MissM
Well-Known Member
Well in Florida you're never more than 50 miles away from the coast. It's a very looooong state but a narrow one and we have LOTS of beaches. :lol:
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What's it like living near WDW?
- Thread starter MickeyMind
- Start date
I know exactly what you mean,We turned our 3 hour plane ride into a 3 hour car ride too about 5 years ago, I used to live in jersey, now I live in pompano beach (about a half hour north of ft. laud) The day trips, while they are do-able, nobody wants to drive 3 hrs early in the morning, spend a full day in the parks, and then drive 3 hrs back after they're extremely exhausted. We did a day trip once, will never do it again, unless I'm shaking like a crack feen from disney withdrawl.
Weekend trips are the only way we do it now, They offer a really nice break from reality, and since its usually just one night we stay over, we always get to try a different resort.. We've done all the moderates, and values, as well as the boardwalk and the contemporary.. still have yet to justify spending over $400 for 1 night at ft. wilderness, polynesian, or grand floridian, but one of these days we'll find a good deal.
_Scar
Active Member
I live in Florida, but we still save up and stay a week in the summer (usually). This year we will also be doing a cruise, too.
We live about 3 1/2 hours to 4 hours away, but we aren't APs. We only make it up there around 1 or 2 times a year for the weekend. We get tired of the parks if we constantly go, so it's kind of a good thing we don't abuse the fact we live somewhat close.
We live about 3 1/2 hours to 4 hours away, but we aren't APs. We only make it up there around 1 or 2 times a year for the weekend. We get tired of the parks if we constantly go, so it's kind of a good thing we don't abuse the fact we live somewhat close.
rct247
Well-Known Member
Yesterday we went to Epcot for a few hours and tried some selections at the Food and Wine Festival, and today we ran over to Magic Kingdom to meet Rapunzel and watch the Thunderbirds fly over the castle.
I think when you frequent the parks you just become more observant than the average guest...we start noticing things like new plants, looking backwards when we ride rides to see how things "work", noticing when a character or float is missing from a parade, etc. You also learn to be more efficient...what Fastpasses you should get first, what rides will be less populated at certain times...I won't ride anything with a line over 20 minutes anymore.
Some weeks go by and we don't go to Disney at all, but for the most part I think it's pretty awesome to live so close so we can run over there whenever we feel like it...and I'm not sick of it yet.
I'm the same. I live within a 30minute drive of the parks. Does it lose some of its magic, just a little bit, but definitely not completely. When you are new to living this close, you go all the time, but eventually, you are just happy with once a week or once every two weeks or even more than that. You do tend to notice the details more both as far as hidden details in attractions and the small changes like concrete replacement or paint touch-ups. The parks hardly get stale too. There always something new to see or try. This month alone we have had Mickey's Not-So-Scary, Food & Wine, Thunderbirds Flyover, Duffy Debut, Disney Channel Rocks, and Small World reopening.
There have been times where I do feel like some ethnic food and make a special trip to Epcot. The theme parks also serve as regular parks to me; I can go an just walk around and get some fresh air and let go of my worries. There are some visits where I may only ride one ride, but I do have that luxury.
I do miss the excitement that a Disney vacation comes with though. Living far away going to Disney World was like "I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!! OMG!!!!" Now its like, "I'm heading out to the parks for a bit." Being so close also means I skip more. Even though I can go at any time. I haven't been to Animal Kingdom since summer at all.
It's all how you look at it.
joanna71985
Well-Known Member
I love living nearby (I live about 10 minutes away from WDW). I go to the parks all the time
theadmiral459
Member
I live 20 minutes away from there and have annual passes so we going almost every weekend and yes we tried some foods from the other countries not all the time most of the time we eat a home then go to expensive to eat out there all the time and as for the magic it loses a little bit not much no matter what park we go to we always find something different so its still great.
minniemickeyfan
Well-Known Member
Exactly...my husband thrives on this stuff
THEMEPARKPIONEER
Well-Known Member
My friend lives so close to the parks and he said one night he Heard the Spectro Magic music very faintly and that he can hear Wishes. I still dont believe it. I did see laser beams shooting over his house which was pretty cool and I was able to skip wishes and catch some good rides since I was able to see it from his house.
njDizFan
Well-Known Member
Personally, sounds like too much of a good thing. I only get down once every couple of years, and those trips are magical. Just the difference in weather is awesome. It really is alike a different world. Like Dave said earlier I live about 30 mins outside NYC and maybe an hour from Philly and the Jersey shore and only get to these places a few times a year..max.
I think some of the magic would wear off if I went too often.
I think some of the magic would wear off if I went too often.
Walt Disney1955
Well-Known Member
I've asked this very question before. Some people say they get jaded by being so close to it and the novelty wears off. Others state that it's even more magical to be able to go whenever you want to.
This is how I look at it. I live an hour away from Toronto. About 90 minutes away from Niagara Falls. I can go 2 years and even once up to 7 years and not go down to Florida. One thing is for sure, the novelty certainly doesn't wear off that way. But maybe some folks think Niagara Falls is amazing. Now don't get me wrong it really is. It's a beautiful place to be and something you really should see at least once in your lifetime. But I go there annually. I love it, but going that often makes me realize that there isn't much that changes or gets added on.
