Which Villa location

[keanda]

I think I have narrowed my selection of villas down to 2. One is in Highlands Reserve the other is in Sandy Ridge. 2 families sharing and we like IOA/Universal and the other family have young children and will be doing mainly disney. Are they much the same in terms of distance to the park? Also which location would be better for shops, restaurants etc. Hubby will be playing golf but I think either location will cater to that.
The prices quoted for both are similar. The Highlands Reserve owner has said his special for the 3 week period is pay for 2 weeks and get the 3rd week free. It is the most reasonable priced villa I have found on Highlands Reserve but in light of foreclosures etc I am a bit worried. He has lots of bookings right up to 2010. The villa is advertised on a few well known sites and one of the sites for owners renting out directly.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

[sunkisser]

I think if you like the feel of the villa at Highlands Reserve then go for it. If he has lots of bookings then in my opinion he's a safe bet. As you say, the two locations both have advantages so it doesn't really matter which one you go for. You are going to have to do some driving no matter where you choose. We have chosen a villa in Silver Springs which is not that far away in american driving terms. I chose it for the feel of the place and the fact that I could converse directly with the owner. You will have to drive to eat (It's the american way!) and we regularly drive up to 10 miles to eat and shop. Highland Reserve is quite close to a huge walmart, Winn Dixie, Berry Town where there is a publix and Applebees Mmmm!
In todays climate no-one is totally safe so go with your gut feeling would be my advice.

[das c]

Hi

If you need any info on Sandy Ridge i would gladly give it as my villa is located on there.
We are located less than 3 minutes to Champions Gate where there are Publix, Mcdonalds, subway, chinese, Italian and a chillis restaurant.

Much closer there has just been built a publix, pizza hut and dunkin doughnuts.

If you want any other info pm me.

Darren

[solo]

I would choose Sandy ridge.......we have stayed on the us27 and in the champions gate area, and the Champions gate area is by far the best for location.....everything is so near, Disney, shops, resturants, the I-4, ect....!!!!Highland reserve is around 20 minutes to Disney and 30 to Universal, Sandy ridge is around 10 minutes to Disney and 20 to universal, plus it's easier to get to Universal from Sandy ridge as it's only 2-3 minutes from the I-4, and theres dozens of shops and returants within a 4-8 minute drive, depending on where you choose to eat/shop(champions gate, 192, shoppes at reunion, us27)and as you've already mentioned, golf is available almost everywhere!(also take a look at Town Centre and Lake wilson preserve, stunning communities in exellent locations, plus you can book through the Dibb with Castanea 1985 or Welshwiz!)

[jellie]

We have stayed in Sandy Ridge for the last 4 years and prefer this location to the 27, you're close to I4, there are restaurants/publix at championsgate & a new one has been built at the junction of Lake Wilson Road/CR532. It's about a 6 min drive to the 192 for lots of other restaurants and you're not too far from the 27 either.

[sally_collingw]

Hi
Jasmine's Palace is located on Sandy Ridge (the same as Darren) we spent a lot of time researching different communities ie location , distances to attractions and amenities ,with all this info we chose Sandy Ridge as a perfect base to enjoy all of what Orlando has to offer.
If you would like any more info please PM us as we will happily answer any questions.
Cheers

[keanda]

Thanks for all the replies. To be honest before posting last night I was swaying more towards Highlands Reserve simply because I thought it was about the same distance and time to disney and Universal, it was also within walking distance to the publix, applebees etc. I thought Sandy Ridge was slightly further out and more isolated, only because I had seen a post on TA where the person had said that they felt it was too far out. Clearly that is not the case as I can see from the replies and now I am swaying more towards the Championsgage area especially if it helps to cut down on the driving.

We have stayed at Emerald Island townhouses the last 2 years but to be honest because we don't do a lot of Disney we didn't get the benefit of the shortcut using the Sherbeth Road and at the end of June we found the 192 and the I4 up to the Disney cut offs to be very busy. So the premium we paid in order to stay in that location was not worth it for us. We still had to use the car to get to restaurants so as someone else posted that is the American way and unfortunately needs to be done. Das and Sally thank you both for offering to give me more information on Sandy Ridge I appreciate it.

[solo]

You won't be disappointed with the Champions gate area, it really is the best of both worlds! We stayed in this area for the first time in August and we wouldn't go back to staying on the us27! The Champions gate area is the perfect balance between distance to the theme parks and distance to resturants and shops such as Publix!

[sage]

Of course we're going to be biased because of where our own villa is ;) but would say that the ChampionsGate area is far easier to reach Disney etc from, simply because you can avoid all the traffic lights and queues on the 192. Before we had our villa we'd always stayed in villas on the US27 and because we didn't know any different just followed the route that everyone else was taking! It's amazing what a difference the I-4 makes!

Like Sarah (Solo) says, you really do get the best of both worlds at ChampionsGate and it's definitely worth a look! :thumbs-up

[castanea1985]

I think I have narrowed my selection of villas down to 2. One is in Highlands Reserve the other is in Sandy Ridge. 2 families sharing and we like IOA/Universal and the other family have young children and will be doing mainly disney. Are they much the same in terms of distance to the park? Also which location would be better for shops, restaurants etc. Hubby will be playing golf but I think either location will cater to that.
The prices quoted for both are similar. The Highlands Reserve owner has said his special for the 3 week period is pay for 2 weeks and get the 3rd week free. It is the most reasonable priced villa I have found on Highlands Reserve but in light of foreclosures etc I am a bit worried. He has lots of bookings right up to 2010. The villa is advertised on a few well known sites and one of the sites for owners renting out directly.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Keanda :wavey:

Have you decided where you're staying yet?
Like all the other posts on here, we agree that the Champions Gate area is the better of the two... for obvious reasons! :pgig:
When buying our home we looked at villas in all the different areas, off the 27, off the 192 and near to Champions Gate. We chose the latter for various reasons:
• Its in a fantastic position to get just about anywhere - 8 miles door to door to disney, with a direct route up Lake Wilson Road and only one set of lights to go through! But, also easy access to the I4, the 417, 429 etc! So very quick to get just about anywhere!
• The area itself has lots of new developments and is very 'up market' - we just love it when you come off the I4 and drive along the beautiful tree lined road and see the fantastic Reunion Resort!

