Latest news with #Cinderella'sCastle
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
You Can Buy a House in Disney World—Here's How
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Disney fans may be unaware, but you can purchase a home in the Disney World park. As the housing market remains highly competitive, a few homebuyers will be able to own a property in what's been deemed the "happiest place on Earth." Why It Matters Americans fled to Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic and started purchasing homes en masse in search of warmer weather and lower cost of living. While Florida's housing market may be experiencing a correction in the years following the pandemic, many Disney World homes remain high in value for a select group of buyers. People walk past the front of Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World on April 3, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. People walk past the front of Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World on April 3, 2025, in Orlando, To Know Homes are listed on that allow permanent access to Disney World. One listing, for 10138 Enchanted Oak Drive Golden Oak, boasts five bedrooms and more than 7,000 square feet at a price of $13 million. "The charming arched doorways, sumptuous great room with exposed beams, and abundant natural light create an inviting atmosphere. Outdoor amenities include an impressive summer kitchen, expansive pool with sun shelf and spa, and scenic conservation views," the listing reads. The future homeowners will also enjoy a balcony, private porch and garage space while living at the Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort. Golden Oak is a residential resort community where "families can live in the embrace of luxury, privacy and the magic of Disney." The gated community includes a private clubhouse called Summerhouse as well as membership to Club Life. This means you'll have access to Golden Oak Member Services team, park transportation, signature club events, theme park experiences, Extra Magic Hours and more. There's also the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, which hosts an 18-hole Tranquilo golf course, full-service spa, meeting facilities and several restaurants. To purchase, you'll need to make a compelling offer for the $13 million listing price and be prepared to fork over $2,830 monthly in HOA fees. Disney started planning a community geared for the "ultra rich" about 15 years ago, nationwide title and escrow expert Alan Chang said. "[It's] definitely not for the average American as these properties start in the low millions and only go up from there," Chang told Newsweek. Newsweek reached out to Disney for comment via email. What People Are Saying Nationwide title and escrow expert Alan Chang told Newsweek: "Just the membership fees and dues could total more than most American mortgage payments. For people with too much money, this may be a path to get rid of some excess funds rather quickly." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Purchasing a home inside the Disney World property in Orlando may be seen as the 'Holy Grail' to some Disney fans, but obviously for the vast majority of potential home buyers, the prospect will remain a fantasy. The average house cost at Golden Oak, the neighborhood on Disney's property, is well into the millions, and even if you could afford the price, you also would have to pay out tens of thousands of dollars a year in HOA and membership fees for the privilege of living in the 'Happiest Place on Earth.'" What Happens Next For most Americans, the cost of home ownership in Disney World remains far out of reach. However, for Disney fans who have access to a significant amount of money, the price might be right to be close to all the Disney action on a routine basis. "Clearly, these properties are only for the super-wealthy with a real love for the Disney Parks, but that select group can undoubtedly keep these costs high and the reputation of the community a prominent one," Beene said.
The Independent
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
How I found love at Florida's Walt Disney World
When hearing the words 'the most magical place on Earth', there's a fair chance that you might picture Walt Disney World in your head. It's a phrase that reflects the magic many visitors feel the first time they see Cinderella's Castle in the distance, or meet their favourite character with a great big hug. But for me, the magic went a little further. I met my Prince Charming at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Although, I would liken him more to Kristoff from Frozen. In October 2022, my sister Sophie got married at Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa's Wedding Pavilion, with just shy of 30 guests in attendance. James was one of the only guests I hadn't met before the wedding, and in the two weeks we spent together in Florida, I found everything I'd been wishing for in a potential partner. Ironically, I'd had a conversation just days before the wedding with my sister in which I announced I would be pausing any further efforts to find love – and then there he was. Disney magic, eh? I've never been cynical about love, but I would tire of hearing people say I'd meet somebody when I least expected it, or that I may bump into the love of my life at a wedding. When does that ever happen... I certainly didn't think I'd be living out that same Disney magic that Sophie always talked about – but now? It feels like it runs through our family's veins. So when the opportunity arose to return to Florida with friends, almost two years after James and I first met, as an extension of an American road trip we'd taken that included New York and Tennessee, we jumped at the chance. Last time, James and I were in separate villas, but for our return, we stayed at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. A hotel meticulous for detail, where staff wear a uniform resembling New England yacht attire, and nautical touches are