4. A not-so-hidden Mickey is present
Mickey Telephone Pole
No Disney construction would be complete without Mickey, so naturally Celebration has its own image of the iconic mouse. A telephone pole with an unmistakable shape is visible from I-4 near 417. You can spot it even if you’re not headed to town, but this feature makes the area of Celebration impossible to miss.
5. Residents’ needs are within easy reach
The Celebration Movie Theater (now closed)
Though Walt envisioned his EPCOT community with skyrail systems, Celebration offers a quainter option. Here, residents find it easy to walk just about anywhere they might need to go. Walt envisioned a centralized community where residents could easily reach everything they needed. Celebration delivers on the vision with ample networks of sidewalks leading to the town center, where residents find everything from healthcare to banking to childcare in one convenient place. Though residents don’t all walk to work, many could. The design offers the opportunity for a greener community with less reliance on vehicles.
Ultimately, Celebration was little more than a Disney-built community that the company would eventually sell off. Constructed after Walt's death, it bears little resemblance to what he would have wanted with EPCOT, but some of his ideals linger, nevertheless.
Comments
Celebration is a wonderful place to live or visit, sadly the last photo showing the movie theatre is outdated as the theatre exists and is leased by AMC who closed it down. It was a charming theatre where local residents and visitors alike could view current films. Many residents hope that AMC will change their mind and bring film back either first run or as a revival house... fingers crossed...
Celebration was modeled, in part, after the small community where I was raised. Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania is a community designed by General Electric for the workers at its new plant back in the 1920's. My sister wrote to the Disney executives suggesting they consider doing the same for their employees before the town of Celebration had been made public. As it turned out, the Disney imagineers knew all about Lawrence Park! My sister was invited to Disneyworld and, to make a long story short, was chosen to be in the Disney intern program. She was the oldest intern they ever had at the age of 40! She lives in the Orlando area now and is a frequent visitor to Celebration!
Lawrence Park!! Ha, I am from Erie. When I went to Behrend, I had a house in LP. Halley Street, just north of GE. But I lived off east 38th by Tops for many years. I now live a few miles north of Orlando. Small world.
'Discovered' Celebration about 3 trips ago, after being a Disney devotee for many years. I absolutely love the place, a haven of peace and tranquility just a few hundred yards off the ubiquitous 192.
We love the walking environment, the wildlife, the Homes (wonderful) the lovely shops and friendly staff, and the fantastic eating opportunities.. just wish we could afford to make this a base for our Vacations.. or even a place for a home.. lol
Always keep your Dreams alive! Mark H.