Celebration, Florida

In the early 1990s, the Disney Development Company (DDC) established the Celebration Company to spearhead its development within about 4,900 acres (20 km²) of land in the southern portion of the Reedy Creek Improvement District.^[8] Total investment for the project is estimated at US$2.5 billion.^[9]

The master plan was developed by two Driehaus Prize winning architects, Jacquelin T. Robertson of Cooper, Robertson & Partners and Robert A. M. Stern. The extensive landscape, parks, trails and pathways were designed by the San Francisco firm EDAW (now AECOM).^[10] Urban Design Associates, of Pittsburgh, developed design guidelines, called a Pattern Book, as a tool for the design of new architecture within the community.^[11] Celebration is planned in an early 20th-century architectural style and is not zoned for high-density residences. Celebration was named the "New Community of the Year" in 2001 by the Urban Land Institute.^[12] Disney hired graphic designer Michael Beirut to design community elements including street signs, retail signage, manhole covers, fountains, golf course graphics, park trail markers, as well as home sales brochures.^[13]

The first phase of residential development occurred in the summer of 1996 with Celebration Village, West Village, and Lake Evalyn; this was followed by the North Village, South Village, East Village and Aquila Reserve and the final Artisan Park phases.^[14] Later phases included construction by a number of developers, including David Waronker.^[15]

Disney CEO Michael Eisner took an especially keen interest in the development of the new town in the early days, encouraging the executives at Disney Development Company to "make history" and develop a town worthy of the Disney brand and legacy that extended to Walt Disney's vision of an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT). DDC executives collaborated extensively with leaders in education, health, and technology in addition to planners and architects to create the vision and operating policies for the town.

There were a series of car accidents involving a retention pond adjacent to World Drive which required the addition of more safety structures.^[16]

Disney attempted numerous efforts to encourage economic and ethnic diversity among residents in the early days of development. The company placed advertisements in newspapers and magazines that catered to African-American and Hispanic demographics, printed brochures featuring racial minorities, and hired African-American workers in the community's sales office.^[17] In addition, the owners of the first 350 houses and 123 apartments were chosen by a lottery in an effort to prevent racial discrimination against homebuyers.^[17] However, by 2000, it was revealed that the racial makeup of the community was 88% white, compared to the surrounding county's 59% white population. Demographers partially blamed the lack of diversity on Disney's decision to forego building subsidized housing inside the community, instead opting to donate $900,000 to Osceola County to help area residents buy houses under $80,000, below the market value of most housing in Celebration.^[17]

In 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported that Celebration Town Center condominium owners "are battling leaky roofs, balconies that have become separated from the sides of buildings and mold spreading in their walls. Their properties have become so dilapidated, they say, they're having trouble selling them."

An April 2016 civil suit seeks to force the Town Center Foundation, a controlling entity under sole direction of Lexin Capital, "which took control of part of Celebration in 2004, to pay for upward of $15 million to $20 million in repairs" which were deferred over ten years.^[18]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.7 square miles (28 km²), of which 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²), or 0.28%, is water.

Celebration is under USPS ZIP code 34747, sometimes known as Kissimmee. This is due to the city being unincorporated, as Celebration is not a subdivision and is still considered an unincorporated town.

Celebration is well known by Orlando Area residents for its town center, luxury houses, and walkability, which includes the Celebration Nature Trails. Celebration has over 23 miles (37 km) of nature trails connecting the entire neighborhood. The nature trails give residents and visitors the chance to take in some of Central Florida's finest scenery and wildlife. The trails can be enjoyed either on foot or by bike.

As of the census^[3] of 2010, there were 7,427 people, 3,063 households, and 716 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 704.9 people per square mile (272.2 people/km²). There were 4,566 housing units at an average density of 102.4 units per square mile (39.5 units/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.0% white (with 81.9% of the population non-Hispanic white), 1.5% black, 3.2% Asian, 2.2% from two or more races and 0.26% Native American. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 11.2% of the population.

There were 3,063 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no married spouse present, and 35.0% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.

The age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males in that age range.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $74,231, and the median income for a family was $92,334. Males had a median income of $51,250 versus $46,650 for females. The per-capita income for the CDP was $39,521, and 4.1% of the population lived below the poverty line.