Why not write a list of 'must have's' and see if you can narrow your choice down between the two villas?
Is price the most important issue? If not, why not make a list of what you want?

Good luck and have a great time!

Tracy xx

[keanda]

Hi Tracy

I am now swaying towards the Sandy Ridge/Championsgate area. There was very little difference in the price and standard of accommodation between the Highlands Reserve and Sandy Ridge villas, so the next deciding factor was the location. Looking at the pictures of the villa at HR the pool area doesn't look very big and I think it may be nearer to the main road, the pool at Sandy Ridge is overlooked which is not ideal. I think I will do as you say and will make a list of things that are important. If it was just for my own family it would be a bit easier but because another family are going with us we have much more to take into account and I am trying to tick the boxes as it will be their first time and I would like to get it right.

thanks again

[castanea1985]

Hi Tracy

I am now swaying towards the Sandy Ridge/Championsgate area. There was very little difference in the price and standard of accommodation between the Highlands Reserve and Sandy Ridge villas, so the next deciding factor was the location. Looking at the pictures of the villa at HR the pool area doesn't look very big and I think it may be nearer to the main road, the pool at Sandy Ridge is overlooked which is not ideal. I think I will do as you say and will make a list of things that are important. If it was just for my own family it would be a bit easier but because another family are going with us we have much more to take into account and I am trying to tick the boxes as it will be their first time and I would like to get it right.

thanks again

No problem at all. :wave:
When are you going? If you want to know any more info on the area, please don't hesitate to ask! Here are a few pics for you so you can get a feel for the area. You won't be disappointed! LOL

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn76/castanea1985/ChampionsGate-1.jpg
Champions Gate

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn76/castanea1985/NewPublixOvation.jpg
Our brand new Publix (within walking distance from our villa)

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn76/castanea1985/signatposnerpark.jpg
Shopping at Posner Park

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn76/castanea1985/MichaelsPosnerpark.jpg
More shops at Posner Park

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn76/castanea1985/IMG_2064.jpg
Tree lined road near Champions Gate

What's on your wish list for the perfect villa?

Tracy xx

[solo]

You won't get much more perfect than Tracy's villa(above) especially if theres 2 families sharing, as it has 2 master bedrooms with super king size beds and onsuite bathrooms, plus a large unoverlooked southfacing pool, games room, 2 kids rooms with play stations and loads of dvds, a pc with internet, a large family room overlooking the pool......If you're not commited to booking the villas you've been looking at, I'd seriously consider booking through the Dibb, you won't regret it! Plus Town centre is very peaceful, and well looked after, and it's gated! Just my opinion from personal experience! Good luck with whatever you decide to do, and have a great holiday!

[castanea1985]

Hi Keanda

Nearly forgot to mention - we're all golfers too! Again, we bought where we did because the villa was central for most Orlando courses!! Both me and my hubby play, our DD and DS both play and even my DM plays and she's 70 this December!! We love having mini comps etc!!

If your hubby would like any info on great courses to play and how to play them at fraction of the price, just PM me!

Our favourite course is Diamondback - its a great test of golf! And we've never paid more than $25 to play it (inc a buggy)!! We play it every trip and I've just about mastered the first hole!! LOL

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn76/castanea1985/Diamondback.jpg
The first at Diamondback - a real tester of a dog leg!!

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn76/castanea1985/18thatDiamondBack.jpg
Looking over to the 18th!

Let me know if your hubby would like any info?

Tracy xx

PS. Thanks for the kind words Sarah :blush:

[Ruth]

I was going to suggest that if you are going with another family then choose a villa with 2 master suites to avoid any bad feeling. (All paying the same amount but one has better room).

We too have stayed in the Champoins Gate area and there are many routes you can take to avoid the main roads (Spring Hill Road for example (turn off OLW by Indian Ridge) to take you to Formosa gardens area for restaurants without hitting the 192.

Ruth

[Tiggernut]

I would also recommend the Champions Gate area. We stayed at Regal Palms (which is next door to Highlands Reserve) back in 2005and found the trawl to WDW along the 192 to be tedious. There is no 'easy' way to get to the I4 for US/IoA/ Seaworld either. From HR you have to either brave the 192 to Celebration or you have to drive DOWN the 27 (for quite a way) and up the Ronnie Reagan to Champions Gate to get onto the I4. From Sandy Ridge to Champions Gate is about 2 mins drive....MUCH easier.

Can I just suggest though, before you decide between the two you've been offered, that you put your dates onto the Dibb Villas requests? There are some really lovely homes through the Dibb and you might find they do a discount for being a Dibber yourself.

For a villa with 2 master suites I can suggest you try a guy called Steve (notgrumpy) - we stayed in his Villa last year and it was AWESOMe with 2 good sized master suites and 2 twin rooms. The games room and pool were fantastic too.

[princess annie]

Another vote for Sandy Ridge..........we stayed there last year (allocated on arrival with TCD) and we was completely loved it!!!! The villa we had was amazing (4-bed, 3-bath for just the two of us!).

We are staying at Sunridge Woods this year, as we liked the area so much.

I'm sure you will be happy with wherever you chose to stay.

xx