Couple snaps 'Up' dream home

Residence modeled after Disney film house

12/10/2011
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Clinton and Lynette Hamblin have bought the full-scale rendition of the house in Disney's animated film 'Up' in Herriman, Utah.
Clinton and Lynette Hamblin have bought the full-scale rendition of the house in Disney's animated film 'Up' in Herriman, Utah.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Two self-described Disney "fanatics" have purchased a house in Utah modeled after the colorful home featured in the animated movie Up.

Discovering the house in the Salt Lake City suburb of Herriman, Utah, was a dream come true for Clinton and Lynette Hamblin of Petaluma, Calif. The couple had been looking for a house with some of the same flourishes as the one in the movie, such as a multicolored exterior or a blue kitchen with retro appliances.

They initially looked in California until they saw news reports about the house in Utah that included every possible detail from the movie and was even officially recognized as the Up house by Disney.

Even more surprising was the $400,000 price tag, which was less than homes they looked at in California.

For them, however, the real attraction to the house was it underscored the overriding theme of the movie.

"We just love the message of the movie -- adventure is out there," Lynette Hamblin told the Salt Lake Tribune.

The house is modeled on its appearance early in the movie, when Carl and Ellie Frederickson are flush with the optimism of newlyweds.

That was before infertility undid their hopes for a family and Ellie's death left Carl a curmudgeonly recluse who refuses to succumb to developers and sell his house.

Herriman City spokesman Nicole Martin said about 45,000 people have visited the home for tours, and will continue to do so through the month of December.

City leaders even recently passed a resolution honoring the house for its economic impact.

The Hamblins plan to move into the home after closing Jan. 4, which happens to be Ms. Hamblin's birthday.