Would/Have you moved to FL (in part) for WDW?

[Chernaboggles]

I'm going to be brutally honest, moving to another state just to be closer to a theme park/resort, Disney, for that matter, comes off as very odd and unhealthily obsessive to me. Moving elsewhere because their job is seeing them, or to be closer to family is one thing, but moving to be within close proximity to a theme park is...weird.

I'm not offended, but I do disagree.

We moved to the mountains because we wanted to live in the mountains. We love being able to go out to the trails before or after work and having deer, turkeys and the occasional bear in the back yard. When we first moved here, it was wildly impractical and we used to have really awful commutes to our respective jobs, but we put up with it because what we got out of living here was worth the hassle. People do the same thing to live near oceans or particular cities. There's nothing weird about finding something you love and wanting to live close enough to enjoy it more than once or twice a year.

WDW may be artificially constructed and themed, but it's also one of the only places in the world where there are parades every day and fireworks every night. Going out after work for a drink or dessert at World Showcase or to ride Splash Mountain and watch Wishes at MK is a lot of fun. WDW has a larger population (just in cast members, not even including guests!), more restaurants, shops and certainly more (and better) entertainment than my entire county.

Life is short and involves a lot of obligations and things we *have* to do but don't necessarily enjoy. If a person can find a place to reside where just being there brings happiness, I think that's a wonderful way to live.

 

[Nick Wilde]

I live an hour away from the parks. We go about every month, and every time it's just as exciting. If you go every week, I believe it would get old, but once a month is just about right. There's also plenty of other things to do around here other than Disney, like Uni, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, hundreds of roadside attractions, the beach, etc. I don't think you would ever get bored.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Oh, that will go over great here LOL.

Respectfully:

First of all, in the context of the original question, it IS for work - it's a very specific situation concerning a job for a retiree - and it's no secret that a lot of people move to Florida when they retire.

Second, as to the context of non-retirees moving someplace to be near a theme park: how is that much different from someone moving to Florida for the beach? Or to Colorado for skiing? People find different things that make them happy in life, and sometimes it makes sense, financially and/or emotionally, to pursue them beyond vacation time.

Moving is not a big deal, and plenty of people already live in the Greater Orlando area, and incidentally, many posters specifically indicated they were considering towns 1 to 2 hours away or more.

No, no offense taken, but I think you may have misunderstood the original question. It wasn't whether or not someone would move to Florida simply for Disney (or any other theme park), as I'm sure there would be other more important reasons......but really whether or not being closer to Disney would be one of those reasons for the move.

For me, I waver between wanting to be in Kissimmee (and 10-20 minutes away from Disney) or on the gulf coast near Palm Harbor (about 1.5 hrs away).

I'm not offended, but I do disagree.

We moved to the mountains because we wanted to live in the mountains. We love being able to go out to the trails before or after work and having deer, turkeys and the occasional bear in the back yard. When we first moved here, it was wildly impractical and we used to have really awful commutes to our respective jobs, but we put up with it because what we got out of living here was worth the hassle. People do the same thing to live near oceans or particular cities. There's nothing weird about finding something you love and wanting to live close enough to enjoy it more than once or twice a year.

WDW may be artificially constructed and themed, but it's also one of the only places in the world where there are parades every day and fireworks every night. Going out after work for a drink or dessert at World Showcase or to ride Splash Mountain and watch Wishes at MK is a lot of fun. WDW has a larger population (just in cast members, not even including guests!), more restaurants, shops and certainly more (and better) entertainment than my entire county.

Life is short and involves a lot of obligations and things we *have* to do but don't necessarily enjoy. If a person can find a place to reside where just being there brings happiness, I think that's a wonderful way to live.

I didn't misunderstand the original post. I'm not talking about those who want to retire in Florida, or about people who want to move to Florida for a variety of reasons, one of them happening to be to be close to WDW. I'm specifically talking about people who want to move solely for WDW and only for WDW. There's nothing wrong with wanting to work at a theme park for retirement. I'm referring to those who don't care about anything else but WDW.

I'd also like to say the moving to the mountains comparison isn't really a good comparison for reasons already mentioned. Moving for weather, nature, climate reasons is not the same thing as moving for a fantasy world.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

I didn't misunderstand the original post. I'm not talking about those who want to retire in Florida, or about people who want to move to Florida for a variety of reasons, one of them happening to be to be close to WDW. I'm specifically talking about people who want to move solely for WDW and only for WDW. There's nothing wrong with wanting to work at a theme park for retirement. I'm referring to those who don't care about anything else but WDW.

