Disney Launches "Storyliving" Neighborhoods, For People wanting more Disney in their Lives

[BrianL]

My apologies, the concept is foreign to me. I had never heard of such a thing, it doesn't exist in my country.

It came across to me as an isolated perfect community where the sun always shines, birds always sing and nothing ever goes wrong. A bit like Stepford, for people who want to live in a fantasy world.

So, how does this work, a company decides to build a couple of houses, adds some stores, calls it a community with signs everywhere 'sponsored by x'?

That's basically it. The corporation will keep things upscale and nice, and anyone who wants to buy into it (and can afford it) can do so. It's an interesting idea, but as mentioned in this thread, they tried it before with Celebration, Florida. It's hard to see how it would work long-term, but with the housing market being so hot right now, I can understand the motivation. Of course, we'll see if they can build it before that bubble bursts.

 

[Redart59]

My apologies, the concept is foreign to me. I had never heard of such a thing, it doesn't exist in my country.

It came across to me as an isolated perfect community where the sun always shines, birds always sing and nothing ever goes wrong. A bit like Stepford, for people who want to live in a fantasy world.

So, how does this work, a company decides to build a couple of houses, adds some stores, calls it a community with signs everywhere 'sponsored by x'?

They are pretty common here especially for retirees. We are currently building a home in one in Florida. I can’t speak to all communities but Yes, there are many stores, restaurants and recreation centers for activities but to my knowledge, none are sponsored.
Residents pay a monthly fee to have the grounds looking gorgeous, the pools heated and cleaned, the golf cart paths maintained and the hundreds if not thousands of clubs that available.

residents are NOT required to join any clubs or use the facilities but they pay the monthly fee, if they choose to use them or not.

communities like this are not for everyone. My next couple of sentences are going to sound rigid to some but the rules are meant to keep
Property values up and the community looking nice.
residents are required to keep the outside of their homes in pristine condition. Houses must be power washed/ painted when needed. Grass must be cut/edged/ and clippings picked up at all times.
paint color of exterior house must be approved
Lawn ornaments/structures must be approved before being out in your yard.
Christmas and other holiday decorations are allowed for 3 weeks before the holiday and and must be takes down within a short period after. You can’t stack ladders or extra building material on the outside of your garage. Boats/RV’s are not allowed to be parked or stored on the outside of property.(you are allowed to park one in your driveway for a day or 2 when packing and unpacking for a vacation)
There is more but these are the things I see takes about most. Like I said, these communities are not for everyone but I’m happy they exist for those of us who want our neighbors to be required to keep their house looking good.

 

[jjb1974]

If you thought the average HOA was a pain, just wait for this......

Absolutely this. Also, every neighbor will be a narc of the highest degree. Imagine the hellspawn you'd get if Nextdoor and an HOA had a child, and you've got a pretty good idea of your neighbors in this thing.

 

[dato63]

I have to admit, I was already looking at 55+ communities in Florida before this was announced. So, I'm intrigued.

I doubt whatever Disney comes up with will be in my price range - but I still would like to look at it. Like anything else - I can afford more than some people, and less than a whole lot of others. Then, budget aside - there is still preference. . .we all like something different. But I still enjoy looking.

 

[BeachClub2014]

"These master-planned communities are intended to inspire residents to foster new friendships, pursue their interests and write the next exciting chapter in their lives -- all while enjoying the attention to detail, unique amenities and special touches that are Disney hallmarks," Disney said in a press release.

To each their own, I suppose. No judgment from me if people find this type of planned community appealing. Sounds like living in Wayward Pines to me.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

 

[MiraclesTakeTime]

They have another one in Florida. The houses are in the millions. Gorgeous but expensive.

 

[DodgerGirl]

If you've seen the commercials for the Del Webb housing communities on TV I think this is what Disney is trying to do and my view of it is that Disney will start with adding a Residence Inn styled hotel then add apartments and possibly a trailer park and then add cabins much like KOA Kampgrounds does and then add a shopping center with a supermarket restaurants and places like a bank a hair salon a fitness center and even a medical clinic would do wonders for it. Because ever since the success of vacation timeshares and the DVC I think Disney will have the perfect idea to branch out into other projects to focus on besides vacations and the theme parks and the cruise line. And if it all goes as planned it will work miracles

 

[DisneyAuntie12]

I think a potential problem is that Disney is beloved because it is a form of escape for people. That escapism disappears the minute you make it your everyday life. If you hate your job, you're still going to hate it as you Zoom call from your Disney townhouse. If you have no free time, you're still going to have no free time as you race to and from your Disney sponsored house every morning and evening. If you don't get along with your neighbors... well, you get the idea.

I remember when I was younger and renting, I would change rentals frequently. I would ooo and aaaah over all of the benefits described in the advertisements, imagining how awesome things would be when I finally had a heated pool, or a deluxe gym area, or free coffee every morning, or a a five minute walk to an adorable downtown area... In the end those things are nice but you forget about them so quickly if you are caught up in the day to day hustle, because that day to day hustle is really what defines your life, not the deluxe kitchen area in your apartment. (An exception might be retirement communities. In that case perhaps the Disney vibe would take more fully.)

