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.

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.

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.

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.

Kilwins Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop in Celebration.

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!

Why not use our interactive map of Orlando villas to find your perfect Florida vacation rental.

The Mall at Millenia: Orlando’s Premier Luxury Destination

Located just off Interstate 4, The Mall at Millenia quickly became one of Orlando’s favourite shopping malls for both locals and tourists. Opened in 2002, three major department stores anchor this premier luxury shopping destination: Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, and Macy’s.

Set over two spacious levels, The Mall at Millenia maintains a bright, clean, and well-maintained environment. Furthermore, this reputation for quality makes the mall truly stand out.

Arrival and First Impressions

When you arrive, you enter the free and spacious car park. Consequently, you can use various directions to enter the mall, each leading into a different section. However, if you prefer to start your shopping trip with more style, use the valet parking available outside the main entrance. This service, of course, leads directly into the heart of the mall.

World-Class Guest Services for International Visitors

The Concierge Desk, located in the Grand Court, is the hub for guest amenities. Guests, especially International Visitors, benefit from several programmes and services here. In fact, these offerings enhance their experience and often give the mall a competitive edge:

• Foreign Currency Exchange
• Multi-lingual staff
• Visitor Savings Book/Exclusive Offers: International guests can get a booklet with discounts and special promotions from participating stores and restaurants.
• Complimentary Welcome Gift: Guests often receive this when they present a valid visitor gift voucher or a travel partner promotion.
• Same-Day Complimentary Package Delivery: A service called “Millenia Direct” delivers purchases from participating stores directly to your local hotel.
• Personal Shopping Services: You can book complimentary personal styling and shopping services, often by appointment.

Visitors also find Mall Gift Cards, Automated Teller Machines, and a Gift Wrap Service in this area. Finally, you can rent Strollers and Wheelchairs here. Wheelchairs and electric scooters are complimentary, but strollers require a small fee. Once you enter, the mall’s air conditioning cools you immediately. Indeed, it maintains a comfortable temperature, offering a welcomed break from the often sweltering Orlando sun.

A Directory of Luxury Outlets and Premier Brands

The shopping experience at The Mall at Millenia is unmatched in Central Florida. Overall, over 150 individual shops and department stores offer something for everyone.

The mall proudly hosts some of the world’s most exclusive luxury outlets. Moreover, these brands frequently expand their presence. Current luxury brands include: Balenciaga, Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Dior, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, TUDOR, and Versace. Popular lifestyle and fashion brands also present are Apple, Aritzia, Lululemon, Alo Yoga, H&M, and Warby Parker, to name just a few.

Remember that all guests shopping in Florida pay a local 6-7% sales tax (VAT equivalent). Crucially, the prices displayed on goods typically do not include this tax. See the current Mall at Millenia shopping directory here.

Accessibility and Dining Options

The Mall at Millenia remains a superb location for disabled guests. Developers considered them throughout the process. Thus, the mall offers suitable facilities that give all guests total access to all areas.

If, like many others, you fancy a break after a couple of hours of shopping, simply make your way to the excellent dining options. Specifically, the mall offers both a food court and full-service restaurants. The food court features quick-service options like Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, and the artisanal Italian Rosetta Bakery. The famous Cheesecake Factory is still located here. Other fine dining and upscale casual options include The Capital Grille, Brio Italian Grille, and Earls Kitchen + Bar.

The Mall at Millenia offers world-class luxury shopping and amenities, therefore making it a great place to spend some quality time and money, especially beneficial for international visitors.

For information about other great Orlando shopping malls check out other article.

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