Golden Oak

[SamiL]

i AM LOOKING IN TO ONE

I am looking into lottery tickets. If I win all my DIS friends are invited to my housewarming party.

 

[joelkfla]

I have looked on the map and compared it to where it should be, but it looks like it's in the same area as Fort Wilderness. Are they taking part of FW out to put these homes in?

It's the former location of Eagle Pines Golf Course. East of FtW, and north of POR. The entrance road is a northward extension of Bonnet Creek, the road on which the entrances to both sides of PO are, which used to end at Vista.

Here's a map: http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=28.400740964944496~-81.55442891009141&lvl=15&sty=h

It still shows the golf course, but if you switch to "bird's eye view", you see the ground clearing for the development in some places.

 

[doconeill]

The "map" showing the location on the official site is exaggerated. Yes, it shows it being approximately where Ft. Wilderness is on the shores of Bay Lake. But it is actually east of there.

That map also shows that the "WDW Resort" extends practically all the way to 535, which it doesn't. Those kinds of maps are often exaggerated.

 

[tinkerfan1]

I agree with Mom B and Lockedoutlogic and MJStaceyUofM, too! I don't think Walt would have approved of this. That being said, if I WON a bajillion dollars, would I buy one of these?? I don't know. I don't think so. Too extravagant for my taste. As much as I'd love to live at Disney World, I think I'd find another way. More DVC points or something. Plus, if I had that much money, I'd be finding ways to bring the "magic" to others by taking them to Disney World. That's just me, though, and off subject. I doubt it will fail, too, though. Sickening as it may be.

 

[peter11435]

That map also shows that the "WDW Resort" extends practically all the way to 535, which it doesn't.

Actually there are some places where Disney property does extend all the way to 535. The area on the map that is shown along 535 is in fact Disney property. Much of this area is the location of the Hotel Plaza Blvd Resorts near Downtown Disney.

 

[hugApug]

I'd rather see another theme park built than 450 luxury homes. I imagine this area will be gated, and us commonfolk(aka cannot afford a $1.5-8 million home) won't even get to sneak a peek.

 

[mitros]

I'd rather see another theme park built than 450 luxury homes. I imagine this area will be gated, and us commonfolk(aka cannot afford a $1.5-8 million home) won't even get to sneak a peek.

Man, you said a mouthful. And as an example, they should double the size of Fantasyland instead. It is always SOOO crowded!

 

[Beachangel]

I think its a cool idea.

 

[solpo]

Just a thought here, but I remember Walt building Club 33 in Disneyland. It was a special, private, club with special privileges that was open only to a select few with an original focus on corporate sponsors. We tend to forget that Walt was not only a creative man but also a quite brilliant businessman.

Remember.... Anyone CAN own a home at Golden Oak. All that it takes is money and, ultimately, anyone can earn money. They just have to be willing to do what is necessary. That's what makes America great, and given Walt's history of patriotism, I'm not sure he'd disagree.

What I'm sure he WOULD disagree with is parceling off land. What Walt did to acquire WDW could not be repeated today, and to sell off any piece of the property is, ultimately, an awful idea. Money's great, but it's not forever. Perhaps they should add a Jack and the Beanstalk ride somewhere on property so that management can learn about the value of magic beans....

 

[TwoAtDisney]

We are the "haves"; we are not the "have nots". We who can afford a trip to WDW (especially in these economic times) are the "haves", as judged by those who cannot afford such - & doesn't their judgment count as much as ours? I've not seen any posts against those who can afford to stay at the GF, in the villas, buy WDW timeshare, etc., while others stay in the Value Resorts and/or can only afford to camp at FW or lodge off-site. So, why would we think there is a monetary cap set by Walt on who is entitled to buy/lodge at WDW? That monetary cap is in the eye of the beholder & not logical or IMO gracious when wanting to exclude others because of what they can afford.

Maybe a distant future buy in Grand Oaks will be possible. The prices in Celebration have been sliced in half. I have always kept track of such, & a recent search revealed condos in the $70,000s (nice ones too; in the past, we rented at 2 locations; run from $700s month; not much more annually than some folks pay for a vacation to a deluxe WDW resort). Hmmm, too bad, but Grand Oaks at half price is still too high for me.

Regarding developing Golden Oaks vs. expanding the parks - $$ in vs. $$ out!

I think Golden Oaks will eventually be removed from the Disney property, just as Celebration was. In that case, it won't even be a Disney issue.

