How Disney Sold Out Nostalgia to Build a Billionaire's Playground

[@ReviewTyme]

We hope you enjoyed this ultimate look into Golden Oak! Thanks to HelloFresh for sponsoring today's video. Go to strms.net/hellofresh_reviewtyme, use my code REVIEWTYMESEP10, and receive 10 free meals + free breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active if you’re in the US. The link and code are valid in all countries and the respective local discount will apply.

[@swoozie]

If anyone owns a home here and only uses their house a few days a year and needs a house sitter, I’m available.

[@themaxcollective]

room to build all this shit but we have to pave over Rivers of America to put in some talking cars

[@susananthony6071]

What an excellent comment!! This puts it in perspective.

[@kohakufi9]

It wasn't about the space, it was about the maintenance and manpower. For them rivers of America isn't worth maintaining or staffing but the new cars ride will bring in more people. I say this as a person who thinks rivers of America brings a much needed sense of atmosphere to the park

[@Timbeon]

"They own the houses, but lease the land from Disney" so it's basically an ultra luxury trailer park

[@Leezl41]

King Charles doing the same thing in Wales. Worries regarding land ownership and control.

[@esterdrass4964]

@@Leezl41 I did not know that.

[@esterdrass4964]

I was thinking of the over 55 communities. You buy the mobile home, which can cost from several thousand dollars to over one hundred thousand dollars and pay land rent. Land rent goes up every year. I cannot imagine the rent on Disney.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

You couldn't pay me enough to live in a place like that; normal HOAs are bad enough, I can't imagine how draconian Disney's HOA is

[@Tank-Girl]

This. I mean would they loose their shite if I decorated my home with Universal/Dreamworks animated properties? lol

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

​@Tank-Girl I can just picture a team of agents dropping in, like the agents in Monsters Inc. "We've got a Code 827!! Unauthorized decor!!

[@twili_zora]

@@Tank-GirlSurprisingly not. There’s a (7?) episode series of people who live there giving people a whole overview of their home. The very first episode has a family with a kitchen/dining area completely themed to Harry Potter.

[@Pissgremlin5964]

The people who own these homes probably only spend a few weeks a year there. I doubt the HOA rules bother them that much.

[@greg794]

​Where can I find this? 😮

[@KristySki]

These houses are beautiful but they're practically on top of one another and the fact that they don't give you an annual pass for living there is a crime tbh.

[@tomm2213]

Cost of annual pass is nothing for people who can afford these homes

[@DaddyBmusic]

I would be so interested in hearing a documentary tracing the history of when Disney first started to become associated with “exclusive,” and to value “exclusivity.” I don’t recall it being that way when I was a child, and if there were high-end private tours, it wasn’t something that was well known or rubbed in the face of regular park guests. Now, it seems like everything is an upsell, so you never feel you’re getting the best experience possible. It used to feel as though any employee was empowered to “plus” something and make it just a little bit more magical for anyone they could; now, it feels the complete opposite of that.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I remember there were higher end experiences in the 80s and 90s, but this kind of thing is all Bob Iger. Look at what's happened to the hotels under his reign too, it's all the same generic HGTV look now.

[@kotor610]

I'd guess the push really started in 2015. That's when it appears they reached park attendance cap. The only way to further grow is to target folks with more money.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

Also, I think if I did have the money to live in a Disney complex, I'd want it to *look* more Disney. I want to live in *ToonTown* gosh darn it, with color and whimsy and mailboxes shaped like the characters. And I want my doorbell chime to be "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins.

[@DaddyBmusic]

I think that’s probably the last song you’d ever find on a doorbell in Golden Oaks. Reminds one too much of the poor…

[@charleshamilton9274]

Damn…you get it. Although I want to live in one of the faux terraced houses in UK Epcot. And Mary P is my next door neighbor!

[@KristySki]

There was a video made like 8 years ago of a family who lived there and their house was pretty whimsical. They had a beauty and the beast inspired library with busts of The Beast in it. A "secret passage" behind a bookcase. Their kitchen was a nod to the Weasleys from HP. They had a slide right next to the stairs you could slide down if you wanted to. Their theater room was steam punk inspired. It was a really cool home. I saw they had it up for sale a couple years ago and I was actually kinda sad because the family seemed so nice and fun.

[@JazzyLnae]

Golden Oak is a gorgeous neighborhood. However, if I had $5 million or more for a house, it would be for Hawaii, Dubai, or a country in Europe, not Orlando.

[@kotor610]

That's the thing, this is not targeting people who have to choose one or the other, this is targeting people who will add this along to the laundry list of properties they already own.

[@iantos1813]

Hawaiians don't want foreigners living there, and Dubai is gross; Europe is a MUCH better option.

