Avatar Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 Disney rumor reignited By Kathryn Buckstaff News-Leader A request for road improvements for a $1.1 billion theme park in Newton County has led to new speculation about the Walt Disney Co.'s interest in southwest Missouri. Rumors that a Disney attraction was coming to Branson were rampant in the mid-1990s. Now, Newton County Commissioners are investigating whether Disney could be linked to a theme park proposal made earlier this month. Jerry Carter, Newton County Presiding Commissioner, said the notion arose after Todd Marshall, who said he represented a Springfield company called ARM Risk, attended the April 12 commissioners' meeting. Carter asked about changes on county roads leading to the location the company is considering for a theme park. A list of specifications Marshall gave the commissioners included first-phase construction costs of $1.1 billion, land purchases of 1,000 acres with the park taking 100 acres, six hotels, 95 shops, 27 rides, 12 stages and 18 restaurants. "We want to be cautious and careful," Carter said. "We live in an opportunistic world and sometimes things come along we can't even conceive of." A possible Disney connection was raised when commissioners checked the company owners. On a form called "Registration of Fictitious Name" filed with the Missouri Secretary of State's office in March for ARM Risk, three owners are listed. Corporations routinely file such forms. The owners are Michael Hill of Wilmington, Del.; Robert Brown, who lists his address as 500 South Buena Vista St., Burbank, Calif.; and Jason Johnson, who lists his address as Corporate Office, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. On the Internet, commissioners found that the Burbank address is corporate headquarters of the Walt Disney Co. Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is headquarters of Walt Disney World Resort. Officials at Disney headquarters in Burbank said the company would not comment on the matter. The secretary of state's office has only an administrative role in filing business registrations, said communications assistant Ryan Hobart. When someone signs the registration, he or she is legally bound to give correct information, Hobart said. ARM Risk's address is listed as 1926 S. Glenstone Ave., Suite 353, Springfield, on the registration. Todd Marshall could not be reached for comment. No phone listing could be obtained for ARM Risk. Carter, who is 71, is a Newton County native. He said that such a project would forever change the county. The area where the company is seeking to buy land is mostly small acreage and some farms of 60 to 100 acres, Carter said. It is in the southwest quadrant of the junction of U.S. 71 and Interstate 44. Some residents would be interested in the project, and some wouldn't, he predicted. "We're right between two of the largest growth areas in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, so we are becoming accustomed to shock here," Carter said. Just to the south is the Bentonville area and to the north is Joplin. "It'll never be what it used to be." In Branson, Herschend Family Entertainment spokes- woman Lisa Rau said they had not heard of the plans. The company owns the Silver Dollar City and Celebration City theme parks and other attractions. Ross Summers, director of the Branson Lakes/Area Chamber of Commerce, said he also had heard of no such plans by Disney. "These Disney rumors have floated around here for as long as I can remember," Summers said. Developer Glenn Patch heard lots of Disney rumors after he purchased 7,000 acres of land just south of Hollister in the early '90s. His land is now the site of two golf courses, upscale homes and a commercial airport in development. "When I was first coming here, I thought about painting a pair of black ears on my plane just for the fun of it," Patch said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/arc...ably-wrong.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oysterman Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 id hope they keep the 2 disney parks in the US and thats all, i dont know any other reasons people why people are in Missouri, its not a big tourist spot, is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 id hope they keep the 2 disney parks in the US and thats all, i dont know any other reasons people why people are in Missouri, its not a big tourist spot, is it? Neither was Orlando until Walt had a vision... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastbreakdown Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 Hmm Disney's America anyone? It would make sense considering that is pretty much the "heartland" of this country. Also, isn't that how Walt went about purchasing the land in Florida? On top of that, what other company would have that much revenue to start up a park right now. Six Flags is climbing out of their debt, and Cedar Fair just purchased all of those parks. So if a large company were to be developing this land, all fingers point to Disney. Well, that is my two cents. Have a great day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 Here's a follow-up article from the same source... (Which, I believe, may have also been linkable within the Jim Hill article that Browntggrr posted.) http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...D=2007704240365 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erniebald57 Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 Branson, MO is indeed a huge tourist spot. Billions have and continue to be been invested in hotels, condos, shopping, and attractions over the last several years. I was there last year and while most of the down home country/gospel style shows and such aren't my cup of tea, there is no doubt that people flock here. My personal favorites were Silver Dollar City (local theme park...one of the best I've been to), and the Table Rock Lake area. The bottom line is that this area is ever expanding, and it is a viable area for any kind of theme/amusement park project. The closest Disney park is about 1500 or so miles from Branson, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Disney's name on a sign somewhere soon, although I do have my doubts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 http://www.joplinglobe.com/neosho_newton_m...