Living just 15 minutes away from Disney World might sound like a dream come true. And, in some ways, it absolutely is.

But as with most things, the reality can sometimes be a hassle! Here are some things that might surprise you about living next door to Cinderella Castle.

The Magic of Proximity

Let’s start with the obvious perks. Yes, I can go to Disney World whenever I want. An annual pass is a no-brainer for me because it pays for itself quickly. I can go to Animal Kingdom just to hang out in Nomad Lounge for an afternoon and not feel guilty about never riding a ride.

Yes, I can head to EPCOT for dinner any night of the week. Yes, I think of Baseline Tap House in Disney’s Hollywood Studios as my local watering hole.

It is definitely a luxury to not feel the pressure of seeing everything on my list to get my money’s worth when I am paying hundreds or thousands for flights and a hotel. This also means if I arrive at a Disney World park and things aren’t going as planned because of crowds or the weather, I can turn right around and head out with no guilt.

The Nightly Fireworks Show

The big question — can I see the fireworks from my house? I get asked this a lot, and yes, I have a great view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from my neighborhood. I can and do hear them every single night in my bedroom. I can also tell whether it is a “special” fireworks show where they shoot them off from additional locations north of the park behind the castle because those are much louder where I live.

Telling time by them could be dangerous, though, since the times change frequently as the days get longer (or shorter). But while it was exciting at first to hear them, I will admit that it has now become routine, and that makes me a little sad. The Publix supermarket near my house also has a view of the fireworks from the parking lot. I was walking in one recent evening as the fireworks started, and I was struck by how everyone around me just treated it as ordinary. The kids didn’t even seem to be looking up.

The Not-So-Magical Traffic

Living this close to Disney World comes with some downsides, and one of them is traffic. I live in an area north of the Magic Kingdom, and I am not affected by much tourism traffic, because I don’t pass through the popular areas for hotels, etc. to get to Disney World property. But I live where many Disney Cast Members live and while they work all kinds of hours and days, many Disney employees do have a traditional 9 to 5, and there is a rush hour.

I will opt to avoid going to Disney World between 8 and 9 AM, and leaving Disney World between 5 and 6 PM when I can for this reason.

Getting My Steps In

One of my favorite perks of living near Walt Disney World is using the parks  to get my steps in after work. During the cooler fall and winter months, I love to head to EPCOT in the evenings to walk the park (and probably grab a festival snack for a reward). And there’s nothing better than walking Main Street, U.S.A. during the holidays!

This does become a problem when it warms up and I stop doing it because it’s too hot. I’ve gotta find a solution for that this year!

Hosting Friends and Family

One of the realities of living so close to a tourist destination is that you’re going to have a lot of friends and family who want to visit. I love company! BUT.

It can be challenging to focus on work and keep up with my regular routine when there are other people in my house on a fabulous vacation! I combat this by communicating with them about my schedule in advance and making plans to join them on a specific evening or weekend day.

My Suffering Wallet

When you live where people vacation, it can be pretty easy to justify vacation-style splurging A LOT. I am especially guilty of this with dining out. My strategy to combat overspending is to give myself a challenge – like trying a new menu item I haven’t had yet each month, and then limiting myself to plans that apply to my challenge.

I am pretty minimalist and don’t collect any Disney merch, but if you do, know that if you move close to Disney World, you have lots of discount shopping options. First and foremost, a lot of our thrift shops get TONS of Disney merch. You can find Loungeflys, ears, mugs, clothing and more. I have found both really neat vintage Disney merch and merch that is still in the parks in area thrift shops. And we have two Disney Character Warehouses in the area – these outlet stores get out-of-season and unsold merch straight from the parks. They are worth checking out when you’re in town!

Ultimately, living so close to such a famous destination is a unique experience. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. I don’t expect to live this close to Disney World forever, so I’m definitely taking advantage of the pros and managing the cons while I’m here. Keep following us here at DFB for all the Disney World news!

I Drive Two Hours to Disney World Every Month. Here’s What Makes It Worth It.

Have you thought about moving close to Disney World? Let me know in the comments!