Next Big Thing
Well-Known Member
I believe Arnold Palmer's group took over running them last year.
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Disney's Osprey Ridge golf course closing in August as part of the Golden Oak sale
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Victor Kelly
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I do not even remember seeing this anywhere. But at least Arnold Palmer's group can run it, hopefully just as well or better.
Black Pearl
Well-Known Member
I understand. Having worked there in entertainment, been married there, and traveling there an average of every two or three months it holds a special place in my heart too. Everyone has those special memories that are untouchable and when the "new corporate table" decides to change things, it can feel like it affects us on a deeper level.
flynnibus
Premium Member
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com..._walt-disney-world-golf-courses-golf-datatech
Disney outright turned it over to them in 2011 following a string of things Disney started outsourcing. This is just a small step in many where Disney has slowly backed off the idea of running a vacation destination resort
Victor Kelly
Well-Known Member
This is a shame. Seems like everyone outsources nowadays. And it is sad to see Disney not being a destination resort and focusing on theme parks. Personally I enjoy mainly the theme parks. But not everyone does, and Disney has always had plenty of other things for people that did not like theme parks on needed a break from them.
I would love to be in the position to change all of this, maybe in another lifetime.
I would love to be in the position to change all of this, maybe in another lifetime.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
Sad, and a bit scary, isn't it? But it generally sums up the way WDW is run these days.
I don't get it either.
BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
This!!! Ugh.All of these sales of land are such short sightedness from the company. All that hard work to originally acquire it and now they are breaking it off bit by bit.
In this case, I think it actually improved the guest experience. Arnold Palmer is one of the most well known and respected names in golf, and they run their courses to that standard.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Yeah, remember when Disney was thought of as creame of the crop in whatever they entered???
I get, and mostly agree with what you're saying. But you could say that Arnie is the Walt Disney of the golf world.
prberk
Well-Known Member
I know. It's amazing. That was what I always told people who didn't understand why I kept going back -- that it was more than what they saw on TV. It had beaches (which you can no longer swim in), boats, fishing, horseback riding, campfires, golf, cool shopping (which used to be unique), dinner shows (without characters) and nice interesting restaurants.
Now they chip away at that and make it nearly impossible to take advantage of the "resort" experience beyond the parks. People who usually say that they would rather go to Myrtle Beach or Nags Head, used to get the argument from me that you get most of that at WDW (except the actual ocean), plus a lot more.
I say they need to go back to that. The Poly used to have water ski shows and a true non-character luau. I still love the Hoop-de-Doo Revue. And let's not even bring up the lazy-river setting of River Country or the quiet, nice animal sanctuary that was the original "Discovery Island"... and definitely forget the feel of the original Golf Resort Hotel (now Shades of Green). And on the more "resort" and "style" side of things, remember when Food Network and other venuew used to highlight their unique and high-quality dining?
Some said here that they had to sell out to Four Seasons because they could not figure out how to get that top tier resort experience. Well, they used to know how. All the pieces are there. They just need to pay attention to something other than the park commandos for a little while, and they will see the gems that they have right there. Remember that nice resorts drive repeat business and in some ways don't cost quite as much to attract as park commandos. But the two can definitely complement one another.
Walt 1901
Active Member
I agree with you totally. As a kid we would do the sea racers on bay lake and then come back to our cabin and rent the canoe for the day and my brother and I would canoe the canals all day long. We would swim at our resort and play basketball. Belief it or not my family would go for 10 days and only buy a 3 day pass and we would have the time of our lives just enjoying the resort activities. Total shame that they just waste the property.
We don't golf, but the courses always look so beautiful.
I think what bugs me is that Disney has spent the last 20yrs building resorts and time shares. I think they forgot they were in the Theme Park business, not the hotel business. With the continued room and food discounts, it's obvious that WDW overdid itself on that part as it seems they're primarily concerned with keeping all those rooms occupied. I would've preferred all that money spent building these resort hotels and DVC units be spent inside the parks. Hindsight is 20/20.
I think what bugs me is that Disney has spent the last 20yrs building resorts and time shares. I think they forgot they were in the Theme Park business, not the hotel business. With the continued room and food discounts, it's obvious that WDW overdid itself on that part as it seems they're primarily concerned with keeping all those rooms occupied. I would've preferred all that money spent building these resort hotels and DVC units be spent inside the parks. Hindsight is 20/20.