The famous & infamous already have homes in the area (Britney Spears, sports figures, lots of partying going on according to the locals we've talked with, but behind their own gates - many are located off of 535 just before Dr. Phillips). So, the Golden Oaks folks won't add any different antics than what is already at WDW. Any antics in/at their homes will be behind the 'Golden Gates' at the Golden Oaks, so none of us will see/hear it anyways - except in the media. So, the character of the Golden Oaks inhabitants shouldn't be a concern for us WDW visitors.

I say enjoy your Disney time, be thankful for the opportunity to partake, & don't begrudge anyone else's opportunity.

Julie

 

[jlwhitney]

All in all, I know alot of people on these boards are not happy with it but when you look at the big picture and the milllions of people that go to Disney every year...I feel like a very small percentage of people will even care that they exsist or what they are for.

There will always be something that we want or feel entitled too that we wont ever get.

Honestly, wheter I could or could not buy a place there makes no difference to me since living that close would ruin the feel of going there for vacation home. Yes it could be a vacation home, but I have never wanted to own one anywhere since I love seeing new places.

In the end, I think the main peopple you will see living there are going to be retired people and people that own it as a vacation home.

Plus, the montly fees to own there are going to be $$$$$.

Money and fancy houses and such do not usually bring happiness....Happiness is an attitude more than anything else.

 

[SoScary'09]

If Golden Oaks went through, and they expanded the idea in the future, WDW would eventually be surrounded by onsite houses and suburbs and the magic itself would just be gone.

(Not that I don't wish I could live there, but still...)

 

[jlwhitney]

Magic is something we believe in inside of us.....it is not something created...if that is going to let someone taint there view then it will.

Now...i really dont see all 450 homes to be builts...but having 100 ish vaction homes/retired people is really not going to do much harm at all..if anything it will boost spending in the parks...which will create jobs and will allow for more variety in the shops that some people miss so much.

yes the economy is bad now but it will go up....basic therory of economics....the worst part is consumer spending is such a hugh driving force in the economy...so those with extra money who wont spend it need to..

Some of the fine print:
The features, amenities and facilities described and depicted herein are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change without notice. Actual development may not be as currently proposed. No guarantee is made that the features, amenities and facilities depicted or otherwise described herein will be built or, if built, will be of the same type, size or nature as depicted or described herein. The Summerhouse and Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort are only proposed; therefore, they have no anticipated construction schedule and are not guaranteed.

 

[skiingfast]

In my area they built one. The businesses near it suffered. They lost staff because they didn't want to put up with 4 season guests coming into their store and demanding all sorts of off the wall things. One way to say this is the guests simply don't know where the 4season property ends. Charge it to my room, and isn't this included for us, comes up way too often. I really feel bad for CM's who will soon be treated like this.

The worst offender I can remember is one of the 4season owners, Prince Al Weleed of Suadi Arabia. I doubt he ever knew, but he isn't in touch with reality. He is of course the second largest owner of DLP and this is probably why he can affect WDW so much.

This is how golden oaks is going to effect all WDW visitors. The owners will piss off the CMs who have to serve us too. The everyday special things that any guests can access will be split off to only the 4 season guests. I've seen it happen first hand and it doesn't make a place better for it's core guests.

 

[sznk]

...

 

[Tekneek]

Building a luxury home development just seems so contrary to what Walt was about for me. Since the company has decided to dress this up with lots of Walt Disney around it (the names and back story), then it is legitimate to make the connection and criticize them for it.

 

[faneuil]

Why does Golden Oak feel like Celebration part two to me? (Just with bigger price tags).

 

[Tekneek]

Why does Golden Oak feel like Celebration part two to me? (Just with bigger price tags).

It does not even really compare favorably to that. At least Celebration was an example of new urbanism, with it being a mixed use development, which is closer in concept to EPCOT (even if it is not really a community of tomorrow). Golden Oak is a typical luxury residential development. Any number of which can be found in any large metropolitan area. The only difference is the Walt Disney World tie-in.

It seems to be antithetical to what the Disney company has stood for. It is offensive how they tie it into Walt Disney, as if this is the kind of project he would've ever felt like getting behind.

 

[paulh]

Why does Golden Oak feel like Celebration part two to me? (Just with bigger price tags).

that's the same as i said in another tread, in the end Disney will hive it off so it will not be on disney land so they can keep people off "ready creek board"
One of the reasons they sold off celebration
Paul

 

[cindrella]

i m looking....