Celebration, Florida is a planned community created by a real estate division of The Walt Disney Company. The Walt Disney Company commissioned famous architects to create the master plan and to design the buildings.
Founded in 1994, Celebration has the flavor of southern American village from the 1930s. About 2,500 homes are clustered around a small, pedestrian-friendly shopping area. Celebration, Florida is often cited as an example of New Urbanism, or neo-traditional town design. Celebration is separated into areas referred to as villages. The main village, closest to downtown, is where the first homes were constructed.
In 2004, the Disney Company sold the 16-acre town center to Lexin Capital, a private real estate investment company. However, Market Street still has a storybook atmosphere that some visitors call "Disney-esque." There is a Caribbean flavor to the buildings here. Sided in brightly-colored stucco, the Market Street buildings have wide overhangs, shutters, verandas, and arcades.
Celebration is located in northwest Osceola County, Florida, south of U.S. 192 and adjacent to Interstate 4, Celebration is 30 minutes from downtown Orlando and 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport via Highway 417. It is located near Walt Disney World Resort and was developed by The Walt Disney Company.
A road called World Drive connects Celebration directly to the Walt Disney World parks and resorts. The north end of World Drive begins near the Magic Kingdom and its south end connects to Celebration Boulevard, allowing Celebration residents and guests to drive to Disney property without having to use any busy thoroughfares.
Celebration hosts many events every year, some of which include community-wide yard sales, an art show, an exotic car festival, an annual Radio Disney Holiday concert, an Oktoberfest Celebration, the "Great American Pie Festival" (televised on The Food Network), a "Posh Pooch" festival, and downtown events for the Fall and Christmas seasons when autumn leaves and "snow" (small-scale soap flakes) are released into the Town Center. Twice a year, a Walt Disney World liquidation sale is held at Celebration School to clearance out older merchandise. The community also hosts a large 4 July fireworks celebration.
Upcoming Festivals:
The 10th Annual Celebration Art Festival
Partner & City Links:
Celebration Town Center