Sunset Lakes-any opinions or info?

[disneymomoftwins]

Anyone stayed at Sunset Lakes?

 

[sympatico]

I stayed at Sunset Lakes a couple years ago. It has a coded gate, a community pool which we didn't use, a small play ground. It's a small, quiet community with a nice lake for fishing etc.
We stayed in a 4 br. home facing the lake at the end where the gazebo is.

 

[coastgirl]

Wanda didn't we stay in the same house?? Seriously, we had this conversation back in 2011. I quite liked the community. It was very quiet in the area we visted, and it certainly felt safe. It was handy to shopping and restaurants. We didn't go to Disney, we spent the time at Universal and SeaWorld, and the trip wasn't too bad, maybe 20 mins depending on traffic. It's not as new or fancy as some other resorts (I forgot the community pool because it was fairly plain--just a bigger pool like we had at our house) but well maintained and quite good value. We're staying in Emerald Island this time, but we did consider Sunset Lakes again, just couldn't find what we wanted for our dates.

 

[Candleshoe]

Wanda didn't we stay in the same house?? Seriously, we had this conversation back in 2011. I quite liked the community. It was very quiet in the area we visted, and it certainly felt safe. It was handy to shopping and restaurants. We didn't go to Disney, we spent the time at Universal and SeaWorld, and the trip wasn't too bad, maybe 20 mins depending on traffic. It's not as new or fancy as some other resorts (I forgot the community pool because it was fairly plain--just a bigger pool like we had at our house) but well maintained and quite good value. We're staying in Emerald Island this time, but we did consider Sunset Lakes again, just couldn't find what we wanted for our dates.

I've narrowed it down to about 10 houses in Emerald Island, Windsor Hills, Indian Creek and Sunset Lakes.

I'm interested in drive times. I know WH is the closest, and I'm *guessing* thta Indian Creek and Emerald Island would both be about 5 minutes more, one being just a little further south and one being a little further west. Is that accurate?

How about Sunset Lakes? I really like the home there -- the pool overlooks the little lake, and that would be nice.

My main indecisions are not wanting a gated community (I think) and worrying that Sunset Lakes is much further. What's your experience?

 

[sympatico]

I've narrowed it down to about 10 houses in Emerald Island, Windsor Hills, Indian Creek and Sunset Lakes.

I'm interested in drive times. I know WH is the closest, and I'm *guessing* thta Indian Creek and Emerald Island would both be about 5 minutes more, one being just a little further south and one being a little further west. Is that accurate?

How about Sunset Lakes? I really like the home there -- the pool overlooks the little lake, and that would be nice.

My main indecisions are not wanting a gated community (I think) and worrying that Sunset Lakes is much further. What's your experience?

Yes, Emerald Island and Indian Creek would be a 3 - 5 minutes more than Windsor Hills. But if you start timing from the entrance of each of these communities then the difference is a minute or two. Depends on how far into to the subdivision the house is.
Sunset Lakes has a coded gate which you punch in your code and it opens itself. It's a nice community.
Sunset Lakes is only a minute from the entrance to Emerald Island and when you look at a map because Emerald Island is off Funie Steed Rd a little it puts Sunset Lakes in front of it. So the driving distance from a house in Em Is would be similar to one in Sunset Lakes.
Map: Em Is is #15 and Sunset Lakes #16
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

 

[sympatico]

Wanda didn't we stay in the same house?? Seriously, we had this conversation back in 2011. I quite liked the community. It was very quiet in the area we visted, and it certainly felt safe. It was handy to shopping and restaurants. We didn't go to Disney, we spent the time at Universal and SeaWorld, and the trip wasn't too bad, maybe 20 mins depending on traffic. It's not as new or fancy as some other resorts (I forgot the community pool because it was fairly plain--just a bigger pool like we had at our house) but well maintained and quite good value. We're staying in Emerald Island this time, but we did consider Sunset Lakes again, just couldn't find what we wanted for our dates.

Hi JoAnne, I just saw this post and yes we stayed in the same house a week or so after you did. This time we'll only be in this area 5 nights so we're staying in a townhouse in Crestwynd Bay then moving down to Naples for a week or so.

 

[Candleshoe]

Yes, Emerald Island and Indian Creek would be a 3 - 5 minutes more than Windsor Hills. But if you start timing from the entrance of each of these communities then the difference is a minute or two. Depends on how far into to the subdivision the house is.
Sunset Lakes has a coded gate which you punch in your code and it opens itself. It's a nice community.
Sunset Lakes is only a minute from the entrance to Emerald Island and when you look at a map because Emerald Island is off Funie Steed Rd a little it puts Sunset Lakes in front of it. So the driving distance from a house in Em Is would be similar to one in Sunset Lakes.
Map: Em Is is #15 and Sunset Lakes #16
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

Thanks! I haven't sent too many inquiries out as of yet. The ones I got back were (approx) $1700 for WH, $1,600 for EI, $1,450 for IC and I just got one back from SL for $1100.

I know there are cheaper choices in condos and townhomes but neither is what I'm lookign for. I want a 4-5 BR 1-story (very important! can't climb stairs) home (also important, tired of the parking-lot-searches from WBC last year), with a hot-tub/spa experience. Everything else is gravy My next level of attributes are themed kids rooms and good reviews. Then down to game room (air hockey for DD13) and a non-glass dining table (personal preference only!).


That $600 difference for Sunset Lakes vs Windsor Hills buys the Luau for the group, or maybe a fireworks cruise.

I just don't want to skimp on 'time'. That's the component that you can't get back.

Our very first trip to Disney, not knowing the area, I had us camping at Ft Wilderness for the first 5 days and then moving to Oak Plantation (#189) for the last half (we actually ended up with 1 night at Travel Lodge on 192 in between because I was ready to get into air conditioning early!).
Oak Plantation was nice, BUT, that drive from that part of 192 was painful traffic-wise.

NOT as painful as our drive to Tampa on that Trip. DD was 3 and the Wiggles were playing in Tampa and we drove over. About 1.25 hrs getting there. About 4 hrs getting back! Road construction. We got to know our road-neighbors really well on that trip.

I appreciate you helping me with your experience! Nothing beats personal experience, but the second best is someone else's

 

[rackerlee92]

Thanks! I haven't sent too many inquiries out as of yet. The ones I got back were (approx) $1700 for WH, $1,600 for EI, $1,450 for IC and I just got one back from SL for $1100.

I know there are cheaper choices in condos and townhomes but neither is what I'm lookign for. I want a 4-5 BR 1-story (very important! can't climb stairs) home (also important, tired of the parking-lot-searches from WBC last year), with a hot-tub/spa experience. Everything else is gravy My next level of attributes are themed kids rooms and good reviews. Then down to game room (air hockey for DD13) and a non-glass dining table (personal preference only!).


That $600 difference for Sunset Lakes vs Windsor Hills buys the Luau for the group, or maybe a fireworks cruise.

I just don't want to skimp on 'time'. That's the component that you can't get back.

Our very first trip to Disney, not knowing the area, I had us camping at Ft Wilderness for the first 5 days and then moving to Oak Plantation (#189) for the last half (we actually ended up with 1 night at Travel Lodge on 192 in between because I was ready to get into air conditioning early!).
Oak Plantation was nice, BUT, that drive from that part of 192 was painful traffic-wise.

NOT as painful as our drive to Tampa on that Trip. DD was 3 and the Wiggles were playing in Tampa and we drove over. About 1.25 hrs getting there. About 4 hrs getting back! Road construction. We got to know our road-neighbors really well on that trip.

I appreciate you helping me with your experience! Nothing beats personal experience, but the second best is someone else's

We've stayed in Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills. Later this year, we are staying at Sunset Lakes. They are all just a few minutes difference travel wise (we always used Sherbeth Rd).

Due to DD's first year in high school, we are vacationing just after Christmas this year. Prices are much higher over the holidays and SL was the best deal for us that included 4 bedrooms, game room, full-sized pool and gated community.

Good luck with making your decision!