who knows about Villas??

[islandmum]

so we're booked into Disney for this Oct - but we also need to book a Villa for later next year in the Orlando area.

anybody here know of or stayed at a great place, 4 bed, great pool (sunny pool), spacious, fairly new and modern and with a good size yard.

Just reall want to find a nice place if anyone knows.

 

[carolfoy]

JOHNNYSHARP is our resident villa expert, he'll be along soon to help, I'm sure

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for the compliment Carol

Villas, have stayed in one or two and driven around many also!

In my opinion a Kissimmee base cannot be beat, 2 main areas Formosa Gardens and Poinciana Boulevard.
Either location gives quick access to supermarkets, restaurants, Disney and the I4.

Probably prefer FG slightly over the 2 - Poinciana is a long and sometimes busy road, can be further away also depending on where you stay.

Villa developments such as Indian Creek, Emerald Island and Windsor Palms have a good selection of 3,4,5 bedroomed homes to choose from.
I like these 3 because they are nice places to stay and the homes fairly new.

If you are looking at a recommendation, this is where we stay for part of our holiday next year, although it is a 5 bedroomed the owners offer very reasonable rates *especially if you mention my name* , it has a south facing pool (gets the sun all day), fenced for extra privacy, ceiling fans, TVs in all the bedrooms too.

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Fl...ee-Area/holiday-villa-Indian-Creek/p10860.htm

There are many good sites to have a browse....

www.villas2000.com
www.vr360homes.co.uk
www.holiday-rentals.com

....some of these enable you to search by number of bedrooms.

This map gives an idea of location....

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

Don't despair if you do not see one quickly that you like, there are 100s to choose from so it's not a bad thing to take your time.
Hopefully this isn't too much information, at the end of the day it all comes down to location and having all the things you need within easy driving distance. Some homes have games rooms, internet access, some developments have a community pool too - just depends on what you are after.

Any questions at all feel free to pm me.

 

[carolfoy]

see? told you!

 

[paulh]

Johnny are there many 6+ beds about?might try one next year
Paulh

 

[powerranger]

I would recommend http://www.villas2000.com/
used it a few times now and always got a good deal.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Johnny are there many 6+ beds about?might try one next year
Paulh

Hi Paul,

Yes there are loads, plenty in the Formosa Gardens area.

The likes of Rolling Hills and Emerald Island have a few, links below lists plenty:

http://www.vr360homes.co.uk/6bed_florida_villas.asp
http://www.villas2000.com/frbvo/Central/6bed.php

 

[mungo]

I actually prefer the Davenport area. I once stayed down Poinciana at Eagle point and found it to be a real pain driving up and down the 192 all the time. When I get told that its the best area to stay, I just laugh, because at the end of the day its all a matter of opinion. Most of the villa communites are really nice.

Take a look at www.holidaylettings.co.uk

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=93

http://www.vr360floridavillas.co.uk/
this site i particulary like as it has a virtual tour for each house, so you get to see in every room.

www.orlandoexclusivevillas.com

 

[islandmum]

thanks guys!

I've found a really great villa - not only the usual pool and spa - but this place has a 1 acre fenced plot with a terrace and a kids jungle gym thing with slides and stuff in the garden! Fantastic! Its been the only one so far that I've seen with a fenced garden which is great for the kids.

Its in Doral Woods which having never been there I dont know how close it is to things like the Florida Mall but I'm sure it cant be far.

 

[mungo]

Hey great if you like it book it. I think Doral Woods is down Poinciana Blvd, but nearer to the town of Poinciana than the 192.

The only concern I would have, and I haven't seen the photos of the villa so i don't know is, the childrens play area in the garden, I wouldn't let my children play in the grass, as being florida there are many insects and other creepy crawlies. Mine have to wear trainers if they walk around the back of a villa, and not roll around in the grass. Although while I have been here this time, it doesn't seem to bother the locals they walk around in their bare feet.

 

[islandmum]

Hey great if you like it book it. I think Doral Woods is down Poinciana Blvd, but nearer to the town of Poinciana than the 192.

The only concern I would have, and I haven't seen the photos of the villa so i don't know is, the childrens play area in the garden, I wouldn't let my children play in the grass, as being florida there are many insects and other creepy crawlies. Mine have to wear trainers if they walk around the back of a villa, and not roll around in the grass. Although while I have been here this time, it doesn't seem to bother the locals they walk around in their bare feet.

we live with snakes, centipedes, scorpions and lovely other little "pets" so my boys are used to it!

it looks a great house - and seeing as we wont be doing Disney (as we're doing that this year) its more about being away and a nice bit of shopping so the location seems good enough for that.