[@ErikProMax]

Yeah, Golden Oak would be nice to have a vacation home in (hence its original purpose), but if I had $5m+ to spend on a house, the SF Bay Area is still home in my heart. Despite the city’s issues they the media loves to exaggerate, it’s still the place that most feels like home to me.

[@myra0224]

Please don't, a lot of countries here in Europe are already dealing with a housing crisis...

[@kathleenhazy6126]

That’s good because we all can’t live in Orlando. I live in Lake Nona [Orlando] and believe it or not, it’s the biggest tourist destination in the world, surpassing the destinations you mentioned. Google it. On any given day there are an additional 2M visitors traveling our roadways and eating in our restaurants. They are can’t be wrong but if you choose to buy your 5M home elsewhere, no worries, we’ll manage without you.

[@universalmeditation8631]

I will say this, the more expensive homes at golden oak rival those in Crystal Cove Newport Ca. The little interior details at Golden Oak are very impressive and well thought out.

[@karenandrews4224]

At least you actually own the house and land in Newport Coast

[@ClaireEldfkejej]

That frozen room is quite possibly the tackiest thing I have ever seen

[@Becinneverland]

I cannot imagine owning a home and not being able to paint my own walls...also I hope the Parkcast comes back soon, I miss the tangents!

[@johnshoemakerpbc]

It’s the same rules in Celebration too. Can’t have more than 2 different types of plants out front even down to the color of the curtains facing out was regulated. Not sure if that changed now but that’s how it was when it came out.

[@esterdrass4964]

Or having to ask permission to put certain holiday decor outside. Let us just say that a tacky blow-up Santa would not be allowed. Probably nothing with a lot of lights. Probably nothing at all. You couldn't plant your own anything out there. The price tags are for the house only and that's it...not the land.

[@mistrcarter]

The RCT3 Menu Music During The Hello Fresh Sponsorship Promo!!! WOW I LOVED THAT

[@traciecombs7030]

Re-defining what it means to be wealthy in America vs. everyone else... 1 couple spends 10 million on a vacation home while 100 million in the US can't afford to buy their 1st home.

[@charleshamilton9274]

And this is new how? Yikes.

[@Leezl41]

Yet neither group owns the land. King Charles doing the same thing in Wales. Who controls the land, and how it's used...ultimately an issue regarding food production and who gets access to it. Very worrying.

[@TrainerCTZ]

18:40 What day of the year in central Florida would you ever truly leave your bedroom door to the patio open? When it's 90 degrees and 90% humidity or in the 80 degree evening with vampiress mosquitos about. Buy a Colorado ranch

[@DaddyBmusic]

A: When you’re so rich that you can crank the air conditioning so high you don’t have to worry about that.

[@frikitiki]

In Hawaii there is the Kamehameha School, Bishop Estate who had land all over the islands. People would get a lease-hold where they paid one price for the land then built a house. It was a 99 year lease. Once these started to expire obviously the prices were going to sky rocket and the state stepped in. They told KSBE you must sell the land to the home owners or the state will condemn the land and sell to the home owner. Rather then deal with years of legal wrangling, KSBE starting selling the land. As a result of this, they are now the largest private trust in the world.

[@briansieve]

You introduced it right on for me. I'm repulsed by conspicuous uber wealth and exclusivity. And I'm fascinated by the details. I'd rather it not exist, and not be the true nature of Disney. But it is. And so I guess I'll at least enjoy the themed concepts to the extent I can from photos and videos.

[@briansieve]

And there is a bit of schadenfreude to see how poorly designed and what terrible taste these Republicans have. Haha

[@DrewHall-un8sn]

briansieve, that's funny considering most of the super rich donate exclusively to the democratic party..

[@RariettyC]

I'm now realizing that I've never seen any footage of this place or any of its houses with people in it. Just video of a community that's eerily empty Say what you will about Celebration but I trust that most of its homeowners actually treat it like a home. I visited once on Halloween and it was flooded with more children trick-or-treating than I've ever seen in any other place; meanwhile I doubt many residents would even be present to hand out candy at Golden Oak

[@TrainerCTZ]

I love the owner profiles. Nice work.

[@CosmicTraveler1901]

Honestly, if I had $5-6 million to purchase a home, I rather buy a few acres close to Disney property and build a house. You would have more privacy and no HOA and likely could build a much larger home

[@rsmith8434]

EXACTLY! Who wants to live in a home where you can't even paint your walls without permission!

[@techwb]

If I had the money to buy a home and use it a few days or weeks a year, I think I’d rather use that money for the hotels and Club 33. Seems like a ton of money for what it is.