 

[NotUrsula]

If you've seen the commercials for the Del Webb housing communities on TV I think this is what Disney is trying to do and my view of it is that Disney will start with adding a Residence Inn styled hotel then add apartments and possibly a trailer park and then add cabins much like KOA Kampgrounds does and then add a shopping center with a supermarket restaurants and places like a bank a hair salon a fitness center and even a medical clinic would do wonders for it. Because ever since the success of vacation timeshares and the DVC I think Disney will have the perfect idea to branch out into other projects to focus on besides vacations and the theme parks and the cruise line. And if it all goes as planned it will work miracles

There will absolutely be NO trailer parks or cabins and there will probably not be hotels, either. This is going to essentially be the Villages by Disney, so expect the same concept and an even higher construction standard: for every 1000 or so residential units, there will be a central "market" area where a supermarket, restaurants and some services like medical offices, dry cleaners will be located, along some recreational areas, surrounded by single-family homes and some "villa" residences (which are semi-detached and sold as condo units for a slightly lower price.) Some homes will have their own small pools, but there will be a community pool with a clubhouse for every 30 units or so. Exercise classes will be held in the clubhouses, along with more sedentary activities like book clubs and card games. As RedArt59 pointed out, owner covenants will be very strict, and HOA fees will be accordingly steep.

Personally, I wouldn't live in a suburban community of this type if you paid me to do so, but many, many retirees just love them. More power to them if I make money on it as a Disney shareholder.

PS: What will be interesting, given that Disney is the developer, is whether they will experiment with some "mixed age adjacent" communities as well. Typically, retirement communities like this ban children from living there and even from visiting for more than a few nights at a time, but there are some new planned communities that have begun to group all-age developments adjacent to retirement communities, so that it is convenient for adult kids to easily check on Mom & Dad, and the grandkids can go hang out for a while after school.

PPS: To the overseas poster who asked if the corporation builds a couple of homes? Not hardly. Developments like this are typically very large and contain thousands of homes. The Villages, which is less than 100 miles from WDW and is the most successful community of this type, currently has about 60,000 single-family homes and semi-detached villas, with more continuously under construction. It is spread out over 3 counties. (Notably, there is no dedicated public transportation there for residents, though there is one public bus route on the Sumter County side, which I understand is mostly used by daily caregivers); Villages residents drive everywhere, often via golf cart.) This is an aerial photo of a typical section of the Villages:

 

[DVChris]

Just read an article that showed this overall plan for the community.

 

[DLgal]

There will absolutely be NO trailer parks or cabins and there will probably not be hotels, either. This is going to essentially be the Villages by Disney, so expect the same concept and an even higher construction standard: for every 1000 or so residential units, there will be a central "market" area where a supermarket, restaurants and some services like medical offices, dry cleaners will be located, along some recreational areas, surrounded by single-family homes and some "villa" residences (which are semi-detached and sold as condo units for a slightly lower price.) Some homes will have their own small pools, but there will be a community pool with a clubhouse for every 30 units or so. Exercise classes will be held in the clubhouses, along with more sedentary activities like book clubs and card games. As RedArt59 pointed out, owner covenants will be very strict, and HOA fees will be accordingly steep.

Personally, I wouldn't live in a suburban community of this type if you paid me to do so, but many, many retirees just love them. More power to them if I make money on it as a Disney shareholder.

PS: What will be interesting, given that Disney is the developer, is whether they will experiment with some "mixed age adjacent" communities as well. Typically, retirement communities like this ban children from living there and even from visiting for more than a few nights at a time, but there are some new planned communities that have begun to group all-age developments adjacent to retirement communities, so that it is convenient for adult kids to easily check on Mom & Dad, and the grandkids can go hang out for a while after school.

PPS: To the overseas poster who asked if the corporation builds a couple of homes? Not hardly. Developments like this are typically very large and contain thousands of homes. The Villages, which is less than 100 miles from WDW and is the most successful community of this type, currently has about 60,000 single-family homes and semi-detached villas, with more continuously under construction. It is spread out over 3 counties. (Notably, there is no dedicated public transportation there for residents, though there is one public bus route on the Sumter County side, which I understand is mostly used by daily caregivers); Villages residents drive everywhere, often via golf cart.) This is an aerial photo of a typical section of the Villages:

This is not going to be a retirement community. It is going to be more similar to Celebration than The Villages. It will have "at least one" section dedicated to 55+ residents, but will be primarily age unrestricted.

The neighborhood (they are called villages here) I currently live in is like this. It is a mix of several different types of houses (apartments, attached and detached townhomes and condos, single family bungalow style homes and large 5+ bedroom "estate" style houses) and has one section that is specifically for 55+, where the home prices are lower, the homes are all one story, and they have their own dedicated pool, fitness center and clubhouse.

Our village shares 4 junior olympic pools, a fitness center, clubhouse, bbq grills, and several private parks. We have an adjacent shopping center (every village gets it's own, although they are open to anyone). The 55+ area is gated.