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Living Large....Disney-style
Living Large Disney-style
...Once again...people with money are afforded "luxuries" that the "common guest" can't get:
You say you're thoroughly smitten with all things Disney? You say you've been known to joke that you'd practically live at Walt Disney World if you could?
Got millions of dollars to spare?
That's more or less the cost of admission for owning a home at Golden Oak, an upscale, gated and guarded subdivision that Disney is developing almost in the shadow of its iconic theme parks here -- the development is just three miles away from Disney World.
But unlike the popular Disney theme parks, these homes are not approachable for the masses.
At prices ranging from $1.5 million to upwards of $8 million, the developer promises a house and neighborhood with the hallmarks it has carefully cultivated for decades: meticulous attention to detail; extensive personal service; and, if you're so inclined, a daily dose of Mickey, Minnie and the crew.
Golden Oak's development team is courting a very well-heeled clientele of Disney diehards that it's certain are out there, in addition to others who may be lured less by "The Little Mermaid" than by the promise of tight security and a deep trust in the Disney brand.
"That's the gold standard for quality," said Richie Galaska, an Orlando, Fla., real estate agent who said he has taken clients to see Golden Oak and who himself lives in Celebration, an earlier -- and much different -- Disney residential development.
He can see Golden Oak's appeal for highly affluent buyers, he said. "For an individual who's looking for an ultra-exclusive address, you'd expect a certain amount of security and confidence in the developer," Galaska said.
Although Florida abounds in upscale communities that promote a "lifestyle" of one kind or another, Golden Oak's planners think the Disney brand is the not-so-secret weapon that sets it apart: Buy here, goes part of the sales pitch, and get years of virtually unlimited access to Disney properties in the surrounding area.
"We've never done this for anybody else," explained Stacey Thomson, public relations manager for Golden Oak, who said that buyers in the current sales phase will get three years' worth of unlimited VIP-access passes to the parks for the homeowner and four guests, in addition to such services as door-to-park van service, access to special events, and numerous other Disney-esque benefits that don't accrue to the typical visitor.
Walt Disney World is inarguably popular -- in 2010 it had 17 million "guests," making it the most-visited theme park on the planet. But among them, are there hardcore fans who'd be interested in "la vida Disney"?
"Millions of people are like that," Thomson said. "We developed Golden Oak because we have this population of guests who have such a high affinity for our brand. They told us they wanted more. They asked, 'How do I get more access?' "
This prototypical "affinity" customer may visit Disney properties, including the ones in other countries, several times a year, and they're partial to Disney cruises, she said.
Golden Oak is the corporation's first foray into subdivision-type housing since Disney began sales at its Celebration community in 1995. But the new development, with its official insistence on "Tuscan" and Mediterranean styling (set out in a thick book of architectural regulations), is deliberately not another nostalgic, picket-fenced, Celebration village.
"It's totally different from Celebration," said Thomson. "Celebration was a stand-alone community with its own schools, own churches, etc."
Where Celebration was conceived as a full-fledged town with a large contingent of full-time residents and a share of units at a much lower price point, Golden Oak is a sprawling, 980-acre subdivision that will function more as a gilt-edged resort.
That is, though Golden Oak residents are expected to shell out millions for a home that bears the Disney imprimatur, they're highly unlikely to actually live there full time.
"Most of our buyers will probably spend a few months a year here," Thomson said. "These will be their second or even third homes."
And homebuyers can't expect to underwrite their investments here by leasing out their abodes to vacationers -- short-term rentals are prohibited, thus reducing the prospect of 20-somethings throwing a spring break kegger next door.
But when the homeowners are in residence, their roomy-to-sprawling houses are intended to be magic kingdoms in their own right.
The various gated neighborhoods within Golden Oak eventually will be filled with 450 highly customized houses that abound in granite countertops, crown moldings, pools, fountains, elaborate stonework and other trappings of wealth.
