Where to stay

[PrincessBelle39]

Hi everyone
We've come full circle looking for somewhere to stay. Having looked at onsite, Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa, WBC, we are back to Windsor Hills where we have stayed on our last two trips. We are in the process of sorting through all homes at the moment.
I don't know much about the other communities but thought that it might be worth a look. I was looking at Formosa Gardens but haven't been able to find as much out about them. There is a lot more out there about Windsor Hills. One of the homes at Formosa Gardens stated that they were within walking distance to the supermarket complex. Are the homes really walking distance and what other shops are there? I'm of the vague idea that there is a Walgreens close by. Does anyone know if this is walking distance?
Is there a clubhouse at Formosa Gardens? Is there somewhere you can get quotes from the owners like Windsor Hills? Can anyone recommend any other communities that are as close to Disney as these two and may be walking distance to some shops?
I'm in planning heaven at the moment but my head is so full, I'm not sure where to go from here.

 

[sympatico]

Formosa Gardens has a coded gate and doesn't have any type of clubhouse or community facilities, there's only pool homes some of which are huge (7 & 8 bedrooms). Formosa Gardens Village is within walking distance (10 - 15 min depending where you are in the subdivision) but I'd only do it during the day. There's a Winn Dixie grocery store, Outback Steakhouse, Taco Bell, Giordano's, Chinese and some other small businesses. There's a Red Lobster and a new Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar on the right side of the street. Across the intersection of 192 there's a Walgreens, Cici's Pizza and mini golf.
Oak Island Cove and Acadia Estates are also near Formosa Gardens.
Indian Creek and Rolling Hills are just a little further and Windsor Palms just beyond Indian Creek. Emerald Island is just beyond Oak Island.

Windsor Palms and Emerald Island are the only other two that have a 24 hr manned gate and clubhouses and community pools. Of the two we've only stayed at Emerald Island and it is very nice. The community facilities aren't as grand as WH but still good. They have a Tiki Bar at the pool with drinks and a few menu choices. Emerald Island has more greenery and landscaping.
You can see where each subdivision is located by zooming in to Windsor Hills on this map then moving to the left. WH is #1 and Emerald Island is #15 the others are between them.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Thank you for this information. My mind is spinning at the moment. I don't know where to look. You would think that having been to Windsor Hills before it would be easy. But there is so much to choose from.

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

What kind of accomodations are you looking for? Condo, TH, or pool home? And how many people/bedrooms do you have/need?

 

[PrincessBelle39]

There's only 5 of us but we want a pool home. We've stayed at Windsor Hills on our last two trips both in 6 bedroom villa's. Last time we there were only 4 of us but we liked the space and full pool and spa plus games room that it gave us. This time we are looking at 4,5 and 6 bedroom homes. Where ever we stay we would like to be in walking distance to the clubhouse so that the kids get some time in a community pool to meet other kids. We are away a month so its a long time for them without any other child contact.

 

[Loveallthingsdisney]

When are you going, and do you stay a month at WH? (Lucky--can I come? LOL)

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We are travelling in August 2012. We have had a month there once before. That was our first trip. Last time was 12 nights. This time we have 17nights before our DCL cruise and NY trip. Its a long way from here and costs so much money to get there, so we need to make the most of it.