Waterleigh vs Lake Star at Ovation: Which Horizon West Community Wins?
- Christian Clay
- Jun 1
- 9 min read
Waterleigh vs. Lake Star at Ovation — Two of Horizon West's Best Communities, Head to Head
I've toured both of these communities more than once, and every time I get asked the same question from relocators moving to the Orlando metro: "Should I go with Waterleigh or Lake Star at Ovation?" They're both in Horizon West, both have lakefront homesites, both have no CDD — and yet they're fundamentally different products for fundamentally different buyers. Let me break it down.
On one side you have Waterleigh by D.R. Horton — a massive master-planned community that's been building out for over a decade, with 3,600+ homes sitting on and around the 350-acre Hickorynut Lake on Avalon Road. On the other you have Lake Star at Ovation by M/I Homes — a newer, 190-acre master-planned community off Western Way with a distinct front-porch architecture focus and alley-loaded garages, built around 37-acre Lake Star. Same ZIP code. Very different experience.
This post is for buyers who've narrowed it down to these two and need someone to just be honest with them — including the parts the model homes won't show you. We work with buyers in both communities regularly, and we know the reps and the inventory.
Quick Facts: Side by Side
Waterleigh (D.R. Horton)
Location: 10482 Atwater Bay Dr., Winter Garden, FL 34787 (off Avalon Road / CR-545)
Builder: D.R. Horton (Tradition Series)
Starting Price: From $419,990
HOA: $274–$297/month (includes lawn care)
CDD: NO CDD
Home Types: Single-family + townhomes, 3–5 bed / 2–5 bath, 1,567–3,327 sq ft
Community Size: 3,600+ homes (established master plan)
Lake: Hickorynut Lake — approximately 350 acres
Schools: Independence Elementary / Bridgewater Middle / Horizon High (OCPS)
Drive to Disney: ~8–10 minutes
Status: Selling — Phase 5 (final phase) expected with 286 additional lots
Lake Star at Ovation (M/I Homes)
Location: 17106 Beachgrass Alley, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (off Western Way)
Builder: M/I Homes
Starting Price: From $513,990
HOA: $172–$218/month (includes lawn care)
CDD: NO CDD
Home Types: Alley-loaded townhomes + Avenue Series SF (front porch + alley garage) + traditional SF, 3–6 bed, 1,803–4,988 sq ft
Community Size: 437 total homesites across ~190 acres
Lake: Lake Star — ~37 acres with lakefront viewing pier
Schools: Water Springs Elementary / Water Springs Middle / Horizon High (OCPS)
Drive to Disney: ~10–12 minutes
Status: Actively selling — newer release, 2 townhome plans + 20 SF floor plans
Location: The Horizon West / Western Way Corridor
Both communities sit inside the Horizon West master plan — one of the fastest-growing corridors in the entire Orlando metro. You're looking at a stretch of western Orange County that runs from Downtown Winter Garden south toward Four Corners, Highway 192, and Celebration. Disney's main gate is literally 4–5 miles east. That's not a marketing line. When I'm out here, you can see EPCOT's fireworks on a clear night.
What's Within 3 Miles of Both Communities:
Publix grocery (inside Waterleigh itself)
Winter Garden Village (100+ retailers, dining, cinema)
Historic Downtown Winter Garden — Plant Street Market, local restaurants
Orange County National Golf Center (two championship courses)
Independence Elementary, Bridgewater Middle, Horizon High School (OCPS)
SR-429 Western Beltway — direct access north to I-4 or south to US-192
Pro Tip: Horizon West is adding infrastructure fast — Hamlin Town Center is already built out, and a new Hamlin High School opened nearby. If you're buying for long-term equity, this corridor was the right bet five years ago and it still is today. Both communities benefit from that rising tide.
Per-Community Access:
Waterleigh sits off Avalon Road (County Road 545), which connects straight into the SR-429 corridor. You enter through a well-established streetscape with mature trees and developed infrastructure — because this community has been building since 2013. The roads are paved, the parks are open, the Publix is in the community. Lake Star at Ovation is off Western Way — slightly further west, slightly more rural feel right now, but directly positioned between Downtown Winter Garden to the north and the Disney/Four Corners corridor to the south. It's a newer road with newer surroundings, which means the retail and services nearby are still developing.
Amenities: Proven Infrastructure vs. Fresh Build-Out
Waterleigh Amenities (Mature, Three Centers)
This is where Waterleigh has a real edge right now. The community has not one, not two, but three resort-style amenity centers — and they're fully operational. If you buy here today, you move in and the amenities are there waiting. That matters.
