The prestigious and well established Highlands Reserve Golf and Country Club is set in undulating countryside surrounded by orange groves, oaks and pine trees.

This highly popular and sought after community features wide tree lined boulevards, pavements, street lighting and green areas. A safe environment for children to play. Citrus trees can be found dotted around the golf course.

Facilities available to renting guests include Tennis Courts, 76' (23m) Community Pool, Golf Club House and Golf Course. In addition, the excellent shops, bars and restaurants at Berry Town Centre which is an easy walk away - see photos below to see all facilities available.

Guests staying on Highlands Reserve, can also get a small discount on green fees. Please see golfing on Highland Reserve for details of the golf course.

What makes Highlands Reserve different to other golf course developments is that the golf course was built first and then the villas were added in the gaps between the fairways giving a instant feeling of space and wide open spaces.  Othe golf course developments tend to have all the villas clustered together and the golf course build around them giving a "hemmed-in" feeling.  All villas on Highlands Reserve are set on generous plots and are not all "crammed in" as is found on many other developments. Most villas benefit from conservation or golf course views, fully taking advantage of the beautiful setting at Highlands Reserve - you can't but be impressed and you will want to come back year after year !!

Highlands Reserve includes a championship 18 hole (par 72) golf course, a large communal swimming pool, a children's play area and a tennis courts. The clubhouse features a pro-shop and serves snacks and drinks.

Orlando villa rentals near Disney on Highlands Reserve has the zip code 33897 (check it out on Google Earth) and is located just 10 - 15 minutes west of Disney World, on Highway US27 just south of US192. It has easy access to Interstate 4 (some 2 miles to the south), which means easy access to all of Florida's main Theme Parks and attractions, including the beautiful beaches of Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coastlines.

No need to worry about staying in a villa on Highlands Reserve and dreading the drive to Disney. We have found a great short-cut which avoids the traffic jams caused by the masses trying to get to Disney - check out our handy page by clicking on Beat the US192 Traffic

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is about 35 minutes away from Highlands Reserve, Sanford Airport is about 50 minutes away, Tampa International Airport is about 75 minutes and Miami is 3.5 hours away.

The nearest supermarket (Publix) to Highlands Reserve is just a 10 - 25 minute WALK away (depending on where you are staying on Highlands Reserve) north of Highlands Reserve at Berry Town Center on the US27 which also has strip mall with a huge variety of shops, restaurants, takeaways and bars - alternatively you could drive there in less than 3 minutes.

• 12 minutes to Disney Animal Kingdom
• 15 minutes to Disney Magic Kingdom
• 25 minutes to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure & SeaWorld
• 35 minutes to Orlando International Airport
• 50 minutes to Sanford International Airport
• 75 minutes to Tampa International Airport
• 3.5 hours to Miami International Airport
• Less than 2 minutes by car or short walk to the shops, restaurants, bars, golf course, banks, etc.

Area & Villa Information

We have put together some information from our own experience, which we believe you may find of use to you during your stay in on Highlands Reserve. However, if you have any questions, we are more than happy to help you out.

Fastest Route from Airport by Car

The best way we have found with the least amount of traffic is down the Central Florida Greeneway (Toll 417). It's a toll road, but worth every penny, especially after a long flight.

From Orlando International (MCO) (less than $5 in tolls) head for the 417 SOUTH. From Sanford International, also head for the 417 SOUTH (less than $10 in tolls). Stay on the 417 toll road which eventually merges into the I4 West to Tampa - take exit 55 and take US27 North towards Clermont. Highlands Reserve is about 5 miles up the US27 on the left hand side.

Highlands Reserve entrance is well lit along the US27 and easy to find even in the dark. If you get to the traffic lights Publix turn around and take first right turn into Highlands Reserve.

There is another entrance to Highlands Reserve off Sand Mine Road (left at Publix traffic lights) but, unless you know where you are going, it is best to turn around so you can follow the directions given to you by the villa owner prior to your arrival. Once you have your bearings, the side entrance (Trentham Lane) is more convenient for getting to the shops, restaurants & bars.

Getting Around Without A Rental Car

There is no free shuttle service available to the parks from Highlands Reserve, but there is a very friendly and helpful taxi services available locally.

We strongly recommend that you have a rental car if you are staying on Solara Resort as there are no shuttles - an alternative would be UBER which we have found to be very fast, efficient and cheap - just download the UBER app on your phone and you are sorted.

If you don't want to drive on the day you arrive but want a hire car from the day after, they can also cater for this as well - please click here to view more details of Florida Transport services

Taxi's & Shuttles

Alternatively, we also recommend UBER who are considerably cheaper and more reliable than your typical taxi companies. UBER provides great & friendly service at an affordable cost for families who do not plan on driving during their vacation.

Download the UBER app on your phone and then requesting a suitable vehicle is dead easy, convenient and affordable.

