Pool Home Neighborhoods

[ajcat]

Last week I thought that we wanted to stay in WBC, but now I think we want to rent a pool home. Good thing I have lots of time before March.

I've been searching other threads, and have gotten a lot of information about the neighborhoods, but I have a few questions. We're looking for a 4 bedroom house. Which neighborhoods are best for these requirements?

1. Safe and secure area
2. Quiet (hoping for no late night partiers next door)
3. 15 - 20 minutes to the parks, w/o a lot of traffic/stoplight headaches

And of course we would like a reasonable price, but I can narrow that down as I look at listings. TIA!

 

[Donaldswife]

Last week I thought that we wanted to stay in WBC, but now I think we want to rent a pool home. Good thing I have lots of time before March.

I've been searching other threads, and have gotten a lot of information about the neighborhoods, but I have a few questions. We're looking for a 4 bedroom house. Which neighborhoods are best for these requirements?

1. Safe and secure area
2. Quiet (hoping for no late night partiers next door)
3. 15 - 20 minutes to the parks, w/o a lot of traffic/stoplight headaches

And of course we would like a reasonable price, but I can narrow that down as I look at listings. TIA!

We stayed at a pool home in Windsor Hill in March/April of this year and the neighborhood is definitely what you are looking for.

Here is a link to the property we stayed in, it was fabulous and I would totally recommend it to anyone. The owner, Johnny, was great to work with and the house was beautiful. Feel free to PM if you have any questions. Of course, on homeaway.com and vrbo.com you can find many other homes in Windsor Hills as well.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p268588#calendar-bar


Good luck!

 

[packofprincesses]

We have stayed at Indian Creek on 2 different occasions with no problems!! I have other friend that have stayed here as well and enjoyed it. We paid about $1000/week for a 5 bedroom.

 

[ajcat]

We have stayed at Indian Creek on 2 different occasions with no problems!! I have other friend that have stayed here as well and enjoyed it. We paid about $1000/week for a 5 bedroom.

Is Indian Creek gated, or have surveillance? That's important to us.


I should also add that neighborhoods that have a little extra space, or some privacy between homes (shrubs, trees, fences) would be a big plus. Maybe that is hard to find.

 

[Disneyliscious]

Is Indian Creek gated, or have surveillance? That's important to us.


I should also add that neighborhoods that have a little extra space, or some privacy between homes (shrubs, trees, fences) would be a big plus. Maybe that is hard to find.

I have noticed the homes in Windsor Hills (and many others quite frankly) seem to forget about shrubbery around the pool. That is one of the main things I look for in a home. If I can see the next family at their pool 10 feet away, I'll look elsewhere.

With that said, if you look through enough homes, you'll find several who have shrubbery or fences around their yard, making their pool very private. We rent a home in Hamiltons Reserve and love it. Its not a gated community but its a very quiet neighborhood and we have never had or heard of any trouble there. Its about 5 miles from Disney.

To give you an idea, here is a photo of the pool at the home where we stay:




Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[isla bonita]

We have stayed in both Emerald Island Resort and Indian Ridge Oakes. They are both located in the Formosa Gardens area. Near the parks, I4, grocer, packy and loads of restaurants.

 

[ajcat]

I have noticed the homes in Windsor Hills (and many others quite frankly) seem to forget about shrubbery around the pool. That is one of the main things I look for in a home. If I can see the next family at their pool 10 feet away, I'll look elsewhere.

I've noticed that, too. I love the look of the pool area in the house you rent. How long does it take you to get to the parks? Care to share the property listing?

 

[7165red]

I look for a pvt. pool also. Most pool homes are close to each other so a fence or shrubbery is really a must for me. I enjoy quiet time at the pool. I have stayed at two villas in Lindfields with pvt. pools, one was Maria's Sunny Retreat very pvt and roomy, second was Dolphin Song. They are both close to 192 and a short ride to WDW and a hop to AKL. 192 has Piblix grocery store, Target and many restaurants. Check out www.orlandovillas.com.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I've noticed that, too. I love the look of the pool area in the house you rent. How long does it take you to get to the parks? Care to share the property listing?