Three resort-style pools
Multiple community clubhouses
Indoor fitness centers
Mini golf course
Beach volleyball courts
Hammock beach with Hickorynut Lake views
Walking and nature trails
Playgrounds and sports fields
Dog parks
Tennis courts
Community garden
Lakefront waterfront homesites on Hickorynut Lake
Publix grocery store inside the community
Lake Star at Ovation Amenities (Newer, Still Coming Online)
Lake Star at Ovation's amenity package is solid for a community of its age. It's centered around 37-acre Lake Star, which is a genuine lake — not a retention pond — with a viewing pier that already draws residents out in the evenings. The trade-off is you're getting a newer build-out, which means some amenities may still be under construction depending on when you close.
Resort-style community pool
Clubhouse with fitness center and banquet space
Tot lot / playground
Multiple dog parks throughout the community
Walking and jogging trails
Viewing pier on Lake Star
Over 60 lakefront homesites on Lake Star
Open green spaces
Fees at a Glance
Community | HOA/Month | CDD | Includes |
Waterleigh (D.R. Horton) | $274–$297 | None | Full lawn care + 3 amenity centers |
Lake Star at Ovation (M/I Homes) | $172–$218 | None | Lawn care + pool + clubhouse |
The HOA difference is meaningful. Lake Star's fees are roughly $75–$100/month lower than Waterleigh's — but Waterleigh's fees are buying you three amenity centers versus one. Whether that's a good trade depends on how much you'll actually use them. For a family of four that's going to live in the pool every weekend, Waterleigh's amenity package is a steal even at the higher HOA. For a couple that travels often and doesn't need the extras, Lake Star's lower cost structure makes more sense.
The Homes: Builder Comparison
Lake Star at Ovation — M/I Homes
The architecture at Lake Star is the most distinctive thing about it. M/I Homes built this community with three distinct product types, and that variety is rare in a single master plan. You're not looking at a sea of identical D.R. Horton stucco boxes — you've got genuine choice:
Alley-loaded townhomes with multi-purpose private courtyards — 2 floor plans
Avenue Series single-family with inviting front porches and alley-loaded garages — the signature product
Traditional single-family with true backyards on larger homesites (Cottage Collection)
Plan | Starting Price | Sq Ft | Style |
Baldwin | From $513,990 | 1,803 sq ft | Avenue Collection — front porch + alley garage |
Jensen | From $533,990 | 1,983 sq ft | Avenue Collection — front porch + alley garage, 3 bed / 2.5 ba |
Wekiva | From $834,990 | 2,781 sq ft | Avenue Collection — 4 bed / 3.5 ba |
Newport | From $988,470 | 3,610 sq ft | Cottage Collection — 5 bed / 5 ba, traditional SF |
The 2–4 car garage option is worth flagging. M/I Homes offers garages up to 4 cars at Lake Star — that's unusual for a Horizon West price point. If you have toys, boats, or need serious garage space, that's a differentiator.
Waterleigh — D.R. Horton (Tradition Series)
Waterleigh runs on D.R. Horton's Tradition Series — which is their standard single-family and townhome product. These are all-concrete-block construction with smart home technology, quartz counters, and open-concept layouts baked in. Not flashy, but consistent and well-built for the price range. The appeal here is you get more home for your dollar — $419,990 starting vs. $513,990 at Lake Star — and you're getting into a neighborhood where the infrastructure, schools, and retail are all already established.
Series | Starting Price | Sq Ft | Style |
Tradition Series SM | From $419,990 | 1,567–3,327 sq ft | SF + Townhomes — 1–2 story, 3–5 bed / 2–5 bath |
Lakefront / Premium Lots | Up to $919,990+ | Varies | Hickorynut Lake waterfront — significant lot premium |
Christian's Take: Which Community Actually Wins?
Here's my honest read after touring both multiple times and working with buyers in each:
Pick Lake Star at Ovation if:
Architecture matters to you — the front-porch, alley-loaded design is genuinely different and will age better than generic Florida stucco
You want lower HOA fees and can live with fewer amenities (at least for now)
You need a larger home — the Cottage Collection goes up to 4,988 sq ft, which Waterleigh can't match
You want to get in early in a newer community and capture appreciation as the build-out completes
A fresh community with construction still going on doesn't bother you
Pick Waterleigh if:
You want amenities on day one — three resort pools, mini golf, beach volleyball, and trails already open
A lower entry price matters ($419,990 vs. $513,990 starting)
You want established infrastructure — Publix in the community, mature landscaping, well-trafficked schools
Hickorynut Lake (350 acres) pulls you more than Lake Star (37 acres) — the sheer scale of Hickorynut is hard to beat
You want resale options — with 3,600+ homes, there are always homes coming to market
Pro Tip: The Hickorynut Lake lot premium at Waterleigh is significant — waterfront homes push well past $700k. At Lake Star, the 60+ lakefront homesites on 37-acre Lake Star are priced comparably but represent a higher percentage of the total inventory. If lakefront is a must-have, talk to us before you pick a model home to tour — we know which sites and which phases are opening up.
