One more vacation home question......

[Pammyb]

I am in the process of doing vacation home rental research for our vacation next year. Last year we stayed at HGVC and it was very convenient for both WDW and USF/IOA. Are there any housing areas that are as convenient to both ? If so, what names should I be looking for when looking at the VRBO site? Thank you so much for your help!



Pam

 

[FLeisure]

Vacation homes are generally a 15 -20 minute drive from Universal. The closest developments to USF is probably Indian Wells ( I stand corrected here) . IWells was one of the first communities built to accommodate short term rentals and is some 12-15 years old now. As a result, it is not such a desirable location as the newer locations.

As long as you have close access to I4 I don't think any area is a bad one for visiting both parks. I tend to favour the locations just off US 192 as they are closer to Disney but some of the sites lower down on US 27 should be just as good if you plan on visiting Universal more.

By the way, I4 has now had all its exits renumbered ! The old numbers are still there for now !

 

[Robinrs]

Hi, Pammy:

The HGVC is closer in than all of the vacation homes. I agree with FL that as long as you're near I-4 you have easy access to USF. As you can tell my my signature I frequent USF when I go to Orlando and I am a big vacation home fan now. They may not be as close as most of the hotels but it makes getting "home" so much nicer!

Let me know if you need any more info.

 

[Pammyb]

FLeisure and Robin,

Thank you so much for the replies! What would be the names of some of the developments
I should be looking at? I have been looking at the VRBO and FLeisure's site. I am getting so excited-too bad it is a year from now!


Pam

 

[Robinrs]

My pleasure, Pammy:

I've stayed at Indian Ridge Oaks and at Rolling Hills. Rolling Hills was my favorite of the two, but if I had my druthers I'd stay at Wyndham Palms. This resort has amenities that I thought were incredible. It has a cinema, a convenience store and shuttle (paid) that takes you to the parks.

I also prefer the West side, mostly because I know it better. The east subdivisions I'm sure are nice also but I just like the West much better.

 

[UKDEB]

Hi Pam

We always stay in vacation homes just off west 192. Our current fave (as you will see from my signature!) is Formosa Gardens. We haven't stayed at Wyndham Palms, but it is literally a stone's throw away so maybe we will check it out when we go in October. There are a number of communities in this area of west 192 (between markers 4 and 5 near Splendid China). These are some that I can remember:

Formosa Gardens
Rolling Hills
Wyndham Palms
Indian Creek
Oak Island
Sunset Lakes
Lindfields
Indian Ridge
Indian Ridge Oaks

If you stay on any of these sub-divisions you are 5-10 minutes from WDW property (the first 5 on the list are a bit closer than the last 4). Use the Sherberth Road shortcut.

We never find getting to Universal a problem. The I-4 does get a bit congested at times, especially around the Lake Buena Vista exit (which used to be 27 - I seem to have lost my link to the new exit numbers), but it seems to keep moving. You could always do what we do - book a villa for the duration of our vacation and then book a couple of nights onsite at USF.

We've got to know the area really well, so if you've got any questions feel free to e-mail me.

 

[Pammyb]

I do have one more question though. Has anybody used the shuttle at Wyndham Palms? When we go, we do rent a car. Next year, though, we may be taking my mother with us, which means my DH, DS, and DS friend will be doing their own thing part of the time, while I spend time with DM. I would like to know the destinantions and frequency if possible? The availability of shuttle would definitely lead me to renti at Wyndham Palms. Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[Robinrs]

Pammyb:

I picked up a shuttle schedule for April while I was there. It's run by Mangate Transportation. It must be reserved at guest services in the lobby of the clubhouse and is $13 round trip per person. The departures in April were 8:20am and 10:35am and on this sheet they only go to USF, Wet n Wild and SeaWorld. I see no schedule for Disney.

I would give the WP a call and ask for the schedule for your time of year. I'm sure things are being updated regularly since it's a new place.