Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

[kcnole]

My wife and I are trying to find new jobs and move to a bigger city in the same time. Right now our main option is Jacksonville, but we're also starting to apply for jobs in Orlando. My main concern with Orlando is that I'm afraid that living so close to Disney where I could go everyday would eventually dull the magic for me.

So for those of you who live in Orlando and have Disney at your fingertips, does it lose its magic when it's right there? Right now I can only come maybe twice a year so it's such a great and magical trip when we're there. Staying in the hotels, using the transportation, and seeing our home away from home a few times a year.

How does living within an hours driving distance affect your view of the world?

[MickeyMania]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

Wouldn't be suprised if it does. I know almost all of Disneyland's biggest critics are usually the same people who like to brag about how many minutes away they are or how they can hear the fireworks from their bedroom. Not saying all their local APs are disgusted with the place, mind you. But of the people who DO rush to City Hall to complain, few of them are people who traveled from somewhere else for their big vacation.

While it's not the same thing as a Disney park (for one thing, there's no admission costs) I know I eventually found our city's attractions tiring after a year. Even stuff that used to move me emotionally like the dancing fountain waters are just kind of there. I only mention this though because I've long hypothesized that living next to something special takes away it's edge, and this only personally confirmed it for me.

[EvilQueenRocks]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

Basic answer is "No". I have lived in both Jacksonville(live 10 minutes north now) and Orlando and actually I think I go more now than when I lived there. It didn't dull the magic for me at all. But then when I go I'm not looking at every little adjustmant, piece of trash, color scheme changes...etc. Not that there is anything wrong with people who chose to do that, I just always go in with the anticipation of having a good time. Now if I actually worked for Disney then I'm sure it would be different.

[kcnole]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

I just ask because it's long been my dream for my wife and I to both work near WDW and have annual passes. After a long bad day of work, just tell her to meet me somewhere in the world for dinner or something and to catch wishes or illuminations or something like that.

It's just this magical place for me though and I'm just afraid that it would become ordinary if I went all the time. Maybe I'd have to just make sure I regulate how much time I spend there. Maybe only one day a month except for special events such as food and wine, etc...

[EvilQueenRocks]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

I just ask because it's long been my dream for my wife and I to both work near WDW and have annual passes. After a long bad day of work, just tell her to meet me somewhere in the world for dinner or something and to catch wishes or illuminations or something like that.

It's just this magical place for me though and I'm just afraid that it would become ordinary if I went all the time. Maybe I'd have to just make sure I regulate how much time I spend there. Maybe only one day a month except for special events such as food and wine, etc...

It sounds to me like you have the perfect attitude towards it! I don't think it would lose the magic for you if you stick to the plan and not go every chance you get and use it as a special personal reward system. Sounds great to me! Especially just the ability to eat at Epcot when you'd like to.

[Witches of Morva]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

ORWEN: I can't imagine living near Orlando being the thing that would ruin the magic of Disney for ANYBODY! Living near Morva, though, that's a DIFFERENT story. I mean, if you had to live with a nasty old biddy of a sister--like I do--you'd be glad to escape to Disney World every day of your life!! I know I always do, anyway...

[Cmash95]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

we live and hour away and it doesn't ruin the magic. I think it would be nice to be able to pop in and check out a new show or watch the fireworks or even eat at a restaurant and not have to spend the whole day. that's the advantage of an annual pass. or during special events going to a concert at epcot. it's also nice to get discounts for hard ticket events like the halloween and christmas affairs or the newest princess and pirates gathering.

[KevinYee]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

I think it's inevitable that visiting all the time makes it less "special" (isn't that the definition of special? not usual or customary?)

As to whether it makes it less "magical," that depends on your predilections, your demeanor, your priorities. In two decades of watching this as a CM and online critic, I can only report what I've witnessed among others, and the tendency is that yes, for most, the magic does wear off.

There are exceptions. I'm one of them, and others on this board are too. But I can say with assurance that of the thousands of people I've worked with or talked to online who have moved closer to a Disney park, the luster does fade. It will change your experience. For me, the change was for the positive, but that's not universal

[aimster]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

I live an hour and a half away and it doesn't run the "magic" for me either. Then again I only get to go 1-3 times a year if I can afford it.

[tloolgb]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

It will dull the magic at times. You will get burned out. Like anything. But I've found that on those days when you get a craving for say Muppets, or World Showcase, you can go, and it really makes you feel better. Parks have always been my therapy...and having them available for short term mood helping is great.

[ti2gr]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

I work for Disney and although I spend 50 or more hours a week making the Magic happen, I still love going to the parks and having a good time. The good thing about living here is that you don't have to go for the entire day. Just a couple of hours if you feel like it. After work, stop into Epcot and enjoy World Showcase, or take in a few rides at the MAgic Kingdom. Locals also get to take advantage of all teh special events such as the Food & Wine, Holidays Around the World, Flower & Garden, Star Wars, Soap Opera Weekends etc.

SO the answer for me is NO. Even though I am there everyday, sometimes 7 days a week, it's still magical for me.

Unlike some people on this board who go and nit pick about all the details, I go to have a good time. Do that and the MAgic will never die

[ti2gr]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

Just another thought, with all the Theme Parks in teh Orlando area, including Tampa, even if you went to a different one each week, it would still be over 2 months before you returned to the first park. With the Universal Parks and Sea World, along with the Busch Gardens and Cypress Gardens, there are over 9 parks to visit.