Sure. Its a 3BR, 3BA home but the couch in the living room lets out to make a bed too if someone needed it. Let me add that the photos do not do the home justice. I originally rented it because the price was great and the owner (Rick) is PHENOMENAL to work with. Very nice guy and he is very flexible. When we walked into the home the first time we were amazed. The layout of the home is perfect. It was spotless, smelled fresh and everything was in working order. He doesn't require a security deposit and includes pool heat/spa heat/wi-fi/gas BBQ all in his price. Our stay for 10 nights next October is $1073. It takes about 5 minutes to get to the parks.

I have never emailed him where I didnt get a response in 30 minutes or less.

The shrubbery you see in the pool photo is like that around the entire pool area. Its totally private.

This is his listing to his personal website:
http://www.aaaorlandoholidayhome.com/index

This is his listing on VRBO:
http://www.vrbo.com/133146 (My review of his home is the 1st one you will see at the top)

 

[ajcat]

Disneyliscious, I love the house...unfortunately, it isn't available for the dates we need.

7165red, I found Dolphin Song, and it looks great, too.

I'm zeroing in on a home in Formosa Gardens. I'll let you know what I end up doing. I appreciate all of the input. Keep it coming!

 

[7165red]

disneylisious, thanks for posting the website, I love the home & the price is great. I can see he is fully booked which is a good sign too. I have book marked it for 2012. As I see I will have to hurry up on dates.

 

[ajcat]

I just sent off a deposit on a house! I decided upon Nearest-Disney in Formosa Gardens - found it on VRBO (54573). I like the idea that the houses look like they have some space between them. If anyone has any knowledge about it (good or bad), let me know. It's scary and exciting all at once!

 

[Planogirl]

These houses are all so big! I'm thinking of a smaller home since I just need two bedrooms. Does anything like that or at least just three bedrooms exist around that area?

 

[Disneyliscious]

There are plenty of 2 bedrooms on VRBO.com. You can search by the number of BR's you are looking for.

 

[rt2dz]

Can I jump in here? I know Emerald Island is good (location wise), but what other neighborhoods are close?

I don't want to be more than 15 minutes from the parks. I do, too, prefer a gated neighborhood. Which is funny because we live in a gated neighborhood and I can't stand it. Just something about wanting extra security when you don't know the area makes me feel better.

And I want a house/villa, not a condo or a townhome. I don't want to share walls and I want a driveway to park in.

 

[4forMe]

Can I jump in here? I know Emerald Island is good (location wise), but what other neighborhoods are close?

I don't want to be more than 15 minutes from the parks. I do, too, prefer a gated neighborhood. Which is funny because we live in a gated neighborhood and I can't stand it. Just something about wanting extra security when you don't know the area makes me feel better.

And I want a house/villa, not a condo or a townhome. I don't want to share walls and I want a driveway to park in.

Emerald Island, Windsor Hills and Windsor Palms have manned security gates. Sunset Lakes, Formosa Garden Estates and Acadia Estates have coded gates. We prefer to stay at Windsor Hills though it's the most expensive of the gated communities.

Here is a thread that has a lot of good information and recommendations regarding renting a pool home:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2623627&highlight=pool+home

 

[rt2dz]

Emerald Island, Windsor Hills and Windsor Palms have manned security gates. Sunset Lakes, Formosa Garden Estates and Acadia Estates have coded gates. We prefer to stay at Windsor Hills though it's the most expensive of the gated communities.

Here is a thread that has a lot of good information and recommendations regarding renting a pool home:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2623627&highlight=pool+home

Can I just say thank you for that link? It's filled with lots of great info! Still going through it. I'm hoping to find out how long (time, not miles) each community is to WDW.

 

[DVCconvert]

Formosa Gardens Estates now has cameras (at least) at the gates now too.

 

[4forMe]

Can I just say thank you for that link? It's filled with lots of great info! Still going through it. I'm hoping to find out how long (time, not miles) each community is to WDW.

Windsor Hills is the closest and newest which is why it tends to be the most expensive.

Here is a link to a map which will show you where the communities are in relation to Disney:



http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa-map.php

 

[4forMe]

I forgot to add in my last post it only took us 7 minutes from the housein Windsor Hills to the Animal Kingdom parking lot (yes, I timed it!).