I'd also like to say the moving to the mountains comparison isn't really a good comparison for reasons already mentioned. Moving for weather, nature, climate reasons is not the same thing as moving for a fantasy world.

Actually, someone moving to the beach simply because they like the beach (or the mountains or whatever) would be exactly the same thing. They'd be choosing to move to (or close to) something they particularly enjoy. I don't see anything wrong with it, it would just be their preference.

 

[bethymouse]

'Retire in Florida". That's what Jimmy Buffett said. Seriously. I have had many friends move to the Ocala area, and they love it! My father-in-law moved to Fruitland Park ( about an hour outside Orlando). He has since passed away. We still have his house ( but it's shared by three siblings). My husband and I have often talked about moving to FL. But, my Mom just moved in with us, my boys just started middle school, my DH is in the middle of jobs ( that is an issue as well as myself being a teacher). Needless to say, I have thought about it, as well as working at WDW. But, that ain't happenin'.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Actually, someone moving to the beach simply because they like the beach (or the mountains or whatever) would be exactly the same thing. They'd be choosing to move to (or close to) something they particularly enjoy. I don't see anything wrong with it, it would just be their preference.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[POLY LOVER]

Life is short and reality sucks, so if you want to move to a place that has unlimited entertainment, happy people, fantasy and massive beach areas, WHY NOT.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Actually, someone moving to the beach simply because they like the beach (or the mountains or whatever) would be exactly the same thing. They'd be choosing to move to (or close to) something they particularly enjoy. I don't see anything wrong with it, it would just be their preference.

Agree to disagree?

 

[jloucks]

I will be retiring in about 6 years, and I plan to move from Dallas to the Orlando area and spend my retirement driving boats for Disney. The only downer in this plan is the weather - it's freakin' HOT in Orlando! But then it's pretty hot here in Dallas. My routine now is to be outside as much as possible, and to mentally adjust my attitude from "freakin' HOT" to "it's not so bad". I'll let you know how I'm doing as retirement approaches!

Is it easy to get a job as a boat driver? Disney seems like the kinda place where you ask to be a boat driver and you wind up cleaning tables. I guess what I am saying is keep your hopes in check. Hopefully I am way off.

 

[jloucks]

I'm going to be brutally honest, moving to another state just to be closer to a theme park/resort, Disney, for that matter, comes off as very odd and unhealthily obsessive to me. Moving elsewhere because their job is seeing them, or to be closer to family is one thing, but moving to be within close proximity to a theme park is...weird.

Hope I didn't offend anyone.

Well, you have to look at motivations people have to move. What do we have?

1) Work
2) Family
3) Health/comfort
4) Passion
5) Disaster

That's pretty much it. So, what your really saying is that to be that passionate about theme parks is weird. Thing about passions are that to those that don't share the same passion, they do seem weird.

I love Star Trek. If they had a Star Trek attraction I'd consider moving near it. And yea, that is weird. I don't really care what others think anymore. With age comes that wisdom. We'll all be dead and forgotten in a galactic heartbeat, who cares? ...so long as you're not hurting people.

 

[Nick Wilde]

And yea, that is weird. I don't really care what others think anymore. With age comes that wisdom. We'll all be dead and forgotten in a galactic heartbeat, who cares? ...so long as you're not hurting people.

This is my outlook on life.

 

[OliveMcFly]

Having lived in both places, would you want to move back if you could get the same job in or near Orlando? Was it something interesting to do for a while or would you want to live there again full time?

I think it was a great time in my life but I felt I wasn't moving up in the department. It was a hard decision to leave because I had such love for what I did but it was time for the next chapter in my life.

 

[Chernaboggles]

I think it was a great time in my life but I felt I wasn't moving up in the department. It was a hard decision to leave because I had such love for what I did but it was time for the next chapter in my life.

I meant setting the job completely aside. Assume that anywhere you go, you can make your current salary and that job advancement is totally possible. Where do you want to live?

EDIT: Also, if your first choice isn't PA or FL, which would you choose between the two, if the job was not a factor? As a fellow Pennsylvanian, I am curious!

 

[thomas998]

I'm going to be brutally honest, moving to another state just to be closer to a theme park/resort, Disney, for that matter, comes off as very odd and unhealthily obsessive to me. Moving elsewhere because their job is seeing them, or to be closer to family is one thing, but moving to be within close proximity to a theme park is...weird.

Hope I didn't offend anyone.

Not any more weird than someone deciding to move near the mountains because they like to ski or moving near a beach because of the ocean. People choose all sorts of reasons to move to various places, in fact people would probably be happier in general if they got the opportunity to live in places they enjoyed instead of living in places because they pretty much have to for the job they have. I know I'm pretty much stuck in the place I am because the places I would rather live don't have the type of employers that need my experience... its probably that way for a lot of people.

