Haines City??

[josemed1999]

Has anyone stayed in this area, how is it?
Is it a safe area?

Thanks!

 

[tinkerbell423]

We were in Haines City over chirstmas break. We were in a gated community and I did not worry about safety. It was not the same standard as other areas we stayed in but it was OK for the money (safety wise) However the drive was LONG everyday (we were going to Sea World and Universal Disney was a little closer) We sat in traffic everymorning no matter how early or late we left (Christmas was busy). So overall it was a good price but I wouldn't stay there again because of the distance.

 

[safetymom]

Haines City is pretty big. Whereabouts are you staying?

 

[josemed1999]

I am looking at a Villa but I don't know where yet.

 

[josemed1999]

I am looking at a place in Southern Dunes. What do you guys think? Is it far from Universal Studios?

 

[Byron13]

It can take you about 45 minutes to get to Universal. We stayed there once nice villa but distance was too far from everyone. I think it was about 8 miles from Southern Dunes just to get on I4.

 

[safetymom]

I don't think it would be 45 mins. I can make it from Exit 58 to Universal in about 20 mins. So I would allow another 10 mins or so. Southern Dunes is very nice.

 

[MattM]

Southern Dunes is a nice community, and a good golf course.

There's not much to Haines City though, so keep that in mind in terms of restaurants (even though I know Manny's is good), shopping, etc.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Has anyone stayed in this area, how is it?
Is it a safe area?

Haines City is a relatively safe area. Benefits are a Wal Mart at Southern Dunes' entrance, fair amount of fast food, off the tourist route.

There are some drawbacks. Previous post mentioned lack of good sit-down food. I agree. Anything in Haines City is smaller, family owned places, no chain restaurants. Those are by the interstate, even then, not many there either. It can be 45 minutes to US, about 25 to WDW, and 35 to SW. Mostly it depends on time of day and traffic. PP of 20 is accurate from interstate entrance to exit, but only on good days. There is an abundance of red lights on US 27 between Southern Dunes to I4, so about 15 minutes there.

For a vacation, it would be a long drive. If that doesn't bother you in the least, you won't regret Southern Dunes.

 

[swilshire]

I think T-Bones is the name of the restaurant that we REALLY love there. Right on Hwy 27. We stumbled onto it when we drove through there starving once. The parking lot was full of cars so we thought that was a good sign. Got into the restaurant and there were no customers. Must have been folks having a meeting or something. Took a chance and it was a good move.

Every time we're in the area now we make a trip to Mouse Surplus and eat there. You can't get a meal small enough to finish and their prices are incredable. We've never had anything bad, but their grouper is terrific. You get a soup or salad bar with the meals along with homemade bread. Our first trip, we were totally full after eating the soup and bread. I order a sandwich now to hold the leftovers down, but we still have enough left for another meal or two. They have lunch specials in the $7 - $8 range.

Sheila

 

[MattM]

T-Bones is now Manny's, I believe.

 

[LauraAnn630]

We stayed at Southern Dunes the week of Christmas and New Years. It was 25 minutes to Disney and 45 minutes (or less) to US and IoA.

We had some problems with the pool and hot tub. We had to call maintenance to clean and add chemicals. The towels had hairs in them.
I brought big beach towels anyways.

Its a nice neighborhood. We didn't eat around there. We were busy in the parks!

We stayed at a villa called The Hibiscus. Here it is...

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

T-Bones is now Manny's, I believe.

Are we talking about the fish place? I remember a fairly good, fairly crowded fish place on the south end of town that had a small store ala Cracker Barrel. This place had lots of local food like turtle, snake, and gator.

 

[safetymom]

There is a T Bones and Manny's on 27. They are separate places.

 

[onelilspark]

We have to pass Haines City to get to my parents place. The closer you are to I4, the more convienent it is to the parks. I wouldn't say Southern Dunes is 45 minutes to Universal unless you get caught in some heavy traffic, probably more like 30. My parents live south and it takes them 45-50 minutes to get to Universal from where they live unless they hit traffic and 27 seems like it's been under construction since they've moved!!

Haines City would be nice because you're a little further away from the "touristy" areas.

 

[davidmolliesmum]

we stayed in Southern Dunes last june and we found it perfect!
even after staying on site the previous year we never found it to be too far. the journey to the parks build the excitement!

walmart is right on the doorstep of the entrance which is FAB and it was close to the 192 which we spent most evenings for dinner!