The area is organized under state law as a community development district. As a result, voting is restricted to local landowners. The largest landowners are entities controlled by The Walt Disney Company.^[20]

For decades Celebration was very politically conservative, but has become more competitive.

Celebration is entirely within Florida's 9th congressional district and is represented by Democrat Darren Soto in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the legislature, Celebration is represented by Democrat Victor M. Torres Jr. in the State Senate and Republican Carolina Amesty in the State House of Representatives.

After voting for Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, Celebration flipped back to the Republican party for every race in the 2022 midterm elections.

In the Governor's race, Republican Ron DeSantis defeated Democrat Charlie Crist in Celebration by a vote of 2,858 (53.0%) to 2,505 (46.5%). 28 votes (0.5%) went to third-party candidates.

In the Senate race, Republican Marco Rubio defeated Democrat Val Demings in Celebration by a vote of 2,819 (52.4%) to 2,520 (46.8%). 43 votes (0.8%) went to third-party candidates.

In the Attorney General election, Republican Ashley Moody defeated Democrat Aramis Ayala in Celebration by a vote of 2,962 (55.6%) to 2,362 (44.4%).

In the Chief Financial Officer election, Republican Jimmy Patronis defeated Democrat Adam Hattersley in Celebration by a vote of 2,887 (54.6%) to 2,403 (45.4%).

In the Congressional race, Republican Scotty Moore defeated Democratic incumbent Darren Soto in Celebration by a vote of 2,735 (51.4%) to 2,590 (48.6%). However, Soto won the district as a whole, and therefore, the election.

Democrat Joe Biden narrowly carried the town of Celebration, defeating incumbent Republican Donald Trump by a vote of 3,286 (49.9%) to 3,252 (49.4%). 88 votes (1.3%) went to third-party candidates. This was a flip towards the Democratic Party from the previous presidential election.

In the Governor's race, Republican Ron DeSantis narrowly defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum in Celebration by a vote of 2,667 (51.0%) to 2,509 (47.9%). 58 votes (1.1%) went to third-party candidates.

In the Attorney General election, Republican Ashley Moody defeated Democrat Sean Shaw in Celebration by a vote of 2,807 (54.2%) to 2,299 (44.4%). 75 votes (1.5%) went to third-party candidates.

In the Senate race, Republican Rick Scott defeated incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson in Celebration by a vote of 2,906 (52.1%) to 2,505 (47.9%).

Republican Donald Trump narrowly carried the town of Celebration, defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton by a vote of 2,906 (49.3%) to 2,696 (45.7%). 293 votes (5.0%) went to third-party candidates.

Incumbent Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican, defeated Democrat Patrick Murphy by a vote of 3,310 (57.0%) to 2,291 (39.5%). 202 votes (3.5%) went to third-party candidates.

Republican Mitt Romney defeated incumbent Democrat Barack Obama by a wide margin in Celebration, with a vote of 2,803 (61.6%) to 1,751 (38.4%).

Republican John McCain handily carried the town of Celebration, defeating Democrat Barack Obama by a vote of 2,285 (57.3%) to 1,668 (41.8%). 38 votes (1.0%) went to third-party candidates. ^[21]

Celebration Town Center contains shops, restaurants, and other commercial establishments, as well as 106 residences.^[22]

Celebration has six Christian churches, one Jewish congregation, and one hospital ministry.^[23]

There are now more than 500 registered companies^[24] listed as doing business in the shopping plazas, small office complexes, and the Disney World office building park. This community holds the only Class A office buildings in Osceola County.^{[citation needed]}

Celebration is separated into areas referred to as "villages." The main village, closest to downtown, is where the first homes were constructed. North Village, closest to US-192, houses the Georgetown Condos as well as Acadia Estate Homes. East Village includes Roseville Corner and Aquila Loop. Lake Evalyn, generally considered its own area of Celebration but not quite its own village, includes a small lake where one can find a multitude of ducks, alligators, and the occasional river otter. South Village houses the Spring Park Loop estate homes and Heritage Hall. Additionally, Siena Condos complete the outer edge of South Village by Celebration Blvd. Mirasol includes condos with concierge service and a day spa. Artisan Park is at the end of Celebration Ave and houses condos, townhomes, single-family residences as well as a clubhouse consisting of a pool, gym, and restaurant.

