Villa Help?

[mushumadness]

Hiya

I am needing some help choosing a villa, we have decided that if it doesnt cost too much more we are going to choose our villa location through tcd

so does anybody know anything about these villas and what thyre like and how close to disney they are
Highlands reserve
Orange Tree
Solana
Southern Dunes
Windsor Hills

thanx anna

 

[tartangirl]

Although we've never stayed at Highlands Reserve we've stayed nearby and when we were considering buying in Florida it was high up on our list of desirable estates.

It's a nice looking estate in good location on the US27 about 15 minutes from Disney. A bit further to travel to Universal and the shopping malls.

I think Solana might be about the same location on the other side of the road.
If it's the one I'm thinking of (lots of orange houses) it didn't look as nice as Highlands Reserve.

Southern Dunes is not such a good location as it's much further down the US27

 

[mushumadness]

how about windsor hills, that looks really nice, I have just been looking at pictures of it

 

[tartangirl]

I've never seen the Windsor Hills estate.

I've just looked at the location for Winsor Hills on the map - it is a great location although I think that area might have roadworks (a new motorway) going on around it. You might need to check that the villa is a distance away from the roadworks.

 

[Yoga Deb]

We have stayed at both Southern Dunes and Highlands Reserve, out of these two I prefer Highlands Reserve. All the communities you have listed are on Hwy 27,except Windsor Hills which is just off Hwy 192. I have not stayed at Windsor Hills but this would be my prefered location being closer to the parks, restaurants and shops than the other communities you have mentioned. The new road doesn't affect WH but I think that the community is still under construction. Although you may choose your location remember TCD villas are still allocation on arrival so there can still be a big variation in how well the villa is equipped and cared for, which ever community you choose.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Anna,

Attached is a map of all the villa communities, as you will see Southern Dunes is quite southerly.

As I seem to say on most villa threads our preferred choice is just off the 192 in Kissimmee, close to restaurants/supermarkets/Disney and the I4.

Location is a big factor, many (like us) prefer the 192 and many prefer the US27.
Out of your selection my preference would be for Windsor Hills, but everyone has their own different thoughts.

Whichever you choose, a South facing secluded pool area is a big advantage as you get the sun all day plus total privacy too.

www.orlandovillas.com/Map.aspx

 

[mushumadness]

thanx for the map, looks like most of the places mentioned are on the tcd aoa (within 20 mins of disney) so I guess I wont pay the extra and say a certain place (at 220!!!)

thanx for the maps and advice

 

[Miffy2003]

Anna, why not book your own villa? That way you will get exactly what you want in the exact location you want

It may even be cheaper

 

[spoiltrotten12]

When we stayed in a villa we stayed just off Old Lake Wilson road in Indian Ridge. It was lovely and we are considering staying there again for one of our 2007 trips.

 

[AndRu]

Although we've never stayed at Highlands Reserve we've stayed nearby and when we were considering buying in Florida it was high up on our list of desirable estates. It's a nice looking estate in good location on the US27 about 15 minutes from Disney. A bit further to travel to Universal and the shopping malls.

Whoa! We've stayed next to Highlands Reserve twice and unless you've got clear roads (unlikely) and Michael Schumachers F1 car (even more unlikely) getting to Disney in 15 mins isn't possible.

I'm sorry, but it annoys me when you see unrealistic times on distances to attractions. Tour Operators started it with a short stroll to the beach which really means 10 miles and a walk to the bus stop. Highlands Reserve to Disney in realistic terms is 30 minutes - but much longer if the 192 is busy.

 

[isla bonita]

I own a home in the 192 Formosa Gardens Area. I think it is just as AndRu says. You might get lucky and not have a 20 to 30 minute comute but please do not count on it. The homes are beautiful in

Highlands reserve this was where I liked the homes best just not the location seeing we were going to be renting it out. You know the saying location ,locationand so on.

Orange Tree for us is to far.

Solana we bought from these builder so we loved these homes.

Southern Dunes again way to far.

Windsor Hills very close by where we are located and it is a very new still in the process of being built. I have not had the pleasure of going thru it but have heard great things.

I think when picking a home it is all up to the renters of what they want. That is why there are so many different communities to choose from. Some have amenities, some are just like a typical neighborhood, some are gated again so on and so on, Do you mind the drive? There are so many options.

If you have a choice it would be my advice to pick out your own home and book it separate from the rest of your vacation. This way you can be in the area you want and the home that best fits your family. Have a magical vacation what ever you choose.


some web sites to check out

http://www.fabvillas.com/villa-rental/menu/1/?session=1642522395
http://www.smartorlandovillas.com/
http://www.topvillasillustrated.com/
http://www.orlando4villas.com/

Many of these homes are owned byyour fellow country men and women you might find a neighbor who will rent to you. LOL

 

[traciedee]

Tripadvisor has a lot of good reviews about Windsor Hills. It gets positive reviews and is close to the parks

 

[mushumadness]

We havealready booked an allocated on arrival villa with tcd, I wa sjust going to pay more to choose the location (as I didnt want to be too far down)

Would love to book windsor hills but no they are telling me it would be £220 to change

ahh well I will have to think about it

 

[tartangirl]

Whoa! We've stayed next to Highlands Reserve twice and unless you've got clear roads (unlikely) and Michael Schumachers F1 car (even more unlikely) getting to Disney in 15 mins isn't possible.

I'm sorry, but it annoys me when you see unrealistic times on distances to attractions. Tour Operators started it with a short stroll to the beach which really means 10 miles and a walk to the bus stop. Highlands Reserve to Disney in realistic terms is 30 minutes - but much longer if the 192 is busy.

Last year we were leaving our Villa in Westridge at 8:30 and parking in Animal Kingdom at 8:45 and then having to Q for the 9am opening. We always time it to arrive before 9am and are therefore very familiar with drive times. At that time in the morning the roads are clear but to say you cant get to Disney in 15 minutes is wrong - sorry.

Admittedly it takes longer to get to the doors of the other parks and using Sherberth Road brings you in at Animal Kingdom but it does take 15 minutes to get to Disney property from Highlands Reserve unless you're way at the back of the estate.

 

[isla bonita]

That may be accurate during early morning hours but how long did it take to get back to your villa in the evening? Also when you left during any other part of the day.
Not every one is as punctual. On average it will take you longer to travel then 15 minutes during any other day part. Just trying to give accurate information. I live close by and 192 gets backed up at the 27 192 junction.

 

[juliebro]

I think it also depends on the time of year when you visit. We were there at Easter and the 192 was practically at a standstill most mornings by 8:00 am.

Julie

 

[LondonMom]

I think they get away with all the short distance times by quoting the quickest possible time on record to get on the Disney property - that doesnt mean the gate entrance, it means their roads.
My parents own a villa and I recently designed their website. The problem with quoting distances is that everybody on every other website quotes these inaccurate distances, so you either put prospective reters off by being truth***, or follow everyone else's suit!
Have a great time at Disney! xx Jo.