Disney Selling Celebration?

[gdulaney]

Has anybody heard anything about Disney selling Celebration?

http://www.local6.com/news/2289356/detail.html

 

[JDH]

this doesn't suprise me. Given that the Walt Disney Co. seems to behave more and more like every other large corporation who build empires and then dis-assemble said same in order to get back to their "core business". If the baseball and hockey teams are any example of their managing abilities I doubt that Celebration was being run any better. The sad thing is that some genius will eventually decide that the parks are not "core business". If they already haven't kicked that one around.

 

[Kaitysmom]

Wonder what the residents will think of this? A good part of the appeal was that Disney was tied to the town and that they were trying to capture the essence of an old fashioned neighborhood. Glad I don't live there now - I am really shocked...

 

[Dznefreek]

Given that the Walt Disney Co. seems to behave more and more like every other large corporation

.....because it is like any other large corporation.........bottom-line driven!

Let's not forget Disney is first and foremost in business to make money. Forget that "We are in the making memories" stuff they feed you at Traditions.

 

[alvernon90]

Disney can't sell the "town" of Celebration because they don't own the town, any more than Donald Trump owns New York. They were developers of the community, but the residents own the houses. Celebration has its own government, it's not ruled by Disney.

When you actually look at the very few words there, you'll see that Disney is selling the Town Center shopping complex and the golf course. That's a lot different than "selling Celebration."

 

[PatriciaH]

I wonder how this will affect propery values though? I mean a lot of people living in Celebration moved there because Disney had a hand in creating the town. We looked at a lot of houses there last November and one of the "selling points" was that Disney was involved so you know it is "quality."

 

[MelissathePooh]

DR had a lengthy conversation with a resident of Celebration on a flight back to Michigan one night. I don't remember the particulars but all the residents were well aware that after a certain point Disney was going to revert control back to (and I'm only barely remembering here - could be wrong) the county. As of now there has been a lock on the property taxes, but once this happens property taxes are going to be in control of the county and some residents are pretty concerned about whats going to happen re: increases.

Like I said I don't remember the actual specifics as I only got it by overhearing and repeating of the conversation, but property taxes were involved and Disney was getting out.

Melissa

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by Dznefreek
.....because it is like any other large corporation.........bottom-line driven!

Let's not forget Disney is first and foremost in business to make money. Forget that "We are in the making memories" stuff they feed you at Traditions.

You are correct that is Eisner's view of Disney and saddly more and more of its customers are being brainwashed to think that also. That however was not the way the company was founded nor the way that Walt thought of it.

 

[amw5g]

Originally posted by EUROPA
That however was not the way the company was founded nor the way that Walt thought of it.

"If he's so smart, how come he's dead?"

Seriously, I can't think of a single for-profit company that exists on good intentions alone. As a shareholder AND as born disney enthusiast (married there last year even!) I think that this is a seller's market for central Florida real estate right now. TWDC built into a strong market and I think they're getting out at a near peak. Their marginal revenues from the town are likely dwindling, so I'd look to move now.

Additionally, I seriously doubt that when the company was founded that a concept as unique as Celebration had been hatched. Sure some of the later designs of EPCOT are similar, but I'm all for taking the proceeds from a successful sale and plowing them into other creative channels. Walt also didn't rest on his laurels.

Cheers,
Andrew