Which Villa Community

[Loz1967]

We have only stopped in a villa once and that was last year on Highland Reserve and we loved it especially for the fact that it had Berry Town Centre 2 mins round the corner and it didn't seem to take us long to get to 192.

We are thinking of possibly going back this year and I just wondered whether to try and stay on Highland Reserve again or try another community.

If you had a choice of all of the villa communities which would you pick and why. Just need an idea of where to look.

Thanks

[tiggerpooh]

If you know and loved Highland Reserve then why not go back.
We have stayed in the Windsor Hills and Palms communities which are modern gated communities with good facilities and are very close to Disney, I would recommend them to anybody.

[Loz1967]

We are after a 3 bedroomed villa with a pool and spa or hot tub and internet access and the villas on Highland Reserve are coming up quite expensive and we are not sure whether to hold out for last minute and e-mail some owners to see if they will give us a deal or not.

We paid quite a bit last year but we did stay in a 5 bedroomed villa. We were offered it for a really good price but this year we want a 3 bedroomed villa.

[tiggerpooh]

I've sent you a PM.

[carys]

We like Emerald Island as it is near to a big publix and very close to WDW.

[disney owl]

last time we stayed at Windsor Palms which we loved. It was near shops supermarket etc & very near to Disney

[Villainlover]

I am a big fan of highlands reserve and would book there whenever possible ..

but If I only wanted a 3 bedroom then I would maybe look elsewhere ..

HR seem to have some fantastic larger villas but the smaller ones would work out more expensive, I think, as I am sure it costs quite a bit to have a house there as it is so gorgeous and well kept with a very active homeowners Association

if I was looking elsewhere then I would look at the Formosa area, or the 192 end of poinciana, for proximity

[mainecoon lover]

We are due to stay at the sanctuary davenport. Is this a good area

[cmpjdp]

we really like formosa gardens, bit more expensive though..:)

[jwalowls]

We stayed at Hampton Lakes last year and would recomend that to anyone.

[floridafunshine]

IMHO communities along Highway 27 are a bit too far away from the attractions. We usually stay at Indian Ridge/Indian Ridge Oaks or Formosa Gardens area.

[georgemac]

Have stayed on the US27 last three trips - Westridge twice and West Stoneridge last year.

There are pros and cons to all areas, and if on the US27 you may tend to spend a bit more time driving. I am not a fan of the 192 as I always find it very busy and there are lots of junctions with lights.

I think I would be tempted to look closely at the Championsgate area villas - Publix and other facilities very close by and very easy access to the I4

Sometimes you will get offered such a good deal it will be hard to go past this for a better location - last year I would have loved to try a Villa at Windsor Hills but it was 80% more expensive than the lovely villa we got at West Stoneridge - bit farther out but was £700 cheaper and only 4 of us staying there.

I also found if you put in your enquiry you were looking for a 3 bed, a lot of 4 bed owners would offer you a good deal if they had availability.

[solo]

It all depends what you're looking for! When we look for a villa, we like it to be far away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, we only do 3 or 4 theme park days during our stay, and we like the peace and quiet of the communities a bit further away from the action! We like there to be resturants and shops within easy reach, we don't mind the traveling to the parks and the 192, we often take a drive around and explore the orlando country side! We like the villa to be of a high standard, with a good size pool, as we spend a lot of time in the pool, especially the children, so we choose to stay on the us27, this year we're staying at southern dunes! we've never stayed here before, but the report's I've read seem to be very good, apart from the distance away from the theme parks, which as I've mentioned isn't an issue for us, we're looking for a community that suits our needs and then we'll stick with that community, last year we stayed a woodridge, which was ok, but the villa's seemed a bit old and in need of some tlc! If you liked the community you stayed at last time, why not book there again!:wavey:

[jolloyd81]

We have stayed at Indian Creek, just off the 192, and at Grand Reserve in Davenport which was easily accessed by the I4. If you are wanting a location close to disney I think Indian Creek lists as one of the closest, and it does have various sized villas. Our villa in Indian Creek was beautiful, and the area was pristine and very quiet. The Grand Reserve villa was larger, and had uninterrupted views over wetlands.

[jcholidays]

We have a villa on the Manors at Westridge which is just a min down the road from highlands reserve. It has had some updates to it recently and obviously we would recomend it. If you have any questions just let us know.

I also have a picture show of it I can send the link to you if you are interested.

JC.

[das c]

All villa communities have their pros and cons some are in the quieter areas some not so.

Our community is set on a conservation area so its nice and quiet, only 5 minutes down the road you have Champions Gate with its Golf courses, shops and restaurants.

