Westridge Area

[Goofyish]

A colleague at work in going to Orlando in September and has a house booked in the Westridge area.

Can any one give me any information on the area - distance from WDW, loacl shopping, local restaurants, routes from MCO etc.

Thanks

 

[UKDEB]

Tim,

I haven't stayed at Westridge, but it is on Highway 27 approximately midway between US192 and I-4. It is about 15 minutes' drive from WDW, although I am not sure which route is quicker - the 192 or the I-4.

I have to go out shortly, but I will post directions from MCO later if no-one has done so in the meantime and also some links to some maps.

 

[UKDEB]

Me again - I got lucky and found a good map really quickly.

 

[UKDEB]

Back again. There are several routes you can take from the airport to Westridge (for the most part the same as those to anywhere else you'd be likely to be staying in the WDW area). We stay at west 192, which is pretty close to Westridge, and we find the Central Florida Greeneway (route 417) the quieter/quicker one. Head south out of the airport and follow the signs for the 417 west. Stay with it until it meets the I-4 and then travel west (towards Tampa) and get off at the US27 exit (you won't be on the I-4 long, just a couple of exits). This is what used to be exit 23 (and will probably appear as such on most maps), but is now exit 55. You need to travel north on the US27 for a short distance.

The other option is to take the 528 Bee Line Expressway from the airport. Follow the signs for the 528 west. Stay with this until it hits the I-4 at exit 72 (previously 28) and then carry on west towards Tampa to exit 55 as above.

Unless someone who has actually stayed there knows better, I don't think there is an awful lot in the way of shops and restaurants in the immediate vicinity. I would say the nearest supermarkets are the Winn Dixie about 5 miles north on the US 27 (north of the 192 junction with the 27), and Publix at the far west end of 192. I would say both are about the same distance from Westridge. West 192 is probably the nearest place for any concentration of shops and restaurants. Between markers 4 and 5, right by Splendid China, is the Formosa Gardens shopping center which has a supermarket (not sure which chain as it keeps changing hands), Outback Steakhouse, TGI Friday's, Subway and Dairy Queen amongst others. Just a bit further along (back towards the US27) is an Italian restaurant called Carrabba's which we found excellent, although we haven't been there for a few years. Apparently it's popular with locals.

Check out Kissimmee Map and Directory for an overview of the 192 and click on the individual sections to get detailed information.

 

[Goofyish]

Thanks Deb

 

[Janice]

Hi Tim

We stayed at Westridge for our Millennium Holiday and it was really a great location. To be fair, Deb is right when she says that there is very limited convenience stores in the immediate area, but we didnt find it too much trouble just to hop in the car and 10 minutes we were in the new Publix at the very end of the 192.

I have Directions written out from the Villa People for getting from MCO to Westridge from either the Dollar Rental Depot or the Hertz Rental Depot if this helps. Let me know and I could email them to you.

It is a very nice area, and last year, when we went to Orlando again, although we didnt stay there, we did drive past the development as we were on route to Cypress Gardens, and just further down the 27 - there is another Shopping Area with a WallMart and other stores too.

I have just searched from the info pack that they sent me at the time, and this is a brief list of the driving times they had then:

Disney World 15minutes
Sea World 20 minutes
Spendid China 8 minutes
4 x 18 hole Golf Courses 10 minutes
Orlando International Airport 30 minutes
I4 5 minutes
Highway 192 3 minutes
7-11 Convenience Store 4 minutes
McDonalds 4 minutes
Wendy's Restaurant 5 minutes
Gas Station 5 minutes
Bank 12 minutes
Formosa Gardens Village Mall - East on 192 Right hand side 8 minutes
(Goodings (24 hours) OUtback Steakhouse, Medical Centre)
Publix Supermarket East on 192 Left hand side 7 minutes
Florida Mall 20 minutes
Local shopping Centre 12 minutes - Kash & Karry (Groceries, Deli, Bakery)
Wal Mart - Radio Shack - Coin laundry - Clothing Stores - Shoe Stores - Optical
Stores - Beauty Shop - Florist

We had a brilliant holiday and it was mainly due to our location and the villa.
I hope your friends enjoy their stay and if I can help anymore - please ask