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Celebration, FL: How Disney's 'Community of Tomorrow' Became a Total Nightmare

Wow, that is so sad for all of the people that bought and now there homes are basically worthless...
 
We spent an afternoon in Celebration about ten years ago. It was nice, but had a creepy vibe that made me think I’d visited Stepford. :eek:

Dave
 
I like eating in celebration - several great restaurants and the town center area still looks nice to visit. Thought about buying a condo for $60,000 during the Great Recession but decided not to go forward. Probably a good thing.

Also makes me wonder how confident the Golden Oaks buyers feel after reading that sort of article...
 
Wow, its been a while since i visited Celebration, sounds pretty bad.
 
I always thought it would be so cool to live there, though as Dave states I always suspected it might have a Stepford Wives feel to it.

A shame it came to this.
 
WVBaker said:
Given the fact they've been included, are we free to discuss these subjects? :ponder:
Click to expand...

I can't imagine.

That article was thousands of words about an interesting, somewhat travel related subject likely to be of interest. It had half a paragraph about political reactions, and then you quoted a bunch of stuff from a linked article. This isn't a political subject at all, and it would be a shame for the thread to get locked because it gets tangentially dragged into politics.

_____________________________________________________________________

I think the analogy to Golden Oaks is quite telling, and that would concern me quite a bit if I was considering spending $$ to buy in a Disney development. I'm surprised they haven't tried to wade in and get that dealt with - although I suppose they probably don't want to end up responsible for the costs.
 
There's no cause for "Celebration" there this season. So sad. Btw, did anyone ever read Carl Hiaasen's book "Team Rodent"? He's a Florida based reporter who delves into issues like over-development. I like him more for his funny novels, but that non-fiction book is worth a read!
 
Wow. What a nightmare those residents live in. I can't imagine trying to get permission to fix my leaking roof for three years??? Or getting a $90,000 special assessment on a $200,000 condo?
 
bizaro86 said:
I can't imagine.

That article was thousands of words about an interesting, somewhat travel related subject likely to be of interest. It had half a paragraph about political reactions, and then you quoted a bunch of stuff from a linked article. This isn't a political subject at all, and it would be a shame for the thread to get locked because it gets tangentially dragged into politics.
Click to expand...

As I said, the article is interesting.

My point is the fact that it mentions current political candidates and directs the person reading, by way of clearly marked links, to the agendas of both "Elizabeth Warren" and "Bernie Sanders". Do we really need to bring any political candidate into the picture regardless if it's one line or half a paragraph? I can't recall there being a set number of lines that determine if a political agenda should or should not be discussed. I'm simply trying to determine if that agenda, which is part of the article, can be discussed.

We agree, the basis for the article may not be political in nature however, the author found it necessary to include the links. By doing so, they become part of the article.
 
WVBaker said:
. I'm simply trying to determine if that agenda, which is part of the article, can be discussed.
Click to expand...
In a word, NO. Please keep all political discussions out of this thread.
 
WVBaker said:
As I said, the article is interesting.

My point is the fact that it mentions current political candidates and directs the person reading, by way of clearly marked links, to the agendas of both "Elizabeth Warren" and "Bernie Sanders". Do we really need to bring any political candidate into the picture regardless if it's one line or half a paragraph? I can't recall there being a set number of lines that determine if a political agenda should or should not be discussed. I'm simply trying to determine if that agenda, which is part of the article, can be discussed.

We agree, the basis for the article may not be political in nature however, the author found it necessary to include the links. By doing so, they become part of the article.
Click to expand...

I think you're the one making it political. There are lots of links in the article, the ones you mentioned are about the problem of private equity firms owning communities.

here's an article from the Wall Street Journal about Celebration Fla. - ( 2016)
Leaks and Mold Are Ruining the Disney Magic in Celebration, Florida


https://www.wsj.com/articles/leaks-...isney-magic-in-celebration-florida-1479249246


The town residents are filing suit against the private equity firm (Lexin Capital) that owns Celebration Florida






 
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Brett said:
I think you're the one making it political. There are lots of links in the article, the ones you mentioned are about the problem of private equity firms owning communities.
Click to expand...

I believe the article itself referenced both Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. The author could have described the issue with private equity firms without even mentioning the two candidates and their opinions.
 
WVBaker said:
I believe the article itself referenced both Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. The author could have described the issue with private equity firms without even mentioning the two candidates and their opinions.
Click to expand...

sure, but that was one sentence in a long article. Obviously it jumped out at you !
 
Brett said:
sure, but that was one sentence in a long article. Obviously it jumped out at you !
Click to expand...
I wouldn't have referred to it as, “Pirate Equity” however, I have agreed to bow to my democratic disputants. :cool:
 
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Sent this to a friend who owns in Celebration and here is his response:

That whole story is kind of crazy. It paints ALL of Celebration in a negative light but it's actually just the commercial/dt area that as a few condos above the stores.

