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If you’ve ever dreamed of living closer to Walt Disney World, there are a million and one ways to do it. There are even realty groups in the Orlando area that cater to those wanting to move in next door to Mickey.
But for whatever reason, the former Miss Florida, Monica Craichy, and her husband KC, decided to move further from the Mouse, leaving to hungry realtors a 16,000 square-foot mansion just begging to be inhabited.
The sprawling 10-bedroom, 10-bathroom spread at 9225 Lake Mabel Drive listed in Orlando by agent and broker/owner of Windermere-based Florida Golf & Beaches, LLC, Karan Wienker, just sold for $12.5 million to an unnamed buyer, represented by Patricia France of Kissimmee-based Happy Days Realty, LLC–the most money to ever switch hands in a single home purchase in Orange County.
We should mention it was a 100% cash transaction as well.
And if it’s true that it’s all about location, location, location, the mansion on Lake Mabel Drive has it all. The nearly 13 acres on which the mansion sits shares a property line with some of Disney’s conservation land.
Lakefront. Check.
Next door to Disney. Check
Only 90 minutes to the nearest beach. Check.
And then you take a look inside . . .
The French Provincial mansion is gorgeous and beyond spacious, but not quite as stuffy and assuming as you might think when you first arrive.
A double bridal staircase greets guests of the mansion and moves their eyes toward the uppermost part of the room, toward the domed rotunda set above them. The Main Room is 25 feet by 23 feet and boasts a fireplace with a mantle inspired by the one found inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom.
Belle would adore the two-story library/study that’s warm and invites guests to come in, choose a book and stay for a while.
The bedrooms are lavish and spacious, but inviting and warm.
There are movie theaters (yes, theaters, as in more than one) and a game room, and the pantry off the kitchen is a homemaker’s dream.
There are offices, studies and sitting rooms throughout the home, and the estate even boasts 2 private apartments.
And we haven’t even stepped outside yet.
Once outside, guests are overwhelmed by breathtaking, unencumbered views of Lake Mabel, just past the dock and covered boathouse.
Closer up to the estate itself, there is a full outdoor kitchen, a travertine coped deck, a pool with spillover spa, rose and herb gardens and more.
With 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, 3 half-bathrooms, fruit trees, views of Disney World fireworks every night, a four-car garage, 3 fireplaces and an exterior made of hand-hewn limestone spun from silk and brick, what more could you want? You might just forget that Disney World sits right over the horizon to the south!
