We must be in the minority. We specifically chose to move to Orlando to be close to WDW and the endless entertainment, shopping and restaurant choices. We’ve lived here for almost 4 years. We currently live in Windermere (we can see Magic Kingdom fireworks from our front porch every night), but we are building a home in Horizon West (Winter Garden). My property line literally abuts to Disney’s property line and we can not only see the MK fireworks from our new lanai every night, we can hear the accompanying music, & all of the bells, whistles and distant screams from those riding Big Thunder. It’s the best thing ever, in our opinion! We don’t need to vacation at WDW, but we still stay on property occasionally. We pop over for a meal, catch a concert at Epcot, do a few Fastpasses or none at all and go home. Yes, we still have our lives to live, but that life includes Disney. Now we take Disney cruises with our fabulous FL resident rates. The Magic has only been enhanced!!
As for schools, ours are in Orange County (so no vacation homes) and the schools in my area are top rated. Last month, my 3rd grade son had a field trip to Epcot, last year it was Animal Kingdom, among other great trips to see musicals at the Dr. Phillips Center and such. We are very happy with our purposeful decision to settle near WDW.