 

[nelsonj3]

Sometimes I go back and forth in my thoughts on moving to Florida to be closer to WDW. If I did ever move down there, I could honestly see being closer to WDW as being one of the main reasons and I'd most likely be there fairly often. On the other hand, the excitement and anticipation I always feel for an upcoming WDW trip is a "high" that can't easily be duplicated, and I'd probably lose that if I was in a position of "well I can just go over anytime I want".

Have any of you who have moved to or within Florida done so with WDW being a good part of the reason?

I moved to Florida within 30 minutes of WDW so that I could go more often (and enjoy much nicer weather). I've lived here for seven years now, and it's been great for the most part.

The only thing that bothers me sometimes is that our trips are usually only part of a day, and then we go back to the daily grind. Otherwise, it's been great, and it's awesome to be able to go to the parks much more often!

 

[Clyde Birdbrain]

We moved to the Orlando area 4 years ago. I was a huge Disney fan and it was a small part of our decision to move here. We also like the beaches, state parks, wildlife, NASA, low taxes and nice weather. We live north of Orlando and love it here. The first 2 years we had an Annual Pass and went approximately twice per month. We would just stroll around the parks and resorts, have a meal, see a concert and do a few attractions. When you can go whenever you want there is no pressure to do everything and it can be very relaxing. With things like Star Wars weekends, festivals and concerts at Epcot, Christmas celebrations and other special events there is often something new to do, even when no new attractions are being added.

At the beginning I thought we would always have an AP, or at least for many years, but toward the end of the 2 years we started to get a little bit tired of it and decided to not renew our passes. I still love the parks, but we had done everything so many times and wanted to use our free time to explore other parts of Florida. That was over 2 years ago and for the most part I haven't really missed it, but I have kept reading the news and rumors section on this forum regularly as I am still very interested in what's to come.

I am very excited about the D23 announcements and we have actually decided to get passes again. It's silly, as most of the things that were announced won't happen for years, but I am just excited about the fact that Disney is investing in new attractions again. That, and I am also reading the Key to the Kingdom series by Jeff Dixon, which is a lot of fun and has me wanting to go back. Next week on my birthday we will have breakfast at Kona Cafe and spend the day at the Magic Kingdom.

 

[SamN'Dean]

I moved to Florida about 20 years ago now. While I admit WDW was a draw, I had always dreamed of living in Florida, and I hate winter. Recently I've gone on a few vacations to Washington DC, and loved the area, plus made some wonderful new friends. But when I consider moving there, I remember that I'll have to deal with winter again. I can't do that, especially after so long in Florida.

 

[NemoRocks78]

I was born and raised in South Florida. I spent my childhood going to Orlando often, and I always wanted to be able to go there on my own terms, so I did my first year of college in Orlando. I lived a few minutes from Universal, and that was great. I went to all of the theme parks multiple times a week. I would go for lunch at Epcot or CityWalk after my morning classes. I went to IMPACT Wrestling TV tapings at Universal weekly. It was the best time. But I got sick of the traffic, and I wanted a change of scenery after 19 years of Florida, so I moved on to a university just outside of Nashville, TN. I moved to SoCal from there and went to DLR once or twice a month during my four years in the state. My wife and I moved back to South Florida last year. We go to Orlando once a month or so and my family owns a second home in Kissimmee, so we always have a place to stay. The drive to/from Orlando so often is a pain, but despite all the talking that goes on here about the place, I love being in Central Florida (great attractions/food/shopping - always something to do), and I think we will be making a move there in a few years if a great job opportunity presents itself. It's where I want to be for sure.

 

[OliveMcFly]

I meant setting the job completely aside. Assume that anywhere you go, you can make your current salary and that job advancement is totally possible. Where do you want to live?

EDIT: Also, if your first choice isn't PA or FL, which would you choose between the two, if the job was not a factor? As a fellow Pennsylvanian, I am curious!

I love PA. It's my home and there's so much beauty here. If I could pick one place, maybe LA but I think I'd get over it pretty quickly as I'm not a good city girl. Disneyland would be fun to try for awhile.
What part of PA are you from?

 

[Chernaboggles]

I love PA. It's my home and there's so much beauty here. If I could pick one place, maybe LA but I think I'd get over it pretty quickly as I'm not a good city girl. Disneyland would be fun to try for awhile.
What part of PA are you from?

I'm not, originally. I grew up near Boston, but have lived in the Poconos for about 5 years.