Celebration, Florida: The Town That Disney Built

This picturesque small town is a Disney-planned community

Walt Disney always planned to build a working city in Central Florida. Known as the Florida project, his plans called for a high-tech, entirely interconnected city where people could live, work and play without ever needing their cars. When Walt passed away in 1966, however, new management was unsure how to take on such an ambitious project. The plan was scaled back drastically, eventually becoming Walt Disney World’s second theme park, Epcot, which opened in 1982.

Celebration History

The downtown corridor is filled with shops and restaurants

Although Walt’s dream was shelved, it was never entirely forgotten. The Walt Disney Company went through some major corporate changes and by the mid-1980s, Michael Eisner was in charge. Although confidence in Eisner’s leadership plummeted in later years, leading to his resignation in 2005, in the early years he was seen as a visionary who could take the company into the future.

Michael Eisner proclaimed the 1990s “the Disney Decade,” and set out to make some sweeping changes. Among other projects, the Walt Disney Company decided to finally build a fully functioning town. A planned community with strict regulations, Celebration opened its downtown in 1994, and added the first housing neighborhood in 1996. Fiber optics technology connects homes, schools and commerce, while the hospital is state of the art. Although cars are still used, the majority of residents travel around town by foot, bicycle or electric vehicle. However, Celebration has a decidedly low-tech “feel,” designed to resemble a small American town in the early 1900s.

As the company had always planned, in 2004 Disney sold off its controlling share of the town center, though it remains an important force within Celebration. As of 2010, the town had approximately 12,000 residents and more than 500 shops and businesses.

Celebration Neighborhoods

Most villages are organized around a lake

Celebration is divided into a series of neighborhoods known as villages. Celebration Town Center is the downtown corridor and commerce hub. Residential villages offer a mix of single-family homes, apartments, townhouses and condominiums. Most villages are designed around a lake, and most offer clubhouses with deluxe facilities such as spas.

Celebration Town Center

Many Town Center restaurants offer patio seating

One of the most interesting sections of Celebration for tourists is Celebration Town Center. Shopping and dining opportunities are abundant, and each place feels like a small town shop. Most restaurants offer patio seating, and no big box stores are permitted in town. The AMC Celebration 2 movie theater closed in November 2010, but it is likely that another company will take over the uniquely styled theater complex.

Celebration Health

Celebration Health is more reminiscent of a resort than a hospital

Although no one wants to visit the hospital while on vacation, Celebration Health is worthy of inclusion on a walking tour of the town. Part of the eight-facility Florida Hospital system, Celebration Health is a hospital as only Disney could imagine it. Reminiscent of a Mediterranean seaside resort, Celebration Health features elegant healing gardens; a sweeping atrium with a concierge desk and a large glass wall aquarium; and even a gift shop that sells Disney tickets. Forget everything you thought you knew about hospital food and give the fresh vegetarian options a try at the cafeteria, or tour the immense fitness center and spa, which is open to the public.

If you should end up being admitted, you will experience some of the most cutting-edge services in the country. All hospital rooms are singles, and the comfy convertible sofa is the perfect place for a loved one to spend the night. Patients are free to walk the halls with their doctors’ approval, and are given a pager to let them know when they are needed back in the room. You will never see medical equipment in the carpeted hallways–Disney installed a tunnel system for easy transport of equipment outside of patient view. The emergency room and all hospital rooms offer free Internet access and a customer care coordinator will even help patients build a free website to share their progress with friends and family.

Community Life

Stop by the jumping fountain if the weather is nice

Community life is central to the Celebration concept, and the town is home to a seemingly endless number of clubs and organizations. Ballroom dance classes, game nights and free lessons on everything from crafting to cooking are just a few of the offerings. In addition, Celebration heavily celebrates holidays and special events throughout the year. Look for soap bubble “snow” falling every night during the winter holidays; a major Fourth of July fireworks display; a pumpkin sale, Oktoberfest celebration and haunted house during October; and various car shows, cookoffs, art festivals and yard sales throughout the year.

Tips for Parents

Celebration is a brilliantly planned community with wide sidewalks and lots of parks. There has been exactly one murder in the city’s 17-year history, and the culprit was quickly apprehended. Celebration locals are generally friendly and welcoming of visitors, so don’t be surprised if you get caught up in conversation with a new friend. Plan to spend a long afternoon having lunch, poking through shops and playing outside in the sunshine.

The community center is a hub for classes and activities

About the Author: Lisa is a full-time travel writer. She lives in an RV with her disabled father and writes about their experiences. Although she has no children of her own, Lisa loves being an Aunt to her own relatives and the children of all her friends. You can follow her adventures on her blog, Travel Confessions.