Which area for villa, help please

[territ]

There are so many villas I did not realise :-((

We want to be close to Disney (I think) and on a gated type resort, can anyone suggest any areas for me to target ?
Thanks
Terri

 

[martina857]

My favourite is the Formosa area, its really close to Disney and has some nice shops and restaurants very near. Gated places to look for in that area are Emerald Island resort and Windsor Palms. A good web site to look at would be www.daystarvillas.com there are a number from each of those two resorts on there, I have booked a few myself.

I saw your post on the car hire thread, I have been using www.floridahomesandtravel.com for my car hire for some years, they are sometimes cheapest sometimes not but I can guarentee they have the best customer service, they are also ATOL bonded unlike a lot of other agents. I always call them and always get a better deal than is advertised on the web site.

They are also doing flights now and I have my next 2 trips booked with them for both car hire and flights.

I know you will enjoy your first trip to Florida )

M

 

[Netty]

There are so many villas I did not realise :-((

We want to be close to Disney (I think) and on a gated type resort, can anyone suggest any areas for me to target ?
Thanks
Terri

I'm sure Johnnysharp will be along to help you out soon, he's our expert on villas
we always stay just off the 192 as it is near disney. we have stayed on highway 27 but found it not as convenient.

 

[bazzanoid]

This year we're staying in Doral Woods - probly the best part of 20 mins drive to maingate, but it's in the middle of a conservation corridor so lots of nature and woodlands surround us!!! most villa websites have a subsection map showing the locations of the main communities in relation to disney - have a nose and see what takes your fancy!

 

[Zovo]

We have found Highlands Reserve ideal for our needs, but it may be a bit too far out for some. Its about 20-25 mins from Disney parks and really handy for shops and food.

 

[isla bonita]

Here is a map that can give you an idea of where the villa communities are located.

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

http://www.1stfororlando.com/Location-map.htm

There are many wonderful homes I am sure you will find a great fit.

 

[psriv76]

You will find some good vacation homes and villas to rent at springvacationrentals

 

[JohnnySharp2]

This is quite an old thread Terri - did you find a villa?

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Definitely around the 192 or Lake Buena Vista area for me, right slap bang in the middle of everything. I recently drove to Cypress Gardens, and was rather horrified at just how far away the US27 communities are.....I wouldnt ever consider staying there if you were planning to go to Universal parks or Idrive type locations. I was quite relieved because Mrs T had considered somewhere down US27 before deciding upon the TerreVerde resort...which I found to be a perfect location.

 

[spoiltrotten12]

The villas just off Old Lake Wilson road (off the 192) are great! We stayed in a villa at Indian Ridge not long ago and loved it. The location was just superb!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have always stayed at the 2 main areas in Kissimmme, either near the Formosa Gardens area or just off Poinciana Boluevard.

Close to all the attractions and within easy reach of restaurants and supermarkets.

 

[UKDEB]

The closest communities to WDW are those in the Formosa Gardens area. Of the more upmarket communities, that means Formosa Gardens itself, Acadia Estates, Emerald Island, Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills. If you're more budget conscious, Indian Creek, Oak Island Cove, Sunset Lakes and Rolling Hills are good options.

As you say, there are so many to choose from and more springing up all the time - I used to have a good handle on it all, but it can be mind-boggling. I wouldn't get too hung-up about gated communities. On the whole, the gates are invariably open and, even when they're not, everyone and his dog has the access code. Focus more on newer communities/properties.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

I wouldn't get too hung-up about gated communities. On the whole, the gates are invariably open and, even when they're not, everyone and his dog has the access code. Focus more on newer communities/properties.

The Terra-Verde were pretty hot on the gate security, I was very impressed. The gates in and out were always closed, and there was always a gateman present 24hours a day, and they always checked your pass before letting you in.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Indian Creek which is part of the Formosa Gardens area, is our preferred choice.
Less than 5 minutes to the junction of the 192 and a Publix just a short drive away.
I would agree that Windsor Palms is slightly more exclusive, although often at least a £100 a week more, depending on the home in question.

Some of the developments on Poinciana Boulevard can be further away from the 192 junction.
Terre Verde is one of the nearest though.

As for gated communities we stayed at Cumbrian Lakes on PB last August and the gates were open throughout our stay, may have been something to do with someone crashing into them though..... not me I might add

For any villa, our priorities are age of the home, location , south facing pool, fully fenced pool area too, ceiling fans in the bedrooms and a VCR/DVD player to keep Josh happy.

 

[AndRu]

I recently drove to Cypress Gardens, and was rather horrified at just how far away the US27 communities are.....

Agreed. Stayed off US27 twice in '03 and '05 at Westridge. These are very nice villas in gated communities but when you have to face the traffic on the 192 / I4 everyday it can be a real pain. On some days it was taking an hour+ to get to the I-Drive area.

Indian Creek which is part of the Formosa Gardens area, is our preferred choice. Less than 5 minutes to the junction of the 192 and a Publix just a short drive away.

... which is exactly why we've chosen an Idian Creek villa for our visit in '07!

You'd better be right Johnny or I'm sending da boys round!

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

As for gated communities we stayed at Cumbrian Lakes on PB last August and the gates were open throughout our stay, may have been something to do with someone crashing into them though..... not me I might add

The gates were always opened when we stayed there in 2003!!!

 

[basas]

Maybe the gates are for looks/show, and not for real usage? I know everyone seems to have their favorite communities. Personally, I like the Champions Gate area which has easy access to I-4, easy access to US-27, and is within close proximity to Publix/Wal-Mart, etc.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

You'd better be right Johnny or I'm sending da boys round!

You will be fine I am sure.

The gates were always opened when we stayed there in 2003!!!

Crazy, I mean what's the point of having gates if they are never closed?

Maybe the gates are for looks/show, and not for real usage? I know everyone seems to have their favorite communities. Personally, I like the Champions Gate area which has easy access to I-4, easy access to US-27, and is within close proximity to Publix/Wal-Mart, etc.

All down to personal choice I guess, we had a bad experience at our first rental , an older villa near Champion's Gate. If you stay just off the 192 you are close to Publix, restaurants , the I4 for Universal and Disney too.