Help with villa location and should i change

[welshlamb]

As the time for departure is coming closer and closer i'm getting quite worked up about the locaton of our villa. It's in Southern Dunes and i know from leaving messages on the board that it's a long way from any of the attractions.
If i can i'm going to ask if i can change to another villa somehwhere closer to the attractions. Please can anyone give me advice on a good area to stay,and am i being a little hasty are the villas and the complex worth the travel...

 

[Nitram64]

The closest villas to disney are about 20 mins drive.You are'nt far from the i4 so at least you have a freeway to get you to the parks.You could ask for a move but if you can't don't let it spoil your holiday.Im sure someone who has stayed there will come on and give you more info.

 

[jacklouis]

We really enjoyed our stay at Southern Dunes last year, so much so we have booked the same villa for our trip next year.

Yes it is a bit further out but for us that wasn't an issue, once we were out & about we tended to stay out all day. I can't actually remember how long it took to get to the parks but it couldn't have been too bad as my boys would have soon let me know if they were fed up with the drive.

There is a huge Walmart literally right on the doorstep & plenty of places to eat, including the club house on site.

My DH is a very keen golfer & he can't wait to play the course again.

Try not to worry.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think it would be unfair of me to say you should change it, after all it could be a wonderful villa - however, having stayed in a number of different villa locations and driven around many others in my opinion just off the 192 in Kissimmee cannot be beat.
The Formosa Gardens area is close to Disney, I4, Supermarkets and restaurants.

I guess it depends on whether you want that extra 10-15 minutes driving each way to the theme parks?

Like I say I really don't think anyone can say that you should change your holiday but the location of your villa is not one that personally I would have chosen as Southern Dunes is for me too far South.

 

[Miffy2003]

How much will it cost you to change it? I think you would have to weigh up the extra cost against the extra times commuting to and form the parks.

We stayed in Lindfields in August (not as close to WDW as Formosa Gdns) and it was only an eight minute commute to the Maingate (less if going via Sherberth Road). My preference would be to be as close as possible, but possibly not if it was going to cost me extra money to change it.

 

[welshlamb]

Thamks for the advice the agents we've booked with are pricing a villa closer to the parks so i'll let you know how much extra it will cost if we decide to change. The company we have booked through are called allstar. Has anyone heard of this company? and if so are they o.k

 

[Sunrisedream]

Although I have not dealt with them personally, I have heard Allstar are a good company. All the villas in the Formosa area (where Splendid China used to be) are around 10 minutes to Maingate (quicker if you take the Sherberth shortcut), they include Formosa Gardens, Emerald Isle, Sunset Lakes, Lindfields, Oak Island Cove, Acadia Estates, nice communities too!

 

[jools]

I wouldn't worry too much about the location of Southern Dunes. Although I have not stayed there I do know the area in fact we are staying on a community next door to it at Christmas.

I know there is mixed feelings on this board about being so far away from the Disney area, but I have driven from there to the theme parks many times and have found it takes about 25 - 35 mins (much less time than it takes me to travel work).

I find the location to be a peaceful retreat after the hussle and bussle of the busy days at the theme parks. It is a short drive from the I4 from which you can get to just about any major attraction in Florida including either of the coasts for a day out at the beach.

Walmart is just next door and there are several restuarants close by which tend to be less touristy and the service less rushed.

Cypress Gardens and a large shopping mall are not far down the road. Gosh! I sound like a tour operator, which I'm not, just like the area.

Sorry to go on, but would like to add I have stayed on site at Disney many times and have found it can take just as long (if not longer) to get back to our resort using Disney transport.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Adding to what I have already said earlier, Souhern Dunes is a nice development of villas.
However, the one's located at the Formosa Gardens area are just as nice if not better.

Irrespective of the location ALL villas offer privacy and relaxation away from the theme parks - that's why they are so popular.

The fact is you are 10 minutes away from Disney at FG whereas it potentially can be 30 minutes or more from Southern Dunes.
That could be at least 40 minutes more travelling time there and back - hence I know where I would rather stay.

Again however, if it isn't for me to say change your villa - I am sure wherever you stay you will enjoy it, it all comes down to personal choice in the end.