A Piece of Disney History



This week's wordless Wednesday theme is Disney History! This is perfect because I just learned an interesting fact on my last trip! While visiting Disney on a recent trip, we spent a few days at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. This was my very first time staying off Disney property ( gasp, I know). But I was perfectly okay with this because we had just spent a few days at a Disney resort!

 This was one of our beautiful views from the resort.

Okay, I'm going to try to keep this interesting story brief ( we'll see how that goes)!

When Walt Disney started buying up acres and acres of land in the central Florida area, word of that got out to a family living in Asia at the time. They owned a key piece of land surround by land that Walt already owned. Walt desperately wanted this land but the family would not sell.  Therefore making this property land locked by Disney.  Many years later the family did end up selling the property to Wyndham properties.  Thus making the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort the only Non Disney resort right in the middle of all the "Magic".

I have fallen in love with this resort! The views are phenomenal and unlike any other on Disney property. Word is that although Disney does not own the land this resort is on, it does own the "air rights". Can you imagine owning the air? Well, I guess Disney does. They have complete say over how tall the Wyndham Bonnet Creek resort can build up and what they put on their property that could possibly obstruct the Disney sky line.


Views of the Swan and Dolphin and Boardwalk area.



View of Disney's Hollywood Studios and off to the right you can see Expedition Everest!

 View of Disney's Pop Century Resort.
As much as I love staying on Disney property, I REALLY enjoyed staying at this luxury resort. I really felt I was on top of the world ( Disney World that is)!  I definitely look forward to staying here again!  Maybe I'll learn a little more Disney history!
Have you ever stayed at an off Disney property? Would you consider it?
Please remember that even though we will be in Disney this week, we will still be blogging! Please continue to follow along!

Thanks Deb for hosting another Wordless Wednesday.
Focused on the Magic

19 comments:

  1. I have actually heard really great things about this resort!! If I ever stayed at a non-Disney resort it would either be this one or the Hilton in Downtown Disney (I think that those hotel guests still get the extra magic hours). I have also heard that Disney has so many 'air rights' that they don't allow airplanes to fly over or even near the parks!

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    1. Yes, they do participate in the EMH. Funny you should mention about the airplanes because I have always wondered what the view would be like to fly over Disney property, but now that you've mentioned it I don't ever remember seeing or hearing a plane overhead while at Disney. I'm definitely going to be on the look out for one this weekend!

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  2. If I owned that resort, I wouldn't sell either... imagine how much it must be worth to Disney? I wonder how many offers they get on them... or maybe even from other development companies who want to sneak into that space!

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    1. It was actually just the land when Walt wanted to buy it. From what I understand the Family sold the land to Wyndham instead of Disney and then Wyndham is the one who built the resort. I imagine that land didn't come cheap!

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  3. Great pics and I would consider staying in one they look amazing ;-)

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  4. If I forget to say it - GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND!!!! I can't wait for a recap of your race!

    I have only been to Disney once in my life. It was during our senior trip in high school. My sister and I were never really Disney fans when we were younger - there were only select movies my parents chose to buy for us. There are some classics that I have never seen and people gasp every time I tell them. When we went to Disney, I wasn't that impressed but I think it was due to the organization of the trip. Plus, we hardly saw ANY characters! I wanted to get pictures with them and I did not see a single one :(
    If my husband and I ever have kids, I think I would definitely bring them to Disney world so they can experience it while they are young, unlike me!
    I do love Disney and the magic around it so I am hoping when I bring my own kids or nieces/nephews I will get to experience the magic as well :)

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    1. Thank you SO much! You should definitely consider going to Disney with your husband even before you have children. It is so much fun!

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  5. I hear amazing things about this hotel, and would love to stay there on day!

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  6. I saw this resort on our last stay, and thought "What are those buildings over there?" Sounds great, might have to check it out....if we venture off prop :)

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    1. I had never seen this before I stayed here. It's like a hidden gem!

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  7. I have heard nothing but raves about this resort! We haven't stayed off-property since 1973, but this might just fit the bill... (And thanks for the juicy history Meranda!)

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    1. I really did feel like I was on Disney property and loved the fact that I could see the other Disney resorts and parks right from the balcony!

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  8. Air rights? Corporations are ridiculous.

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  9. This looks like a great resort! I am going to have to check it out. Thanks for the tip and for the fascinating history behind it!!

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  10. Interesting take on the history theme. It looks like a great resort and those views are gorgeous.

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  11. Our first two trips we stayed in a villa in Davenport, but this year we're staying at a Disney Resort for the first time (OKW) so excited!

    Such lovely views - thank you for sharing!

    #DisneyWordlessWednesday
    http://www.thepurplepumpkinblog.co.uk/2014/02/disney-wordless-wednesday.html

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