Celebration, fl?

We lived in Celebration for two years, from 2003-2005.

It was originally developed by the Celebration Land Company, which in turn was owned by Disney. CLC sold all of its interest in Celebration several years back.

It's nice enough, but has changed a bit over the years. I would say conservatively that 1/3 of the owners are from the UK and that many of the homes in Celebration are second homes.

The town is on the Disney power grid. We never lost power, even through 3 hurricanes in 2004 (Charley, Frances, and Jeanne).

The homes are all privately owned and the town is actually in unincorporated Osceola County, though there is a special tax district (CDC) and a neighborhood association on steroids to enforce covenants of architecture and home appearance.

Like any town there are pluses and minuses. I miss some things but not others.

I love the town of Celebration! It is close to Disney and all of the fun attractions in Orlando, but it is set back, so you never know you are right off a busy hwy. It is located next to one of the best hospitals in the area and the town is so well-kept. The only trouble is how expensive homes are there. But my husband enjoy visiting and dining at one of their great restaurants and browsing through the shops. I don't think there is anything "scary" or "robotic" about a planned community. It's nice to see a place where people actually care about what their lawns look like and keep the place safe and nice-looking.

Celebration is just another tourist town. It's manufactured and fake. I mean, it's pretty and all, but to me, it has the feel of a scary "perfect and robotic" neighborhood. It doesn't really contain the "magic" of Disney, if by magic you mean the characters and rides and such. I think they may have some horse drawn buggies but once you get out on the main road, there are shops and restaurants just like any tourist town.

I don't live there but have visited several times (I'm from the UK). It is a lovely place - if you like the idea of Wisteria Lane (Desperate Housewives) you'll like Celebration. Not a lot of Disney magic, but it is like Disney in that it is 'themed' pre 1940's architecture and very clean. They have some very nice shops, places to eat and a cinema (an alternative to Downtown Disney?).

Enjoy your visit if you do go!

It's pretty much right in the middle of the city. Downtown Celebration is pretty tiny you know, you can easily walk from that Resort. But I wouldn't stay there, I recommend staying at Radisson Celebration and renting a car. It's very close to the city of Celebration, and its a top notch hotel and very nice and excellent value for the money. Not many know about the Radisson. Warning: there are TWO Radissons in the Orlando area, make sure you pick the Radisson Celebration one.

I agree w/Erin, it feels more like a Hollywood movieset than a town.

And as a witness and former resident of Osceola, I'm very displeased w/the Osceola county court and hospital system

I don't live there but near by. Read this -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebration,_Florida