[@history_leisure]

I think you meant to pronounce it Sue/Soo (Sioux), maybe you didn’t see the “i” in there

[@SpyHunter89]

I'm not from South Dakota, but I'm pretty sure that's what he meant to say. Although, "socks fall" is much funnier.

[@dakotamike]

Yes, it has a French derivation. So definitely sue and not sux! 😂

[@PHLFANJAN]

As soon as I won the lottery I would move there.

[@aaronmann4809]

Sioux Falls, pronounced "Soo." The x is silent. It's the name of a Native American tribe who used to live in that region, known as the Sioux.

[@susananthony6071]

That was fascinating. Thank you!

[@austinrtyler]

The 7 month minimum lease is an Orange County thing not a Disney thing

[@esterdrass4964]

I never heard of Golden Oaks until now. I just looked up their homes and right now, a home for sale is 14.5 million dollars. There is another home that is just under 6million. The homes are beautiful, and each one seems quite different which is nice. I guess for 14 million dollars, they better be. It doesn't surprise me that Disney has a hand in any changes you want to make to your home but not your property. Kinda reminds of the over 55 communities in Florida, you own the mobile home, but you pay rent on the land. So, these homes one would own, are just the house itself and not the land.

[@charleshamilton9274]

I contemplated buying a vacation home in Golden Oak. I met with the sales team twice. I stayed at the Four Seasons to try and evaluate the neighborhood. A couple of my observations: All the neighborhoods are very quiet and felt very safe. Although at night I did think about alligators more than once. (I never saw any.) The sales reps told me fewer than 30% of the homes are occupied year round. That’s a lot of empty homes. Getting to and from the parks is not easy or convenient. Sure, there are shuttles available but 24-hour notice was required. So much for spontaneous visits to any of the parks. Beautifully maintained homes and common areas. The HOA rules and reps were formidable. Disclosure: The homes I looked at were in the Four Seasons residences. I decided against a purchase as the squalid political climate in Florida was - and is - a dealbreaker. Instead, I opt for a month-long stay in Saratoga Springs twice a year as I do so love WDW.

[@brianbergeron164]

So they actually allow political signage in the front lawns, or do you meant the political climate in florida in general? That would became huge deal breaker for me as well but I would have assumed no political signs would be allowed in the neighborhoods, keeping you relatively insulated.. But they political vibe down there is kind of scary

[@charleshamilton9274]

@@brianbergeron164- Honestly, I never even asked about flags, political signs, etc., allowed in my yard. Sorry. I long ago threw away the HOA documentation too. I do remember a stupid rule against parking a car on the street or even in your driveway overnight. Perhaps I misremembered? God knows what out-of-town guests were supposed to do if the garage was already full? I Also, at the time I looked at the available homes for sale, I was REQUIRED to buy the furniture already in place - for an additional cost. I guess I could have donated the stuff I really didn’t want to charity but that requirement really irked me. Perhaps that policy has since changed. Lastly, Golden Oak is in Florida’s 11th Congressional District. And I would never - and will never - live in a district represented by a Republican.

[@bodyloverz30]

Blue State Refugee goes back to NY or CA: FL Gov. De Santos, Bye-Bye!

[@bodyloverz30]

@@charleshamilton9274 Well, as a 4th gen Californian, seeing my state destroyed by the Democrat Party; makes me as a 12 year Miami Beach resident, a proud Republican Floridian!

[@charleshamilton9274]

@@bodyloverz30- Florida absolutely deserves you. Absolutely.

[@DaddyBmusic]

If anyone has seen the documentary “The Queen of Versailles”, that monstrosity of a house is only a stones throw away from here.

[@ddc163264]

Golden Oaks is what Iger and current management wants. They only want whales and not the normal people and especially the pixie dusters. They consider the pixie dusters the biggest suckers that fork over money to be abused and taken advantage of (and laughed at). So that they can fund all the things that they give to those who CAN buy in at Golden Oak. All the best spots for shows and attractions are now screened off for those who can afford additional hundreds of dollars or live at Golden Oak, so that the concierge can get them those spots.

[@shandadee4077]

Your hello fresh commercial looks crazy

[@Martys.Corner]

So much for seeing Golden Oak on Airbnb. LOL! 😅

[@HaleyFlood-fo1ll]

Love golden oak ❤❤❤so beautiful very luxurious 😊

[@nick_pappagiorgio]

Golden Oak, the prototype DVC Lounge

[@RankingTheMouse]

I feel like Golden Oak is such an under-talked about aspect of WDW and Disney as a whole; super happy you guys are tackling this topic with so much info & great video coverage, as well. And the prison next to the Golden Oak millionaire republicans was a brilliant jab 😂😂 Also, im pretty sure USA basketball legend Robin Lopez owns a Golden Oak home, as well!!

