Hello, I am very familiar with Indian Ridge Oaks...my spouse and I stay 3 winter months in Indian Ridge which is right next door.
I have put a link to map here that will show you the location...In my opinion is THE best location to get to Disney as you never have to deal with HWY 27, Interstate 4 or highway 192 which are always so busy. Here is the map:
http://www.thedibb.co.uk/villa/map.htm notice Indian Ridge Oaks is straight south of Animal Kingdom.
Indian Ridge Oaks in about 7-9 years old. The homes are a little older but very nice. Unlike other rental areas mentioned above, about 1/2 of IROaks is owner occupied and about 1/2 is weekly rentals. So you will have families, kids catching school buses in the morning and pets around.
I would ask to see the home in pictures or virtual tour...there are many very nice homes but as with any home rental, I would like to see the exact home I am getting. If the company will not do this, I would say no thanks, go to
www.vrbo.com and search under "Disney" then "Kissimmee", then "Indian Ridge Oaks"....here you will see homes from owners and lots of pictures. I would ALWAYS rent direct from the owner both for quality and price.
Now, if you get a home in Indian Ridge or Indian Ridge Oaks, here is the magic shortcut to Disney...
Turn left onto Old Lake Wilson Road and head toward hwy 192 in about a mile turn left on Westgate Blvd (it comes up quickly on the left)
Take Westgate Blvd to the entrance to Westgate Villas but turn right instead of going into the Villas at the gate...you are now on ENTRY POINT BLVD.
Take Entry Point STRAIGHT across hwy 192 and it will become SHERBERTH ROAD. Take Sherberth about 1 1/2 miles. It will go straight and then a couple curves...Look ahead on the straight part...you will see the new Everest Ride to your right and dead ahead is a tree top that is an off green color...that is the Tree of Life in the Animal Kingdom
When you get to stop light turn right on Osceola Parkway follow the signs to all the parks...Animal Kingdom will come up quickly...the other parks are farther into Disney.
To get back to your house...follow the signs in Disney to Animal Kingdom...As you approach AK look for the sign that says Animal Kingdom LODGE and stay to the left...you are now back at the stop light...turn left on Sherberth...back to 192...straight across...follow the Entry Point Road to Westgate Villas and turn left away from the Guard Shack and you will be right back to Old Lake Wilson...go right and then turn right on SAND HILL ROAD that takes you right to IROaks...
good luck...Ted
