Sandy Speaks…

As I mentioned in an earlier post (see http://SandySpeaks.com/Disney), Walt Disney World announced the opening of a new residential resort that will be nestled amongst the theme parks in Orlando.  This week, Disney announced the builders who will be participating in creating this one-of-a-kind community.  As a real estate broker in Celebration, I’ve had the privilege of working with most of these builders personally and recommend each one highly.  If you would like more information on this incredible opportunity, please contact me at Sandy@SandySellsFlorida.net.  Below is an excerpt from this week’s press release…

(September 28, 2010)– Seven prestigious homebuilders have been selected by Disney to design and construct the luxury homes in the unique resort community of Golden Oak at Walt Disney World® Resort. Each of the builders is purchasing initial individual homesites, allowing construction of the first showcase and spec homes to begin immediately. Since Disney announced the project in June, the company has seen significant interest from potential buyers. Inquiries have come from as far away as Brazil and England – and domestically from New York to Texas to California. The selected builders are currently designing home plans in preparation for the launch of homesite sales later this year. “The homebuilders for Golden Oak have impressive track records of success and dedication to the highest level of quality,” said Page Pierce, vice president, Disney Resort Real Estate Development. “We look forward to seeing their beautiful homes come to life in Golden Oak through their fine craftsmanship and signature styles.”

Golden Oak will initially consist of three types of single-family homes: Village, Estate and Grand Estate Homes. Village Homes will capture the romantic look of a Mediterranean village on homesites up to one-quarter acre. Estate Homes, on approximately one-half acre homesites, will offer a variety of architectural styles including Tuscan, Spanish Revival, Venetian, Italianate, Dutch Colonial and Island Colonial. At up to three-quarters acre in size, Grand Estate Homes will include architectural styles consistent with Estate Homes and will accommodate the needs of large families. The custom homebuilders for the Golden Oak Village Homes are CAHILL, Goehring & Morgan Construction, Inc., and Issa Homes.

The custom homebuilders for Golden Oak Estate Homes and Grand Estate Homes are Derrick Builders, Inc., Jones-Clayton Construction, J. Richard Watson Construction Company, Inc., and Ray Coudriet Builder, Inc.

These experienced custom builders are creating residential design concepts for interested buyers and showcase and spec homes, consistent with the unique architectural aesthetic of the Golden Oak community. Disney conducted a rigorous process to select the homebuilders for Golden Oak. Superlative experience building custom luxury homes in high-end Central Florida communities, expertise in the specific architectural styles planned for Golden Oak and a demonstrated reputation for quality design and construction were some of the criteria used in the selection process. Golden Oak may invite additional builders in the future, as the community and demand grow.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Disney also unveiled the handcrafted sign at the entrance to Golden Oak, the result of many hours of artistry. The name, Golden Oak, is inspired by Walt Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch in Newhall, California, where some say gold nuggets were found in 1842, a filming location for segments of the Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950’s. In addition to the ranch’s official use for The Walt Disney Company, the ranch served as a place of respite and relaxation for Walt and his family. Golden Oak at Walt Disney World® Resort will offer families that same sense of magic and enchantment that Walt believed to be so important. Beyond the literal connection to Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch, the iconic oak tree symbolizes the family, stability, and heritage that this community will encourage. The tree also pays subtle homage to Walt’s “Dreaming Tree,” the tree in his childhood hometown that provided shade for his many hours of daydreaming.

Golden Oak at Walt Disney World® Resort

Golden Oak at Walt Disney World® Resort is a luxury, master-planned gated community being developed at one of the most extraordinary family vacation destinations in the world. This one-of-a-kind resort development will feature custom homes with world-class architecture, surrounded by Florida’s natural environment. Residents will enjoy elite resident services, privileges at Walt Disney World® Resort and access to select amenities at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort.

(Image: Bill Perry / FreeDigitalPhotos.net – Photo of oak tree not associated with Disney)

I’ve lived and worked as a real estate agent in Celebration, the town that Disney developed in Orlando, for over 10 years.  I love Celebration!  You know whenever Disney puts their mark on something, it’s going to be extraordinary.

Next on Disney’s agenda is the development of an exquisite, upscale community located inside Disney… nestled between The Magic Kingdom and Epcot!  This luxurious neighborhood is known as Golden Oak, named after a ranch in California where Walt Disney would retreat to continue working on his creation known as “the most magical place on Earth”.  As a young boy, Walt would sit under a large oak tree and dream.  Aren’t we glad he did?

Golden Oak will be a gated community situated on 980 acres, with almost half of the acreage consisting of conservation land.  It will ultimately be filled with 450 luxury residences, with prices starting at $1.5 million.  It will consist of gorgeous, custom single family homes and lovely, Tuscan-style courtyard homes.

The folks who purchase in Golden Oak will choose a homesite and then plan their dream home, to either reside in or enjoy as a vacation home.  The first release of these desirable homesites is taking place now, with less than 30 being offered at this time.  I’ve had the privilege of working with the sales staff and builders who are in place at Golden Oak as they were involved in the development of Celebration.  You can rest assured they will bring professionalism and perfection to the Golden Oak experience.

Residents of Golden Oak will enjoy many amenities including private VIP transportation, theme park benefits, special event tickets, exclusive community activities, concierge services, a private clubhouse featuring fine dining and upscale fitness facilities, and access to the largest Four Seasons Resort in North America.  The Four Seasons Resort planned for this brilliant community will boast an 18-hole golf course, restaurants, and a relaxing spa.

As a real estate broker in Florida, it would be my pleasure to send you more information on this extravagant piece of the most magical place on earth, to accompany you on a private tour of the area, and to act as your “eyes and ears” while your Disney dream home is under creation.  Please feel free to contact me at Sandy@SandySellsFlorida.net or at 407.592.HOME (4663).

(The photo of the European Country Estate was taken by Simon Howden ~ http://freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=404 and is not a rendering of a home at Golden Oaks)

Celebration and Google…now that sounds like a powerful combination!!  Google began as a research project by Larry Page and Sergey Brin and their new technology quickly changed the face of the Internet.  Celebration began as a dream of Walt Disney’s…a place where people could live, work, & play…and quickly changed the face of communities everywhere!

From now until March 26th, Google is asking for communities to be nominated for their high fiber project.  I hereby nominate my community…Celebration, Florida!  In my opinion, Celebration would be a prime location for Google to test their network.  Just like the founders of Google, the developers and residents of Celebration pride themselves on being on the cutting edge!  Our community is founded on five cornerstones…education, health, community, architecture, and technology. 

Like me, many residents work from home and would utilize and appreciate having this advanced technology. And, because many of us are active and vocal in social media and other avenues of communication, we would be a great group to help “get the word out” to our associates, friends, fans, followers, and tweeps!

It would also be cost-effective for Google since fiiber has been installed in many of the neighborhoods here (with only the last 30 feet to the house remaining) and since we are a high-density community.

I have lived in Celebration for 10 years and enjoy it’s charm and beauty. I am looking forward to raising my 3 year old son here and can only imagine what advances await him in education.  As a parent, I feel that it is important that I do what I can to support his future and am, therefore, asking for Google’s consideration of Celebration for this exciting experiment.