It all depends on how much you want to do when you leave the parks.

[deano1212]

I can recommend Hampton Lakes. Very nice. I just hope we are lucky enough to get to stay there again in June when we go.

[Cal and Dave]

We are due to stay at the sanctuary davenport. Is this a good area


yes this is a lovley area, we stayed there before we bought ours and would recommend it. it is a quiet area, gated and very close to Chyampions Gate :)

[Gaz]

we have stayed in three villa sites and each one was different and we would return to each.
windsor palms (gated but on going road works last year dont know if its finished yet)
Glenbrooks (not gated but never felt in anyway bothered about it)
Westhaven (gated if it works, and a small, nice villa site, as the crow flies a distance away to disney but as you have easy access to the I4 its not to bad time wise to get there)

[redjack]

We stayed at Hampton Lakes last year and would recomend that to anyone.

Another vote for Hampton lakes we have stayed there twice before once with TCD and once when we booked the Villa privately and both times we had a great time and was pleased with the villa

Jackie

[Happy Hammer]

we have stayed at westridge and thousand oaks,and would stay there again.

[tiggers friend]

Have stayed at Southern Dunes, nice community, but to far out, and also Indian Ridge - ideal as nice and quiet, but easy 1.5 mile drive to 192 for restaurants, shops and WDW access.

[Loz1967]

We have a villa on the Manors at Westridge which is just a min down the road from highlands reserve. It has had some updates to it recently and obviously we would recomend it. If you have any questions just let us know.

I also have a picture show of it I can send the link to you if you are interested.

JC.

can you send me the link please.

Thanks

[Flash Ash]

For me it's always one of these three, Formosa, Formosa or Formosa. IMHO it offers the best location.

[truesdpr]

Sunridge Woods is our favourite. Handy for US27, I4, parks, Celebration etc. Close to Champions Gate. Nice villas on large plots, mixed resident/rental community with many pools not overlooked. Perfect for us!

Pam.
:wavey:

[ScottishSweety]

We're staying at Tuscan Hills, could anyone staying there b4 next Sep let me know how it is?. I've seen pics on sites and the villas look lovely, hope they'r as nice when we get there, it'll be our first itme in a villa :) .

[Bradz59butalive]

Hi:wave:
Stayed at Regal Palms Nov 2006 and had a great time. Booked a house from a Dibb advertisor and got a good deal, as far as we were concerned. A bit of extra travel to attractions but no great deal really. The resort had everything that we required plus a few extras so we were very happy. The 3 bedroomed house was excellent and well equipped. We would certainly stay there again.

Cheers:thumbs-up

[dismum]

Scottish sweety If you can wait until July I'll give you an up to date report as my home is on the other side of the road to Tuscan Hills

[mermaid]

We stayed at the Sanctuary at Westhaven in 2005 and the villa was excellent about 20 minute drive on the i-4 to disney
Last year we stayed at Windsor Palms which was very close to Disney using the Sherbeth Road shortcut
This year we are going back to the Sanctuary at Westhaven as we don't plan many parks but the area is really nice, and easy to access from exit 58
of the i-4 at champions gate

[Eagle88]

We stayed at Lindfields Reserve last time on 192. Nice gated community but as stated earlier 192 can get busy. We are booked into Florida Pines this year looking forward to it. Not too worried about the distance from WDW etc as there is easy access to I4 etc and there are 2 of us to share the driving. The only downside I have ever found about the villa style of holiday is that they never build them within walking distance of a bar:( :( That means either one has to drive and not drink:erm: :erm: :confused2 or stock up the fridge and drink in the villa, it's nice to do and cheaper but no Hooters girls to serve you:( :( ( The wife doesn't look the same:grin: ).

[daviewat]

Regal Palms :-))

Was such a nice house and I belive Simon who owned it advertises here as well. Wonderful pool area for kids and adults, ok it may be a few minutes more to parks but there is the marker 5 shortcut on 192 :-)))) which makes it so easy and quick.

Houses are more condo style but very good and after all it is a Disney holiday so really just spent less time in them than the parks etc.

And walking distance to a bar/piblix/bank etc :-)) most unusal here, only a 2 minute walk on a pavement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Would go back without hesitation and would consider buying there.

[corrinda]

We have stayed at windsor palms,windsor hills,,davenport(WHICH FOR US WAS QUITE ABIT AWAY FOR EVERTHING) Then this year we are staying at terra verrde,i like to be on 192 .

