A complete relocation + investment breakdown designed for Disney lovers, families, hybrid buyers, and STR-focused investors.
If you’re choosing where to live near Disney World… feel free to grab your favorite Mickey-shaped snack, because this is an important comparison.
ChampionsGate offers resort amenities, STR-friendly zones, and a lively vacation atmosphere…
Davenport offers suburban affordability, new construction, and a much calmer day-to-day lifestyle.
Both are great options… for very different reasons.
Let’s break this down so buyers can quickly understand which community fits their lifestyle and goals.
🌴 1. Overall Vibe & Lifestyle Feel
⭐ ChampionsGate: Resort + Energy + Constant Activity
ChampionsGate feels like:
✔ a resort town
✔ busy during peak Disney seasons
✔ filled with amenities
✔ active and social
✔ popular with STR guests
✔ very convenient
If you want a lifestyle where the lazy river is basically your backyard… ChampionsGate wins.
⭐ Davenport: Suburban + Quiet + Spacious
Davenport feels like:
✔ classic Florida suburb
✔ affordable new construction
✔ family-oriented
✔ peaceful neighborhoods
✔ less tourism activity
✔ more full-time residents
If you want daily rhythm, quieter streets, and space… Davenport delivers.
🏘️ 2. Neighborhood Breakdown: Who Offers What?
⭐ ChampionsGate’s Signature Communities
- The Retreat (STR powerhouse)
- The Country Club (residential-focused)
- The Vistas (townhomes, near golf)
- BellaTrae (55+ feel, very quiet)
- Oasis Club corridor (amenities-focused)
These are gated, amenity-rich, and designed with resort appeal in mind.
⭐ Davenport’s Popular Full-Time Suburbs (Varies by pocket)
- Northeast Davenport (closest to Disney)
- Champions Reserve
- Providence
- Bella Toscana
- Solterra Resort (more resort-like)
- Highlands Reserve (golf community)
- Four Corners-adjacent pockets
Davenport’s neighborhoods cover everything from traditional suburban communities to STR-friendly resort enclaves.
🏡 3. Housing Types & Architecture
🏰 ChampionsGate Homes
- large themed vacation homes
- modern townhomes
- single-family homes in STR zones
- residential golf-course homes
- newer construction
- resort architecture
They often have:
✔ bright color palettes
✔ multiple bedrooms
✔ game rooms
✔ private pools
✔ STR-friendly layouts
✔ community-maintained landscaping
🏡 Davenport Homes
- suburban single-family homes
- new-construction neighborhoods
- mid-size 3–5 bedroom homes
- townhome communities
- some STR communities
- more local-resident style design
Davenport offers more traditional neighborhood layouts and architectural variety.
🎢 4. Disney Proximity
⭐ ChampionsGate
15–20 minutes to Disney
Mostly via I-4 or 27 → 192
Can be affected by peak traffic, but still very close.
⭐ Davenport (depending on area)
Northeast Davenport:
15–25 minutes to Disney
(closest and most desirable pocket for Disney-area buyers)
Central Davenport:
20–30 minutes
South Davenport:
30+ minutes
ChampionsGate is consistently closer and more reliable for daily Disney access.
💰 5. Affordability & Cost of Living
⭐ ChampionsGate
Higher pricing on average due to:
- resort amenities
- STR performance
- community reputation
- proximity to I-4
HOAs can be significantly higher in STR zones.
⭐ Davenport
Davenport is one of the best values in the Disney Bubble.
You’ll often find:
✔ lower home prices
✔ lower HOA fees
✔ more new construction for the money
✔ larger lots
✔ more traditional suburban value
This is where many relocating families stretch their budget further.
💦 6. Amenities Comparison
⭐ ChampionsGate
ChampionsGate is KING of amenities:
- Oasis Club water park
- lazy river
- slides
- fitness center
- movie theater
- tiki bar
- multiple pools
- golf courses
- playgrounds
It’s a vacation-at-home lifestyle.