found around every corner. Rooms were inviting and stately, with dark wood, blue and bronze tones. We loved Stormalong Bay – a three-acre aquatic wonderland – the dining options and excellent running routes, along with its proximity to The Boardwalk, a quarter-mile promenade of restaurants, shops and nightlife. Jellyrolls piano duelling bar was a must-do for our group: a lively, sing-a-long night-time venue that offers a side to Disney many aren't familiar with. This over-21s spot is a great place to get a cocktail and let your hair down for a few child-free hours. We scribbled down our favourite songs on a paper napkin – a mix of Disney, Taylor Swift and 80s rock – and threw them onto the stage. The musicians sifted through the requests and played them out to a lively audience, including Love Is an Open Door from Frozen, mine and James' karaoke duet. Cheesy, I know. After a few days, we'd settled comfortably into our Disney routine as if we'd never left. It wasn't hard, thanks to many months of meticulous planning courtesy of Disney TikTok, which provided plenty of tips on the best places to eat, hacks for beating the queues and hidden gems (check out Shay Spence and The Magic Millennial for some stellar intel). But the good times were about to get even better. Our first group park day was a visit to Magic Kingdom, where we decided to tick a few rides off our list. Lots of my favourites are in Magic Kingdom, including a nostalgic flying boat ride over Neverland on Peter Pan's Flight, and journeying through the world serenaded by animatronic dolls during It's a Small World, as they hold special memories of my childhood. Experiencing these with James for the first time was so much fun, and I thought of the days ahead when we might experience them with our own children. It's not all calm river rides and child-friendly coasters at the Magic Kingdom, though. I'd earmarked a few new rides since our last visit in 2022, and we'd made sure to get up early and book our Lightning Lane slots (a fast-track service) using the app. There was no going back. Although I've never been one for rollercoasters, I made the promise to both James and myself that I'd give them a whirl on this trip. As a fan of the fastest and most hair-raising rides, even Disney's biggest are a breeze for him. TRON Lightcycle / Run is one of the fastest coasters in any Disney park, with sharp turns and sudden drops. We were sectioned into Team Blue, racing against Team Orange in the Grid to the finish. Despite being surrounded by small children, I felt very brave. A personal favourite, however, was Tiana's Bayou Adventure, a log flume based on The Princess and the Frog, which is one of the longer, more exciting attractions. I loved how the story unfolded with many critters and creatures during our journey with Tiana and alligator Louis through the waterways, as an original song (Special Spice) plays and the smell of beignets wafts through the air, before a thrilling 50-foot drop. A mandatory part of any Walt Disney World visit includes a group photo in front of Cinderella's Castle on your first day, so we all dropped our backpacks and huddled together. Splitting off into couples, more magic began to unfold. With the help of a savvy staff member taking our photo, the perfect proposal played out before our very eyes. First, Sophie and Sam got engaged at Cinderella's Royal Table back in 2016, before returning to tie the knot; then I met James; and now, Sam's brother Jake and his girlfriend Shannon have their own everlasting Disney memory. There must be something in the water – or perhaps Joffrey's Coffee, Disney's bespoke coffee blend – for our family. Over the 10 days we spent in Disney, we checked off other classics like Slinky Dog Dash – a fun rollercoaster suitable for families located in Toy Story Land – and the Kilimanjaro Safaris, an 18-minute open-air safari tour in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve that's home to giraffes, elephants, lions and hippopotamus. Epcot, a park celebrating different countries and cultures, is both mine and James' favourite park and home to Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (a 4D ride based on Ratatouille). It's also where we took our first photo together in 2022. Returning so close to our two-year anniversary, we knew that we had to recreate this core memory. We donned similar outfits and called on a friendly member of staff to help us get the best shot. It's a picture that now hangs proudly on our wall at home. Marvel was one of the first things that James and I bonded over after he introduced me to the first Iron Man film just weeks after meeting, so with a new love for rollercoasters, my one non-negotiable ride was Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Epcot. This high-speed three-minute ride featuring a reverse launch, spinning vehicles and and the most incredible graphics ended up being my favourite attraction of the whole trip. On our last night in the Magic Kingdom, we all hunkered down ready to watch the Happily Ever After light up the skies, a fireworks extravaganza featuring lights, lasers and special effects. With our eyes twinkling like Tinkerbell as she zips out into the crowd from the castle, we soaked up every last piece of the magic. Just a few years ago, I was heading on this same trip feeling that it would be a long while before I had my own happily ever after, and now I was back with James and some of my favourite people. As young girls, Sophie and I shared scratchy princess dresses and sang along with Disney tunes. We never could have imagined we'd both find our happily ever after here. I ponder excitedly over how much more wonder our family has in store at the most magical place on Earth.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Asteroid 2024 YR4 is on a possible collision course with Earth — what you need to know