The Falls are beautiful for sure and while I know that there are thousands upon thousands of people who travelled far and wide to witness this masterpiece I have become used to it. I can go this Saturday if I want. And while that's nice it has its plusses and minuses. There is a lot to do down the main strip. There are 5 Haunted Houses (two REALLY, really good ones), there is Ripley's, there is Guiness Book of World Records (like Ripley's), there are about 4 Wax museums, there is a giant Ferris Wheel and there are two Casinos. Not to mention stuff to do with the Falls like Maid of the Mist (must do), the Skylon Tower, the Imax theatre, Journey beneath the Falls (must do).
But maybe the thing is that as great as Niagara Falls is, it just isn't Disney. So maybe I can't judge it fairly. You can spend a week on WDW property and not do everything. You spend 2-3 days in the Falls and you're okay to go home. But anyway this is the best comparison I have
This is how I look at it. I live an hour away from Toronto. About 90 minutes away from Niagara Falls. I can go 2 years and even once up to 7 years and not go down to Florida. One thing is for sure, the novelty certainly doesn't wear off that way. But maybe some folks think Niagara Falls is amazing. Now don't get me wrong it really is. It's a beautiful place to be and something you really should see at least once in your lifetime. But I go there annually. I love it, but going that often makes me realize that there isn't much that changes or gets added on.
The Falls are beautiful for sure and while I know that there are thousands upon thousands of people who travelled far and wide to witness this masterpiece I have become used to it. I can go this Saturday if I want. And while that's nice it has its plusses and minuses. There is a lot to do down the main strip. There are 5 Haunted Houses (two REALLY, really good ones), there is Ripley's, there is Guiness Book of World Records (like Ripley's), there are about 4 Wax museums, there is a giant Ferris Wheel and there are two Casinos. Not to mention stuff to do with the Falls like Maid of the Mist (must do), the Skylon Tower, the Imax theatre, Journey beneath the Falls (must do).
But maybe the thing is that as great as Niagara Falls is, it just isn't Disney. So maybe I can't judge it fairly. You can spend a week on WDW property and not do everything. You spend 2-3 days in the Falls and you're okay to go home. But anyway this is the best comparison I have
bobblockus
New Member
Think best advice. get yourself weekly rate hotel close by and work for Walt Disney Co at the resort hotels or inside the theme parks. you can work season or year round. that's what I am doing now. then you get perks, discounts and theme parks pass. www.waltdisneyworld.jobs
loveofamouse
Well-Known Member
we lived in Jax. Not necessarily at the back door but we were close and went often. When we had annual passes, we would just pick and go on a sat and drive back home that night. The novelty never wears off. Like PP said, you just become more observant of the little things and take your time. When we go, I kinda chuckle at the out of towners cause they are running around trying to see everything before they have to go back home. Some will never make it back again so I understand the rush. But because I've been so often, I know what to see and what to avoid, what's the best time to go/see a show/ride a ride, I notice the changes. Someone going once every 3 years may not notice small changes. Sometimes, I can even tell when dance steps were tweeked in routines I think Ive seen just about every girl playing Cindy and Alice lol And notice when I see a girl playing more than one character. lol.
but we were close and went often. When we had annual passes, we would just pick and go on a sat and drive back home that night. The novelty never wears off. Like PP said, you just become more observant of the little things and take your time. When we go, I kinda chuckle at the out of towners cause they are running around trying to see everything before they have to go back home. Some will never make it back again so I understand the rush. But because I've been so often, I know what to see and what to avoid, what's the best time to go/see a show/ride a ride, I notice the changes. Someone going once every 3 years may not notice small changes. Sometimes, I can even tell when dance steps were tweeked in routines I think Ive seen just about every girl playing Cindy and Alice lol And notice when I see a girl playing more than one character. lol.
John
Well-Known Member
My mother not only lives about ten minutes away she has worked there for fifteen years. She absolutely loves it. She is one of those "old school" CM's that believe in the magic. She loves the notion that she brings joy to so many people. She isnt thrilled sometimes about things that go on behind the curtian, but when she is out front on stge....nothing is better.
On the other hand my sister lives down the street from her and dosnt care for the parks. Hasnt visited in sometime. She says its like living next to a chocolate factory....you get sick of chocolate....
To me the magic is very real, I have been there more times then I can remember ( not bragging). I am also a travel agent that specializes in Disney vacations. I never get jaded.
On the other hand my sister lives down the street from her and dosnt care for the parks. Hasnt visited in sometime. She says its like living next to a chocolate factory....you get sick of chocolate....
To me the magic is very real, I have been there more times then I can remember ( not bragging). I am also a travel agent that specializes in Disney vacations. I never get jaded.
Disney05
Well-Known Member
At some point we will be moving closer to Disney. I've wondered if it will take some of the magic away. I don't think so but I won't know until it happens. The one thing I enjoy about our yearly trip is the planning. All the things I do now to get my Disney fix I won't really need anymore. Does anyone who lives real close have the need to watch the planning dvd? I guess living close enough will take the place of all the other things I need to get through the year not being close to WDW.
loveofamouse
Well-Known Member
We still did It was my fix when I couldn't make a trip
It was my fix when I couldn't make a trip