to get us all seated together, but with an early start, it works out just great.

Have a great trip!

-Kay

 

[goofyernmost]

The distance from Formosa Gardens to the 192 entrance to WDW is about 3 miles (5K). The time varies with traffic but unless there is an accident it doesn't take long. The time involved is also dependent on traffic. By the time you drive to MK, for example, Park the car, catch the tram, board the monorail or ferry and get to the main entrance to MK can be quite awhile. At least 45 minutes.

 

[psharrock]

Timings are always an emotional topic.

The directions given in earlier posts is the best route if you want to use made up roads. However, there is a route that completely bypasses travelling along the 192, but this involves travelling on a dirt road for about 400m. On turning right out of Formosa Gardens Estates, take the right turn at the 4-way stop onto Funnie Steed Road, then take the 2nd Left onto Entry Point Blvd. At the lights with the 192 go straight on onto Sherberth Road.

Owners will usually make timings to getting to Disneyworld, which in practice is the Disney Arch or the first dsney sign. Using this methodoly Formosa Gardens is about 5 mins away.

However, this isn't a lot of use as this gets you nowhere, the next timing could be the parking lot. From Formosa Gardens this is approx 6 mins, 10-12 mins, 10-12 mins, 15-20 mins to AK, EP, HS, and MK respectively.

The crucial entry into the park timing can vary dependent on the time you arrive. Eg if you arrive early you don't need the tram, as your parked either next to the entrance or the monorail. Arrive early in the morning and the tram is quicker as its not waiting as long at the stop to fill up.

We have been actually in each park from the villa on Formosa Gardens within 10mins, 15 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins to AK, EP, HS, MK.

Hope this helps

Paul.

 

[psharrock]

Me too... I am staying at Nearest-Disney on Sea Pearl Drive.

We nearly stayed there a couple of years ago. I am sure you'll have a great time.

Paul

 

[psharrock]

We are booked into a Vacation home in Formosa gardens. Does anyone know how far of a drive ( time wise, We are from Canada and measure distance in minutes/hours) it is from there to the four main disney parks. We want to plan on being at some park openings and would like to plan how early we will need to leave. Also have never stayed in a vaca home before are they worth it. we are a family of 15 6 adults and 9 kids.

You want to be aiming to get to each park approx 40mins before opening time.

Paul

 

[sympatico]

Timings are always an emotional topic.

The directions given in earlier posts is the best route if you want to use made up roads. However, there is a route that completely bypasses travelling along the 192, but this involves travelling on a dirt road for about 400m. On turning right out of Formosa Gardens Estates, take the right turn at the 4-way stop onto Funnie Steed Road, then take the 2nd Left onto Entry Point Blvd. At the lights with the 192 go straight on onto Sherberth Road.

Owners will usually make timings to getting to Disneyworld, which in practice is the Disney Arch or the first dsney sign. Using this methodoly Formosa Gardens is about 5 mins away.

However, this isn't a lot of use as this gets you nowhere, the next timing could be the parking lot. From Formosa Gardens this is approx 6 mins, 10-12 mins, 10-12 mins, 15-20 mins to AK, EP, HS, and MK respectively.

The crucial entry into the park timing can vary dependent on the time you arrive. Eg if you arrive early you don't need the tram, as your parked either next to the entrance or the monorail. Arrive early in the morning and the tram is quicker as its not waiting as long at the stop to fill up.

We have been actually in each park from the villa on Formosa Gardens within 10mins, 15 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins to AK, EP, HS, MK.

Hope this helps

Paul.

The route that Paul mentions above that uses the dirt road is how we usually go when staying in that area. We used it when we were at Emerald Island a month ago. You can see it on this map, it's the blue line then turning left when you get to the red line.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

 

[WDWfamilyvacation08]

We are booked into a Vacation home in Formosa gardens. Does anyone know how far of a drive ( time wise, We are from Canada and measure distance in minutes/hours) it is from there to the four main disney parks. We want to plan on being at some park openings and would like to plan how early we will need to leave. Also have never stayed in a vaca home before are they worth it. we are a family of 15 6 adults and 9 kids.

Has anyone rented from USA-vaction homes before? do you have any pics? How was your vaca experience?

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Just wanted to reassure you that the time from Formosa area to the parks is quite often less than the time you might spend catching the onsite buses to the parks. Im sure you will have a wonderful time! We are big fans of vacation homes especially for families. Grammy

 

[psharrock]

Has anyone rented from USA-vaction homes before? do you have any pics? How was your vaca experience?

USA Vacation Homes were the management company of an owner we once rented a home from in Formosa Gardens. This owner owns 6 homes on the community, but they could be managing other homes on the community.

We had no real dealings with them apart from asking where the nearest walk in medical center was, and they directed us to the US27, we found out a day later that there was one at Formosa Gardens Plazza, which is less than a mile away.

The owners website is www.villatorent.us
Paul

 

[deejay-55]

The Formosa Gardens area (including Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms & Emerald Island) is one of the closest to Disney. Google Maps is a good way to check out the distance - go to www.maps.google.com and click “get directions”, then enter start address = your chosen community, and end address = 28.343,-81.566 (This will take you to the Disney maingate). You can also get satellite views and street views – great fun!

 

[boakl]

We all agreed it had a great location. It took us no more than 10 minutes to get to any of the parks' parking lots, and plenty of dining options within 3 minutes of the house if you want to avoid eating in the parks.


The neighborhood was quiet, well-kept, and a very relaxing oasis outside of the parks. We loved having separate bedrooms from the kids, a kitchen and lots of bathrooms. I don't think we will ever be able to stay onsite and jam into one little room every again!

Have a wonderful trip

 

[Clancy1976]

We've rented a home in Windsor Hills from AllStarVacationHomes and found the space in a home for our family of six very relaxing. Everyone enjoys the pool and game room; plus fixing breakfast and snacks is so convenient. We also appreciate the washer and dryer; especially now that airlines are placing fees on luggage.

 

[crazy canuck]

Funnie Steed dirt road shortcut is the way to go. We use it all the time when we stay at Windsor Palms. The more you stay off of the 192 the better!!

 

[Sunrisedream]

Be careful though, especially if its wet, there are some big ridges and pot holes!