SPACE (KXAN) — We're seven years away from a possible asteroid impact on Earth. The asteroid, 2024 YR4, has a 1-in-43 chance of striking the Earth and is the size of Cinderella's Castle at Disney World. It has the potential to wipe out a city. Discovered on Dec. 27, 2024, NASA estimates that if it does impact the planet it would be on Dec. 22, 2032. If it misses Earth in 2032, NASA said it will pass near the Earth six more times between 2032 and 2074. Saying all that, here's what we know according to NASA. The asteroid has a chance to 'cause localized damage,' but it is unlikely to impact the Earth. Because it has surpassed the 1% chance of impact threshold, space agencies involved in planetary defense will keep an eye on it. Over the next few years, NASA expects to adjust the probability of an impact. This includes where it will impact. It is important to note, and hopefully, this makes you feel better, most impacts occur in the ocean on Earth. This is because, well, most of the planet is covered in ocean. According to NASA, most objects that appeared on the asteroid risk list, which is exactly what it sounds like, are removed from the list after observation. NASA classifies the risk of an asteroid impact using the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. Using this scale, asteroids are ranked at levels zero to 10. At a 10, we're all doomed. At zero, there is zero chance of a collision. Saving the human race from an asteroid impact 2024 YR4 currently sits at level three on the scale: 'A close encounter, meriting attention by astronomers. Current calculations give a 1% or greater chance of collision capable of localized destruction. Most likely, new telescopic observations will lead to re-assignment to Level 0. Attention by public and by public officials is merited if the encounter is less than a decade away.' If this asteroid does hit the Earth it has the potential to wipe out a city. Between 131 and 295 feet wide and traveling at 30,000 mph, this thing could cause some damage. 'It is wild!' Asteroid named for University of Texas professor Two recent collisions give us clues to the damage. In 1908, a 98-foot-wide asteroid struck the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in Russia. That impact leveled trees over 830 square miles. In 2013, a 66-foot-wide asteroid exploded over Russia and gave off 30 times the energy of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. If this asteroid does hit a city, it could be catastrophic. Again, the chances of an impact are very low and the chances of a city being struck are even lower than that. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
What the asteroid with a 1-in-48 chance of hitting Earth in 2032 looks like (images)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. It might not look like much in this image, but this is the asteroid that has made a major news impact in 2025. That's because this space rock, designated asteroid 2024 YR4, has a 1-in-48 chance of impacting Earth in 2032. For obvious reasons, astronomers are desperate to learn as much as they can about 2024 YR4, estimated to be as large as 177 feet wide (54 meters wide). That's around as wide as Cinderella's Castle in Walt Disney World Florida is image featured here was captured on Feb. 7, 2025 by the 8.1-meter Gemini South telescope that's located on Cerro Pachón, a mountain in the Chilean Andes. At the time the image was taken, the asteroid was around 37 million miles (59.5 million kilometers) from Earth and 130 million miles (209 million kilometers) from the sun. "I find 2024 YT4 to be extremely exciting!" Bryce Bolin, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center astronomer who helped capture this image, told "Not only because of its notoriety but for the scientific potential of studying such a small asteroid in high detail."Only a few asteroids have been studied like this." "We took 12 200-second long exposures in the Red band and tracked the motion of the asteroid to obtain these images," Bolin explained. "The observations were difficult for three reasons. Firstly, the asteroid was faint, requiring the use of large telescopes to observe." Bolin explained the second difficulty surrounded the fact that 2024 YR4 was observed when the moon was 70% illuminated, meaning there was a considerable increase in sky background light compared to typical darker conditions. This made it more challenging to detect such a faint and distant object. Finally, Bolin added that the asteroid was moving 0.26 arcseconds per minute, which necessitated careful tracking with Gemini South to avoid trailing losses. This isn't the first image of asteroid 2024 YT4. The asteroid was first discovered by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on Dec. 27, after its discovery, the asteroid raced to the top of NASA's Center for Near Earth Objects Studies (CNEOS) Sentry impact risk table. The asteroid has remained there ever since, with the odds of impact in seven years climbing. Asteroid hunter David Rankin has been tracking 2024 YT4 since its discovery. He recently reassured readers by explaining that the increase in impact odds was expected. Rankin added that those odds are also expected to drop soon when the orbit of this asteroid is better understood. Related Stories: — Earth's mini-moon has finally departed. Will it ever return as a 'second moon?' — Asteroid the size of 3 million elephants zooms past Earth — Astronauts could mine asteroids for food someday, scientists say There are more Gemini South images of 2024 YT4 in the pipeline, but as the asteroid is currently heading away from Earth, it might be a while until we get a really good look at this space rock — from the ground at least. Bolin explained that 2024 YT4 will appear to fade until around mid-March, making it rather difficult to detect from the ground. The asteroid will become visible to ground telescopes in mid-2028 as it reapproaches Earth."Therefore, this is the last chance we have to observe the asteroid from Gemini before 2028," Bolin telescopes may have a little more fortune tracking this space rock until then. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is set to join this quest in March of this year.
