Celebration and Old Town?

[JoyB-UK]

Are these 2 areas worth a visit? Anything that stands out or has to be done. At the end of April we will be taking our fifth trip to Florida but haven't been to either. Is there anything to actually do in Celebration or is it just a scenic drive around? Starting to look now for the slightly more unusual things also, any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Joy.

 

[wayneg]

IMO yes both worth a visit, especially on your 5th trip and looking for other things to see.
Old Town has bike & car nights, http://myoldtownusa.com/

Celebrations is nice to spend an afternoon or evening, great places for a meal, lake to walk around, a few shops, DS used to enjoy playing in the fountain when he was younger. http://celebrationtowncenter.com/

Depending when you go they both have events for Xmas, Fall, halloween etc.

Matt posted a blog about out last visit to Celbration in Oct, we visit at least once each trip. http://mathewgillings.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/day-7-shopping-and-celebration/

 

[disneyholic family]

we really enjoy the Celebration Town Tavern....my mom adores the clam chowder and i love the fish and chips, but everything there is tasty, and reasonably priced....

 

[JoyB-UK]

Thanks for the help. We have free dining with Disney so probably won't be eating there but looks like we def need to set aside a morning for Celebration and an evening for Old Town. Is there lots of free parking available?

 

[wayneg]

You need to see what is on when you visit, for Celebration they used to have a Sunday farmers market, any other day I would go early evening rather than morning, nothing much going on in the morning, not that a lot hapens in the evening but check fir any events. Lots of parking see here http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=28.317949,-81.540608&spn=0.002871,0.005681&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6

Old Town again lots of parking http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=28.330883,-81.514939&spn=0.002871,0.005681&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6

 

[General Panic]

Driven through Celebration but never stopped there though it did look really nice.

We've stayed at the Travelodge Main Gate East , now a Holiday Inn around 8 times which is just across the highway from the Old Town. We spent almost every evening down there , lots of nice little shops and bars. It's expanded a fair bit over the years and if your visiting the best night i would say to pop down is a Saturday night when they used to at least , have a parade of old/new American classic cars.

 

[wayneg]

i would say to pop down is a Saturday night when they used to at least , have a parade of old/new American classic cars.

Friday night is American Muscle cars & Rock band http://myoldtownusa.com/car-cruises/all-american-muscle-car-cruise/

Sat is Classic night, pre 1975, again with a rock band http://myoldtownusa.com/car-cruises/saturday-nite-cruise/

No idea what this is on a wednesday http://myoldtownusa.com/car-cruises/littledarlins/

Have they ended the bike cruise? can't see it on their site.

 

[queendisney]

we weren't actually expecting much of old town but really enjoyed it. It has a charm about it. We happened to go when the Classic Cars were there and loved it. The shops are all little and fun to look around. We only watched the people doing the slingshot ride etc..put off big time of trying them with the screams!!! Celabration, the town centre is a nice way to spend some time and had a nice meal in the restaurant there...thought the rest of celebration was a bit 'Stepford Wives'!! So all in all yes give it a go.

 

[Disneymad]

Sorry to hijack the thread with my own questions, but after a gazillion trips where we drive past Celebration saying 'you know, we really must visit there some time' I am resolved to go next trip! Probably to just stop by for a bite of lunch and little wander.

I see from Matt's blog you've eaten at Market Street Cafe, have you by chance eaten at the Celebration Town Tavern next door(ish?), looking for comparisons as I read some reviews of Market Street and it came across a bit poorly tbh.

Also has anyone been to Kilwin's - as also might just go for an ice cream and coffee (other half will have the coffee, I'll have the ice cream )

 

[wayneg]

Eaten at Market Street Cafe 3 times now but never tried Celebration Town Tavern, I know Beth and others keep posting and saying how good it is so maybe we should but we have enjoyed what we have had at the Cafe.

