Where is the closest city in FL to Disney?

[ErinInCT]

I am considering a move to Florida and want to live as close to Disney as possible. Is Celebration the closest place?

 

[Lilacs4Me]

https://www.google.com/maps/place/W...a71e391fd01cf1a0!8m2!3d28.385233!4d-81.563874

 

[kdonnel]

There are a lot of neighborhoods and apartments extremely close. Pull up Google maps and look around.

 

[ErinInCT]

I just wonder when I see homes near Lake Reams (which on the map seems closest to MK), are the roads connected to WDW actually thru roads? Or are they service type roads for Disney and I have to go all the way to the Winter Garden/Vineland road to get in?

 

[rramsr]

Davenport is about 30 minutes or so from the Disney Parks, my parents live there and it isn't a far drive at all

 

[DisneyOma]

What kind of community are you looking for?

 

[kdonnel]

I just wonder when I see homes near Lake Reams (which on the map seems closest to MK), are the roads connected to WDW actually thru roads? Or are they service type roads for Disney and I have to go all the way to the Winter Garden/Vineland road to get in?

We followed Waze directions to Bay Lake Towers once and it took us down Center Drive past the monorail depot. The fireworks were booming at the time we were driving in, they felt like they were exploding in our car. We had no trouble coming in that way. No one stopped us and there were no gates to prevent us from going that way.

 

[MouseMomx2]

My advice would be to take a trip down there and drive around the area. There are lots of communities in the ring around Disney World. They are all very different, with different amounts of traffic, tourist activity, available services, etc. Being down there will give you a good idea of which area/s you prefer.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree. The OP also mentioned in some prior threads about overheating in February at Disney. Not sure living there year-round would make that any better.

 

[dish rag]

I am considering a move to Florida and want to live as close to Disney as possible. Is Celebration the closest place?

Most people who live in the Orlando area would not choose Celebration aa a place to live.

 

[Klayfish]

I would also suggest talking to people in the area and get a good understanding of what it's really like to live there. Reality may not match perception. We have a CM friend who lives within a few miles of MK, and while she is used to it (she was born and raised in the area), it definitely isn't all pixie dust.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I just wonder when I see homes near Lake Reams (which on the map seems closest to MK), are the roads connected to WDW actually thru roads? Or are they service type roads for Disney and I have to go all the way to the Winter Garden/Vineland road to get in?

You can get on Disney property from Reams Road. Floridian Place intersects with Reams and will get you right over to World Drive.

 

[diznygirl]

Most people who live in the Orlando area would not choose Celebration aa a place to live.

WDW is big. Celebration is close at one end, Windermere the other end. Obviously some ares are preferred over others. You should check out the communities and decide for yourself.

 

[Feralpeg]

I live in Windermere. I am less than a mile behind Magic Kingdom.

 

[bcla]

Technically it's Lake Buena Vista or Bay Lake, which have a population about about 12 and 50. They're completely controlled by Disney, so if you don't work for them you can't live there. They're part of the Disney controlled Reedy Creek Improvement District.

https://www.rcid.org/about/city-of-lake-buena-vista/
https://www.rcid.org/about/city-of-bay-lake/

 

[_19disnA]

Someplace you like going on vacation isn't necessarily the same place you would want to live full-time.

 

[dish rag]

WDW is big. Celebration is close at one end, Windermere the other end. Obviously some ares are preferred over others. You should check out the communities and decide for yourself.

I have, I've had a house in Orlando way before Celebration was built. So I have. The construction there is extremely poor for one. People who have lived in Orlando would not move there, generally speaking.

 

[kirstenjk]

OP - from your name I'm guessing you live in the Northeast. As someone who now lives in FL but is from NY, it is very different down here. I live in the Tampa area so I don't know much about Orlando beyond the tourist stuff. I would take a few long vacations (if possible), stay in rental homes/air bnb/etc. and explore the area to experience it as someone who lives there not like a tourist. Do as much research as possible before making the decision to move. If you are only looking to move down here to be closer to WDW, you might be unpleasantly surprised about the reality of living down here.

When and if you decide to move, I would recommend renting before buying a place so you can take your time to determine which neighborhood, community, etc. is right for you. Where you vacation is very different from where you live. Definitely, use a real estate agent to aid you in your search.

 

[Floridaman999]

I hear there is quite a castle on main street, but the wait list is pretty long.

 

[ErinInCT]

Thanks for the info. I’m debating a snow bird situation. I am always shocked at the heat and humidity but feel if I lived there I might get used to it. My folks have lived in AZ for 20+ years and now wear sweatshirts in June. Renting is a great idea.