For years, I visited Disney as a non-local and couldn’t wrap my head around the idea that people actually live here, close enough to go whenever they want. I pictured neighborhoods swallowed by tourists, constant traffic, and a lifestyle that felt more like a theme park overflow than a true place to call home.
I was wrong.
Don’t get me wrong, I still avoid I-4 whenever humanly possible (and yes, it is possible). But what surprised me most about living near Disney is how quickly the magic fades into the background and real life takes center stage. Orlando and its surrounding suburbs offer an incredible mix of everyday livability: scenic lakes, trails and parks, top-rated schools, vibrant cultural diversity, and world-class entertainment that’s there when you want it and easy to ignore when you don’t. It’s not a tourist trap. It’s home.
But first, the ‘burbs’ explained
Horizon West
A master-planned community just outside the Disney Gates to the west, is Horizon West. Known for top-rated Orange County Schools, new construction homes, parks, lates, and modern suburban lifestyle, Horizon West attracts young families, retirees, and is a top destination for Cast Members due to the short commute to Disney. If you want new homes with an HOA, this is a great option. Fun fact: there are not short-term rentals allowed in Horizon West (like AirBnB or VRBO), so there are few tourists in daily life. Because Horizon West is a newer community compared to its neighbors, you won’t see quite as much established charm here. Instead you’ll find sparkling new!
Commute time to Disney = Approx. 10-25 minutes (depending on neighborhood and park)
Home Prices:
- Existing townhome prices start in the low $300,000s for a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home, with new construction townhomes starting in the low $400,000s.
- Existing single-family homes start in the high $400,000s and extend up to $3 million!
- Builders here often offer incentives such as flex cash, closing cost incentives, and lower rates.
Windermere
A charming and luxurious town close to both Disney and Universal is Windermere. Here you’ll find everything from local coffee shops to all the conveniences of modern life. Downtown Windermere looks like a fake town in EPCOT, with homes ranging from quaint to multi-million dollar mansions. Notable celebrities have owned homes in Windermere such as Shaquille O’Neil, Tiger Woods, and Bill Gates. I would not call Windermere ‘touristy’ at all. Daily life includes going to Publix, carting kids to school and activities, and oh, going to Disney after work.
Commute time to Disney = Approx. 15-25 minutes (depending on neighborhood and park)
Home Prices:
- Existing townhome prices start in the low $300,000s for a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home.
- Existing single-family homes start in the low $500,000s and extend up to $23 million!
- There are a few new build communities left but the majority of Windermere is established.
Celebration
Originally built by Disney, Celebration might be what you think about when considering communities near Disney…and you’d be correct! Celebration, while more established than Horizon West, offers unbeatable charm and scenic beauty. When you drive into Celebration, you’ll feel like you’re in a movie. But surprisingly, daily life here is pretty chill and normal. Disney offices are located in Celebration so you’ll see commuters, kids walking or riding scooters to school and normal restaurants and businesses doing their thing.
Commute time to Disney = Approx. 15-25 minutes (depending on neighborhood and park)
Home Prices:
- Existing townhome prices start in the low $300,000s for a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home.
- Existing single-family homes start in the mid $600,000s and extend up to $5 million.
- There are also many condo options starting in the low $200,000s but beware of HOA costs that can run $500-$1000/month.
Golden Oak
Golden Oak is a luxury lifestyle as much as a neighborhood. It feels like living in a private Disney resort with daily perks, tailor-made experiences, and a strong sense of community but not everyone lives there year-round. Many homes serve as vacation retreats or second homes, while a meaningful minority are full-time residents embracing Disney-infused luxury everyday. In a word, Golden Oak is…fancy. You won’t find a home here for less than $1 million.
Commute time to Disney = Approx. 5-15 minutes (depending on neighborhood and park)
Home Prices:
- Stunning custom homes ranging from $1,000,000 – $19,000,000
- There are a few new build communities left but the majority of Windermere is established.
Walt Disney World Annual Passes (Florida Residents)
Disney sells annual passes to non-Florida residents but the only option is the Incredi-pass (the most expensive). Being a Florida resident opens up more options at lower price points.
Ok, so what is life really like?
My family lives in Horizon West, and day-to-day life here is refreshingly normal. We walk our daughter to and from her elementary school, drive her to piano lessons and tennis practice, and take evening walks because sunsets here are almost always worth slowing down for. We visit the Disney parks once or twice a month, sometimes just for dinner at EPCOT, other times for a half-day escape. And when friends come to town? That’s when we go all in on the full Disney experience.
With so many great dining options nearby, it’s not unusual for us to head to Animal Kingdom Lodge on a Friday night just for dinner at Sanaa, or enjoy a meal at the Grand Floridian Cafe followed by a stroll through the grounds. Mini-golf is a household favorite, too.
But Disney isn’t the center of our lives; it’s simply part of the backdrop. What really defines our lifestyle is the community. We go to the gym, run on the West Orange Trail, support local restaurants, and yes, do our grocery shopping at Walmart (or let’s be honest, Walmart delivery).
And hurricanes? They do happen. But by the time storms reach Orlando, they’ve typically lost much of their intensity. Coastal areas see the worst of it, while Central Florida is generally spared the most severe impacts.
In short, relocating to Orlando has been one of the best decisions we’ve made. We’ve loved every minute of it, and if you’re considering making the move, I hope you will too.
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