 

[castanea1985]

I actually prefer the Davenport area. I once stayed down Poinciana at Eagle point and found it to be a real pain driving up and down the 192 all the time. When I get told that its the best area to stay, I just laugh, because at the end of the day its all a matter of opinion. Most of the villa communites are really nice.

Take a look at www.holidaylettings.co.uk

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=93

http://www.vr360floridavillas.co.uk/
this site i particulary like as it has a virtual tour for each house, so you get to see in every room.

www.orlandoexclusivevillas.com

Hi Mungo,
We are actually staying in an Eagle Pointe villa now, and we have found it to be a better location than Davenport!!! Much nearer to the 192, shopping, Disney etc. So, it really is a difficult one, to give advice!
Tracy

 

[mungo]

Hi Mungo,
We are actually staying in an Eagle Pointe villa now, and we have found it to be a better location than Davenport!!! Much nearer to the 192, shopping, Disney etc. So, it really is a difficult one, to give advice!
Tracy

Hi Tracey

thats what I was trying to say, everyone is so different on their likes and dislikes. What one person doesn't like another loves.

I wouldn't say though that your that much closer to the 192, but then I really do dislike the 192, and spend very little time on it. Where we are staying we are only 8 miles from the Disney parks, so really there is not much in it. After spending many years visiting Florida, I find MOST of the communites are within 10-20 minutes to Disney. Some like Windsor Hills etc are slightly closer, some like Southern Dunes are further, but the majority are all withing the 10-20 minutes.

Hey i don't wish to upset anyone, just offer a different perspective that's all, and the OP has found a villa that suits her needs at Doral Woods, so that's great.

 

[mungo]

we live with snakes, centipedes, scorpions and lovely other little "pets" so my boys are used to it!

it looks a great house - and seeing as we wont be doing Disney (as we're doing that this year) its more about being away and a nice bit of shopping so the location seems good enough for that.

I wondered whether you did, with your name etc, you probably won't have any probs. Me I jump at the sight of a little spider in the UK, so i'm no good over in Florida, lol

 

[JohnnySharp2]

thanks guys!

I've found a really great villa - not only the usual pool and spa - but this place has a 1 acre fenced plot with a terrace and a kids jungle gym thing with slides and stuff in the garden! Fantastic! Its been the only one so far that I've seen with a fenced garden which is great for the kids.

Its in Doral Woods which having never been there I dont know how close it is to things like the Florida Mall but I'm sure it cant be far.

I know everyone has their own opinion on location, as people have been saying.
I have stayed down Poinciana Boulevard and it is a very long and often busy road, many of the developments down there are close together, such as Cumbrian Lakes and Eagle Pointe.

Doral Woods is along Poinciana too, however it is much further on down and quite a drive from the junction of the 192.

Personally it wouldn't be my ideal choice of where to stay, fully respect everyone has their own opinions but if you compare staying at DW to the likes of Indian Creek (which is located close to Formosa Gardens)...then personally I would opt for a villa in the FG area every time.

see map below, and you will see how far Doral is down Poinciana, it could take at least 15 minutes from the junction of the 192.

http://www.orlandovillas.com/Map.aspx

 

[UKDEB]

Doral Woods, unlike most of the other communities, is in a rural area. As long as you don't mind the long drive to WDW (and it is a long drive), I imagine that could be a plus point.

Doral Woods is represented by the green arrow on the map below. Bay Lake (Magic Kingdom) is indicated at the top. To get to WDW you would need to drive all the way up Poinciana Blvd until you hit the 192, drive directly across that and join the Osceola Parkway heading west (75c toll). That brings you directly onto WDW property without having to contend with the 192. We've stayed at Cumbrian Lakes which is on S Poinciana Blvd about half way between the 192 and Doral Woods. I'd say it was a 15 drive to WDW using the route I've described.

Here's a closer view of the route from the junction of Poinciana Blvd and the 192 into Disney. As you can see, the Osceola Parkway runs virtually parallel with the 192 until it hits World Drive, but you don't have the stop/start nightmare with traffic lights every block. Worth 75c in my view.

 

[UKDEB]

I once stayed down Poinciana at Eagle point and found it to be a real pain driving up and down the 192 all the time. When I get told that its the best area to stay, I just laugh

Driving up and down the 192 is a pain, but it isn't actually necessary to go anywhere near it (other than to cross it), when staying at any of the Poinciana Blvd communities.