[@56ghostwriter]

And the prices keep going up and up at the parks.

[@pazzariatv]

Folks... You don't touch this place unless you are wiling to play by Disney's rules, in the first place. Being that so few homes are available, at any given time, speaks to its popularity. I have visited. It's worth every penny, IMHO. But, that's me. That isn't everyone. It's stellar.

[@Jafar-dr6to]

Sioux Falls, SD just think Sue Falls

[@Cam4Cameron]

I really prefer Socks Falls though

[@gorsching]

OMG ROTFLMAO Socks(Sioux) Falls......

[@chelseajordan5752]

"Sioux Falls" -- "sioux" is pronounced "sue" :)

[@dietdrpepper15]

I'd prefer a Club 33 membership to all the parks.

[@DIYDiaz]

I love that we get to see more of your personalities in your videos. The Hello Fresh ad was great 😂 Also loved the full facial reveal 😊

[@tomm2213]

Nothing has changed at wdw regarding focus on profits and raising prices since chapek left

[@tomm2213]

All real estate in florida has skyrocketed since covid

[@amara2021]

Where did you get that Best Friend's hoodie during the ad read? I need it!

[@candacejackson5044]

I love the Figment statue on the shelf. Do you have any information about it? It must be nice to be so weatlthy and sometimes be born with a silver spoon in ones mouth.

[@pazzariatv]

It's not difficult to live there. I live in Celebration. I4 is moments away.

[@marcsarfati3291]

Wait year it will be 500k, 33k a month HOA and 33k month on insurance LOL

[@jljordan1]

Assuming that you can get insurance in Florida anymore

[@JP-xq7fo]

Not too sure joining a HOA is a good way to achieve “private property” rights…

[@CarmenQuincy-g2h]

Eden Valley

[@dbrew2u]

Disney is all about Millionaires and Billionaires . The Middle Class and Poor ? Not so much .

[@cyreneq]

What do they do for a living?

[@ai_is_a_great_place]

Provide jobs for others

[@bodyloverz30]

What about the Cottages?

[@CarouselOfHesitancy]

I love how he didn't "want" to bring up politics, but very much did bring up politics. And the point he used to being it up didn't really add to the video at all. But other than that, i did love and appreciate this video amd the videos they've done in the past about Golden Oak.

[@h.louise4746]

Seems like a great way to burn money.

[@Beacon631]

Follow Angie Bellemare. She is a Canadian KZbinr who owns a cottage home within Golden Oak. 😍

[@erinsullivan3112]

LOTS of wrong info in this.

[@HedwigSnowy-jt4dv]

Pronounced Sue Falls.

[@mariorodz6690]

Is it me or is he just saying the same thing over and over again for 5 minutes straight and then moves on to another point and repeats the same point over and over again?

[@shaunpattinson1621]

So that’s what’s under the hat 💦

[@rogerk6180]

I bet this comunity is pretty much empty year round.

[@aestheticaddi9089]

As someone who knows someone who owns a house here, WRONG! He is leaving out details and making some points sound so much more dramatic. Also, this is a family neighborhood, there are kids riding their bikes and families stay for more than a week😂. This video is non-factual!

[@PhimbleG-d]

So let me get this straight - you think Disney shouldn’t price out people that would be less respectful? Wake up.

[@steelcutoaths3033]

I think Sioux Falls is pronounced more like the name Sue. We have some weird place names here in the US 😂

[@Ellyc2929]

It comes from an indigenous word na-towe-ssi, a word that French colonizers wrote down phonetically as Nadouessioux. Many of the so called "weird" names for North American places are anglicized (or otherwise changed by colonizers) from indigenous words and phrases.

[@steelcutoaths3033]

@@Ellyc2929 That’s very cool! I did not mean any offense by calling them weird. I’m from Texas and we have quite a few names here that are spelled incredibly differently from how they are pronounced. Thank you for informing me, I appreciate it!

[@PaulMoses-gj2sq]

Such a good look on you, sir! 😍

[@AlexaSmith]

yeah idk i try not to be judgy but i think if u want a life like that ur kinda evil like in one way or another. its so wasteful and conceited to never want to have a tiny little inconvenience

[@ai_is_a_great_place]

Yeah idk I try to always imagine that the thousands of jobs they've typically provided allows them a life they can afford

[@WatchingOneMore]

Demented

[@TrulyMorningstar]

Aren’t you CaptainLazerGuns?

[@keinlanz]

This is honestly just gross. I think my middle class three bedroom house has more charm. And having people be your servants on a day to day basis. Just ew.