ChampionsGate Resort: Your Complete Guide to Orlando's Premier Vacation Home Community

by Bobby Baldor

Discover ChampionsGate Resort—Orlando’s top vacation home and short-term rental (STR) community. Explore subdivisions, amenities, floorplans, lease rules, and connect with the Baldor Group to buy your dream vacation home.

Why ChampionsGate Stands Out

ChampionsGate Resort is a master-planned oasis blending luxury living with resort-style amenities just 12 miles from Walt Disney World®. Unlike other Orlando-Kissimmee communities, ChampionsGate offers two Greg Norman-designed championship golf courses, a sprawling 16,000 sq ft Oasis Clubhouse, and a rich developmental history that shaped its unique architectural identity. For vacation home buyers and investors, it represents a rare blend of proven rental performance and upscale community living.

Origins and Early Development

2005: Planned as "Stoneybrooke South" by Lennar Homes, with infrastructure and golf courses partially completed before the market collapse halted progress.

2013: Revival under new developers, rebranded as "The Retreat at ChampionsGate." This phase introduced revolutionary floorplans like the 8-bedroom "Maui" and 6-bedroom "Fiji," setting new standards for vacation rentals.

2015-Present: Expansion into multiple subdivisions, including The Retreat, The Country Club, and The Estates, each catering to distinct buyer needs (e.g., STR investors vs. permanent residents).

The $1 Billion Master Plan

Developed by RIDA Development Corp, ChampionsGate spans 1,500 acres with a projected value of $1 billion. The community includes:

2,864 hotel rooms

2,136 resort villas and apartments

54 holes of golf

426,000 sq ft of retail space

Phases & Subdivisions: Architecture and STR Rules

The Retreat at ChampionsGate (STR-Friendly)

Phase 1 (2013-2016):

Homes: 4-8 bedroom single-family residences.

Signature Floorplans: "Maui" (8-bed) and "Fiji" (6-bed), featuring game rooms, home theaters, and themed bedrooms.

Elevations: Mediterranean-style tile roofs and stucco exteriors.

Phase 2-3 (2017-Present):

New Additions: 5-6 bedroom villas, 4-5 bedroom townhomes, and 2-3 bedroom condos.

Design Evolution: Shift toward Contemporary and Spanish elevations, with bolder color schemes and modern finishes.

STR Policy: All phases allow daily/weekly rentals with no 30-day minimum.

Other Key Subdivisions

The Country Club

Target Buyer: Permanent residents

Short-Term Rentals: Not allowed (minimum 6-12 month lease required)

Key Features: Golf course views, luxury estate homes, quiet residential atmosphere

The Estates

Target Buyer: Residential buyers seeking more space

Short-Term Rentals: Not allowed

Key Features: Larger lots, proximity to golf, upscale finishes, privacy

The Villas

Target Buyer: Mixed-use (vacationers and some owners)

Short-Term Rentals: Allowed

Key Features: Condo-style living, full access to resort amenities, low-maintenance lifestyle

5 bedroom townhouse in ChampionsGate

Floorplans

Santiago Floorplan

Bedrooms: 9

Bathrooms: 5

Square Footage: ~4,305 sq ft

Key Features: Private pool, dual master suites, themed game room, large bonus room (garage removed and converted to living space), increased heated living area, shared parking lot (no driveway), ideal for STR and large groups.

Phase: Latest phase; the largest and most flexible ChampionsGate floorplan.

Maui Floorplan

Bedrooms: 8 (can be configured as 9 in some layouts)

Bathrooms: 5

Square Footage: ~3,812–3,826 sq ft

Key Features: Private pool, dual master suites, spacious open-plan kitchen and dining, large game/loft area, optional home theater, classic Mediterranean elevation, covered lanai, direct pool access, highly popular for STR investors and large families.

Phase: Available in multiple phases; a signature ChampionsGate model.

Fiji Floorplan

Bedrooms: 6

Bathrooms: 6

Square Footage: ~3,348 sq ft

Key Features: Private pool, open-concept living, home theater/loft area, spacious bedrooms, multiple en-suites, ideal for mid-sized groups or families, Mediterranean/Spanish elevation.

Phase: Available in earlier and current phases.

Luau (Buchanan)

Bedrooms: 7

Bathrooms: 5

Heated Square Footage: ~3,981 sq ft

Garage: Yes

Private Pool: Yes

Stories: 2

Key Features: Open-plan living, two master suites (one on each floor), loft area, private pool, flexible for large families or groups.

Bali Floorplan

Bedrooms: 6

Bathrooms: 6

Square Footage: ~3,173 sq ft

Key Features: Private pool, versatile design, large living spaces, multiple entertainment areas, Mediterranean/Spanish elevation.

Phase: Available in multiple phases.

Tahiti Floorplan

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 5

Square Footage: ~3,015 sq ft

Key Features: Private pool, open floorplan, spacious bedrooms, ideal for families or groups seeking comfort and value.

Phase: Available in earlier and current phases.

Townhome Floorplans

Royale Palm Townhome

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4

Square Footage: ~2,128 sq ft

Key Features: Private splash pool, spacious living areas, attached garage (in earlier phases), flexible layout for STR use.

Beach Palm Townhome

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square Footage: ~1,914 sq ft

Key Features: Private splash pool, open-plan living, modern kitchen, attached garage (in earlier phases), ideal for budget-conscious investors and families.

Summary:

The Santiago is now the largest, most flexible floorplan (9 beds, ~4,305 sq ft, heated bonus room, no garage).

The Maui remains a flagship model for large groups (8–9 beds, ~3,812–3,826 sq ft).

The Fiji, Bali, and Tahiti offer excellent options for mid-sized groups and families.

Townhomes provide affordable, flexible options for investors and families, with private splash pools and open layouts.

Elevation Changes

Phase 1: Mediterranean style elevations (clay tiles, arched windows) with earthy toned colors.

Phase 2: Mediterranean style elevations (clay tiles, arched windows) with cool toned colors and minor improvements to build craftsmanship.

Maui Floorplan with Mediterranean style finishes in Phase 2 Champions Gate Resort community

Later Phases: contemporary elevations with shingle roof, modern color updates and finishes. The introduction of shared parking lots and bonus rooms (notably in the Santiago) for increased flexibility and heated square footage.