'We moved to Disney so we could go to the parks every day before work'
A couple cut back on luxuries and relocated to Florida to visit Walt Disney World every day.
Jessica Pruitt, 41, made the decision to move 560 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina, US, after her husband, Wes, 54, took her to Disney World for the first time when she was 35 and she "fell in love". Jessica became enchanted with the "magic of it" after her first visit and the pair went twice a year from then on - before deciding to make the move when their children moved out.
The couple moved to Davenport, Florida, in July 2022 - just seven miles away from the parks. Now they go to the parks every day - often first thing in the morning before work or in the evening. Jessica and Wes, a mortgage broker, spent $1,400 (£1,149) each on a top tier annual season pass which they pay for monthly to spilt up the cost.
The pair make Disney a "priority" and cut back on weekly food shops, luxuries such as expensive clothes and Jessica getting her nails done so they can afford their hobby. Jessica, a content creator, said: "This is our priority. This is what brings us joy. It's easy to do."
"As my priorities change, we don't have so much in the house. I love the magic of Disney." Jessica had watched Disney films growing up but wasn't aware of Disney World until Wes took her in 2017. She said: "Wes bought me to Disney for the first time at 35. As a child I didn't know Disney world existed.
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The couple decided they wanted to spend as much time at Disney World as possible (Jessica Pruitt / SWNS)
Jessica and Wes have cut back on luxuries to pay for their trips to Disney World (Jessica Pruitt / SWNS)"When he bought me, I fell in love." she confessed. The family started visiting the parks twice a year and became completely hooked." A health scare in the family after retirement made Jessica and Wes reassess their priorities and wonder why they weren't grabbing life as firmly by the horns as they might.
"We thought 'why wait until retirement to spend our money?' We might be too old then," Jessica explained.
The couple, tired of their housing estate in Charlotte, North Carolina, decided to make a change when house prices fell and their children moved out. "We lived in a small town. We wanted a change of pace. We thought 'let's do it.' This is what is going to keep us active," Jessica shared.
Their pass allows them access to the park all year round, with no blackout days, and early entry during the summer. Jessica cut back on shopping for clothes and luxuries to prioritise her love of Disney. They also get discounts on food and merchandise in the parks.
The couple often walk 25 to 30 miles a week just by wandering around the parks. "I love it. The other night we went to Animal Kingdom and grabbed dinner and rode 'Flight of Passage' and walked around and came home," Jessica said.
"It makes us a little spoilt. If it's busy we just hop to different park. I love all the parks depending on my mood, but Magic Kingdom is the most magical." The cartoon land enthusiast has now turned her Disney content creation into a full-time job, providing an all-inclusive guide to the parks.
Her partner Wes still works full time, so they often visit the park early in the morning or in the evening. Jessica explained: "We do it around his schedule. We can get in the park in summer at 6.45am and then get back in time for work. We love doing everything together. We hate to be apart."
Jessica loves the merchandise but tries to limit her purchases to maintain a "minimalist" lifestyle. She expressed: "Sometimes I say it's like going to church. It's peace from the crazy world and triggers relief inside you."
On the top of her favourite character, Jessica is a big Mickey Mouse fan and currently loves the Guardians of the Galaxy ride in Epcot most. Jessica added: "It's not boring. We've lived here for a year, and we've not done it all. There's so much to do."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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