What happened to Disney Celebration Village

Celebration, Orlando, was the brainchild of The Walt Disney Corporation, developed in the mid-1990s to create a master-planned community. Its location gives it direct access to Walt Disney World via the fantastic World Drive.

Initially, many Orlando visitors see Celebration as a clean, colourful place reserved only for the wealthy to live and shop. Yet, Celebration is also home to many famous people from all kinds of backgrounds, including former basketball player Michael Jordan.

Disney developed Celebration at a cost of $2.5 billion, and as a result, the area quickly became one of the most sought-after places to buy property. From the white picket fences to the swinging chair on the porch, Celebration perfectly captures the vision of America many people see in films and documentaries.

The village’s clean-cut, retro appearance shows everywhere, from the architecture to the public telephones—a refreshing change from the remainder of Orlando’s typical glass-fronted high-rise offices and modern malls. Ultimately, Celebration offers plenty of amenities for both residents and visitors.

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Things to Do and See in Celebration

To begin your visit, Celebration’s picturesque Town Centre, which overlooks Lake Rianhard, forms the community’s heart and activity hub.

Below are some of the best activities and attractions to check out:

• Walk, Stroll, and Bike: Take a leisurely walk or alternatively rent a bike from Celebration Bicycle Rental to explore the town’s scenic lakes and over 10 miles of beautiful trails. Rocking chairs line the lakefront, inviting visitors to relax and enjoy the view.
• Take the Architectural Tour: Pick up a map at Town Hall and guide yourself through the town to learn about the unique buildings created by celebrated architects.
• The Lakeside Promenade Fountain: Find a lovely spot by Lake Rianhard to sit; children often enjoy playing in the interactive water jets here.
• Celebration Golf Club: This outstanding course offers golfers of all abilities a challenging test within a glorious natural environment.
• Farmers Market: The Celebration Farmers Market operates every Sunday on Market Street, offering fresh produce, local eats, and crafts.

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Enjoy Seasonal Events and Decorations

In addition to year-round amenities, Celebration has become famous for its festive holiday atmosphere, making certain times of the year especially popular for a visit.

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Celebration Shopping & Retail

The Town Centre offers a variety of unique shops for gifts and novelties. Even though the small cinema has closed, the shopping area remains colourful and beautifully presented.

Shops include:

• Market Street Gallery: This unique boutique gift store carries home décor, collectibles, as well as a popular year-round Christmas room.
• Soft as a Grape: A long-standing shop offering comfortable resort wear and apparel.
• Gypsy Moon Market: Sells unique gifts, jewellery, essential oils, and furthermore offers a menu of healthy items like smoothies and acai bowls.
• Kilwin’s: Makes ice cream, homemade fudge, and sweet treats.
• Le Macaron: An authentic French patisserie selling delicious macarons and other French sweets.
• Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming: A boutique for pets.

A Quick Guide to Must-Try Cuisines in Celebration

Looking for a specific flavour? Here’s a summary of the best cuisines available:

• For Spanish & Cuban Classics: Head to the iconic Columbia Restaurant.

• For Casual New England Seafood & Beer: The lively atmosphere and menu at Celebration Town Tavern is a local favourite.

• For Fine Italian Dining: Enjoy an elegant meal with delicious pasta and wood-fired pizza at Reggiano’s of Celebration.

• For Asian Flavours (Sushi & More): Ari Sushi is praised for its quality Japanese and Korean offerings.

• For Authentic Thai: Thai Thani provides an extensive menu of flavourful, traditional dishes.

Celebration is a great place to visit and experience, the relaxed atmosphere and colourful buildings make it feel as though you’re miles from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. Why not grab a coffee and sit by the lake and just relax!

Villas in Orlando near Disney

For UK families heading to Florida, choosing the right base is as crucial as picking your theme park tickets. However, nothing rivals the space, privacy, and exceptional value of a luxury vacation villa in Kissimmee. Just a stone’s throw from the world’s most famous theme parks, Kissimmee offers the perfect ‘home away from home’ experience, thereby ensuring your precious annual holiday is one of relaxation, convenience, and magic.

Why Kissimmee is the UK Family Favourite for Villas

UK holidaymakers consistently choose villas in Kissimmee for their unbeatable combination of location and luxury. Specifically, the following benefits stand out:

Space and Privacy: Forget cramming into two hotel rooms. Instead, Villas in Kissimmee feature multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen (consequently saving a fortune on dining out), and spacious living areas.

