View Full Version : Help choosing community
We're visiting Orlando in Feb 2006. In the past we have stayed in various resorts/apartments at the South end of I Drive. We like the close proximity to restaraunts/shops/attractions and its central location. Thought we would try renting a villa this year, but we are not that familiar with the locations of the many communities. We are not desperate to be close to Disney, but would like to be a short drive from places to eat (Outback etc.), supermarkets, malls and so on.
We tried looking at individual properties, but they all look so similar we thought we would look first at the location and then try to narrow down the search. There appears to be 3 clusters of communities one in Kissimmee/Poinciana Blvd, another at Formosa Gardens and the rest along US27. The US27 looks a little bit out of the way? However, would be grateful for opinions on the merits of all these areas and any recommendations for individual communities.
Hi Woody and welcome to the Forum.
I think you'll find we all love our own communities that's why we bought our villas there.
All the communities have supermarkets, restaurants etc close by and most are under 15-20 mins to Disney.
I'm sorry, it's all down to what you and your family want from a villa and from a resort or community.
Good luck with your search, I'm sure you'll find a great home. If your looking to book Feb Half-term I'd get in quick, we have been booked for then since last year.[msnsmile2]
Happy hunting[msnsmile2]
Hi Woody07,
You will get a very pleasant surprise if you rent a villa. As soon as you enter I will guarantee your first word will be "WOW". The villas on this site are all verified by the site owners. You will have loads of space, your own pool and everything for a great holiday.
As far as communities go it is down to personal preference. Most of them are just a few minutes drive from the 192.
Mike and Kath.
Woody, If you haven't already done so, checkout the Orlando area map on this site which will show you where the various villa developments are situated. This might give you an idea of where you would like to be. If you print it off and make a few enquiries on OV you will be able to locate where the villa is.
Link is : http://www.orlandovillas.com/Map.aspx
Good luck with your search [lucky][lucky]
Southsider
14-09-2005, 00:08
You are spoilt for choice Woody07!!!
I spoke to someone the other day that told me one of the things they love about Florida is the Villa itself as in the UK they live in a 3bed, with kids sharing in each room, but the last time they went for a 5bed so everyone had there own room and it made their holiday a real treat for everyone.
So I think if you have a 'wish list' someone is bound to have whatever it in their Florida Villa!!!
Best of Luck:D
Thanks Lynne & Cowboy. Trouble is I don't know the 192 very well and as all the communities look similar I was hoping for some pointers based on opinions from people who have stayed at or own a villa in the communities around the area.
H 27 has lots of restaurants and loads of villa communities. They are quiet but close enough to all the shops etc.
Enjoy looking around all the communities.
Ray&Sarah
14-09-2005, 01:34
You won't go far wrong with any of the communities listed on this site, woody07. Once you have stayed in a villa you certainly won't want to go back to a hotel.[msnsmile2]
Although communities on US27 look further away from the attractions etc. it can be just as quick if you are using I4 instead of trying to get along the 192 when it is busy!
You really have to look at the communities and take a look at the facilities they have to offer and decide which matter to your family.
All the communities are close to shops, restaurants etc and the furthest away are within 20-25mins from the major attractions.
Good luck it will not be any easy job to choose from so many beautiful homes[msneek]
Hi Woody
We are going out to Orlando the first 3 weeks in February 2006 and for the first time staying in a Villa. We chose Indian Creek community, after a lot of searching. I believe it is quite close to Disney and many restaurants such as the Outback are very close by.
Hope this helps a little.[msnwink]
I would be happy to stay at any of the communities, infact I want to try them all.
Have fun looking through, I love that bit.[msnsmile2]
sundowner
14-09-2005, 12:34
Hi Woody, have a look further down this topic page to a thread from Villavirgin (7 Aug) Title 'Shops and Restaurants on 27. There is a lot of information there and I think it would be the sort of information you are looking for.
CarolAnn
14-09-2005, 13:03
Do not be put off by thinking communities on the H27 are too far away Woody07, many cammunities based there are still less than 15 mins to Disney [msnwink]The H27 has 2 Walmarts on, and a Publix, and plenty of places to eat too!! You can access the I4 and the 192 very easily too from the H27!
In truth, you just won't go wrong with whatever villa/commuinty you choose from the sites above!!
Start, making your priority list of what things you would like to have in a villa, and go from there! have fun:)
All past guests of ours have said that the US27 is ideal, the communities are quiet but all the attractions are within a few minutes drive. The 27 has good access to the I-4 and the 192 and has many excellent shops and resturants. We love it , thats why we chose our villa.
The Formosa area as you say is loaded with communities, Formosa , Rolling Hills, Windsor Palms, Oak Island Cove , Emerald island, Indian Creek.All 2 minutes from Formosa Mall with Outback, Red Lobster , Geordanos, Cracker Barrell,TGI Fridays, Winn dixie supermarket, Subway etc etc.As an added bonus its 5 minutes to AK the nearest Disney park and 10 to the rest.That stretch of the 192 is loaded with other outlets.
thornton
14-09-2005, 20:56
You really are spoilt for choice Woody. I would suggest you make a list of what you want and then go through ticking things off for each community that attracts you, eg. shopping, pool, peace and quiet, on site facilities, outlook and then it is up to you. I would say that every community has many things going for it.
Jill
Ann-Marie
15-09-2005, 01:01
Woody
We stayed at both Windward Cay and Indian Point - both on the East side of the 192 and found them great, quiet communities. Plenty of fantastic restaurants and shops close by, including the Outback, with Walmart right on the doorstep.
Whatever community you choose, you'll find everything you need close by.
Sunset Lake will be another one for you.
Woody - I would not worry about the community. Browse the villas and find a villa (or two or three or four) that you like. As Sarah says above "You won't go far wrong with any of the communities listed on this site"
The villa is what will make your holiday not necessarily the community. If you are looking for something specific eg a tennis court, or a lake, or conservation area etc etc then yes by all means try and narrow down your communities, but you should get a feel from the villa advert if these facilities are available.
If you pick a villa from this site you won't be disappointed.