 

[ford family]

We had a great meal at the Columbia Restaurant in Celebration.
We have eaten at their Ybor City, St Pete's Pier and St Armand's circle locations as well and they all serve exceptional Cuban Food.
The only change for us is that, since Modern Family, we now always pronounce it "Colooooooooombia"!!

ford family

 

[JohnnySharp2]

To enjoy Old Town you have to go Friday or Saturday nights when it's busy, atmosphere is much better when the locals are there.
Great to sit at a bar and just watch what is going on.

Celebration is a must do, and like OT, totally unique in Orlando. Plenty of places to park, small shops and cafe's well worth a look around.

The Tavern I have been in a few times but just for a drink, really like it in there.
One of my favourite bars in the Orlando area.

 

[alibeau]

Hello

Like many others on here, I had read a lot about Celebration but each holiday we would drive past the turning and I would say 'we must go there sometime'.....

Anyway, in August on our last hol, on our last day, we drove down to Celebration.... What a wonderful little place Our girls were thrilled when we spotted a 'Hello Kitty' shop, that visit cost hubby a small fortune We have said we will pop back there at Easter (at least once) and have a meal, it is just such a lovely peaceful setting compared to all the other madness we experience in Orlando

As for the Old Town, again we drive past but have never stopped. Is it at the back of that ride on the 192 that flies people up into the air, and isn't there a 'fun fair' there as well?? Is the Old Town at the back? We must pay a visit this time around....

Ali

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Sorry to hijack the thread with my own questions, but after a gazillion trips where we drive past Celebration saying 'you know, we really must visit there some time' I am resolved to go next trip! Probably to just stop by for a bite of lunch and little wander.

I see from Matt's blog you've eaten at Market Street Cafe, have you by chance eaten at the Celebration Town Tavern next door(ish?), looking for comparisons as I read some reviews of Market Street and it came across a bit poorly tbh.

Also has anyone been to Kilwin's - as also might just go for an ice cream and coffee (other half will have the coffee, I'll have the ice cream )

Hi

We have eaten at Market Street Cafe a few times and have always enjoyed it. We have also been to the Italian DÁntonios (really nice in there - although more expensive) and my DD & DH really enjoyed their ribs from the Town Tavern. So a big in general.

As for Kilwins - we have also had coffee and ice-cream(yes our holiday does seem to revolve around food!!) and some fudge as well. (Three little pigs comes to mind )

 

[Disneymad]

Brilliant, thanks for all the reassurances about Market St, the bad reviews were largely about the service and frozen burgers (I always wonder how people can tell a burger has been frozen in a previous life, pretty sure I can't tell but this may just be because I'm shoveling it in too fast ) so happy to take them with a grain of salt after hearing good feedback from you guys!

Quite looking forward to my little trip to Celebration now

As for Kilwins - we have also had coffee and ice-cream(yes our holiday does seem to revolve around food!!)

Wait? Are you telling me people have holidays for other reasons than food?!

 

[AllyBri]

Columbia (my op) is the best place to eat in Celebration, with the Town Tavern coming in second and Shannons has become quite popular.
Enjoy your visit.

 

[UKDEB]

Have they ended the bike cruise? can't see it on their site.

Yes, sometime last year, from memory.

To enjoy Old Town you have to go Friday or Saturday nights when it's busy, atmosphere is much better when the locals are there.

The same premise applies to Celebration. Visit during the daytime midweek and it's dead - I'm sure that's where it's "Truman Show" reputation comes from - but during evenings, weekends and special events, when the locals are out and about it's a completely different story.

 

[sutty]

We looooove Celebration, we were there at Christmas and it was magical, like you we always say we'll go and never do but this time I was determined to go and so glad we did. We ended up going there twice. Not sure if it was because it was Christmas that made it to magical? It is a bit Stepford Wives I agree but I will visit again. We ate at the diner, not sure what it's called but we liked it there.

Old Town again is quaint and worth a look round, if you do go on the 'cars' night I would go early as it does get very busy.

Lots of free parking at both.

Enjoy!

 

[wayneg]

Welcome to DISboards Sutty

 

[sutty]

Welcome to DISboards Sutty

Thank you