NotTV: Disney to brand planned communities

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Bob Jersey

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Feb 16, 2022, 7:52:40 PM2/16/22
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Managed in the style of Guest Services operations at their parks, but with trusted local partners doing the development and building. " At each location, including some neighborhoods for residents ages 55+, Disney cast members trained in the company’s legendary guest service will operate the community association. Through a club membership, Disney will also provide access to curated experiences, such as wellness programming; entertainment ranging from live performances to cooking classes; philanthropic endeavors; seminars and much more. "


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Kevin M.

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Feb 16, 2022, 9:27:03 PM2/16/22
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For the uninitiated, this was Walt’s original vision of EPCOT, a planned community where people live, work, shop, and commute… the Disney way. Walt Disney World was intended to be more than a theme park and hotel location… Walt wanted to redesign contemporary American life. Rumor has it he hated Florida, but settled on that state because it had the least expensive yet still desirable real estate. But he died and nearly every aspect of what he envisioned was shelved.

I don’t know that a Disney branded (licensed) community in this day and age will succeed, as the Disney brand itself is muddied and unfocused. 

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Kevin M. (RPCV)

PGage

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Feb 16, 2022, 10:02:03 PM2/16/22
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Disney developed a community in Florida several decades ago - “Celebration”, but it was maybe “Disney-Lite”, and they may have divested it by now.

This frankly sounds like a nightmare to me, based on my experience with Disney culture at DisneyLand, which back in the 70s and 80s at least was oppressive and controlling in their search for conformity in a way that would make Stepford blush…

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Adam Bowie

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Feb 17, 2022, 3:02:56 AM2/17/22
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I can't be the only one who pictures in their mind some kind of "Stepford Wives" community where only corporate dictated lifestyles are approved...

A genuinely hideous proposition. 

(Note: I've never been to a Disney theme park, and have no intention of ever visiting one, so your mileage may vary.)

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two...@gmail.com

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Feb 17, 2022, 1:33:08 PM2/17/22
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This is a version of a current exurban development strategy. Developers buy up farmland outside a city near a highway, subdivide it, and redone it. Then they build houses and townhouses in the residential areas and bring big box stores and chain restaurants to the commercial areas. Schools, churches, and community buildings follow. The people who move in are upper middle class, native born, and white and this gives them a chance to live, shop, and send their kids to school without having to see any people of color, immigrants, or working class or poor people.

Disney isn’t pioneering this kind of development but this is exactly what it will be. Just as the people who live in the exurban developments are looking for a type of cocoon, the people who are attracted to these Disney developments are looking for a special and even more exclusive cocoon.

On Feb 17, 2022, at 3:02 AM, Adam Bowie <ad...@adambowie.co.uk> wrote:



Bob Jersey

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Feb 17, 2022, 6:59:54 PM2/17/22
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They did, in 2004, and the buyer, Lexin Capital, let the complex go practically to sh*t... a 2016 WSJ article, per Wiki (link), reported they were sued to pay for millions in repairs.  Still, a Google Street View casing of the area shows the area in relatively good shape.

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PGage, to Kevin M and moi, Feb 16th:
Disney developed a community in Florida several decades ago - “Celebration”, but it was maybe “Disney-Lite”, and they may have divested it by now.

This frankly sounds like a nightmare to me, based on my experience with Disney culture at DisneyLand, which back in the 70s and 80s at least was oppressive and controlling in their search for conformity in a way that would make Stepford blush…

Bob Jersey

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Feb 17, 2022, 7:11:48 PM2/17/22
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As opposed to the Cocoon movies, which they might still own if Richard Zanuck didn't grab them before the deal for 20th.     B

Tom Wolper, to Adam Bowie, PGage, Kevin M, and moi, in part, Feb 17th:

Doug Eastick

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Feb 18, 2022, 12:31:52 AM2/18/22
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PGage

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Feb 18, 2022, 9:49:33 AM2/18/22
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A former work colleague of mine left CA to go live in and work for Celebration, I want to say in early or mid 90s. He became like their Activities Director (kind of like Julie on the Love Boat). I lost direct touch with him, but gathered from mutual acquaintances that at some point Disney was no longer involved. 

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Kevin M.

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Mar 12, 2022, 7:07:13 PM3/12/22
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Turns out there is a Marvel planned community in Georgia… it also serves as a makeshift backlot… home prices are roughly the same as my Long Beach, CA suburb… downside of course is it’s in Georgia 


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Kevin M. (RPCV)
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