Has anyone used Vacation by the Mouse?

[amwhitaker]

We have reservations to stay at Sandy Ridge and I was wondering what is near these houses, such as restaurants, grocery stories, ect.

Anyone stay there?

 

[Mom2T&G]

We stayed at one of their houses in High Grove last year and loved it. I don't know anything about Sandy Ridge, but wanted to let you know we had no problems with the owners and the place was in great condition. Have fun!!

 

[tednvon]

Hi...Sandy Ridge is quite a ways from Disney compared to the biggies just off Old lake Wilson or Formosa Gardens, like Emerald Island, Windsor Hills and so on...but not a bad trip...It is not 10 minutes to Disney! It is more than 10 minutes to Disney parking lots from the "biggies" also.

Sandy Ridge is straight south of Animal Kingdom about 5 miles off Old Lake Wilson Road. Take a left on Ronald Reagan Parkway...this area is undergoing lots of road construction, but is not major thoroughfare so should not be a problem other than driving through some construction stuff. Now I have not been on this road since we left after our 3 month stay last April, and this area was getting some well needed major road improvements. Florida road construction seems to go in slow mo, but maybe someone here can bring you up to date on how it is progressing.

Once you find Sandy Ridge you will be able to find it again very easy...ist time will be sticking right to directions.
For groceries you will have an easy drive to Champion' Gate and a big Publix.
From the house go back to Old Lake Wilson, go right about a mile or so to the stop light with big CVS pharmacy and stop light...go left just over a mile and you will drive right into Champion' Gate...Publix and strip mall will be on your right after a short drive...a couple of eating options are here in the mall.

To get to Disney, two options...easy way may be to head into Champion' Gate but just before the big entrance gate hop on I-4 east (Orlando) and get off at new Disney exit...minimal traffic and hassles...NOTE: if you return via I-4 west (Tampa) from Disney the exit says only Kissimmee/Poinciana, and makes not reference to Champion's Gate... so be heads up or it easy to drive by! You will exit right back onto the road that goes back to the Pharmacy..so just stay RIGHT ON EXIT RAMP off i-4 do not go toward Champion's Gate...
Other option to Disney is to drive back to 192 on Old Lake Wilson turn right on 192 to Disney exit off 192.

Restaurants are everywhere, but none really close to you...Lots on 192 east or west from Old Lake Wilson...
A favorite of ours if you like or would to try some fun British food (along with good American fare) is the THE PUB ON hWY 27 SOUTH. Easy to find...hop on I-4 west (Tampa) at Champions Gate, go about a mile to Hwy 27 SOUTH...go less than a mile on 27 and look on the right side for a Green Building...It has fantastic Shepherd's Pie or Fish and Chips...

The Homes in Sandy Ridge are very nice, just like the hundreds of homes in other developments that are for rent...so enjoy!

Ted

 

[pnutallergymom]

Ted,

How far would you say this property is from MK, US/IOA and Sea World. The owner I am looking at has fabulous prices, much , much lower than those at the big 3, but I am concerned about the distance.

 

[amwhitaker]

Ted, is Champions Gate a city? I can only find the Champions Gate Drive when I googled it.

 

[tednvon]

Hi Pnut......................!!
4-5 years ago before all the new Disney entrances, you would have been in a much longer drive situation to Disney, but now you are very close to the Big 3 in terms of minutes to the parks...which is really how you measure travel in the area...minutes, not miles! Two miles on 192 can be a nightmare at certain times while 5 miles on I-4 or or new 429 toll is a breeze!

In my opinion you are in great shape to get to MK and super great shape to get to US and Sea World...
For MK take your pick on the above post to go I-4 east (Orlando) or all the way north on Old Lake Wilson to 192 and right to Disney entrance...not really sure if one is that much faster. Plan 20 minutes right to the parking lot...give or take a few minutes...not bad at all.

For Sea World and US, definately hop on I-4 east go past Disney on I-4 (might be a little slow if really busy, but it is 8 lanes past Disney so should move OK...then just look for the exits to SW and US a about 4 miles or so past Disney...returning, remember to go West (Tampa) on I-4 and take the Kissimmee/Poinciana exit...Figure about 40 minutes at least, but would be the same from the Big 3!
The only homes I would stay away from are the ones out on 27 where you have to jump onto Hwy 27 with cars going 70 MPH and lots of scared new tourists trying to get out of these huge developements and onto the road with no stop lights. It is very dangerous. Sandy Ridge and all the homes just off of Old Lake Wilson avoid those problems...

One more fav place to eat is Beef O'Bradys" for under $10 dollar burgers, and sandwiches...I love the grouper sandwich lightly blackened!

Take Ronald Reagan Parkway west all the way to 27...It is a pretty good trip but easy...on your right at the intersection is a strip mall and one of the business's is Beef O'Brady's...


enjoy...Ted

 

[tednvon]

CGate is housing developement and huge golf resort. The golf is centered around a huge Omni Hotel that you can see for miles because it out in the middle of nowhere all by itself. There are two pricey Greg Norman Golf Courses, a couple of Cstores and one strip mall with Publix and small mall type of food places...Lots of pricey homes and condos that they would LOVE to sell you!!! Here is the link
http://www.championsgategolf.com/

Ted

 

[Frothy]

Just got back from another wonderful 4 night stay in Orlando and we actually went to the Omni having being recommended there by the folks at the company we rent from. "Zen" in the Omni is really fabulous. Must try David's Club next time as that looked great as well.