Offering A Chance To Live In The Walt Disney World Resort

in Walt Disney World

Golden Oak

Today, Disney has revealed plans for Golden Oak, a new luxury residential resort community allowing families to actually purchase a home at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.

Located southeast of the Magic Kingdom and north of EPCOT (marked by an icon on the map below), the exclusive Golden Oak community will offer single-family custom homes priced between $1.5 and $8 million. Less than 30 home sites will be available for sale this year, so space is quite limited. The home designs have been created by Walt Disney Imagineers, making them dream homes for any Disney fan. The gated community will feature intimate neighborhoods and amenities within the entire 980-acre footprint.

Walt Resort World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort

“We have a range of options for Guests at all price points to enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort. But Golden Oak is something totally new: a residential resort community, right in the heart of the magic,” said Matt Kelly, vice president, Disney Resort Real Estate Development. “Golden Oak will be a place where families can come together and make memories for generations to come – with Disney World right at their doorstep.”

The proposed private clubhouse, (pictured above) concierge services, and collection of Walt Disney World Resort benefits will bring Disney’s Guest service culture directly to Golden Oak residents. As previously announced, Golden Oak is planned to include Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, combining Disney’s renowned service and hospitality with Four Seasons’ defining standard of excellence. Golden Oak plans to offer residents access to select Four Seasons’ future amenities, including the full-service spa, restaurants, golf course, and event space.

Golden Oak will initially consist of three different types of single-family homes. Village Homes will feature Mediterranean style homes on sites up to one-quarter acre; Estate Homes will include architectural styles like Tuscan, Spanish Revival, Venetian, Italianate, Dutch Colonial, and Island Colonial on approximately one-half-acre homesites and Grand Estate Homes, on homesites up to three-quarters-acre in size, will feature architectural styles consistent with Estate Homes.

Walt Disney World Resort

Update: With so few homes available within Golden Oak, many are already curious if they will actually be lived in or if investors will grab them up, hoping to rent them as vacation homes. I asked about the possibility of rentals, and Disney spokesman Benjamin Thompson told me, “Short-term rentals will not be allowed at Golden Oak, but longer-term rentals (great than 6 months) will be permitted.” So vacation homes are out of the question for this exclusive sub-community of Walt Disney World.

Beyond the obvious benefits of living so close to Disney’s theme parks and entertainment offerings, Thompson also told me that residents of Golden Oak would also receive “an exclusive package created expressly for Golden Oak residents will include in-park benefits, private VIP transportation, access to select special-event tickets and community-hosted activities throughout the year.” No word as to whether the “in-park benefits” will include free admission to the Walt Disney World theme parks.

More information about Golden Oak is available at disneygoldenoak.com, especially on their FAQ. Golden Oak will use a Priority Reservation List for potential homebuyers with interest in purchasing a home. A position is secured on the list in the order in which a signed Lot Release Priority Agreement and a refundable $25,000 deposit are received. Deposits are now being accepted, with the first completed homes projected for 2011. At build-out, Golden Oak is anticipated to include approximately 450 homes.

Any buyers?

Concept art and more photos from Golden Oak:

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