• Your Own Pool: The ultimate holiday luxury! In fact, most villas in Kissimmee feature a private, screened-in swimming pool and spa. This is perfect for a cool-down dip after a busy park day or a relaxing evening under the Florida sky—plus, there’s no need to fight for a sun lounger!
• Resort Amenities: Many villas in Kissimmee are situated within secure, gated resort communities (for example, Windsor Hills or Champions Gate). As a result, these complexes often offer incredible communal facilities, including lazy rivers, water parks, clubhouses, on-site dining, and gyms—thus adding resort luxury to your private villa stay.
• Entertainment Built-In: Many villas in Kissimmee cater specifically to families with games rooms (featuring pool tables, air hockey, and arcade machines) and sometimes even home cinemas, which means providing fantastic entertainment on your designated rest days.

Getting There and Getting Around: Travel Times for UK Guests

For a UK holidaymaker, hiring a car is highly recommended to make the most of your villa and the surrounding attractions. Therefore, be sure to review the travel times below.

Airport	Primary Airlines (UK)	Approximate Driving Time to Villas in Kissimmee	Key Benefit
Orlando International (MCO)	Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Norse Atlantic UK, Aer Lingus	25 – 35 minutes	The main international gateway; consequently, generally the quickest and most direct transfer to the villas in Kissimmee.
Tampa International (TPA)	British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Norse Atlantic UK	1 hour 20 minutes – 1 hour 40 minutes	Excellent option for a multi-centre holiday, allowing you to combine parks with Florida’s West Coast beaches and attractions like Busch Gardens.
Melbourne Orlando International (MLB)	TUI Airways	1 hour – 1 hour 20 minutes	A smaller, less busy option often used by charter flights, providing a scenic drive from the coast.

Drive Times to the Major Attractions from Villas in Kissimmee

One of Kissimmee’s biggest draws is its proximity to the theme parks. In other words, your villa will place you in the heart of the action with minimal daily driving.

Major Attraction	Approximate Driving Time from Villas in Kissimmee	Key Park/Attraction
Walt Disney World Resort	10 – 20 minutes	Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Water Parks
Universal Orlando Resort	20 – 30 minutes	Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter), Volcano Bay
SeaWorld Orlando & Discovery Cove	20 – 25 minutes	Marine-themed shows, thrilling rides, and unique animal encounters
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay	1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes	World-class rollercoasters and an excellent zoo environment
I-Drive Area	20 – 30 minutes	Home to Icon Park (The Wheel), shopping, and diverse restaurants

Breaking Up the Parks: Local Kissimmee Gems

Alternatively, give your family a break from the theme park queues with these local highlights, which are minutes from your villas in Kissimmee:

• Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures: A truly Floridian experience! Glide across the wetlands and spot alligators, turtles, and local birds up close—truly a perfect antidote to a day of rides.
• Old Town Kissimmee: A slice of classic Americana featuring charming shops, unique eateries, carnival rides, and the famous Saturday night car cruises. Moreover, it offers a lovely change of pace.
• Kissimmee Lakefront Park: Ideal for a relaxing morning picnic, hiring a paddleboat, or simply watching the local wildlife by the water. This means it’s perfect for a designated rest day.

By choosing a villa in Kissimmee, you secure a luxurious, spacious, and conveniently located home base that ultimately gives your UK family the freedom to explore Central Florida at your own pace. In conclusion, book one of the incredible villas in Kissimmee with a private pool, and you’ve secured the key ingredient to a stress-free and truly magical Orlando holiday.

Ready to trade in a cramped hotel room for the space and luxury of your own Florida retreat? Whether you dream of a Villa in Kissimmee with a private pool villa minutes from Disney or a quiet resort home with family-friendly amenities, your perfect getaway starts here. Don’t waste time sifting through endless listings—our intuitive website is the ideal starting point for your search, featuring a curated selection of stunning villas in Kissimmee. Take the first step toward an unforgettable vacation by exploring our collection and securing your home-away-from-home today!

Why not try our interactive map to find your perfect Villa in Kissimmee. Or perhaps you would like to check out our article Florida Villas, Booking with confidence for more information about how Direct Villas Florida verifies their listings.