Living in Orlando near WDW?

[disneyaggie]

I have always been lovingly jealous of those living so close to Mickey. However, I would love to hear if living so close and being able to go so often takes away from the thrill and anticipation of going, unlike like those of us who have to travel and make it a vacation.

Half of me says that going so often would be so awesome, but the other half says that some of the magic may be lost since going to WDW could become so "common" after a while. Anyone know for sure ? ? ?

 

[WDSearcher]

A lot of us who live close to Disney honestly DON'T go all the time. Why? Because we're not on vacation. We work all day, have chores and errands, family stuff, kid stuff, and all the other "normal life" things to take care of. When a free day comes around, going to a crowded theme park isn't tops on my list! I have taken days off to specifically go into the parks, but I generally don't go unless I have friends or family in town who want to go.

 

[disneyaggie]

A lot of us who live close to Disney honestly DON'T go all the time. Why? Because we're not on vacation. We work all day, have chores and errands, family stuff, kid stuff, and all the other "normal life" things to take care of. When a free day comes around, going to a crowded theme park isn't tops on my list! I have taken days off to specifically go into the parks, but I generally don't go unless I have friends or family in town who want to go.

Reminds me of some friends that live in California. They are just miles away from DisneyLand and Knotts Berry Farm and rarely go!

 

[Feralpeg]

While I love living in Florida and being able to go to the parks whenever I want, it isn't the same as coming here on vacation. I always thought the planning with DD concerning our upcoming vacation was half the fun. There was nothing like stepping off that plane in Orlando or driving up to the resort. On the otherhand, living here has some definate advantages. When I get tired of tromping around a theme park, I go home and relax. I don't have to worry about how much I need to accomplish because I'm on a schedule. For instance, yesterday was DD's 17th birthday. We went over to Epcot late in the afternoon and just browsed around until time for our PS at LeCellier. We go to DTD on a regular basis to browse, people watch and eat. I can see Wishes from my house every night of the week.

Yes, some of the magic is lost, but there are many things that make up for it.

 

[KK Cat]

A lot of us who live close to Disney honestly DON'T go all the time. Why? SNIP but I generally don't go unless I have friends or family in town who want to go.

Aren't we all a bit like this? I live in Ireland and there are so many things here I haven't seen, or only go to see if we have visitors from abroad. There can hardly be a tourist that hasn't seen the Book of Kells, gone to Newgrange, kissed the Blarney Stone to name but 3 things that I have never done (keep saying I must do some time). For 6 years I walked by Trinity College every day on my way to work and still haven't seen the Book of Kells.

I now see Kilkenny Castle every day (if not several times a day) but have only been actually inside it a handful of times and always with visitors (with the exception of having my wedding photos taken there ). Sometimes I even forget about the castle until someone else comments on how fantastic it is. Mind you I would love the problem of living close to Disney, or even Disneyland Paris would do

 

[Travelnauts]

We love "living on" Disney property so to speak. From our location in Celebration, we see and hear the fireworks everynight. We can drive down World Drive and be at any of the parks in a matter of minutes. Sure we work, but, we have the option each night after dinner and on weekends to hit any of the parks and we take full advantage of that. Last year we averaged 200 days at the parks. Sometimes it is simply to have dinner in Epcot, see a show or watch the fireworks. We love spending a lazy weekend day at one of the waterparks just relaxing.
Do we get tired of living so close? No, we do not get tired of being so close and never will.
The Magic is alive in us! We still get tears in our eyes watching the different shows and, yes, the fireworks. The music is so powerful.

 

[disneyaggie]

While I love living in Florida and being able to go to the parks whenever I want, it isn't the same as coming here on vacation. I always thought the planning with DD concerning our upcoming vacation was half the fun. There was nothing like stepping off that plane in Orlando or driving up to the resort. On the otherhand, living here has some definate advantages. When I get tired of tromping around a theme park, I go home and relax. I don't have to worry about how much I need to accomplish because I'm on a schedule. For instance, yesterday was DD's 17th birthday. We went over to Epcot late in the afternoon and just browsed around until time for our PS at LeCellier. We go to DTD on a regular basis to browse, people watch and eat. I can see Wishes from my house every night of the week.

Yes, some of the magic is lost, but there are many things that make up for it.

Can I come live with you? I am neat and tidy and even house broken.

I still get a thrill out of stepping off the plane at MCO. But then again, it really would be so cool to see Wishes every night. Wow! How awesome is that!

 

[dizprincess717]

^^ Which is why I plan on moving! ^^

Right now I'm stuck in PA. I've grown up here and now I'm going to college about 20 minutes away from my house. I can't stand winters anymore, and each time I leave Florida and WDW it gets just a little bit harder. I'm going to complete one more year of college here in PA but then I'm going to transfer to Flagler College in St. Augustine, which is about 2 hours away from WDW. Close enough to go for a weekend day trip but far enough to still get all excited to drive down 4! Plus, the law school that I want to go to is right up north in Jacksonville, and only 2 hours away from my aunt and uncle's house. It's a wonderful idea.

