"Golden Oak" Sales Begin Today

[Tekneek]

I think I drove by the site while down there last week. If that is indeed it, I hope they do a great job with the landscaping, else the whole thing is really going to look out of place. Personally, I'm hoping we won't be able to see any of the structures from outside.

[TheVBs]

I have to say, the idea of selling off Disney property to private buyers, of any income level, makes me feel queasy. Although I assume that's what Celebration is. I have to admit that I know nothing about Celebration. I also have to admit that this is primarily an emotional reaction.

If this housing community does provide the means to improve the park experience for everyone then, certainly, that would be nice.

But we definitely go for the immersion factor and if anything took away from that it would make me sad.

[Tekneek]

The difference is that Celebration is sort of out of the way, isn't it?

Based on where I recall seeing the Golden Oak signage, I think it is just down the road from Port Orleans. If they are not hidden back behind trees and such, they may stand out to anyone regularly in that section of the property. I can't honestly say that I look forward to that sight.

[KAT1811]

I'm not saying that weathy people don't go to Disney, I guess what I am trying to say is that the wealthy that I personally know only go once in a while for the mandatory trip to please the kids. It's not something they enjoy doing and try to avoid it was much as possible.

Exactly! I know VERY few wealthy people that travel to WDW. Most swear they'll never go, it just isn't their "thing". If they do it is once in a lifetime to say they did it and they swear they will never go back again! So many of our firends tell us we are nuts for the money we spend traveling to WDW. We have four children and go every year at least once. For us we love it. For the rest of our friends they are busy traveling to Hawaii, Europe, the Caribbean, and the rest of the world with the kids and quite often their nanny or they just leave the kids home with the nanny.

[magicofdisney]

I know VERY few wealthy people...

(I could probably sum up with this borrowed statement)

I'm thinking the wealthy that may buy into this experience are more along the lines of celebrities. Maybe I'm wrong, but there are quite a few that go to Disney (somewhat regularly) with their kids. Since the number of homes is limited, the exclusivity coincides with many egoistical personalities that would hold an interest, anyway.

[KAT1811]

(I could probably sum up with this borrowed statement)

You couldn't be more wrong!

[kageese]

I also had a bad "yucky" feeling about this decision. Especially considering the times we are in. Seems like another slap in the face to the "regular Joe".

I think the money would have been better spent on smaller more affordable vacation homes you can actually purchase versus the DVC time-share thing.

I think Disney lacks in the suites/larger family/affordability area of the resorts.

I hear so many families opt to stay off property because they can't find the right accommodations on-site. They are missing out on the full on-site experience of it all. I think Disney then misses out on more spending dollars because these families are not on-site as long.

[Ian]

I'm thinking the wealthy that may buy into this experience are more along the lines of celebrities.

You're absolutely correct. Every name I've heard thus far that's bought one of these or is considering purchasing one has been a name you'd all know. Pro athletes, actors, actresses, etc.

These will be purchased, for the most part, as a status symbol. The rest will go to wealthy folks who also happen to be Disney fans.