The affluent community of Doctor Phillips grew from citrus groves
The established Doctor Phillips suburb was carved out of citrus groves – and the imagination of the man it was named for. Dr. Philip Phillips was a famous citrus grower and philanthropist who founded Orlando’s first hospital for Black residents in the 1950s. His grapefruit, tangerine, orange and pineapple groves abutted several lakes, where multimillion-dollar waterfront homes stand today. “It’s an extremely desirable [community] of about 5 square miles nestled between Windermere, the Beverly Hills of Orlando, and the Disney area,” says local Rochelle Warriner, a Realtor United Real Estate Preferred. Doctor Phillips occupies one of Orlando’s wealthiest ZIP codes, home to amenity-rich subdivisions and Restaurant Row, a premier dining destination.
The Doctor Phillips area offers the perfect blend of serene lakefront living and convenient access to premier shopping and dining destinations.
Restaurant Row in Dr. Phillips features dozens of restaurants for residents to enjoy.
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Close to Universal and Disney theme parks
Residents – either for work or play – enjoy proximity to Orlando’s many theme parks. Universal’s Volcano Bay is just across the road from the area's north side. The popular waterpark is anchored by a 200-foot-tall manmade volcano wrapped in colorful waterslides. At the faux-rock base, waterfalls cascade into a wave pool that’s bigger than a football field. Universal Studios, right up the road from Volcano Bay, and the two share a parking plaza less than 5 miles from Doctor Phillips. Walt Disney World Resort is also close by. The destination’s transportation and ticket center is a little over 10 miles away. From there, visitors can take the monorail to Epcot or the Magic Kingdom; other parks are accessible via bus or gondola.
Dr. Phillips residents can enjoy thrilling water slides at nearby Volcano Bay.
Walt Disney World is located just 10 miles from many Orlando-area communities.
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Houses and prices in Central Florida’s first master-planned community
Doctor Phillips became Central Florida’s first master-planned community in 1969. Its oldest homes were built in the 1970s and ‘80s on the north side. Minimal Traditional and Spanish eclectic ranch-style houses were popular then. The 1990s and early 2000s brought contemporary Spanish Revivals with larger – often two-story – floor plans. On the lakefront, houses with private docks can cost up to almost $5 million. Townhouses and condos are also available, some being new construction. The median cost for homes in Doctor Phillips is around $613,000. HOAs fees are mandatory and vary between subdivisions. Some properties will require flood insurance due to location and elevation. Hurricane season ranges from June to November, and all Orange County residents are advised to familiarize themselves with assigned evacuation zones and routes.
Custom waterfront homes in Dr. Phillips offer breathtaking views.
A red tile roof and meticulous landscaping display ownership pride in this Dr. Phillips home.
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Highly rated public schools and private, faith-based options
Orange County Public Schools earns an A-minus from Niche, which ranks iti as the second-best Orlando Area school district. It has a school choice program and many well-rated options, including the popular Dr. Phillips High, graded A-minus. “If your child likes to act, sing and dance, that’s the place they want to go,” Warriner says. Graduates of the school's performing arts curriculum include entertainer Wayne Brady, singer Joey Fatone and record producer DJ Khaled. Lake Buena Vista High opened in 2021 to reduce overcrowding at Dr. Phillips and is currently ungraded by Niche. The community also has two private religious schools that are also ungraded by Niche: the Orlando Jewish Day School and the Muslim Academy of Greater Orlando.
Dr. Phillips High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Orlando, Florida.
The Muslim Academy of Greater Orlando offers quality education in the heart of the Doctor Phillips community.
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Central to a lakefront community park, local YMCA and private golf clubs
Residents have access to several local parks, including Dr. P. Phillips Community Park. The lakeside green space has dog runs, a splash pad, walking trails, a shaded playground and sports facilities. The Dr. Phillips YMCA offers indoor and outdoor recreation. The family-owned Orange Tree Golf Club has a championship course and clubhouse restaurant on the community’s north side. In the neighboring Bay Hill community, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge is on the shores of Lake Tibet. Its championship course – about 2 miles outside Doctor Phillips – hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational each March.
Residents can practice jump shots at Dr. P. Phillips Community Park.
Orange Tree Golf Club is the perfect course for players of all ages and skill levels.
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Dining along Restaurant Row
Multiple shopping centers are concentrated on the community’s north side around Dr. Phillips Boulevard and Sand Lake Road. The two streets make up Restaurant Row, an established Orlando area destination known for its diverse collection of eateries. Upscale favorites include Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, “THE place to go” for Italian, Warriner says. Spots like The Whiskey, a contemporary burger joint, offer a more relaxed, casual setting. Convenient for errand runs, the commercial corridor is also home to medical offices, banks and stores like Publix and HomeGoods. The closest hospital is Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, about 2 miles away.
Christinis Ristorante Italiano is the place to go for authentic Italian in the Doctor Phillips area.
HomeGoods is a popular retail option for Dr. Phillips residents to shop frequently.
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Getting around Doctor Phillips
“I say centrally located all the time, but you can get a lot of places really quickly from Doctor Phillips from back roads or main thoroughfares because of the way it is laid out,” Warriner says. On the west side, residents can use Apopka Vineyard Drive to avoid the highways. On the east side, Sand Lake Road has an entrance ramp onto Interstate 4. About 2 miles up the highway, drivers can take an exit onto Florida’s Turnpike. Downtown Orlando is just over 10 miles away, and Orlando International Airport is closer to 15 miles away. LYNX buses provide public transportation.
Doctor Phillips residents needing public transportation can use the LYNX bus system.
Spirit airlines, among other airlines, fly out of Orlando International Airport daily.
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Written By
Micaela Willoughby
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Van Bemmel
Video By
Emily McNamara
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rob Aponte,
an experienced agent in this area.
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Welcome to Luxury Pool Home in the Heart of Dr. Phillips this beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence offering the perfect blend of comfort, privacy, and modern design. Featuring a desirable split floor plan with private bedroom wings and TWO suite baths, this home is ideal for both family living and hosting guests. The chef’s kitchen is the heart of the home, showcasing a large
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Stunning 2 Bed / 2 Bath Condo with Lake Views. Enjoy breathtaking views of Big Sand Lake from this beautiful second-floor condo! This well-maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath home features a bright, open living area plus a dedicated office space—perfect for working from home. Step out onto your private balcony and take in the spectacular lake views, creating the perfect spot to relax or unwind. The unit
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