Concierge service will offer to arrange everything from decorating the house for Christmas to catering dinner to stocking your refrigerator before you fly into Orlando for the week -- for a fee, of course.
A 16,000-square-foot clubhouse, to be completed this year, will have a restaurant, pool, fitness center and a demonstration kitchen to host residents-only events, such as Disney restaurant sommeliers conducting wine tastings. Children's activities will claim a fair amount of space in the building, Thomson said, including an area with a 106-inch television screen.
There will, indeed, be kids at Golden Oak, at least part time, though maybe not the ones the developers anticipated: Disney presumed homebuyers would be in their 60s and dreaming of a Disney magnet for their grandchildren, Thomson said.
"They've skewed much younger than that," she said. "We've had some buyers in their 40s, but mostly they're in their 50s. Typically, they're early retirees who look to bring their children.
"Our buyers see this access to Walt Disney World as a legacy product, something to pass on to their children and then to their grandchildren," she said.
And so far, no mortgages -- they're paying cash, she said.
"We haven't seen effects from the recession," Thomson said. "The kind of buyer we're appealing to hasn't been affected."
Disney doesn't release sales figures for the development, which it began marketing in mid-2010. But its sales literature designates 21 properties in the first phase of 81 lots as "sold," with several other sales pending.
At this point, there aren't many neighbors. Thomson said five owners have moved in, with half a dozen others scheduled in the next two months. On a recent day, construction activity was ubiquitous and Thomson said sales are running ahead of company projections; Disney anticipates a full build-out to take about a decade.
The true-blue Disney fans have, indeed, materialized, she said, and touches in the homes reflect their affection for the brand. One homeowner who is building a sprawling custom home, for example, is putting in a fireworks-viewing stand to take in the parks' nightly pyrotechnic shows. Another homeowner embellished her custom-made glass interior doors with likenesses of the Disney characters.
Laura Bennett, a branding expert who owns an Orlando public relations firm, held her wedding a few years ago at Disney's Epcot Center <?>. She admits to being "a bit of a Disney nut," and thinks there are plenty of like-minded souls who would pony up significant bucks to satisfy, as Thomson termed it, their "affinity."
"Disney's selling wholesome living," Bennett said. "And safety. And fun. You can go to the Disney parks at night to eat. There's something going on every night -- there's music and fireworks. You'd have a life, not just a cool house."
But Ron Kurtz, president of the Atlanta-based, American Affluence Research Center, which studies the attitudes of the wealthy, is less sure.
"Disney gets a tremendous number of upscale visitors, and I think the brand stands for quality and service and integrity," he said. "But I don't see access to the parks as a major item for the affluent people who might be looking at a pre-retirement home."
Still, Kurtz said, maybe he's missing something.
"I spent the night with friends in Orlando recently -- retirees who are absolutely well-off, affluent people," he said. "They buy annual passes to the parks for hundreds of dollars a year, and they have Disney knickknacks all over the house. They have Disney wallpaper in their guest bathroom.
"There's definitely some sort of emotional connection that people have with Disney," he said "But it's a little bit beyond my understanding."
Former WDW Magic Kingdom Cast Member (2001-2010): Main Street Parades/WDWRR Engineer/Conductor; Frontierland Attractions; Tomorrowland Attractions
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I'm sorry, but I still find this completely and utterly distasteful. The idea that in the midst of one of the largest backlashes in history against excess and corporate greed and all that, that Disney would build some playground for millionairs in the Magic Kingdom's backyard just makes me want to puke.
Ian șOș
INTERCOT Senior Imagineer
Veteran of over 60 trips to Disney theme parks and proud to have stayed in every Disney resort in the continental United States! ș0ș
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Maybe if a hundred of us go in on it... well, Ian's out, but anyone else?
Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
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Maybe if a hundred of us go in on it... well, Ian's out, but anyone else?
