Rental Homes, Which Developement?

[100%Disney]

I am looking at renting a home for our May trip to Disney, I love the resorts hotels and I fear giving up the feeling of staying onsite. Our December trip was cut short because we were all at each others throats because of having to share beds and be in the same small room for 11 days. We are planning on the end of May, staying through Memorial weekend, will this pose a problem for those of us driving to the parks? And my main question, which developement? I'm looking at Windsor Palms, Formosa Gardens, Eagle Pointe or Indian Creek, if you've stayed at one or more of these, please respond.

 

[TDM516]

We're looking at staying at Windsor Palms the last week in May ourselves. I've heard nothing but great comments about it on this board. We have two teenaged daughters and I like the fact that they can go to the game room or the resort theater when they have had too much "family bonding" or they can hang out around the pool at the house.

 

[martina857]

Emerald Island resort is also in that area Emerald Island Resort

 

[UKDEB]

We've stayed at Formosa Gardens several times and we love it, although I don't think you'd go far wrong with any you've mentioned. Eagle Pointe is a bit further from WDW than the others. As martina857 says, Emerald Island is another (new) sub-division in the same area as WP, FG and IC, as is Oak Island.

We have two teenage daughters and usually visit Orlando for 2 or 3 weeks at a time - spending the entire time in a hotel simply wouldn't be a vacation! We try to get the best of both worlds by renting a home and then spending a couple of nights at an onsite hotel about half way through our stay.

Please ask if you have any specific questions.

 

[tinatark]

We're going in March, staying at Windsor Palms. We had orignally rented through their rental agency, then got an AWESOME rate at VRBO.com. The community gets the highest reviews on this board - it's gated, I think all the homes have pools/pools and spas, plus a great community area - movie theatre, pool, sauna, etc. I'll know more when I get back, but it may be too late for you to book then.

 

[MouseGirl]

We stayed in Windsor Palms in March 2002, and I can't say enough about what a wonderful place it was. We stayed in a three-bedroom condo, not a vacation home, but spoke to several people in the clubhouse and pool area who were in the homes and thought they were spectacular. I think you'll be very happy if you decide to stay there. It's a 10 minute drive to the WDW parking lot and close to everything....

 

[karenvicki]

We stayed in Indian Creek in November. It's in the same general vicinity of Formosa Gardens, and Emerald Island (and a few others that escape me for the moment). It was a great community - didn't have all the bells and whistles of Windsor Palms but was very quiet. When we were out in our pool, we felt like we were the only people in the whole neighborhood. And of course, the location is great with it's proximity to WDW as well as supermarkets, restaurants and shopping.
We got a great rate booking through vrbo.com and dealing directly with the owner.
Hope this helps.

 

[Robinrs]

I've stayed at Indian Ridge Oaks and Rolling Hills. My next trip we'll be staying at the Windsor Palms. I've never stayed there but know many who have and they LOVED it! I like the idea of the cinema and the convenience store and it's location is wonderful also.

Our trip is the last week of May, also!

Of the four you mentioned, Eagle Pointe is the the farthest from Disney. I would suggest that you consider that because you will be going on a holiday week and the first week that the Southern states schools are closed and traffic may be an issue.

Here is a location map you might want to check.

 

[tednvon]

Hi...these are all very nice....Windsor Palms is about 3 miles farther to Disney than Emerald Island or Formosa Gardens...EIsland and WP both are "resorts" with public pools, clubhouse, game rooms...good stuff for a rainy day...Formosa has not central club house I am aware of. enjoy..Ted

 

[FLeisure]

It really depends on which side of Disney you want to be. East side (Indian Point, Eagle Point, Cumbrian Lakes) are all 4 miles down Poinciana Blvd and approx. 10 mins from Disney via 535 or 15 mins along US 192. The East side is much closer to the shopping areas and reaching Florida Mall, the new Millenium Mall, Universal Studios, Sea World is relatively simple.

The West side of Disney is very slightly closer to Disney if you are on any of the following communities; Lindfields, Sunset Lakes, Oak Island, Emerald Isle, Formosa Gdns, Indian Creek, Rolling Hills and Windsor Palm. If you know the short cut via the back road you can pretty much be in Disney in 4 minutes from all of these communities ! It will take 10-15 mins longer to get to Sea World, Universal and the Malls from this side.

From an eating point of view, there really is little difference. Both sides have some great restaurants. Overall the West side is largely influenced by Short Term Rental communities whereas the East side has more residential communities.

Traffic from either side should be easy with the East side having the advantage because it has more choice of route. US 192 on the West side can be busy during peak times and this can make the journey longer...but not if you know the short cut !!

 

[100%Disney]

FLeisure- If you had to choose, which side would you choose. Also, if you don't mind me asking? What is the short cut?

 

[FLeisure]

When I used to visit I always stayed on the west side. Then I bought my first house on Sunset Lakes and rented that out for 1 year before moving here. I lived in that house for 2 years before moving to the East side (Cumbrian Lakes) and really I enjoy both sides for differing reasons.

Personally, I have a bias towards rental homes on Sunset Lakes and Cumbrian Lakes as these communities are gated and have some lovely homes with great water views. The other thing is that I have seen these communities being built from day one and I know exactly where to go if ever there is a problem with a house !

The short cut is Sherbeth Road and leads you the back way into Disney. It takes you right by Animal Kingdom and AK lodge and then leads to where ever you want to go on Disney property.

 

[100%Disney]

Thanks for the info, I will start looking at some house in these neighborhoods also, we aren't concerned with resort ammenities, as long as we have a pool and a jacuzzi, we are set. We haven't really explored Orlando, we get to Disney and don't go anywhere else. We haven't even been to Sea World or Universal. We're new to Disney, 2 trips in 2002, so I guess we don't venture out of the Disney area because it's more familiar. It was nice to ride the buses, but we waited much longer for buses during our Dec. trip than we did in July. I found myself questioning why we weren't just driving instead. We also aren't early-birds, so ee days don't mean much to us. I'm so glad to talk about staying off property with people who have done it and like it, the resorts board really favors on-site or nothing. I appreciate your advice.

 

[Robinette]

FLeisure, I sent you a private message.

 

[FLeisure]

Robinette,
Have replied...it was our pleasure !