Location & Local Information

Highlands is located one and half miles south of US 192 on Highway 27

10 minutes to Disney entrance
35 minutes to Orlando International airport
50 minutes to Sanford International airport
25 minutes to Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
Less than 5 minutes to shops, restaurants, golf, banks, etc.

ZIP Code 33897

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Fastest Route from Airport
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).  Leave the 417 toll road at exit 2 signposted Celebration Avenue to US192, take a right after toll booth and left at T junction onto the US 192 West.  Drive along the US 192 until you reach the US27 South - stay in left lane signposted Haines City. 

Highlands Reserve entrance is well lit along the US27 on the right hand side, about 1-1/2 miles after you joined the US27 - next right after the traffic lights at Publix.  Directions to your villa will be given to you prior to your arrival.

Petrol
There are numerous petrol stations nearby, but the closest is 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).

Taxi Shuttle Service
There is no free shuttle service available to the parks from Highlands Reserve, but there is a very friendly and helpful taxi service available locally - call Skips Taxi Service on 1-877-660-0148 and a really nice guy (Jay) with a 15 seater taxi will pick you up from your villa will take you to the shops, theme parks, restaurants, beaches etc…. and pick you up again when you say.

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) less than 3 minutes drive from your villa (you could even walk there in 10 - 15 minutes). 

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).

Pharmacies
A Walgreen's 24hr Drive Thru Pharmacy is located on the east bound carriageway of the US192 opposite the Orange Lake Resort - about 4 miles from Highlands Reserve.  You will also find another Walgreen's about 1 mile on US27 north of the US192.

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.

15 miles south of Highlands Reserve on the US27 is Manny’s Chop House on the right – Excellent steaks (try the 24oz T-Bone) at incredibly low prices (4 people can eat with drinks for less than $60) – it’s where the locals go, so very popular. 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 can be a long wait !!

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 !!

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 first set of 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.

Please note that UK purchased DVD's (Region 2) will not work in the USA and visa versa.  USA purchased DVD's (Region 1) may work in the UK as long as you have a multi-region or a hacked DVD Player.

Check-In and Check-Out Times
The earliest check-in time is 4pm and check-out time on the day of departure is 10am, at which time the cleaners will arrive to clean for the arrival of the next guests. Earlier Check-in and later check-out times may be available at the Owner and/or Management Companies discretion, subject to departure and arrival of previous and subsequent bookings.

Linens & Towels
Owners provide sufficient towels (including pool towels) and linen in their villas.  However, owners would appreciate it if these would remain exclusively for use within their villa and pool area especially when renting 2 or more villas. 

If you are planning a visit to one or more of the water theme parks or even plan a trip to the Gulf or Atlantic coast, then please use your own beach towels (or you can purchase these really cheaply from the numerous "gift stores" anywhere along the US192).

Private Swimming Pool
For your safety you are strongly requested that you do not take glass or crockery into the pool area (broken glass is very difficult to see on a wet pool deck and swimming pool and is very dangerous).  Owners provide ample plastic tumblers, plates, bowls for safe use around the pool. Failure to comply will result in you being liable for the expense of emptying, cleaning and refilling the pool - water is not cheap in Florida !!

Gas BBQ's
Gas fired BBQ's are provided by most villa owners for the use of their guests by the pool area.  Owners cannot be held responsible for any injuries resulting from incorrect usage of this facility.  If you need any additional gas, a propane bottle exchange can be purchased for around $20 from the local garage (1 mile north on US27 by the Polo Park Subway).  Guests are responsible for cleaning the BBQ after use or face a hefty charge for cleaning.

The Pool Timer
This is pre-set by their management company and controls the pool pump.  If you have requested pool heating this is also pre-set by the management company - please do not tamper with the settings as this could adversely affect the return of part or all of your security deposit as electricity is disproportionably expensive in Florida compared to the UK

Smoking Policy
For the comfort of future guests, you are respectively requested that you do not smoke anywhere within the Villas.  Responsible guests are of course more than welcome to smoke within the pool area using the plastic ash tray provided.

Pets
Sorry NO PETS of any description are allowed in any villas - please do not bring your pets as you will asked to leave the villa without compensation. In the event of any queries or problems regarding the villa or pool, please contact the management company (details on how to contact them will be available in the villa)

All we have to say now is to have a great holiday

We can guarantee you will definitely want to visit again
 

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