http://www.okmagazine.com/news/view/10300

^^^ To himself, apparently in a way. What a weird story. Seems no on is safe from the mortgage "crisis."

I suppose if Mr. Jackson had managed his fortune differently, he wouldn't be affected as much by the current financial woes. I seem to remember a documentary showing him going on opulent, over-the-top shopping sprees similar to those of Sir Elton John, which left the latter star in somewhat of a cash shortage in the late 1980s. Oh, well. I hope the best for them.

After Mr. Jackson's death, the future of Neverland Ranch is still very much up in the air:

...We're told one of the options being discussed is to make Neverland some sort of museum or shrine to Jackson.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/06/28/no-plans-for-neverland-ranch/

Headline: Neverland ‘to be turned into theme park, shrine to Jacko’

Then a paragraph or two saying exactly that.

Then, this:

...Sources at Capital said Neverland will only be sold to a private buyer who will keep Michael Jackson’s name alive.

However, one insider added: “It may not be sold at all. Tom might simply seek backers or partners to re-open it as a tourist attraction bearing Michael’s name.”

The legend, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 50, bought the property in 1988 and it became a fantasy land where the singer took guests on the rides and served them ice-cream and popcorn in a personal playground where he entertained hundreds of needy children over the years.

What passes for journalism these days!

http://sify.com/movies/hollywood/fullstory.php?id=14896892

From what I recall, Neverland is about 1 hour north of LA in the Santa Barbara area. It was fairly remote, and a bit hard to get to.

Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful areas I've ever seen, and quite honestly I would not want to see it turned into what Anaheim has become (not that it would.)

However it does seem appropriate that Neverland would be reclaimed by the Jackson family as a final resting place.

Graceland of the west, I suppose.

Shaggy

(The rides were sold auction, weren't they?)

Yes, the rides were sold at auction. As posted elsewhere here today, one ended up at Beech Bend:

http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?...29&hl=Beech

Future of Neverland launches discordant debate:

...But residents of Santa Ynez Valley have another name for the 2,676-acre spread: They call it NEVER!-land.

As in NEVER going to turn Jackson's famous home into a tourist attraction, a la Elvis Presley's Graceland. As in NEVER going to bury him there. As in it's NEVER going to happen....

Jankowski doesn't consider the rides essential. "I don't think it has to be Six Flags," he says. "If they have the ability to get a little peek behind the curtain of what his life was, that's what's going to draw the core fan."...

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-0...nd-future_N.htm

This is a VERY interesting read if you are interested in the attractions industry or in Michael Jackson.

Does every article about amusement parks have to mention Six Flags?

You need to read more articles. By far, most articles about parks and the park industry do not mention Six Flags.

Jackson Family Planning to Turn Neverland Into Tourist Attraction A La Graceland:

Michael Jackson's family have agreed to turn Neverland into a spectacular Graceland-like amusement park, according to US reports. The Jackson family has reached an agreement with the owners of Neverland, private equity firm Colony Capital – and the King of Pop's famous home could be opened to the public as early as Christmas, according to the reports. The driving force behind the ambitious plans to transform the 2,676-acre estate into a tourist attraction is thought to be Jackson's brother, Jermaine, who had initially wanted the music legend to be buried at Neverland. A Jackson family source said: "This is important to Jermaine – he is really pushing for this. He has a big vision for Neverland as a museum, tourist attraction and concert venue…

http://www.3am.co.uk/jackson-family-planni...traction/17780/

Michael is a prime example that you can not live on borrowed money as it has to be paid back in some sort. The sad part is the people and lawyers that will trip over each in an attempt to get rich over his name. I look for it to be tied up in probate.