View Full Version : Help Please- before I go mad!!!
I know the advice is generally to find a villa you really like rather than choose by community. However I seem to be getting really hung up on which community to go for.
I have been trying to get a villa around the Poinciana area but not any further down than Terre Verde- as I feel Cresent Lakes for expample is too far out for us. And have also been looking at the communities around Formosa Gardens areas(wish we could afford Formosa!!)
We really like a couple of other villas at High grove and Vista Park But I've not been to this end of the 192 at all and wonder if this will feel too far out for us as well?
Would really welcome your comments and advice please.
CERICROWLEY
21-01-2011, 13:11
No-one can really say that one community is better of the other. Each has there own views and likes and dislikes.
If you look at the OV map of the communities, this will give you a picture of where they all are, Most of the communities are within 20 minutes of Disney, some 10mins, some 15mins,
Then you will have some on the West side of Disney, Like High Grove,Vista Park, Hampton Lakes, Westridge etc. and then to the East which will be Cresent Lakes, Terre Verde, etc. Both have advantages of their own.
At one point a few years ago, the West side was just in the development stages, so a few people did feel that the prefered to be closer to amentities etc, but this is not the case anymore, both east and west have plenty to offer everyone.
Sorry this does not help you choose, but what can I say you are spoilt for choose
Albert the Frog
21-01-2011, 13:20
We never really bother about which community as we spend all our time either at the parks or at the villa-and all the villas we've been in have been excellent.
If they are all within 20 minutes or so of the attractions I wouldn't get too agitated by it.
steph_goodrum
21-01-2011, 13:56
As Albert says as long as they are in a reasonable drive time it's always a bit academic which you go for, sometimes what the community or villa has to offer will easily outweigh the minimal extra drive time. When we bought our home at Hampton Lakes we loved the fact that youu drive through the scenic Orange Groves to get there. Of course many of them have now gone but there are still stretches of pines and oranges to give you a feeling of calm after the razmatazz of the parks and I drive etc.
Its not the drive to the parks that bothers me- I know its all much of a muchness- its more the going out for a meal at night etc- the West side ones are right at the bottom of the 192 whereas East side are more central to the area of the 192 that has lots of restaurants. looking at google maps its looks a long way from the end of the 192 up to where most of the restuarants etc are- or am I way off the mark- because I've not been to the west end of it before I can't really picture how far out it is.
Not that we will be going out at night a lot so maybe it doesn't really matter, and maybe there are plenty of restuarants around the westside. I'm just really looking for clarification.
I wish know when we were there last year we had gone round the different communities.
I have stayed in Indian Ridge which we thought was fab location wise- 2 mins to get to 192-unfortunately this year we are looking for a bigger house and not seen anything there we liked there.
Hi Lyn,
I am afraid you won't get much help from us owners, [msnwink]
We all love our own homes and the resort or community they are on, that's why we bought them.
There are lots of good locations around the Disney area as you have found you are spoiled for choice.
Why not try and get everyone together and make up your short list,I would say go for the villa that offers you and your family what you really want for your holiday, after the theme parks you will be spending most of the time there.
Good luck & have a great holiday [:)
SteveandJan
21-01-2011, 14:46
Lyn, the west of the 192 isn't very far at all, why not draw up a list of what is important to you.
Good luck and enjoy!
There are communities on the H27 within 15 mins of disney Glenbrook is one
Carol
spiderman
21-01-2011, 19:25
We've stayed on Indian Point a few times and it was a great location as the back of the community goes out next to WalMart on the 192. I walked it a few times... Got some crazy looks from the Americans for walking though!
FraserLynn
21-01-2011, 19:36
Me, I would stick with what you gut is telling you. We had the same challenge a few years ago and went with a villa in Legacy Park, we ended up spending the whole holiday feeling like we were a long way away from where we wanted to be, for loads of reasons......
ujpest doza
21-01-2011, 23:26
There are a number of restaurants on the 27 as well and also a number towards the west end of the 192.
Lyn,
You could ask all the owners of the homes you like the most for a list of local supermarkets and restaurants that are close to their homes.