Our team does a lot of business with both D.R. Horton and M/I Homes in this corridor, and we know the reps. That matters when new lots release — the right buyer in the right position can get first access before the general public. Email us or text us before you schedule a model home visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Waterleigh located?
Waterleigh is located at 10482 Atwater Bay Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787, off Avalon Road (County Road 545) in the Horizon West master plan. It sits adjacent to the 350-acre Hickorynut Lake and is approximately 4 miles from Walt Disney World's main entrance.
Where is Lake Star at Ovation located?
Lake Star at Ovation is located at 17106 Beachgrass Alley, Winter Garden, FL 34787, off Western Way in the Horizon West area. The community spans nearly 190 acres surrounding 37-acre Lake Star, and is positioned between Downtown Winter Garden to the north and the Disney/Celebration corridor to the south.
Who is the builder at Lake Star at Ovation?
Lake Star at Ovation is built by M/I Homes, offering 2 townhome floor plans and 20 single-family floor plans across three distinct product lines: alley-loaded townhomes, the Avenue Series (front porch + alley-loaded garage), and traditional single-family homes on larger homesites (Cottage Collection).
Who is the builder at Waterleigh?
Waterleigh is built by D.R. Horton using their Tradition Series. D.R. Horton has been building in Waterleigh since 2013, and the community includes single-family homes and townhomes ranging from 1,567 to 3,327 square feet. Phase 5 is the final phase, with approximately 286 additional lots expected.
Which has lower HOA fees — Waterleigh or Lake Star at Ovation?
Lake Star at Ovation has lower HOA fees: $172–$218 per month depending on home type and location. Waterleigh's HOA ranges from $274–$297 per month. Neither community has a CDD fee. Waterleigh's higher HOA covers three resort-style amenity centers; Lake Star's covers one pool, clubhouse, and lawn care.
Is Waterleigh or Lake Star at Ovation better for families?
Both are excellent for families. Waterleigh wins on amenity depth — three pools, mini golf, sports fields, and trails — plus a Publix grocery inside the community. Lake Star at Ovation is newer and has a distinct neighborhood feel with its front-porch architecture. Both communities feed into Horizon High School (OCPS). Waterleigh is zoned for Independence Elementary and Bridgewater Middle; Lake Star at Ovation feeds Water Springs Elementary and Water Springs Middle.
What schools serve Waterleigh in Winter Garden?
Waterleigh is generally zoned for Independence Elementary School, Bridgewater Middle School, and Horizon High School — all Orange County Public Schools. Always verify with OCPS directly since school zones can shift as the district builds new capacity in Horizon West.
What schools serve Lake Star at Ovation in Winter Garden?
Lake Star at Ovation is generally zoned for Water Springs Elementary School, Water Springs Middle School, and Horizon High School (OCPS). Verify current zoning directly with the Orange County School District as Horizon West's rapid growth means new schools continue to open.
Where are the lakefront lots cheaper — Waterleigh or Lake Star?
Both communities carry significant lot premiums for lakefront positions. Waterleigh's Hickorynut Lake lakefront homes push well above $700k–$900k+ given the lake's size and the established neighborhood. Lake Star at Ovation has 60+ lakefront homesites on the 37-acre Lake Star — smaller lake but newer construction and starting prices from the high $700s for waterfront positions. Contact our team to get current lakefront availability in both communities before prices shift.
Does Waterleigh have a CDD fee?
No. Waterleigh has no Community Development District (CDD) fee. The HOA of $274–$297 per month is the primary community fee and covers lawn maintenance, access to all three amenity centers, and community upkeep.
Does Lake Star at Ovation have a CDD fee?
No. Lake Star at Ovation has no CDD fee. The HOA of $172–$218 per month (depending on home type and location) is the total community fee and includes basic lawn maintenance, pool, clubhouse with fitness center, tot lot, and dog parks.
How far is Waterleigh from Disney World?
Waterleigh is approximately 4 miles from Walt Disney World's main entrance — about an 8–10 minute drive under normal traffic conditions. D.R. Horton even markets this in their community description: "4 Miles to Amusement Parks." For Disney employees or frequent park visitors, this proximity is a real daily-life benefit.
Ready to Tour? Here's the Smart Move.
I'd love to walk you through both communities before you go in cold. When you go into a model home without a buyer's agent, you're working with the builder's rep — whose job is to sell you that community. I'm here to help you compare, negotiate, and find the lot and plan that actually fits your life. Our team has existing relationships with both D.R. Horton and M/I Homes in Horizon West, which means we can sometimes surface pre-released inventory before it hits the website.
Email Team@morefla.com or text (863) 225-0060. We answer ourselves.
Comments