DVC in Branson, MO?

[Dis13]

What would you guys think of a DVC resort in Branson, MO? Has anyone ever been? What's it like there?

Found this article from a Springfield, MO newspaper:

Disney rumor reignited

Newton County officials told of possible theme park plans.

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.

[jekjones1558]

At the risk of being flamed (since MANY people love Branson), we would never consider a trip to Branson for our Disney fix. We have gone 3 times, tried to like it, but NO WAY. Although they have attempted to deal with the traffic issue, it is still a mess. There are some good shows to see but the over-the-top tourist trap atmosphere of cheap souvenir shops and buffets just doesn't cut it for us. Did I mention the traffic?

[Dean]

Like Orlando, LV and Williamsburg; Branson is pretty over built with timeshares. One can easily buy a cheap timeshare there or somewhere else and exchange in. I'd be surprised if DVC even gave it consideration.

[donmil723]

I heard this on our local news last night. (I live in mid-MO.) Actually, the land described in the article above is quite a ways from Branson. It is really closer to Joplin, MO which is approx. 45-50 minutes west of Springfield. Branson is about 35-40 minutes south of Springfield. While I would love to have Disney in Missouri, I'll believe it when it actually happens. Remember I live in the "Show-Me" State.

Donna

[Budshark]

At the risk of being flamed (since MANY people love Branson), we would never consider a trip to Branson for our Disney fix. We have gone 3 times, tried to like it, but NO WAY. Although they have attempted to deal with the traffic issue, it is still a mess. There are some good shows to see but the over-the-top tourist trap atmosphere of cheap souvenir shops and buffets just doesn't cut it for us. Did I mention the traffic?

HAHA - don't worry about being flamed by me. We took my wife's parents down there last Christmas - our first time. Welll... we sum the trip up by stating 2 things:
1) We left after one day
2) On the way out of town we stopped to get drinks. There was a GOAT at the local McDonalds. It was on a leash, but nonetheless, there was a GOAT at McDonalds!

Enough said. I definitely wouldn't go to Branson for my Disney Fix! :lmao: :lmao: And we live 4 hours away!

Chris

[JerJan]

HAHA - don't worry about being flamed by me. We took my wife's parents down there last Christmas - our first time. Welll... we sum the trip up by stating 2 things:
1) We left after one day
2) On the way out of town we stopped to get drinks. There was a GOAT at the local McDonalds. It was on a leash, but nonetheless, there was a GOAT at McDonalds!

Enough said. I definitely wouldn't go to Branson for my Disney Fix! :lmao: :lmao: And we live 4 hours away!

Chris

OMG...ROFLMAO!!!!! A GOAT!!!!! :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: (maybe they serve goat milk...a LOCAL favorite)!

[WDWorld2003]

We stopped there for a few nights on the way home from a visit to my sister's a few years ago and liked it. However, it was in October and there were no crowds to speak of.

We enjoyed the couple of shows we did see. We went to Silver Dollar City and that was not for us but we did enjoy Marvel Cave. I have also heard Big Cedar Lodge is very nice. There is a lot of natural beauty in the area once you get out of Branson.

I'm just not sure I could see Disney there but it would be a lot closer!

[calypso*a*go-go]

Count me out!

[tjkraz]

Seems to me that Orlando wasn't much to brag about before Disney came to town.

If Disney actually built an theme park there worth visiting, we'd certainly give it a go. But I can't see DVC building a stand-alone timeshare there and thinking it would be successful.

[littlestar]

We have friends that won't travel to Orlando because of crime (they don't feel safe). One family we know was robbed in Orlando. Those same people go to Branson every other year because they can drive there and they feel safer there.

[disneynutz]

HAHA - don't worry about being flamed by me. We took my wife's parents down there last Christmas - our first time. Welll... we sum the trip up by stating 2 things:
1) We left after one day
2) On the way out of town we stopped to get drinks. There was a GOAT at the local McDonalds. It was on a leash, but nonetheless, there was a GOAT at McDonalds!

Enough said. I definitely wouldn't go to Branson for my Disney Fix! :lmao: :lmao: And we live 4 hours away!

Chris

What's wrong with goats? They are nicer than some people I know! :rotfl:

[DVCconvert]

Seems to me - absence any 'official' statements, this whole topic *might* be a tad premature to discuss or argue about!
;)

[bmalonef45]

Don't know if it will ever happen but if they put a resort on Tablerock lake it would be worth it. The lake is georgous. If Disney could figure out a way to incorporate a theme park near the lake with the resorts having access to both I think it would work and I think we would visit. It would be nice and close for us in the middle part of the country.