For the single family homes and separate condo associations like mine - everything is great. Values keep climbing with more Puerto Ricans relocating to central Florida.

Just played the golf course back in July and it was in pretty good shape.

The town is solvent and well managed so I'm pretty happy. It'd be equivalent to one apartment complex in ABC with major issues and stating ALL of ABC plus DEF are bankrupt, corrupt, and crime ridden.
 
DJensen said:
Sent this to a friend who owns in Celebration and here is his response:

That whole story is kind of crazy. It paints ALL of Celebration in a negative light but it's actually just the commercial/dt area that as a few condos above the stores.

For the single family homes and separate condo associations like mine - everything is great. Values keep climbing with more Puerto Ricans relocating to central Florida.

Just played the golf course back in July and it was in pretty good shape.

The town is solvent and well managed so I'm pretty happy. It'd be equivalent to one apartment complex in ABC with major issues and stating ALL of ABC plus DEF are bankrupt, corrupt, and crime ridden.
Click to expand...

The pictures posted in her blog are quite disturbing. I hope improvements have been handled for those living there.

https://cookiekellyblog.com/
 
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DJensen said:
Sent this to a friend who owns in Celebration and here is his response:

That whole story is kind of crazy. It paints ALL of Celebration in a negative light but it's actually just the commercial/dt area that as a few condos above the stores.

For the single family homes and separate condo associations like mine - everything is great. Values keep climbing with more Puerto Ricans relocating to central Florida.

Just played the golf course back in July and it was in pretty good shape.

The town is solvent and well managed so I'm pretty happy. It'd be equivalent to one apartment complex in ABC with major issues and stating ALL of ABC plus DEF are bankrupt, corrupt, and crime ridden.
Click to expand...


good that some people are enjoying life in Celebration Fla.
It's interesting that 'immigrants' from Puerto Rico are increasing home values - not something you see in the news lately !
 
Is this a true story by the writer or is it one person opinion? In any city there are upper class, middle class and poor neighborhoods IMO. All Neighborhoods changes in times.

There are some writer that Enjoy writing negative stories to sell newspapers or to boast television ratings.
 
pedro47 said:
Is this a true story by the writer or is it one person opinion? In any city there are upper class, middle class and poor neighborhoods IMO. All Neighborhoods changes in times.

There are some writer that Enjoy writing negative stories to sell newspapers or to boast television ratings.
Click to expand...


maybe, but Celebration city in Florida appears to be a unique place with Disney controlling the "homeowner rules" and the continuing lawsuits with a private equity firm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebration,_Florida
 
Brett said:
maybe, but Celebration city in Florida appears to be a unique place with Disney controlling the "homeowner rules" and the continuing lawsuits with a private equity firm
Click to expand...

While this may be a unique municipal “place” due to HOA rules and private equity firms - it is certainly not unique in the timeshare universe .

one example that comes to mind :

Diamond Resorts - Apollo Global Mgmt.
Diamond buys Gold Key Resorts etc.
 
One of the most telling elements of this sad story is this quote regarding the covenantal restrictions on the homeowners: "As soon as they moved in, the condo’s roof began to leak. No big deal for Rousseau. Relieved to have left New York, she set about to get it fixed. She contacted the condo manager. The manager told her to talk to the Town Center Foundation. When she reached out to the Foundation, they didn’t respond. Rousseau was confused. How did you get things fixed around here? She couldn’t fix it herself, because of the peculiarities of Celebration condominium law. The residents own only the interiors of their units. Anything inside, they can change. Anything else, anything structural—like say, a roof—they can’t touch without owner approval. 'Think of it like the Titanic,' Rousseau said. “'We are on a ship going out of control. But all we own is our little box in it and the air rights to get to our unit. That is it. Nothing else.'”

Wow. The incredibly restrictive covenants that were meant to ensure uniformity, adherence to design and maintenance standards, and excellence in the upkeep of the town were not only undermined by the greed of Metin Negrin but were exploited by him to the great detriment of the residents.

While it's good that the Disney Corporation still has some tangential involvement, it is also clear that the sale of Town Center by Disney in 2004 was the beginning of a steep decline in the beauty and liveability of the town and its neighborhoods, not to mention the ongoing property values of the homeowners. In order to avoid embarrassment, Disney needs to exert its corporate muscle back into this situation and uphold Walt's legacy. As a shareholder in Disney, I would certainly support this effort.
 
If Disney has any integrity, they would step in and make this right. After all they sold it to a jerk, took the money and ran...

George
 
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