Get to know…Dr. Phillips (Universal & SeaWorld Area)

Population10,981
Main AttractionUniversal and SeaWorld
Major EmployerDr. P Phillips Hospital

Dr. Phillips is located on the southwest side of Orlando, close to Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. This is definitely a lively area of town, with lots to see and do. Apartments in Dr. Phillips will have easy access to almost anything you need or want, like fine dining, shopping and entertainment.

Things To Do in Dr. Phillips

It's not an overstatement to say that Dr. Phillips is known for its world-class entertainment. Universal Orlando provides the anchor with Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and CityWalk. You will also want to check out SeaWorld Orlando, an aquatic theme park with rides, shows, and exhibits. Right next door, you can slide and tube beside wildlife at Aquatica Waterpark or swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove. You'll also find landmarks like the Orlando Eye, an observation wheel modeled after the London Eye where visitors can soar 400 feet above magnificent views of Central Florida in an air conditioned capsule. When living in an apartment in Dr. Phillips, be sure to look for Florida Resident Discounts on yearly passes to the local attractions!

When it's time to eat, you'll have literally hundreds of great restaurants to choose from. Sand Lake Road is known to many locals as "Restaurant Row." Highlights include high-end chains like Seasons 52, Melting Pot and Ruth's Chris Steak House. There are also some unique to Florida concepts like Dragonfly Orlando with its modern interpretation of the Japanese pub culture, serving sushi, sashimi and robatayaki (open fire grill) in a tapas-style dining environment. After dinner, head to The Pharmacy for hand-crafted drinks served in an elegant speakeasy.

International Drive, or "I Drive" as locals call it, provides scores of additional restaurant options. You'll find everything from Fogo de Chao and The Capital Grille to Dave & Busters and even a McDonald's with the world's largest PlayPlace. While these restaurants are all frequented by tourists, you'll find lots of Orlando locals patronizing them as well.

Photos from around Dr. Phillips

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Schools Serving Dr. Phillips

Schools serving apartments in the Dr. Phillips area include Dr. Phillips Elementary School, Bay Meadows Elementary School, Windy Ridge Elementary, Palm Lake Elementary School, Sand Lake Elementary School, Tangelo Park Elementary School, Chain of Lakes Middle School, Southwest Middle School, Westridge Middle School, Olympia High School, Freedom High School and Dr. Phillips High School. The west campus of Valencia Community College is in close proximity to the Dr. Phillips area, and UCF Rosen College of Hospitality is close by as well.

The Dr. Phillips Business Community

The tourism industry dominates the economy in the Dr. Phillips area with Universal Orlando, and the Orlando Convention Center being the major employers. Retail is also a key economic driver.

Outside of the consumer economy, Lockheed Martin employs roughly 4,000 people at their campus on the Eastern edge of the area. This location focuses on building advanced combat systems for the US Military.

Shopping in Dr. Phillips

There are literally thousands of stores in and around Dr. Phillips. You can spend an entire day at Florida Premium Outlets and not have a chance to visit all of the stores. If you're looking for a more traditional mall with major anchors like Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Neiman Marcus, the Mall at Millenia is roughly 10 minutes away. There are also specialty stores in the area such as Bass Pro Shops and even Ikea!

Traffic and Driving in Dr. Phillips

Dr. Phillips is located close to the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and I-4, and the area has easy access to both. Even during rush hour, the Turnpike rarely sees traffic back up. I-4 can get heavy throughout Orlando during rush hour, and the section through Dr. Phillips is no exception. To avoid I-4's traffic, many locals in the area take advantage of SunRail and its Sand Lake Road station to commute into Downtown Orlando. There are also a number of local roads with extra capacity that can serve as alternatives to the Interstate.

SR 528 is also easily accessible in this area and provides quick access to the Florida Mall and the Orlando International Airport. The road is also known as the "Beach Line Expressway" since it provides a straight path to Cocoa Beach, Orlando's closest beach.

The area's two most prominent local roads are Sand Lake, running east-west, and International Drive, running north-south. Sand Lake is generally free from traffic with the exception of predictable rush hour traffic around I-4. Tourists may complain of heavy traffic on certain sections of International Drive, but locals will quickly find alternate routes with little or no traffic. If you're new to the area, spending a few hours learning your way around can really pay dividends in the long run.

Living in the Dr. Phillips Area

One of the perks of living west of the Turnpike in the Dr. Phillips area is the fact that you'd be living where literally millions of people dream to be. You'll be able to see Universal's fireworks on a nightly basis. You won't have time to go to all of the restaurants that are located within just a mile or two of your new apartment. And you'll never be bored. People around the world literally save for years just to visit for a week. You'll get to live here.

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