Celebration ?

[aubriee]

I know Celebration is a town Disney owns, but you seldom read anything about it. Where is it exactly, how can you get there, and what's there? Would it worth a trip over there to look around?

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Celebration is off Hwy. 192 (Irlo Bronson Hwy), basically on I-4 right across from the Mickey Mouse head power pole. It is on the East side of I-4 at the intersection of I-4 and 192.

There are some shops, restaurants and a movie theater as well as the Celebration Hotel. It's a nice little town to drive around in and look at the different types of housing, but I wouldn't get too excited about it or plan a whole day's worth of activities there.

Old Towne is also next door to Celebration. So if you wanted to combine a little side trip on a non-Disney day, you could go there as well. Old Towne has some carnival type rides and some restaurants and shops, also. It also has one of those dragster-type rides where you race an opponent in miniature dragsters. Pretty cool.

 

[disneyaggie]

I heard (not sure how true it is), but you can buy a house there and can own it for up to 99 years, but then you have to sell it back to Disney. Sounds too weird for me. Actually it doesn't even make sense! Anyone know?

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Aloha! We stop there for a visit most trips. Celebration is a regular town that began as a Disney project. It just happens to 'snow' in their downtown area during the Xmas season! We love the home designs and seeing the models...not sure if they are still open. Downtown is cute. Thought about retiring there. They seem to have a great community (schools; hospital; shopping). Were there 4th of July 2 yrs ago...they were setting up a real old-fashioned bandstand area w/free entertainment & fireworks. Very 'Pollyannaish'! Neighbors out all around. HOT as blazes but would have stayed if time allowed. Not an area of entertainment for small ones, but we adults love spending half-day there! Check out their website for more info: http://www.celebrationfl.com/

 

[PatriciaH]

Hi there! Celebration is not owned by Disney any longer. The people "own" their town now. Disney sold off the downtown and golf course but still have a ton of office space in Celebration (DCL, WDTC, Radio Disney, Imagineering, Yellow Shoes advertising.)

When you buy a home, condo, townhome you own it That is a myth that Disney gets it back. Houses started around $150,000 when Celebration was first being built, but now most go for $400,000 and up. Condos usualy start around $200,000.

The downtown is lovely and 4th of July is a great time to visit. We are having a parade and fireworks show. It will be very crowded though!

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Aloha, Patricia! We are considering your 'hometown' for retirement...was wondering...is there transport to WDW or would car still be needed? Thanks and we are JEALOUS!!!!

 

[aubriee]

You said they have a hospital? If alot of people retire there they would also have home health agencies? Any psychiatric hospitals? Anyone know what the job prospects would be for a RN with about 20 years experience?

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

You said they have a hospital? If alot of people retire there they would also have home health agencies? Any psychiatric hospitals? Anyone know what the job prospects would be for a RN with about 20 years experience?

Not sure about specifics, aubriee...but I often peruse orlandosentinal.com to check employment outlook (the local paper). With soooo many 'Active Adult' communities in area, I'm sure your profession is ALWAYS needed! Specifically psychiatric??? I think we need those more for us who CAN'T live near WDW!!! Seriously, check the Sentinal or THE LEDGER (Lake/Polk Counties, I think)for area employment...AND real estate!!!...

 

[PatriciaH]

Aloha, Patricia! We are considering your 'hometown' for retirement...was wondering...is there transport to WDW or would car still be needed? Thanks and we are JEALOUS!!!!

Hello-

The LYNX bus runs right to the TTC-it is the next stop after Celebration. It picks up/drops off near Celebration Place and then Water Tower Place. I have used it and it is very clean/mostly families and workers.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Hello-

The LYNX bus runs right to the TTC-it is the next stop after Celebration. It picks up/drops off near Celebration Place and then Water Tower Place. I have used it and it is very clean/mostly families and workers.

Sorry for delay..We left for WDW 6/22 and just returned! Maybe we passed you? Checked real estate ads for Celebration while there and did not find many. How long before moving did you plan? Suggestions on where to start? Thanks again! WDW was TIGGERIFIC!

 

[Rootskate]

Does anyone know why Disney sold the town? Just curious. I would love to visit Celebration one of these days!

 

[safetymom]

They said they never intended to own it forever.

 

[ziggystardust]

I would love to live in Celebration. My DBF and I looked around on our last trip. It was beautiful and just the type of place I could see living for the rest of my life.

This trip around we'll be looking at other options in neighboring towns. The prices in Celebration are great compared to what we have here, but I'm worried about the pay rate change when moving down there. So right now we're keeping all of our options open.

Its def. worth a look. Even if you just do lunch there.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Does anyone know why Disney sold the town? Just curious. I would love to visit Celebration one of these days!

It became more of a tourist stop. The popularity ran the housing prices up to a range higher than than a town where most folks could afford.

While it was a successful venture, it wasn't in the way it was planned.

 

[live and let live]

Hey

While seeking our hotel after a long haul flight, we took a turn and ended up in celebration in the early hours of the morning. We felt as though we'd stepped into the movie set of stepford wives (the original version!) There was absolutly no one in sight and it took us ages to get out of there.

My mam and dad said it was like a scene from stepford wives, while i think it was more like halloween, in the scene where she's being chased through the desserted streets while the guy in the mask hides behind the bushes.

It was really eerie and believe me we could not get out of there fast enough

You have been warned! lol