[nuts]

Ok, which is first? Contemporary DVC or Branson DVC? :rotfl2: :lmao:

[bapvoeller]

I live in Northwest Arkansas which is close to the proposed changes. I have been to Branson numerous times and we enjoy going to Branson. It is not a Disney park or Orlando but it has a lot to offer. Mainly music performers, shopping, lakes, and natural beauty. Oh yeah, and LOTS of traffic!

I have lived in this area all my life and have heard rumors of Disney coming to this area for more than 30 years. IMO these are nothing but rumors and wishful thinking by locals. The problem with putting a park in this area is the weather. WDW and Disneyland are open year around. It is too cold in this area to have a year around park. Silver Dollar City in Branson, stays open through Christmas, but it’s main draw is Christmas lights and shows not the rides. I like going to SDC at Christmas but it is generally very cold. You are wearing heavy coats, gloves, and hats. It is hard to invest a bunch of money in a park when it is only open six months out of the year.

[dvc at last !]

No, thank you ! :cool1:

[dwelty]

These local small town papers are notorious for bad information. Disney is too smart to list Burbank, and Lake Buena Vista on a public record. They have too much avaliable land and infrastructure in Florida to build 1,000 miles away in an area with poor winter weather.

This is just like the Texas rumor.

[bwvBound]

Ok, which is first? Contemporary DVC or Branson DVC? :rotfl2: :lmao:Suggesting anything-DL DVC.

[Lenc324]

Never :rolleyes1

[jlovesee]

You guys are terrible! :)

I love SDC, and I am sure there are those that don't but it is a wonderful park, I consider it in almost every aspect a close 2nd to Disney, the customer service is on par that is for sure. Also keep in mind one year it beat Disney as the top amusement park driving destination in the US. After that Disney never gave it up again. :)

I usually stay away from Branson though, we take High Mountain Bypass off of I-65, and it goes through the hills, you can see Shepherd of the Hills tower but that's it. Very nice. I have stayed at Big Cedar Lodge and it is beautiful, Ozarks in their nature state (so to speak)

I honestly would love to see a DVC on the ozarks, and I wouldn't mind seeing a park in Missouri/Kansas somewhere. Someone mentioned that a park could only operate 6 months out of the year and that's not correct. SDC does operate from early march until the end of December. For most of those dates the park also operates all of its coasters/rides. Jeff and I run the American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster X-Mas down there every year, last year was the first year that they couldn't run anything due to the temperature. Keep in mind if Disney was to build a park most of their rides are indoors and wouldn't be affected by the weather anyway.

Missouri/Arkansas get the shaft so much for its "hick" status, and ok to a point it is a little backwards in some things, but what it is in that, it more then makes up for in natural beauty, and if Disney can have a Hilton Head they can certainly have a Southern Missouri. I for one would buy in.

Jennifer

[La2kw]

No thanks. Been to Branson and don't need to go back. ever. I doubt if they would build in Branson when Disneyland hasn't even opened a DVC yet.

[tjkraz]

I doubt if they would build in Branson when Disneyland hasn't even opened a DVC yet.

Assuming it's part of a $1.1B theme park investment, then I have to disagree. People in that part of the US (say, within a 200 mi radius) would be falling all over themselves buying into DVC if they found out a Disney park was opening on their doorstep. A DVC resort would CERTAINLY be part of the plan. Heck you could pay for half of the entire project with DVC sales alone.

Disney seems to be moving pretty carefully in terms of additional construction at DL. When they are ready to announce it, they will. But that's a situation where they could easily sell multiple destinations at once.

[mikeandkarla]

HAHA - don't worry about being flamed by me. We took my wife's parents down there last Christmas - our first time. Welll... we sum the trip up by stating 2 things:
1) We left after one day
2) On the way out of town we stopped to get drinks. There was a GOAT at the local McDonalds. It was on a leash, but nonetheless, there was a GOAT at McDonalds!

Enough said. I definitely wouldn't go to Branson for my Disney Fix! :lmao: :lmao: And we live 4 hours away!

Chris

How do you think they make their qurter-pounder with cheese? After all it is Branson, MO. Hillbilly heaven.:)

[Dis13]

The latest news is that it's just a hoax, most likely to drive up land value, unless, of course, it's just "disinformation." Hmmmmm.....

Rumored Disney park 'shenanigans'

Kathryn Buckstaff
News-Leader

Neosho — People in rural Newton County will have to forget, at least for now, the prospect of selling their land for big bucks to the Walt Disney Co.

