What Villa complex

[paul_sheps]

Can anyone recommend a villa complex for me please.
We want to be in a gated community with easy access to all all the parks.
We'd also like to have a clubhouse to walk to so we could have a drink in the evenings. Kid's playgrounds would be a bonus too.
Thanks in advance

 

[MYDISNEYHOUSES]

We like Emerald Island Resort, but of course I own 4 villas there, so I may be
biased. It is 2-3 mile from Disney and has resort ammenities.

 

[MYDISNEYHOUSES]

Also here is a map of the villa communities near Disney.

www.thedibb.co.uk/villa/map.htm

 

[jdybnsn]

We loved Regal Palms (Davenport area) with its fabulous pool complex, spa and club house, close to a Publix and 20 mins from Disney....it also has a small public games room & internet room and small outdoor play area

 

[UKDEB]

Emerald Island certainly ticks most of your boxes:

• It's one of the closest communities to WDW (only Formosa Gardens and Acadia Estates are closer, but I'm really splitting hairs - we're talking yards).

• You can access WDW property without even venturing onto the 192 (other than to cross it), by taking a right out of the gate onto Funie Steed Road until you hit Entry Point Road, then a left onto that, across the 192 at the lights onto the Sherberth Road, and straight into Disney. You can be at AK in 5 minutes.

• It has a manned gatehouse. Many of the so-called gated communities have a key-code entry gate. In my experience, when the gates aren't left open (and often they are), they may as well be as everyone and his dog knows the code anyway.

• Its has a kid's play area and a communal pool.

It does has a Clubhouse of sorts, but to my knowledge there is no bar. Take a look here for a description of the resort and a virtual tour of the common areas.

Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills also have all the amenities you're looking for. They are a tiny bit further out than Emerald Island (but not so much that you would notice any real difference in travel times). Of the three, Windsor Hills is the newest. These are prestige communites and that, combined with their proximity to WDW, means you will be paying top dollar. If you're looking for something cheaper, Oak Island Cove and Indian Creek are in the same vicinity, but they don't have the other things you want.

 

[Haworthfamily]

Emerlad Island gets are thumbs up.

We stayed there last year and have booked again for this year.
It's a really safe complex and only 5 mins from the Disney Parks.
GO EMERALD!

Sarah X

 

[paul_sheps]

Thanks everyone for your replies and to Johnny Sharp for his PM's. It's a tough one. I'm trying to make this holiday really special as it's probably the last one we'll all take as a family together (girls getting older etc).

I have actually reserved a villa at Lindfields (I know it's not gated) but it had a south facing pool and was fenced in. Has anyone got any experience of this development?

As we're going to be leaving the girls to do there own thing during the day, I'm just a bit worried that it's not gated. Johnny Sharp mentioned Terre Verde, it looks nice, has anyone ever stayed there?

Thanks again.

P.S I'll be there from August 18th, anyone else over there then?

 

[UKDEB]

We've stayed at Cumbrian Lakes which is right next to Terre Verde. It's in a different area to those I mentioned in my earlier post. They are all situated immediately to the the south west (or bottom left as I think of it ) of WDW property, i.e. just beneath AK.

Terre Verde is located south east of WDW property on Poinciana Boulevard. It is quite a bit further away, but we didn't find it a problem - in fact, for us, it was quite nice to have a change of scenery. After leaving the 192, I would say Terre Verde is about 3.5 miles south on Poinciana Blvd. Again, the advantage of this location is that you can avoid the 192 altogether. As you hit the 192 at the top of Poinciana Blvd, you just need to cross it and head west on the Osceola Parkway right into WDW. There is a toll to pay (currently 75c, I think) as you join, but you are on property in seconds from there, so it's worth it to avoid the 192.

And, yes, we will be there in August, too!

 

[tartangirl]

Personnally I wouldn't choose an estate too early.

There are loads of lovely villas in lovely estates around Disney. I would send a general enquiry out through a couple of the villa web-sites and then sit back and see what offers you get.

We have also reserved for Lindfields which will be the first time we've been there.

 

[MYDISNEYHOUSES]

I would not worry too much about it not being gated. We are in Emerald Island which is gated, but I think that area (Formosa Gardens) in general is very safe.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Just returned from Windsor Hills & loved it

 

[mrsklamc]

I second windsor hills. Take a look at 5mins2disney.com or www.windsorhillsrent.com

It's gated, brand new, and close to the parks.

 

[paul_sheps]

Thanks again everyone, wow! what a choice, I will take my time I think.

 

[isla bonita]

A vote for EI and good news Feb 15 the Tikki bar is to open.

Very biased we also own.

 

[buzz182]

Hi Paul,

We too have the same problem as we are going in Nov but this time paying for my parents to come with us as a thank you present for them looking after Joshua while I go to work! Don't really want to be separated by 2 hotel rooms.
Flights are booked just need to book accomodation and car hire.

We are either looking at Bahama Bay, Windsor Hills and Emerald Isle but cannot decide on which one.

We should have looked while we were out there this past Nov but didn't have the time!

Does anyone know what villa complexes to avoid also.

Thanks,
Karina

 

[isla bonita]

I have not heard of any villa complexes that are not safe or run down. All of the homes are individually owned so all differ a lot. When looking at the web sites see if they have an amenities list and ask a lot of questions of the owners soyou have an idea if it is the kind of home you are looking for.

 

[Disney owl]

We stayed at Winsor Palms which we really enjoyed & would choose it again.

It def had a club house but don't know if it had a bar though. Our kids enjoyed the club house which had a gym, games room , small theatre showing films & small shop. I think there was a playground mine were too big but there was a nice large communal pool.

Very near Disney & lots of shops & reastaurnts near too.