⭐ Davenport
Most Davenport suburbs offer:
- neighborhood pools
- playgrounds
- walking trails
- pocket parks
- clubhouses (varies by community)
Some resort subdivisions (Solterra, Providence, etc.) come closer to the ChampionsGate feel…
but across Davenport overall, amenities are more “suburban standard.”
🎒 7. Schools & Family Appeal
⭐ ChampionsGate
ChampionsGate does not have schools inside the community.
Families typically attend:
- Four Corners Charter
- Four Corners Upper School
- Davenport School of the Arts
- Local private schools
The school experience is accessible but not walkable.
⭐ Davenport
Davenport has more school options integrated into suburban neighborhoods, including:
- Davenport Elementary
- Loughman Oaks
- Ridge Community High
- Multiple charter options
- Several daycare + preschool centers
Families wanting a traditional school rhythm often prefer Davenport.
⚖️ 8. STR Potential
⭐ ChampionsGate
ChampionsGate is one of the STR giants in the Disney area.
Homes in The Retreat and Oasis Club zones perform extremely well.
Best for:
✔ investors
✔ hybrid buyers
✔ themed-home owners
✔ group vacation rentals
⭐ Davenport
STRs depend heavily on the community.
Some Davenport neighborhoods are STR legal and perform well…
others are purely residential.
Best STR-friendly Davenport pockets:
- Solterra
- Providence
- Highlands Reserve (golf community)
- Northeast Davenport resort sections
Overall, ChampionsGate offers more consistent STR performance.
🧠 9. Pros & Cons Summary
⭐ ChampionsGate Pros
✔ incredible amenities
✔ great STR returns
✔ newer homes
✔ convenience to shopping
✔ close to Disney
✔ resort lifestyle
⭐ ChampionsGate Cons
✘ busy during peak tourism seasons
✘ higher HOA fees
✘ less residential feel
✘ I-4 traffic factor
✘ more transient energy
⭐ Davenport Pros
✔ better affordability
✔ more full-time neighborhoods
✔ more space for the money
✔ calmer daily lifestyle
✔ diverse home styles
✔ lower HOAs (depending on the subdivision)
⭐ Davenport Cons
✘ farther from Disney (depending on pocket)
✘ fewer resort-style amenities
✘ more driving for entertainment
✘ newer areas still developing retail/dining
🎯 10. Who Should Choose Which?
⭐ ChampionsGate is best for:
✔ STR investors
✔ hybrid buyers (use + rent)
✔ families who LOVE amenities
✔ Disney weekenders
✔ buyers wanting a lively, social community
✔ large vacation-home owners
⭐ Davenport is best for:
✔ families relocating full-time
✔ buyers wanting value
✔ quieter suburban lifestyles
✔ more space for the budget
✔ long-term living
✔ buyers not needing daily resort amenities
✨ Ready to Compare ChampionsGate vs Davenport With an Expert?
Choosing between resort-style living and suburban comfort can feel overwhelming… especially from out of state. You don’t have to guess.
I’ll walk you through each neighborhood, help you understand the lifestyle differences, and guide you toward the best match for your family’s goals.
👉 Schedule your Disney Bubble Relocation Strategy Call
Let’s find the community that feels like home… and gets you closer to the Magic.
I’m Timothy Carter, your dedicated Disney World Orlando area relocation expert with The Funk Collection brokered by eXp Realty.
I specialize in helping Disney lovers & theme park enthusiasts find their perfect home or vacation investment property. I’m here to help turn your dreams into reality!
You’ll find everything you need to know about living in the greater Orlando area – from neighborhood guides, real estate tips & the lifestyle of living near the theme parks, to insider advice on relocating to this magical place.
My family moved to Orlando to LIVE the ultimate Disney lifestyle!
You can too! I can help! Click here —-> Meet With Timothy Carter