Petrol

There are numerous petrol stations nearby, but the closest is by Publix supermarket and another, next to the Polo Park Subway (1 mile north on US27 by traffic lights on the right). "Don't forget to lift the lever" announced loudly over the intercom !!  (We found this out to our embarrassment on our first trip here). You can also buy gas refills for the BBQ from both petrol stations.

Supermarkets

The nearest supermarket is Publix (great value with an excellent choice & service), which is located on the southbound carriageway of the US27 just north of Highlands Reserve (you can't miss it) at Berry Town Center, less than 3 minutes drive from your villa (you could even walk there - see walking times below).

Wal-Mart, is a popular superstore (now affiliated with ASDA) located about 2.5 miles north on the US27 (turn right at first traffic lights after you cross over the US192). Excellent value shopping (same principle as ASDA in the UK, but so much bigger) - it works out about 15% cheaper to shop at Wal-Mart compared to Publix, but with so much choice you may end up spending more !!

Walking Times to Publix Supermarket, Restaurants & Bars

Walking times based on normal walking pace for an average fit adult. Please adjust for faster or slower walking styles

Restaurants & Bars

In front of Publix supermarket (walking distance from Highlands Reserve) you will find several places to eat including an Applebee's Neighborhood Grill Bar, Bamboo Wok Chinese Takeaway, Mia Pizza Restaurant & Takeaway, Kumo Japanese Restaurant & Takeaway, Kokopelli's Bistro, Sunday's Grill Fish & Chips to name a few...

Fancy going to a good American Bar within “staggering” distance from your villa – then we recommend Linksters Tap Room opposite Applebee’s – open 7 days till 2am (Sundays till midnight) – extensive range of drinks and a pool table and very friendly staff – smoking allowed indoors too if you are discrete !!
There is a loads of shops and restaurants along the US192 (a bit like Blackpool). We found Sizzler is excellent value for breakfast or brunch - arrive at around 10:30am and you can eat breakfast and lunch for less than $5 - no need to worry about eating in Disney !

We can definitely recommend Carrabba's Italian Grill just after the intersection with Black Lake Road on the right (fantastic food at a very reasonable price). You must try their Carrabbarita - it's a Margarita with a generous twist of Amaretto - to die for !!

You will also find a TGI Fridays next door. There are also some excellent takeaways (Chinese, Indian & Pizza) in this area too.

13 miles south of Highlands Reserve (18 minutes drive) in Haines City on the US27 is the fantastic Manny’s Chop House on the right – Excellent steaks (try the 24oz T-Bone if you dare) at incredibly low prices (4 people can eat with drinks for less than $60) – it’s where the locals go, for a good reason !! We found that if you call them 40 minutes before you want to go, telling them you are just leaving Universal Studios, they will book you a table, otherwise it could be a long wait at the bar !!

If you travel north on the US27 towards Clermont - try Guso's, an independent Italian restaurant with excellent food at local prices - it's on the southbound side at Clermont Terrace (near Harley Davidson dealer).

If you want somewhere very good but a bit of a haul try Le Coq au Vin at 4800 S. Orange Boulevard at Holden Avenue. It’s about 40 minutes drive, but the food is as good as we have ever eaten in the US. Packed with locals and not very expensive and the chocolate soufflés especially recommended !!

Pharmacies

There is a CVS Pharmacy is literally across the road from Highlands Reserve.- it's a CVS A Walgreen's 24hr Drive Thru Pharmacy is located on the east bound carriageway of the US192 opposite the Orange Lake Resort - about 6 miles from Highlands Reserve. You will also find another Walgreen's about 5 miles on the right up the US27 northbound beyond the US192 junction and past Wal-Mart.

Gym / Fitness Centre

There is an excellent gym called Anytime Fitness at 532 Cagan Park which is opposite Wal-Mart (north on US27 past the US192) and left at the traffic lights. You can purchase a pass for a day, a week, 2 weeks or even a month - click on Anytime Fitness website for more info.

Fishing

There is some excellent areas close to Highlands Reserve that a great for Fishing. A good place is at the Tikki Bar on Lake Minneola. They hire pontoon boats for fun or fishing and it's a great informal place for lunch/a few beers and only 20 minutes or so from Highlands Reserve.

To get there, go north on US27, across the US50 past Clermont. at about the 2nd lights after the US50 there is a restaurant on the left, turn left at the lights and at the next little crossroad there is a dirt parking area diagonally across on your far left corner. Park in there & walk to the back of the lot where you will see the lake and the Tikki Bar - It's a great spot for a drink and to watch the sunset !!

DVD & Video Games Rental

DVD's and Video Games can be hired from the video rental shop next to the Publix supermarket on US192. You will need to show your passport or driving licence as well as a credit card to get temporary membership.