 

[safetymom]

I love living near the parks. Last year in 10 months I went 86 times. Sometimes we just go over for a Dole whip, buy a pin, watch a show.

I was at the parks twice yesterday and again this morning. Yes I do have other things to do, but I always have time for the parks.

I still get misty when I see the parades, the castle. This morning was the very first time I saw the opening ceremony at MK and the rope drop.

I can hear the fireworks at night and I love it. I am so thankful every day that I can go to the parks anytime I want. It hasn't gotten old for me yet and I hope it takes a long time before it does. There is so much I haven't done that it will take years before I see and do it all.

 

[Bracho]

I think it is the same way here in Las Vegas. I live about 20 minutes from the strip and the only time I go there is when I have company.

 

[zdad]

We lived in Windemere, FL (west side of Orlando) from 92 - 95. Were AP holders during that time. FeralPeg said it best.....the best part was having the luxury of not having to keep a schedule. You go to the park when you please. If it's too crowded or weather turns, you can go home and not feel like you are missing out.

The other advantage to Orlando was the other parks as well. Along with the WDW annual passes we had Sea World passes for one year, and Universal (pre IOA) for one year. Our neighbors were water ski show members at Sea World and that go us some nice perks. Got behind the scenes on most things, and were asked to do the show interactions at least once or twice. The variety made the Disney trips not feel stale, but how could Disney ever feel stale.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

I live in Tampa, about 90 minutes from Disney. I LOVE being able to go up for the day whenever I feel like it, and DH and I still do weekend or long weekend trips two or three times a year. There seems to always be something going on (Food & Wine Fest, Flower Show, new rides, etc.), or a different restaurant to try...it never gets old for us. And even though it's only 90 minutes away, I swear when I'm there I feel like I'm a million miles from reality and work and the stresses of everyday life. Even when it's just a day trip. it does wonders for my sanity. I call it my "happy place" and I don't think I could ever live far from it again!!

So to answer your question...for DH and I, living close to WDW and being able to go whenever does not diminish it in the least! I consider myself VERY lucky!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Hmmm.....
To live in Omaha, Nebraska, or just north of MK.
As a fellow Disney nut -- you figure it out!
Yes, we cannot just take off work all the time and do what we want. Sometimes I have thought we saw more while on vacation than living here.
But it is great, just for the same reasons others stated above.
We are doing the parks all this weekend, since we have out of state friends visiting. And we are having a GREAT time, and it is sooooo much easier than flying. Much less stressful to enjoy the parks.

 

[lovethattink]

We live 40 something miles from WDW. We go often, but not for entire days. Sometimes just for dinner, or to buy a specific pin, or go on a specific attration, etc. Whenever we get stuck in the I-4 or 192 traffic heading to WDW, we always say if we ever move again, we're moving closer! We also stay on property often, a weekend here and a weekend there. Now that the AP rates for rooms are higher we won't be staying nearly as often.

One thing about living close-by. We can go to the parks and not spend nearly as much money! Can eat lunch at home before we go, buy a treat at WDW, go home and eat supper. So 5 hours at WDW could costs us as little as $7.50 if we just get icecream and bring our own water!

 

[SusanDK]

From our location in Celebration, we see and hear the fireworks everynight.

Travelnauts,

Can you actually see the fireworks from Celebration? Where do you need to be for a view? Can they be seen anywhere from downtown Celebration, around the lake area or from Market, Front or Bloom Streets?

Thanks,
Susan

 

[Nanabug02]

I just wanted to say Hi! to you DisneyAggie

I live in McKinney! Right by you! And I went to A&M too!

Just thought I'd say hello, since I've seen you around the boards before!

 

[Feralpeg]

I thought of another perk living near WDW. It used to cost me $5,000 to $7,000 a trip for 2 weeks at WDW. Now it costs me around $600 for the two of us to have Florida premium annual passes. We also have annual passes to Universal and Sea World.

 

[gshoemate]

We have been down here for 2 1/2 years and love it. I will admit that when we first moved down here we went to WDW every Saturday and Sunday. But we toned that down a bit. We go maybe 3-4 times a month. We have learned when the busy seasons are and we try to avoid the parks during those times. And then during the summer when it is so hot we either spend our weekends at the waterparks or we wait until the evening to go to the parks. I don't feel that it has lost any of the magic for us. We still love to go, the kids still love to see the characters and I still listen to Disney music from the parks alot. I would love to some day work there but my DH is afraid that that will ruin the magic for me.

 

[disneyaggie]

I just wanted to say Hi! to you DisneyAggie

I live in McKinney! Right by you! And I went to A&M too!

Just thought I'd say hello, since I've seen you around the boards before!

Well HOWDY right back at 'ya! It is always nice to see another neighbor and aggie here on the board. I am sending lots of pixie dust your way!

 

[disneyaggie]

Well HOWDY right back at 'ya! It is always nice to see another neighbor and aggie here on the board. I am sending lots of pixie dust your way!

Oops! That's "Aggie" with a capital "A"! Don't snitch that I actually had the bad manners to spell Aggie with a little "a". They Aggie Police might try to come and pick up my diploma!