=secondarystory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplehaze Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 Branson, MO is a huge tourist area. And is growing by leaps and bounds everyday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welchce Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I just checked out where US 71 meets I 44 in Missouri on Google Earth and that area is a much clearer satellite picture than anywhere around it. Coincidence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/stor...&siteid=nbk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart32 Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 So what if WD is building another park in MO... would you visit it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvo Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 I really don't think that this will ever happen. Disney World and Disney Land both operate 365 days per year. I don't think that they would ever invest in a location that wouldn't allow them to do that, i.e. Missouri. But for the record if they did build a park in MO, I probably wouldn't go to visit, because I could go to FLORIDA or CALIFORNIA instead........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DropZone99 Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 I might visit if they had some good coasters... iv'e never been to a Disney Park only because they're not really a thrill park... it's more of a kiddie park. Every time i go to Orlando i go to IOA or BGA. =] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOFirehawkFAN Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 I might visit if they had some good coasters... iv'e never been to a Disney Park only because they're not really a thrill park... it's more of a kiddie park. Every time i go to Orlando i go to IOA or BGA. =] I think there is still a HUGE market for thrill parks despite what a lot of people are saying right now, maybe Disney wants to build more of a thrill park, kind of like how IOA is to Universal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvo Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 ^Doubtful. Disney's target audience is first and foremost children. That strategy has made them the most successful company in the industry since they opened, and I don't see them changing it any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium_Guy Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 I might visit if they had some good coasters... iv'e never been to a Disney Park only because they're not really a thrill park... it's more of a kiddie park. Every time i go to Orlando i go to IOA or BGA. =] How do you know they don't have any good coasters if you have never visited? Personally, I'm much happier spending my time at Disney than at Universal. You should give Disney a whirl, its a total blast and they have some darn good rides. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is just a super fun ride. Tower of Terror rocks. Add in Everest, Mission Space, Soarin', Splash Mountain, Space Mountain. I'm 26. In no way do I find ANY of the Disney parks to be kiddie parks. We just finished a huge Orlando trip, TR is on its way soon. Universal wasn't putting on its best performance this trip to say the least.....and I don't even want to talk about Busch Gardens. - Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I was 43 years old when I hit my first Disney park. I was DETERMINED to not like it. Can't do it. And in fact, of all the parks I have visited, Disney's California Adventure is in my top ten...I'm not quite sure what else is and isn't, but I KNOW that park is. So is Disney's MGM Studios in Florida, or whatever they call it this week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium_Guy Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I was 43 years old when I hit my first Disney park. I was DETERMINED to not like it. Can't do it. And in fact, of all the parks I have visited, Disney's California Adventure is in my top ten...I'm not quite sure what else is and isn't, but I KNOW that park is. So is Disney's MGM Studios in Florida, or whatever they call it this week! Agreed! I'm anxiously awaiting my visit to California Adventure.....which is looking like November! Whoo hoo! I'm still very partial to the original Magic Kingdom....I think its in a league of its own and definitely superior to its Orlando counterpart. Indiana Jones anyone??? - Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 ^Doubtful. Disney's target audience is first and foremost children. Actually, it does appear that Disney has moved away from the traditional kids' rides to a more thrill ride atmosphere catering not only kids to younger moms & dads seeking thrill rides. http://www.orlando-florida.net/pressreleas...disneyworld.htm Even some of the vacation promotions are catering to younger families with vacation plans under $1000 which includes meals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padfoot714 Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 I was 43 years old when I hit my first Disney park. I was DETERMINED to not like it. Can't do it. And in fact, of all the parks I have visited, Disney's California Adventure is in my top ten...I'm not quite sure what else is and isn't, but I KNOW that park is. So is Disney's MGM Studios in Florida, or whatever they call it this week! Agreed! I'm anxiously awaiting my visit to California Adventure.....which is looking like November! Whoo hoo! I'm still very partial to the original Magic Kingdom....I think its in a league of its own and definitely superior to its Orlando counterpart. Indiana Jones anyone??? - Todd Also, many of their TV shows are aimed at tweens who are also going to be looking for more thrill rides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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