Though it won't happen and I have a feeling the article is nothing but clickbait or a social media experiment - it's interesting to think what might have been... had Disney actually opened a regional park in Virginia or elsewhere.
The Real Story Behind the Sweet Briar Closing: Disney America is Back.
We are hearing from a source in position to know that this beautiful land is the reason that Sweet Briar is closing. Because there is a buyer ready to move quickly and quietly to purchase the whole lot, historic buildings and all. This buyer has the immense economic power and major influence to keep the related decisions silent, immediate, and final. Who? Well, it has a lot to do with a similar land deal of about 3,000 acres that got scuttled about twenty years ago. According to our source, the reason Sweet Briar is closing is to make way for Disney's America
INTERCOT Founder & MCP
The OG Disney Fan Site - Founded 1997
Oh wow. There's been a lot in the news here about Sweet Briar closing. But I have a feeling you are right.
For those not familiar - here is a page with an overview of what the park was supposed to be when proposed by Michael Eisner and Disney back in 1993.
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2008/03/disneys-america-theme-park-project.html
INTERCOT Founder & MCP
The OG Disney Fan Site - Founded 1997
The area where Sweet Briar is is SO middle of nowhere. I don't see it happening. Not with the way the infrastructure is in this state. It would be a HUGE undertaking to develop that area in a way that would support a Disney theme park.
Losing out on the Haymarket land was a huge blow to Disney. Local politics is so irritating sometimes.
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
I wouldn't bet that Disney would move on something like that. Iger goes big for proven and well established properties. Eisner went for these sort of big ideas, but Iger does not.
BrerGnat;2460911 wrote: The area where Sweet Briar is is SO middle of nowhere. I don't see it happening. Not with the way the infrastructure is in this state. It would be a HUGE undertaking to develop that area in a way that would support a Disney theme park.
Losing out on the Haymarket land was a huge blow to Disney. Local politics is so irritating sometimes.
I've driven that road many times going to and from NC in the 3 years we've lived here. It is for sure in the middle of nowhere, but at the same time very pretty. When folks think of Virginia, they tend to think of northern VA, and the area Sweet Briar is in couldn't be more unlike NOVA. Having Disney's America here in our area would have been perfect. Back then, so much farmland (and really, there still is), and close enough to DC, Philly, NYC for lots of traffic. Amherst is another 2.5 hours away, and that's going through Charlottesville, which can be irritating most times of the day.
It may be in the middle of nowhere...but so was the WDW land. They built EVERYTHING. Then again, they had vision back then, and I haven't seen a lot of that lately...
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Stu29573;2460922 wrote: It may be in the middle of nowhere...but so was the WDW land. They built EVERYTHING. Then again, they had vision back then, and I haven't seen a lot of that lately...
Imagine the Disney company of today trying to sell Wall Street on that kind of massive development work? They would probably oust the entire Board of Directors.
The biggest hurdle though is that the nearest airport is still over an hour away and Richmond airport is tiny and old. Dulles is almost 3 hours away. I don't see it.
Orlando was at least already at the intersection of two major interstates BEFORE Disney bought the land.
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
I'm assuming this would be a three season destination?
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If I have to ride a mule down a dirt road to go to this park, that is okay with me. Let's build it now!
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baldburke;2460926 wrote: I'm assuming this would be a three season destination?
Right. Definitely a region with the potential for a lot of snow.
Tekneek;2460924 wrote: Imagine the Disney company of today trying to sell Wall Street on that kind of massive development work? They would probably oust the entire Board of Directors.
It would be a patriotic act for sure. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs.......
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DisneyGiant;2460947 wrote: It would be a patriotic act for sure. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs.......
I would suppose that what they did in Florida, from 1967 - 1971 by itself, would cost at least a billion dollars today.
DisneyGiant;2460947 wrote: It would be a patriotic act for sure. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs.......
In today's dollars, just getting to the point of opening the Magic Kingdom would probably take close to $3 billion. I'm not sure they'd be willing to write that check today.
