A family has found a way to experience a daily fairy tale by owning a home within Walt Disney World, specifically in the exclusive Golden Oak community. Cristie Anne, who runs the travel account The Traveling Red, divides her time between her Miami residence and a vacation home in Golden Oak, a private residential community in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
The community, designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, features individually crafted luxury homes. Cristie Anne's cottage draws inspiration from Belle's provincial home in the live-action "Beauty and the Beast." She told the Daily Mail that the exterior of her home closely resembles the cottage from the film, and Imagineer-designed details continue the theme throughout the interior without making the home feel like a theme park attraction.
Cristie Anne’s parents purchased the four-bedroom, 3,600-square-foot cottage in 2020. While the exact price was not disclosed, the family's original intention was not to buy a home within Disney World. They discovered Golden Oak after visiting friends who had recently purchased a property there. Coincidentally, Cristie Anne's future home became available on the same day her parents were touring the community, and they shared the property with her and her brother via FaceTime.
With Cristie Anne's daughter being 3 years old at the time, the "Beauty and the Beast"-inspired Disney cottage was particularly appealing as a place for her to grow up and for the family to build traditions. Homes in Golden Oak are situated in a high-end segment of the Orlando real estate market. Current listings in Walt Disney World can reach around $8 million, with past sales in the community ranging from approximately $2 million to $20 million.
Living within Disney property offers distinct advantages. Residents can access the parks within minutes by car or utilize private Disney transportation, which offers convenient drop-offs near the park entrances. This proximity allows for spontaneous visits for dinner, rides, or fireworks shows without the logistical challenges typically associated with a theme park day trip.
The family often visits during the cooler winter months in Florida, appreciating the flexibility to return to their home at any time. Cristie Anne mentioned that upon their purchase, homeowners received complimentary park admission for several years, after which they acquired annual passes.
One of the most coveted amenities of the home is the ability to watch Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks display directly from the property, even in pajamas, without needing park tickets. This unique perk adds to the enchantment of residing within the Disney bubble.
The Golden Oak neighborhood maintains a high level of seclusion. Access is restricted to residents and their registered guests, preventing casual visits from tourists. The prohibition of short-term rentals further preserves the community's atmosphere as a private residential area.
Cristie Anne is mindful of privacy when sharing her Golden Oak experiences on Instagram, limiting her content to her family's property. While the community lacks daily conveniences like supermarkets, residents can access these necessities and more by traveling a short distance outside Disney property. However, restaurants, hotels, golf courses, spas, and entertainment venues are readily available nearby.
The combination of practical convenience, privacy, and the unique magic of Disney makes the Golden Oak home a treasured asset for Cristie Anne's family.