Hope you manage to find a lovely home & location you really like [8D]
You need not worry about being west of the end of the 192 on Highway 27. This is a fast developing area with lots of brand new restaurants and shops, a huge Walmart Superstore, Publix supermarkets, Target, and with the new 429 toll road, very easy access to both Disney and the other parks. There really is everything you could need close by.
It has another benefit, being very close to wonderful Florida countryside, with orange groves and the Lake Louisa Country Park.
Whichever area you decide on, and there are so many, you will find out more by contacting your chosen villa's owner who can tell you what facilities there are close at hand.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday, wherever you choose to stay.
We now stay on Chatham Park, small older community(1993) but we love it the villa we rent backs onto a nice lake and it is really close to the 192 but very quiet around the villas. We have also stayed on Hamilton Reserve which is just across the road, we like the area because you can get to the 192 along Siesta Lago in about 2 minutes or about 3 muniutes up Poinciana Blv.
My friends partner has found a villa he really likes at Vista Park- any thoughts on this area?
we have stayed in emerald island, sunset lakes, linfields and oak island, last year stayed in hampton lakes, down the us27, for lots of reasons, never again,[msneek] just soooooooooo far away or it felt like it to us, coming out of the parks at nite seemed to take forever to get back to the villa, all our favourite eating places were on the 192, i would go with your gut feeling and thats to be close to everything which in these other villas we were[clap] hope this helps
We have always liked the west end of Highway 192, especially now with the plethora of new restaurants that are appearing almost monthly. While it has always been our preferred area now it is even more fantastic. There are Red Lobster, Millers Orlando Ale House, Buffalo Wings, Olive Garden, Longhorn, TGI Fridays, Carrabas, Outback plus, plus. And it is only five miles from say, Lindfields to Disney property so easy to get around. Our grandchildren are young and it is an easy trip back home mid-day for a rest and then back for more fun.
Andrena
E. Cosgrove
23-01-2011, 15:00
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by shona
last year stayed in hampton lakes, down the us27, for lots of reasons, never again,[msneek] just soooooooooo far away or it felt like it to us, coming out of the parks at nite seemed to take forever to get back to the villa, all our favourite eating places were on the 192, i would go with your gut feeling and thats to be close to everything which in these other villas we were[clap] hope this helps
[/quote]
Before we had our own place I remember staying on US 27 and thinking the same thing, but now we know our way around we think 27 is a great area.......even though that's not where we own (before you think that's my only reason for this post!). There are lots of short cuts and quieter roads which your villa owner can tll you about. So my advise would be to choose the villa you like that has all the facilities you and your family want, nowhere is really far away[msnsmile]
steph_goodrum
23-01-2011, 15:08
I was going to say the same as Liz but as we do have a place at Hampton Lakes thought it might seem biased. We too stayed at Westridge before we owned and at first thought the same but soon got used to the fact there were more alternative routes to use.
Would just add that as wel as the villa it's worth looking to see if there are and community facilities that might appeal to the family and give you more to do when there are rest days. Al the comunities have a Publix within approx 5 mins for groceries and the Walmart at Cagans crossing is les than 10 mins away.
As this was previously the undeveloped end of the 192 it does mean that the restaurants etc that have been built are all fairly new and not too tired/dated like some branches of the chains they generaly belong to.
I think every villa and community has it's unique positives and negatives to consider when choosing a location and villa and most point's mentioned on here are very viable points to consider.
Orlando has massively changed over the past couple of year! and more Resturants have opened and closed up and down the 192 and new ones opened on the 27 so where ever you choose you will not be dissapointed in Orlando as theres some think for everyone.
Have a great time choosing your villa and enjoy[msnwink]
Mark.
FraserLynn
23-01-2011, 17:35
Whilst I haven't been for 18 months now and so I can't comment on recent developments and I am sure that the 27 is full of great resources now, I can't help thinking that if you have an area you are happy with then go with it, why take the gamble.
If it is worrying you now, then if it is not what you hope, you'll end up saying in your head all holiday "we should have stayed at...." I did. So my advice remains the same, stay near where you are familiar and know you like this time, you can of course have a look at other areas whilst you are there and take away the gamble next time.
This in no way reflects on the other areas, I am sure they are great.
My experience though was the same as Shona, we changed location to the 27 and then changed straight back. You can find a great villa anywhere but you know what they say, Location, Location, Location.