But after staying in the Castle (has he told you that story?), this just wouldn't be good enough for Ian
Steve
First visit: Disneyland, July 17, 1955 (well, somebody had to be there on opening day!)
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Sorry. I just couldn't resist.
Steve
First visit: Disneyland, July 17, 1955 (well, somebody had to be there on opening day!)
Most Recent Visit:
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Originally Posted by Ian
I'm sorry, but I still find this completely and utterly distasteful. The idea that in the midst of one of the largest backlashes in history against excess and corporate greed and all that, that Disney would build some playground for millionairs in the Magic Kingdom's backyard just makes me want to puke.
So, because someone has been fortunate enough to have oodles of dough (for what ever reason) they are not allowed to enjoy it because it might be "distasteful" to some people?
Millionaires spending money puts people to work. More power to them because my goal is to be "that millionaire" that people love to hate.
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There are plenty of other places for millionaires to spend their money. I don't find millionaires distasteful at all. Like you, I'd prefer to be one.
Ian șOș
INTERCOT Senior Imagineer
Veteran of over 60 trips to Disney theme parks and proud to have stayed in every Disney resort in the continental United States! ș0ș
Next trip:
April 2018 - Saratoga Springs Treehouse
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By the way, did I ever mention that we got to stay in the Castle once? I was just getting off Expedition Everest when out of nowhere .......
Ian șOș
INTERCOT Senior Imagineer
Veteran of over 60 trips to Disney theme parks and proud to have stayed in every Disney resort in the continental United States! ș0ș
Next trip:
April 2018 - Saratoga Springs Treehouse
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I say Kudos to Disney for this project.
And so far, no mortgages -- they're paying cash, she said.
If this trend continues, just absolute brilliance.
Originally Posted by Main Street Jim
...Once again...people with money are afforded "luxuries" that the "common guest" can't get:
Well... yea. I mean, isn't that the way it's supposed to be?
Jeff
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I thought the promoter/marketer's comments were insensitive and offensive. No one needs to advertise that these homes will be 2nd/3rd homes and not occupied much of the time. Also - their clients haven't been hurt by this recession. In fact, everything's been paid in cash. WOW! So much of the quotes in the interview were totally not necessary. That's salt in the wounds of those who are suffering right now.
I don't begrudge them their conspicuous consumption, it's their life/their choices. But why not focus on the positives and let others just enjoy the details and dream?
We have many instances of multiple families moving in together just to survive in northern MI. I would agree with Ian - very distasteful press for this new project.
Jill
14 visits (WDW)
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the development is just three miles away from Disney World.
Huh? This 'development' is on Disney property, just down from the new kennels and Ft. Wilderness.
And this just feels like old news to me. It's been being developed for awhile now.
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Uh, I'd buy one of those houses in a SECOND if I could.
I don't begrudge the uber rich the things that they have. Some have worked insanely hard for their money; some are just lucky and got rich for nothing. Either way, of all the self indulgent ways I've heard of millionaires spending their money, this is one of the LEAST offensive to me.
When is John Stamos moving in?
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
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I want one'!!!!!!!!!!!,
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Originally Posted by SBETigg
Maybe if a hundred of us go in on it... well, Ian's out, but anyone else?
Count me in
- Lynn -
INTERCOT Staff: Theme Parks, DVC
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Millionaires spending money puts people to work. More power to them because my goal is to be "that millionaire" that people love to hate.[/QUOTE]
All I could think about when I read the article was how many jobs are going to be created by Door to Door van Drivers and House Decorators, Pool Cleaners and Personal Chefs...
Lets see, I do have my comercial drivers license, wonder how much those guys get plus tips..... (lol)
Sounds like a win / win to me!
Forever
Rely
On
God!!!
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Originally Posted by SBETigg
Maybe if a hundred of us go in on it... well, Ian's out, but anyone else?
Sherri, I'm IN!
Kathy șoș
LET'S GO BUCS!
Next trip - June '14
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