Celebration hosts many celebrations every year, including community-wide yard sales, an art show, an exotic car festival, an annual Radio Disney Holiday concert, an Oktoberfest Celebration, the "Great American Pie Festival" (televised on The Food Network),^[25] a "Posh Pooch" festival, and downtown events for the Fall and Christmas seasons when autumn leaves and "snow" (small-scale soap flakes) are released into the Town Center. The community also hosts a large Independence Day fireworks celebration. The town events are organized on the Internet by the Community Calendar.^[26]

The School District of Osceola County, Florida, operates public schools in Celebration.^[27] Celebration is zoned to the Celebration School for K-8.^[28][29] Celebration High School, located in the city, serves Celebration for grades 9–12.^[30]

There are free classes offered at the community center by clubs for cooking, gardening, art, writing, and technology.^{[citation needed]}

There are private education options provided by The Montessori Academy of Celebration (K-8).^[31]

Private graduate education was once offered at Stetson University Celebration Campus.^[32] The Stetson Celebration campus was sold in 2018 with plans to convert it into offices. It was purchased again in 2021 with intent to open a medical school in the building.^[33]

The Osceola Library System operates the West Osceola Branch Library in Celebration.^[34]

In 2011, 91% of residents who work outside their homes drove to work.^[35]

The two main roads going through the center of the Celebration's downtown area are Market Street and Front Street. Other streets in Celebration include:

Celebration Avenue

This is considered the main road in the town. The road stretches from U.S. 192 to Artisan Park where it ends in a traffic circle. Starting from U.S. 192 near the Disney Parks and the Celebration water tower, one can find a small shopping plaza. From there, Celebration Avenue passes the North Village, splits the Celebration golf course, winds through a few down-town shops and schools, and then proceeds into the parks and homes in the newer sections of Celebration.

Celebration Boulevard

Celebration Boulevard has two sections. The most public section is an avenue parallel to I-4 that includes many commercial businesses and Celebration High School. The architecture on the street is mostly Celebration Modern style. This style reflects art Streamline Moderne and Art Deco influences with its sleek lines, sparse but effective ornamentation, and ample opportunities for individually expressive special features. The entire street is lined with two rows of Washington Palms. The buildings on the street include sitting areas under the shade of trees and trellises along their frontage. The other section of Celebration Boulevard lies on the other side of the golf course, closer to the Celebration Water Tower in the North Village. Here, Celebration Boulevard is almost completely residential. In addition to the homes perched behind white picket fences, this section of Celebration Boulevard flows past the Georgetown condominiums, the community pool, and soccer fields.

Celebration Place

Celebration Place nearly spans the gap between the two sections of Celebration Boulevard, except that its eastern end terminates at the Water Tower Plaza instead of at the entrance to North Village on the other side of State Road 417. Celebration Place is a commercial road.

The only hospital in Celebration is the non-profit hospital AdventHealth Celebration.^[36][37] The hospital is affiliated with AdventHealth Orlando.^[38] With its Mediterranean-style^[39] and proximity to Walt Disney World, the hospital attracts patients from around the world.^[40] In April 2024, AdventHealth announced it will add a 44,966-square-foot five story patient tower to the campus, with three operating rooms and 80 beds (increasing the number of hospital beds to 427). The hospital would be one of the largest hospitals in Osceola County.^[41][42]

• EPCOT (concept)
• Lifestyle center
• Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort – a concept high-end resort living community within the Walt Disney World Resort
• Val d'Europe – located around 35 km (22 mi) to the east of Paris, near Disneyland Paris. Val d'Europe was built in conjunction with The Walt Disney Company
• Seaside, Florida – a concept new urbanism resort living community in Walton County
• New Urbanism
• Storyliving by Disney
• Todt family murders

Notes

Bibliography

• Frantz, Douglas and Collins, Catherine. Celebration, U.S.A.: Living in Disney's Brave New Town (ISBN 978-0-8050-5561-0)
• Ross, Andrew (September 5, 2000). The Celebration Chronicles: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Property Value in Disney's New Town. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-41752-6.

• Official website
• Celebration Town Center
• Architecture of Celebration Archived January 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine