Sunset Villa Guidebook: Everything Not Disney and Universal
Restaurants
American food with Great outdoor patio and music. 5 min from the villa in the Sunset Walk mall
76 locals recommend
Rock & Brews
7131 Red Bug Lake RdAmerican food with Great outdoor patio and music. 5 min from the villa in the Sunset Walk mall
Outdoors mall with shopping 5 min from the villa, entertainment and restaurants. If you'd like to have dinner here, a reservation is recommended as it tends to get very busy even on week-nights.
68 locals recommend
Sunset Walk at Margaritaville Resort Orlando
3251 Margaritaville BlvdOutdoors mall with shopping 5 min from the villa, entertainment and restaurants. If you'd like to have dinner here, a reservation is recommended as it tends to get very busy even on week-nights.
Good chain restaurant serving Jamaican food. Good value for the food and drinks. 5 min from villa
277 locals recommend
Bahama Breeze
8160 W Irlo Bronson Memorial HwyGood chain restaurant serving Jamaican food. Good value for the food and drinks. 5 min from villa
Led by Executive Chef George Yiu, Canvas Restaurant & Market serves new American cuisine with a focus on seasonal, regional produce and fresh seafood. 25 min from the villa.
24 locals recommend
Canvas
13615 Sachs AvenueLed by Executive Chef George Yiu, Canvas Restaurant & Market serves new American cuisine with a focus on seasonal, regional produce and fresh seafood. 25 min from the villa.
Groceries
5 minutes from the villa, has everything you may need. This one, closest to the house gets very busy after 5 PM. If you want to avoid crowds, there is one 15 min from the house, in Claremont, which tends to be a lot less busy.
422 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
2855 N Old Lake Wilson Rd5 minutes from the villa, has everything you may need. This one, closest to the house gets very busy after 5 PM. If you want to avoid crowds, there is one 15 min from the house, in Claremont, which tends to be a lot less busy.
Grocery store 10 min from the villa. Better for groceries than Walmart, but also a bit more expensive.
149 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Orange Lake Town Center
14928 E Orange Lake BlvdGrocery store 10 min from the villa. Better for groceries than Walmart, but also a bit more expensive.
Target
3200 Rolling Oaks BlvdGroceries, pharmacy, and department store. 5 min drive from villa.
Nearby Cities
Anna Maria Island has our favorite beaches in Florida. Less urban and less crowded than the more famous clearwater beach (which is a little bit closer to the villa). Arrive early for easier parking. About 2 hours drive from the Villa.
66 locals recommend
Anna Maria
Anna Maria Island has our favorite beaches in Florida. Less urban and less crowded than the more famous clearwater beach (which is a little bit closer to the villa). Arrive early for easier parking. About 2 hours drive from the Villa.
About a 15 min drive from the Villa, Celebration is a town built by Disney in the 1990s to reflect its vision of an "ideal" city. Its downtown, built around a lake and park, is great for a late afternoon stroll, and for getting some wine or ice cream at one of the many local shops.
384 locals recommend
Celebration
About a 15 min drive from the Villa, Celebration is a town built by Disney in the 1990s to reflect its vision of an "ideal" city. Its downtown, built around a lake and park, is great for a late afternoon stroll, and for getting some wine or ice cream at one of the many local shops.
Sightseeing
Free to enter and park. Many restaurants, some with live music. Also has some paid attractions, like the Wheel, aquarium and wax museum.
396 locals recommend
ICON Park
8375 International DrFree to enter and park. Many restaurants, some with live music. Also has some paid attractions, like the Wheel, aquarium and wax museum.
Kennedy Space Center
Great family attraction. About 1 hour drive from the villa.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Cars only
Public transportation in the Orlando Kissimmee area is basically non-existent. So, you have the following options:
1. Driving/Renting a Car
2. Uber/Lyft. Works well from/to the airport and can take you to designated drop-off areas at Disney and Universal. Expect to pay $15 to $45 per trip in the greater Orlando area, depending on time of the day and distance.
3. Private Shuttle Service. There are many companies in the Orlando Area that offer van-based pick-up/drop-off. Can be cost effective for larger groups.
What to pack
Sun and Rain Protection
From April to August, Florida is very hot and humid, and it also often rains at some point in the afternoon. But don't worry, usually, the rains are heavy but don't last very long. But remember to bring the following:
- Sunscreen
- Raincoat
- Liquids for hydration.
Ways to save
Avoid Discounted Tickets
Unless you have a lot of time to spare, and don't mind spending hours on a time-share presentation and a hard sales pitch, don't go into places that are offering you Disney and Universal tickets for way below their full price.
Book before you go
Park Tickets
To ensure that you can go to the Parks you want, specially for Disney World and Universal, ensure that you purchase and reserve your tickets well in advance of your stay.