[georgemac]

Tuscan Hills - we went there to do our deposit card swipe with the management co last October - it looks like a lovely development, some phases were completed but some were still being built. The developer is the same on who built Tuscan Ridge and West Stoneridge where we stayed - the West Stoneridge villa was superb. At Tuscan Hills some villas are adjoined by other villas is groups of 3, (should be called townhouses IMHO) but the majority are stand alone villas.

Edited to add there are also plans to build a restaurant at the entrance to Tuscan Hills which would be great - able to walk for a meal out and have a drink - was not even started last Oct though.

The best location to stay by far in Orlando IMHO is Lake Buena Vista - it is right beside everything, but there are no villa communities there. I think I would consider some of the condo developments there as we loved the location when we stayed in Hotel Plaza Boulevard in 1999 - can't see we will ever be back to a hotel again though - too used to a lot of space now.

[dismum]

The restaurant is not yet under way -they haven't got anyone to go in there yet which is a pity but there is Applebees just down the road now

[forever florida]

We have stayed in villas for the past 9 years and my favourite location by far is the Formossa Gardens district. This includes Indian Ridge, Sunset lakes(fab), Emerald Island, etc. We have also stayed at Highlands Reserve and I have to say it is very very nice.

[julesk]

We stayed at Indian Ridge Oaks last time we went - very nice residential community with lots of Americans living there - extremely close to Disney but next year we are staying at Windward Cay on 192 as we are not so bothered about Disney but want good access to Seaworld and some different restaurants and shopping areas.

[DonnaD]

Eagle88

Good news for you. You can walk to the bars at Formosa Plaza (inc TGI Fridays and Outback) from Oak Island (or Formosa Gardens). My husband reckons 20min and there is a footpath and streetlighting. It is a very quiet development with fulltime residents. Some houses are right next to the new toll road so you do have to check exact location.

Donna

[shirley]

we stay at different developements each time we go (5 visits). will probably choose a different one next time as well but must say do prefer area between marker 4 and 5 stayed on us27 for 4 nights and a little out of the way but really nice and depending on the time of year for our next visit may consider going back there. the choice is overwhelming you just have to go for it, me personally love that bit,


shirley

[Eagle88]

Good news for you. You can walk to the bars at Formosa Plaza (inc TGI Fridays and Outback) from Oak Island (or Formosa Gardens). My husband reckons 20min and there is a footpath and streetlighting. It is a very quiet development with fulltime residents. Some houses are right next to the new toll road so you do have to check exact location
Donna, where exactly is this from Florida Pines? Not too sure about the US27 developments.

[forever florida]

Florida Pines is a long way from Formosa Plaza, a 15min drive.

[DonnaD]

Sorry Eagle88 I didn't mean you could walk to a bar on your next visit just that there was an area you could choose in future.

Donna

[daviewat]

Regal Palms ??????? next to highland resort, well priced and soooooooo comfy

[ldawes6]

We like Emerald Island as it is near to a big publix and very close to WDW.

Hi
We're staying at Emerald Island for the 1st time soon, really excited. Can you recommend anywhere to eat on our first night?
Thanks
Lisa

[weeblip]

This will be our 6th Trip, but our first time staying in a villa. We have booked a 2 bed villa through Portland Direct, in the brochure it says Kissimmee, close to a shopping area and allocation upon arrival. Has anyone else ever booked a villa stating allocation upon arrival?

[kylali]

We are due to stay at highlands reserve this summer, are there any shops near by or on site and does anyone know what facilities they have on site, pool etc

[murray12]

Hi
We're staying at Emerald Island for the 1st time soon, really excited. Can you recommend anywhere to eat on our first night?
Thanks
Lisa

Hi Lisa
We stayed just beside there last october and would recommend going to the Outback Steakhouse or TGIs which are beside the big Publix -you have to drive past them to get to Emerald Island- there's even a Subway there which is really handy as well!!!!:wavey:

Marianne

[ldawes6]

Hi Lisa
We stayed just beside there last october and would recommend going to the Outback Steakhouse or TGIs which are beside the big Publix -you have to drive past them to get to Emerald Island- there's even a Subway there which is really handy as well!!!!:wavey:

Marianne

Thanks Marianne

[Loz1967]

We are due to stay at highlands reserve this summer, are there any shops near by or on site and does anyone know what facilities they have on site, pool etc


We stayed there last year and loved it. There is Berry Town Centre 2 mins away in the car and a 5 minute walk away (depending on where your villa is on the site). There is a Publix Supermarket, pizza shop, chinese and indian takeaway which me and my husband loved, there is a pub there as well. I think they have opened a Walmart on there as well since we came back. I am sure I read that somewhere.

We didn's use the on-site facilities but I think there is a childrens play area and the golf clubhouse but I am not sure about anything else.

Hope this helps you.