After rumors flew last week that Disney was planning to build a $1.1 billion theme park in the area, Presiding Commissioner Jerry Carter got the word Monday that, as he put it, it's "shenanigans."

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"I just talked to the vice president of public affairs for Disney, and she said there's nothing to it," Carter said.

Carter said Disney officials didn't recognize the names of any of the three owners of ARM Risk, the company supposedly working to assemble the 1,000 acres of land.

"(Disney) can say absolutely that they're not involved in Newton County or in southwest Missouri," Carter said.

Two weeks ago, Todd Marshall, who said he represented ARM Risk, attended a Board of Commissioners meeting to ask about making changes to rural roads leading to the site of a planned theme park. Marshall did not identify who would develop such a park. But when commissioners checked addresses on ARM Risk's registration with the Missouri Secretary of State's office, two of the three addresses were those of Disney corporate headquarters in Burbank, Calif., and Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Also, the business address listed on the registration form is 1826 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, Suite 353. That address is the site of a UPS store with a mailbox numbered 353.


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And lending an odd touch, the name of one of the company's owners is registered as Robert Brown. While it may be a common name, it also is the name of the deceased first husband of Walt Disney's daughter, Sharon Disney. That Robert Brown died in 1967.

Carter said he's perplexed by the events.

"It's amazing the number of people who have called with the thought of their land going up in value. We're calling the attorney general's office."

Robert Fougere, press secretary for the Missouri Attorney General's office, said he couldn't yet say whether the events will come under scrutiny by that office.

"We certainly would be interested to hear if someone has complaints," Fougere said.

While Marshall gave commissioners a toll-free number, repeated calls yielded a busy signal. Also, e-mail to the address he gave commissioners was not returned.

"It doesn't smell right," said Steve Critchfield, a commercial real estate broker in Branson. If Disney were seeking property, "they would never be this public if they didn't control all the land they needed."

"It would happen before we'd hear anything about it," Critchfield said.

Despite rumors, there's never been any sign of Disney interest in the Branson area, he said.

Jim Hill, a New Hampshire resident, has been writing about Disney for 25 years. He makes his living from his Disney-related Web site.

"It's a cruel prank," he said. "The history of the Disney Company is that they're incredibly careful about this stuff."

According to a timeline of the Disney Co., in 1964, Disney attorney Robert Foster began to purchase land in Florida. To keep his identity secret, he used an assumed name. Among the property was 12,400 acres owned by three Orlando home builders that he bought for $145 an acre.

However, Disney officials have begun exploring expansion by building stand-alone Disney-branded businesses such as resort hotels and water parks because travelers go to major theme parks only once every four years, according to minutes of a report by Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

In February, Rasulo said Disney is thinking about developing themed hotels that could be built in large cities that already are tourist draws. Disney also is contemplating "niche theme parks" and water parks in other cities, Rasulo said.

"Our relationships with millions of families will enable us to expand to new businesses and new markets," Rasulo said. "We will never stop dreaming."

"The irony is that Branson would probably be great turf for Disney," Hill said.

[erikthewise]

Jim Hill also shot down this rumor this morning.

http://jimhillmedia.com/

[Mokat76]

As a former Missourian, I can honestly say SW MO has some absolutely beautiful country. There is no prettier place on earth in the spring and fall. As one person pointed out, Newton County is nowhere near Branson. It's nowhere near anything but some beautiful Ozark countryside. As much as they may want to dream of a Dis property there, I don't see it working out.

And for the developers to be asking a rural county and state that doesn't have enough funds for its major roads for that kind of infrastructure improvement is beyond ridiculous. Putting in the types of roads that would support a Disney venture would permanently destroy the natural beauty of the Ozarks and this is a part of the state where most of the people are fiercely protective of the natural beauty. Would I buy in there? Nope. After whatever developer it is finishes raping the land, there's be precious little to draw me there. Some places aren't meant for mega-parks and the other stuff they bring.

Branson is a case in point. It's a victim of its own success. Back in the day before Branson became synonymous with hokey, homespun entertainment on a grand scale, it was still hokey, but much more easygoing. The natural beauty of the Ozarks was never more than a few minutes away. That was the big draw for many people. While there is a lot of live entertainment now, it's all fairly homogenous. People who love it will go every year (kind of like us DVCer to our homes in FL). People who don't will never go. It's appeal to the "sophiticates" from more "worldly" parts of the US is extremely limited.

Dis in Newton County? I doubt it.