View Full Version : Lake Berkley
I thought it was about time I asked these questions!
We've booked a villa at Lake Berkley for a couple of weeks in July/August. Didn't book through an Orlando Villas website as I didn't find out how good you lot were until later [:I], however I booked direct with the owners who I chatted with on the phone and seem really nice people.
Does anyone have any opinions on this community? It looks nice to me and has a Walmart very close by (and it's too late anyway even if you all tell me it's awful!)
How close is it REALLY to Disney and Universal? Can we use the Sherbeth Road shortcut I've read about? And does anyone have a view on the easiest way to get there from MCO for someone who's never been to the US before? (I'm sure the owners will give me directions but another opinion would be useful!)
I do, of course, know exactly who we'll be booking our car hire through!! :D
Hi Jane
Do not worry at all, Lake Berkely is lovely. I have stayed there myself and have friends who live there.
It is at the other end of the 192 from Sherbeth road but is close to Disney and Universal, it will only take around 10 - 15 minutes.
From Mco it will only take around 30 minutes and is a dead easy route along the 417 and John Young. Your owner will give you precise directions.
Paula D-S
16-02-2008, 02:25
After renting a villa in Lake Berkley we became Florida addicts, we rented twice on there before deciding to buy our own little piece of Florida, it's a lovely resort and you will have a fabulous time.
I still remember the directions Jan mentioned and I can remember the feeling of arriving for the first time.
ctgirlscout
16-02-2008, 03:36
We used to own on Lake Berkley and used to make it to Disney in about 10 minutes taking Poinciana Blvd. and cutting across 192. Universal and SeaWorld were a little further, about 20 minutes. I think you'll like the community and the location.
Hiya,
We've just had this discussion (yesterday) on the Lake Berkley Owners site and I was informed from gate to gate it took one owner seven minutes. She used the 535, never tried it before so will have to have a go next time. We stayed on Lake Berkley in 2004 and fell in love with the place. You will love the resort I am sure. And yes Walmart is only a couple of minutes away by car. We wish you a wonderful holiday.
Spooky Teresa I have just emailed you.
We stayed at Lake Berkley in 2003, lovely gated community, don't worry you will have a great time
Thanks for the replies everyone - it's great to know we've made a good choice. I'll need to get looking at a map and work out where all these roads are!
You will love it there Jane and you will all have a lovely time. As for finding all the roads you could take the trouble out of looking for them as you can hire a sat nav from this site and it really does take the trouble out of getting anywhere. [msnsmile2]
Neatfeat
16-02-2008, 18:27
Hi
From MCO I would take Boggy Creek Road avoiding the 417. Boggy Creek will take you to the 192, turn right (westbound) then turn left at WalMart to get to Lake Berkley. If you go on the 417 make sure you have change for the toll.
Hi Jane,
We have a 4 bedroom townhouse at Lake Berkley (so I guess, like Maddie and Teresa we're a little biased! [msnwink]) but I am sure that you will come away loving the place as much as we all do !
Lake Berkley is perhaps a little different to many communities, in as much as when you drive through the 24 hour security gated entrance, you are immediately surrounded by an area of mature oak trees giving the resort an "English Countryside" sort of feel. Sure , there are plenty of Floridian Palm trees on site, but the oak trees immediately give the place a "homely" atmosphere.
The resort surrounds a large natural , spring fed lake (stocked with fish...and fishing is allowed!) with lovely areas to walk, cycle, have BBQs (brand new stainless steel BBQs by the lake!). There are tennis, basketball and volleyball courts on site, and a clubhouse , resort pool and hot tub. The Clubhouse has a well equipped gym, new fast internet connected computers, as well as pool tables and arcade style games.
Lake Berkley is not only close to all the major parks , but has a 24 hr Wal*Mart right on the doorstep !!
Here are a few photos to whet your appetite.
Have a fantastic time. I know you'll love Lake Berkley !
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/kevint/2008216144448_CIMG0116.JPG
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/kevint/2008216144530_CIMG0117.JPG
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/kevint/2008216145044_CIMG0126.JPG
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/kevint/2008216145249_FishingLake_a.jpg
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/kevint/2008216145340_lb7.jpg
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/kevint/2008216145711_playarea.jpg
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/kevint/200821615530_LBD1.JPG
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/kevint/200821615932_LBD3.JPG
Thanks for the photos Kevin - it does indeed look lovely! We've made a good choice.
Anita, thanks for those directions - I didn't think it would be so easy to avoid the tolls. We should have a bit of change as my husband is going to Seattle next weekend for a few days on business and I've given him strict instructions to save all the coins he gets. I'm very wary of the driving as I haven't been to the US before. The closest I've got is Niagara, just across the river in Canada as my sister lives in Ottawa.
The thing that bothers my husband the most is driving an automatic...
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by JaneB
The thing that bothers my husband the most is driving an automatic...[/quote]You're welcome re: the pictures Jane.
Re: the car. I think if I were you I'd be more concerned that your husband might want to change your UK car for an auto once he gets back !!:D Having had several of both autos and manuals in my life, my preference now is auto. Can't really understand why anyone living near a city or large town would want to be changing gear and depressing the clutch many hundreds of times !![msnsmile2]
Autos are brilliant just point and go! Forget your left foot !!
Majority of the cars hired by Dollar and Alamo will be autos and are
a dream to drive. Most of the main roads are much wider than here
and the speed limits reasonably low. After many trips to Florida I find the roads easier over there now.
Paula D-S
17-02-2008, 02:30
Loved your pictures Kevin, the villas we rented backed onto the lake with the little island in the middle, lovely memories.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by caitlin
Loved your pictures Kevin, the villas we rented backed onto the lake with the little island in the middle, lovely memories.
[/quote]
One of these maybe Paula ??[msnwink]
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/kevint/2008216233758_LB4.JPG
The one we're renting backs onto a lake as well, the lake looks quite long and narrow from the photos I've seen. The pool also has little hedges down the sides of the pool. That's what attracted me - we didn't want to have anyone directly overlooking us. Am I right in thinking there are several lakes, not just the big one?
there is the large main lake and a couple of smaller ponds.
ctgirlscout
18-02-2008, 08:05
There are three lakes--the large one in Kevin's photos, a smaller one completely surrounded by houses, and another small one which also backs up to conservation (by the tennis court). This last one is kind of long and narrow.
yes Jane there are three. Jane it sounds as if you are backing onto the middle lake. Yes Kevin maybe we are biased...lucky us!
Hiya Maddie - looking forward to seeing you and Den in May! won't be long now.[msncool]
Special Hi also to Teresa. Did the photos make you just a little homesick ??[msnwink]
Jane. If you look at the "birdseye" photograph view of Lake Berkley on either Google Earth or Microsoft Virtual Earth you can see that the middle lake is long and thin (well it looks that way from photos but is certainly a good width!)
If the view from your rented home is as nice as Maddie's (or Teresa's ex home!) you will be in for a treat !![msnsmile2]
ctgirlscout
19-02-2008, 16:51
Hi Kevin,
Homesick? No, too busy for that! But it did make me remember all those beautiful photos you took for us a couple of years ago! Still have all of those to look at!
Yes, Kevin - that looks like it! From the direction it faces and the photos I've got of what you can see from the rear of the house it looks as though it's about three houses up from the photo labelled "Nice villa in Kissimmee" on Google Earth.
Oooh, now I'm really excited!:D
Must be quite close to Maddie's then ! They have a brilliant view from their pool deck so the one you are renting should be very similar.
Problem is.....you'll probably want to stop there forever !! [msnwink]
Have a fabulous holiday ! If there are any other questions you think of just shout!