Disney's America Is Back?

Melanie;2461016 wrote: The more I think about this, the more amusing it becomes. I mean come on, we're talking Walton's Mountain here, folks!

I'm even more intrigued! ;)

magicofdisney;2461028 wrote: I'm even more intrigued! ;)

Where they are talking about is very close to Walton's Mountain, the actual place from the series. Every time I drive through there I want to stop at the museum., but it's about 10 miles or so off Hwy 29, and I never seem to have the extra time.

Interesting.. I'm not sure I'd ever visit, but it's an intriguing idea.

I doubt airports are an issue. Disneyland has the John Wayne or Long Beach airports about 20-25 minutes away, but most tourists land at LAX which can be 40 - 60 minutes, depending on the time of day. You have to find and book your own shuttle and yet, they still get there. I used to live in Redondo Beach and we often made it in 30 minutes, but that was knowing high traffic times and working around that.

If a park like this was successful, the infrastructure is sure to follow. We have seen it at Disneyland and WDW.

So the same website updated with this today

As an update to our previous story, Sweet Briar College has now formally denied the rumors they are in communications with Disney as a potential buyer for the college’s land in Amherst County. Such a denial amid the secrecy that the Board has been acting under means little however. If the Board wishes to squelch the rumors, we suggest that they rescind their secrecy pact and all sign a No Self-Dealing Statement to show their good faith.

In the meantime, we at The School of Athens stand by our report that Disney is indeed interested in the property, and call upon Attorney General Mark Herring act to make certain a fiduciary is put in place to properly manage the Sweet Briar endowment until these matters can be resolved.

Sounds to me like they just want something said from the Board and are trying to "out" the Board.

Clickbait for that website, nothing more. I'll eat a lemon (whole) if Disney buys the land SweetBriar college sits on and opens a Disney's America theme park there.

Melanie;2460918 wrote: 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.

At the risk of starting an argument, I don't think that's true. When folks think of Virginia, they think of the Shenandoah Valley, Richmond, Monticello, Civil War battlefields, and Norfolk. In fact, most Virginians (that don't live in NOVA) try to ignore NOVA exists. Not that there aren't very fine people in NOVA...

But saying that most people associate Virginia with just NOVA is like saying that most people associate California with just LA. Or all of New York with just New York City.

While I don't think for a moment that this article has *any* truth to it, Sweet Briar and the are around it is 100% authentically Virginia.

azcavalier;2461182 wrote: At the risk of starting an argument, I don't think that's true. When folks think of Virginia, they think of the Shenandoah Valley, Richmond, Monticello, Civil War battlefields, and Norfolk. In fact, most Virginians (that don't live in NOVA) try to ignore NOVA exists. Not that there aren't very fine people in NOVA...

But saying that most people associate Virginia with just NOVA is like saying that most people associate California with just LA. Or all of New York with just New York City.

While I don't think for a moment that this article has *any* truth to it, Sweet Briar and the are around it is 100% authentically Virginia.

I had no idea that the majority of Virginians pretend NOVA doesn't exist. We're just here temporarily, and can't wait to get the heck out of dodge, but I will say at the same time we live right on top of those civil war battlegrounds here in NOVA. That would be the reason Disney's America wasn't built about 10 miles from my house the first time. ;) I certainly meant zero disrespect, as I think Virginia is a very beautiful state.

Instead of NOVA, maybe my example should have been the I-95 corridor. I could very well be wrong, but I do think that's what a lot of folks associate with Virginia. And while it's unfortunate people do it, I do think it's true for other areas too, like the examples you mentioned (especially NYC for NY) and even Orlando for Florida.

Melanie;2461188 wrote: I had no idea that the majority of Virginians pretend NOVA doesn't exist. We're just here temporarily, and can't wait to get the heck out of dodge, but I will say at the same time we live right on top of those civil war battlegrounds here in NOVA. That would be the reason Disney's America wasn't built about 10 miles from my house the first time. ;) I certainly meant zero disrespect, as I think Virginia is a very beautiful state.

Instead of NOVA, maybe my example should have been the I-95 corridor. I could very well be wrong, but I do think that's what a lot of folks associate with Virginia. And while it's unfortunate people do it, I do think it's true for other areas too, like the examples you mentioned (especially NYC for NY) and even Orlando for Florida.

No offense taken, and I probably sounded more argumentative than I intended. OK, i'll admit (after thinking about it for a few minutes) that we do actually include NOVA, as it has Manassass, Arlington, and Mount Vernon. It's beautiful there, just built up. Old Town Alexandria is awesome. I don't know if I count Fredricksburg as NOVA. It's close.

The I-95 corridor is a big part of it, true. If you've never done it, while you live here, you should head out I-66 to the I-81 corridor and take that south. Yeah, it would add a few hours, but it's *beautiful*.

azcavalier;2461193 wrote: The I-95 corridor is a big part of it, true. If you've never done it, while you live here, you should head out I-66 to the I-81 corridor and take that south. Yeah, it would add a few hours, but it's *beautiful*.

Oh we do!!!! Love that area. Being big college football fans, we've been to Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, etc. many times. I-81 to I-77 into NC is a gorgeous drive. Like I said, I think VA is a beautiful state. The only area I don't get giddy about is Norfolk. ;)

Melanie;2461194 wrote: Oh we do!!!! Love that area. Being big college football fans, we've been to Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, etc. many times. I-81 to I-77 into NC is a gorgeous drive. Like I said, I think VA is a beautiful state. The only area I don't get giddy about is Norfolk. ;)

Mel, next time make a right and take I-81 north and visit meeee in Martinsburg, WV.
I can truly say I've haven't heard of anyone "getting giddy about Norfolk". Williamsburg is a favorite of mine. I'm sure I'll be blasted by someone who is from Norflk though. Sorry. :blush:

Back on topic - anybody remember not long ago the guys from Texas with their rumors about Disney in a scam?

TheDuckRocks;2461217 wrote: Mel, next time make a right and take I-81 north and visit meeee in Martinsburg, WV.

We were just in Shepherdstown a few weeks ago, Kay! Had I known....

But yeah, as much as I would love this to be true, I do think it's 'one man's dream,' and we'll not see this park/concept ever built.

Over the years, when I have travelled to DC from the Upstate of SC, I found the fastest, lowest traffic, and most scenic drive was US 29...The Sweet Briar area is beautiful...and since I have flown into the Orlando area since the early 60's, I remember when Orlando APT was smaller than Lynchburg Apt...and like Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens, VA, Sweet Briar would be a delightful 2 or 3 day vacation for significant portions of the Northeast. Interstates 64, 81, 77, and even 95 all pass within an hour of Sweet Briar. Like Kings Dominion and Busch Garden VA, placing it there may limit it to 3 seasons, but is done correctly much of the park could be designed to support year round visitors. I believe that drawing some WDW fans to a new park, supported by Deluxe and Value resorts, and perhaps DVC, would be a great strategy...and much of the northeast, particularly those who couldn't afford an Orlando vacation, would find bus (and potentially bus and rail) excursions much more affordable. I would love to participate in the Imagineering of such a project! I already have ideas for a hybrid of CoP and American Adventure...and a re-imagined World of Motion....and a re-birth of Horizons, telling the history of the US, rather than visions of a new universe...

Love the idea!