[RooBear]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

I have worked in movie theatres my whole life. I still go.

Your attitude towards it is your choice. It will stay magical or it won't...it's all in the decisions you make. If you feel you've been going too much; seeing Mickey doesn't elicit the "Rahwho!" you had the last one hundred times--then take a break. Like any addiction, you do have to keep it at arms length and make the decisions that work for you and your family.

As for living in Orlando? My cousin lived there for a great many years. It's a small town with big city aspirations, in my opinion. There's is much to do beyond the parks as well, lest you forget. There's a thriving art scene that doesn't get much attention, believe it or not! It is conservative, depending on your views, and the personalities are a bit different from the west coast.

I, for one, plan on following your path. Like I said about the movies...I've never grown tired of buying the same popcorn and getting nervous before Harry Potter, 007 or Pirates.

And I know I could never get tired of the parks.

It's all what you want it to be.

Peace!
Roo

PS: let us know how we can help you with this transition in your life...it sounds pretty big. But this is a pretty tight community here. And it can only work if we work together. Good luck!

[WDW1974]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

I think living in a community where there are so many tourists clogging the roads, restaurants, malls etc ... would be my biggest concern.

WDW might be a nice escape for a few hours when it's right there.

I have spent large chunks of time living on the west coast, while having my permanent residence in SoFla and it's great to be able to head down to DL for the night at a whim.

[eeyore'snumber1fan]

[kcnole]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

I appreciate the offer Roo. I don't want to clutter the board with my moving story, but if you can answer a few questions possibly I wouldn't mind some PM's.

Basically I'm looking for a Network/System's Admin type job around 40k/year and my wife is pretty much looking for anything. lol She's currently a social worker but wanting to get out of that field. She has a BA Degree from FSU and a couple of years experience in social work. She'd like to get into HR or something more professional and in an office all day vs driving and going into people's houses all day. She's hoping to get anywhere from around 27-35k. If you have any suggestions on who to contact, what agencies to look at, etc... would be appreciated.

Our other main question is where to look for houses at. I know nothing of Orlando aside from the theme parks and I-Drive. So I don't know where I'd realistically want to live, what the bad parts of town are, etc.... Depending on what our salaries wind up being, we'd be looking at home prices from around 150-200 thousand dollars. So any advice on homes would be great too.

Thanks for any help.

[aimster]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

Well FYI... home prices are expected to keep going down so you might find yourself on a good deal on a nice house.

[BigPigletFan]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

It will dull the magic at times. You will get burned out. Like anything. But I've found that on those days when you get a craving for say Muppets, or World Showcase, you can go, and it really makes you feel better. Parks have always been my therapy...and having them available for short term mood helping is great.

:croll: Yes, I found myself getting cravings for Muppets quite often while in FL. :lol:

I think it's inevitable that visiting all the time makes it less "special" (isn't that the definition of special? not usual or customary?)

As to whether it makes it less "magical," that depends on your predilections, your demeanor, your priorities. In two decades of watching this as a CM and online critic, I can only report what I've witnessed among others, and the tendency is that yes, for most, the magic does wear off.

There are exceptions. I'm one of them, and others on this board are too. But I can say with assurance that of the thousands of people I've worked with or talked to online who have moved closer to a Disney park, the luster does fade. It will change your experience. For me, the change was for the positive, but that's not universal

I have to agree with this. It is really what you make of it. I found that visiting the parks became less stressful. I wasn't trying to "do everything at once" or in a certain number of days, etc. It was actually more relaxing and gave me more opportunities. I was able to watch the fireworks from unique locations (the resorts) instead of in the park like I usually did.

As for the magic wearing off - it's all a state of mind. I find a lot of joy in watching others experience things for the first time. One of my favorite things to do in the parks is visit with characters - and this is where I see a lot of magic happen. The characters and the children (of all ages) become excited with their meetings. So along with this I would suggest, even though you might become a "local," still find the time to do more tourist-like things (dining experiences, resorts, meet-and-greets, etc.)

[Witches of Morva]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

ORDDU: My sisters and I--even though we live very far away in Morva--fly in quite often and have to say the magic hasn't worn off yet for us. Otherwise we'd stay home more often.

ORGOCH: 'Course why would any witch in her right mind wanna' stay home an' have ta worry that she was gonna' be stolen away by some dang Horny King--who might just come knockin' at her door at any minute--when she could be havin' a humiliatin' experience, 'cause a her two looney sisters, at a theme park all day long? (pause) Come ta think of it, bein' tortured by the Horny King is startin' ta sound better all the time.

[cocoabeach]

Re: Does living in or near Orlando dull the magic of WDW?

My family doesn't live in Orlando but nearby in, if not obvious by my moniker, cocoabeach, which is directly east of Orlando. I'll honestly say that there is some loss of the magic living close by.


But there are ways that we resurrect the magic. First, we withhold visits except on those days when we really need the break (special events, etc.). Second, when we have our official trips, we stay at the hotels for at least one week. I know it's cheaper by far to just drive from home (something we always did as kids) but now that I'm older and have a family of my own (wife and two kids 5 and 3) it seemed the best way to boost the magic for me.