BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 File this one in the "big fat rumor" department for now...https://athensschool.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/the-real-story-behind-the-sweetbriar-closing-disney-america-is-back/ Excerpt... According to our source, the reason Sweet Briar is closing is to make way for: In 1994, Disney was all set to close on 2,000 acres in Haymarket in as the core to its envisioned 3,000-acre Disney America in Prince William County. That deal was scuttled, but Disney is on the record as keeping its plans alive to set Disney America in Virginia. Riley over at Virginia Virtucon was openly calling for Disney to revive its Disney America design in the Williamsburg area a few years ago. Many in Virginia consider the protests and objections that forced Disney to shut down its plans 20 years ago a big mistake. Our source has informed us that Disney is ready to rectify that mistake, and now wants the 3,250 acres that Sweet Briar sits on to bring Disney America back to life and back to Virginia. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Travisma 1,317 Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 I just finished that article. It has some interesting points, and what others say is a conspiracy theory. My biggest question is, would Disney invest major $$$ building a park in an area where it probably wouldn't be open year round? Aren't theme parks in that area and further north closed about a 1/3 of the year? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 Aren't theme parks in that area and further north closed about a 1/3 of the year? By way of comparison, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is generally open full-time May-August and weekends only for a month or so on either end of that window. But then you've got Tokyo Disney, where it averages in the 40s in the winter, and they actually get snow on occasion, and it's open 365. However they did make concessions for the weather with most line queues being indoors and the "roof" over Main Street. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 ...and the Tokyo Disney parks are ranked consistently among the top 5 in attendance for all theme parks each year and are arguably among the most popular of the Disney parks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 What this place has in common with Tokyo (and Anaheim) is a huge population base with easy access for day trips. I could see that being very attractive to Disney. I've always thought that putting a park in the northeast would really cut into their Florida business. But, their probably too excited about all the cash that will flow in at the beginning to worry about what will happen down the road. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 Take a look at a map of Virginia, noting where Sweet Briar College sits relative to the major population centers and highways of the region. There is zero chance that Disney would make a huge investment in that area, IMO. Sure, when WDW was built, central FL didn't have much population, but it did have excellent highway access which is why Walt chose that land near the intersection of I-4 and the Turnpike. Tri-Circle-D 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 Take a look at a map of Virginia, noting where Sweet Briar College sits relative to the major population centers and highways of the region. There is zero chance that Disney would make a huge investment in that area, IMO. Sure, when WDW was built, central FL didn't have much population, but it did have excellent highway access which is why Walt chose that land near the intersection of I-4 and the Turnpike. You make a very good point. I didn't look at a map, and for some reason I had it in my head that this land was close to Washington DC. I agree with you- it's too remote. Maybe something north of the Washington DC area would fly. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bhall 115 Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 About 10 years ago, many "companies" were making land purchases along the PA/MD border in the Gettysburg/Emmitsburg, MD area. Scuttlebutt was Disney was behind it but ran into a large tract owner that refused to sale. Many people in the Emmitsburg area insist the rumor was true. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 My biggest question is, would Disney invest major $$$ building a park in an area where it probably wouldn't be open year round?Aren't theme parks in that area and further north closed about a 1/3 of the year?Sesame Place (langhorne, pa) started out as mainly all water rides but has been slowly adding more and more dry rides to extended their season. They are weekends only for May, Sept and Oct, full time June, July and August. They also have a Christmas thing (Christmas shows, decorations, limited rides) that starts Black Friday and is weekend only (full time during Christmas break) and closes Jan 2. It does really well. Six flags great adventure (Jackson, Nj) is weekends only April to mid/late May and then is full time until Labor Day, then weekends only until Halloween. This year they are having a Christmas thing too. Hershey park is about the same, and has a Very, very popular Christmas thing. I think they could pull off a seasonal park and maybe f-m during spring/fall. I'm all for this, the closer I am to disney, the better Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keith_h 420 Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 While the area is within a couple of hours drive of multiple metropolitan areas I just don't see Disney moving in there. It seems to me they would be better served if they were closer to the I-95 corridor between Richmond and Alexandria which opens up the drawing of folks that also want to see the historical sites. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 I wonder if their grand plan would be to be away from other stuff and if they had decent resorts/indoor water parks, etc that would keep you from going elsewhere? Doubt it will ever happen but it's fun to think about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caveat lector 181 Posted June 16, 2015 Report Share Posted June 16, 2015 So you think Disney could actually get the general public to frequent a park, in not so nice weather, year round. Next, you'll try to tell me they try to get us rubes to pay $100+ for WDW park admission.....oh wait......never mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LONE-STAR 370 Posted June 16, 2015 Report Share Posted June 16, 2015 Texas makes more sense. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Travisma 1,317 Posted June 16, 2015 Report Share Posted June 16, 2015 Build it in Brazil. Attendance at WDW would drop 30%, and there wouldn't be any more pennants on sticks bobbing along! geoffdaddy and dblr....Rennie 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parrothead7368 aka Norm 101 Posted June 16, 2015 Report Share Posted June 16, 2015 Actually where the rumors are placing it seems a lot better than the I-95 corridor mainly because they can pull more from the states West of the area as well as the East in my opinion. Best Regards,Norm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arthuruscg 34 Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 The problem getting land closer to I-95 is finding a big enough track that is un interrupted. Lynchburn Regional airport has room to expand if i remember correctly. ( Disney could have thier own terminal)The Amtrak line is right off the property on the other side of US-29. CSX has a line from hampton roads to lynchburg.I-95 betwene Baltimore and Richmond is a parkling lot most of the time, and I believe the state has plans to expand/ improve US-29, which they could use the Disney excuse to have the feds foot the bill. That combined with improving US-15 would help take a large number of car/trucks off I-95. It would be a long day drive from St Loius, Chicago, and the NE. With VA 60 being the only non interstate. With all that said, I can't see it happening. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 And the rumor goes BOOM! Agreement reached to keep Sweet Briar openSweet Briar College will stay open next academic year under a mediation agreement announced today by the state attorney general's office. http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/article_4b2f03d8-a089-5f8c-9c39-6faa19da07ce.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted July 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 An interesting article on Disney's America... This is the Most Controversial Disney Theme Park Ever Conceived Disney’s America was supposed to contain nine lands, more commonly referred to as “territories.” Each would honor a certain era of a certain part of the United States. http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20150720/30426/birth-decay-and-destruction-disneys-america Tri-Circle-D 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 An interesting article on Disney's America... This is the Most Controversial Disney Theme Park Ever Conceived http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20150720/30426/birth-decay-and-destruction-disneys-America Wow, that is a very elaborate rumor! I don't recall ever hearing that a lot of the original California Adventure attractions were swiped and recycled from this concept. Very interesting. It's a good thing it never got built- it sounds very boring. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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