Cancelled: Disney's National Harbor Resort

[DizCaptain]

Disney announced today that they're cancelling their plans for a resort at National Harbor, MD. Here's the article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...ional-harbor/2011/11/25/gIQAM2OKxN_story.html

This is a real shame because the first time I went to National Harbor I found out Disney bought land there, and with the area being an hour or so away from me it would've been awesome to have a slice of Disney not too far away. I know alot of people will be saying bad things about Prince Georges County/DC Area, but National Harbor is a surprisingly clean and modern installment with a quiet town feel. It would've been perfect for Disney, and while they didn't say why they cancelled the project, I'm assuming it has to do with redirecting funds... RIP Another Promising Disney Project.

 

[nytimez]

That's too bad... but hardly unexpected. Thanks for the link.

 

[nytimez]

Reading some of the details, it's easy to see why Disney backed out... the recently announced plans for the area include shopping, an outlet mall (more shopping) and condos.

Not exactly an enticing Disney vacation destination.

If they had done more to make National Harbor a unique tourist destination on its own, perhaps Disney wouldn't have pulled the plug.

 

[XGrumpy1]

This is bad news. After the problems with Aulani I think Disney will wait and see how well the resort there goes and then make new plans.

 

[dvc at last !]

Disappointed. The National Harbor is a beautiful site.

 

[KYMickey]

Reading some of the details, it's easy to see why Disney backed out... the recently announced plans for the area include shopping, an outlet mall (more shopping) and condos.

Not exactly an enticing Disney vacation destination.

If they had done more to make National Harbor a unique tourist destination on its own, perhaps Disney wouldn't have pulled the plug.

I think you have hit the nail on the head! They bought the land early and were waiting to see how the area developed before committing to building a resort there. Since the direction is different than what they hoped for, they pulled the plug.

 

[skiingfast]

Reading some of the details, it's easy to see why Disney backed out... the recently announced plans for the area include shopping, an outlet mall (more shopping) and condos.

Not exactly an enticing Disney vacation destination.

If they had done more to make National Harbor a unique tourist destination on its own, perhaps Disney wouldn't have pulled the plug.

I think Disney changed it's strategic plans regarding this for the same reason there is no movement over at Flamingo Crossing.

 

[Donut23]

National Harbor as a tourist destination? Big Yawn.

This time Disney guessed right.

Next time you want a Washington, DC destination...try something NEAR Washington.

 

[DizCaptain]

National Harbor as a tourist destination? Big Yawn.

This time Disney guessed right.

Next time you want a Washington, DC destination...try something NEAR Washington.

You do realize National Harbor is just down the river or a fifteen minute drive from DC right? Building a resort IN DC would be a terrible idea given its metro city status, it just wouldnt fit and would be very groggy. I was there just last night and the air quality was "lovely" National Harbor was growing into a destination, however once everyone heard Disney had plans there, they waited in hopes that Disney would make the area big and then development would boom, but then that didn't happen. I do agree the resort was, even though I still would've loved it, a little out of place given its location in a stretch of land isolated in a semi-suburban environment.

I'd just like to see Disney's America resurrected at this point...I still see that as a good ticket.

 

[Donut23]

You do realize National Harbor is just down the river or a fifteen minute drive from DC right? Building a resort IN DC would be a terrible idea given its metro city status, it just wouldnt fit and would be very groggy. I was there just last night and the air quality was "lovely" National Harbor was growing into a destination, however once everyone heard Disney had plans there, they waited in hopes that Disney would make the area big and then development would boom, but then that didn't happen. I do agree the resort was, even though I still would've loved it, a little out of place given its location in a stretch of land isolated in a semi-suburban environment.

I'd just like to see Disney's America resurrected at this point...I still see that as a good ticket.

I live here. I am completely aware of all the limitations of the site.

I said from the beginning it was a mistake and Fisney would eventually bail ..... And was blasted here.

I don't mind. I disagreed with the "wise" here about the success of HP. Of course I could not have guessed how wildly successful HP would be.

National Harbor convenient to downtown DC....HaHaHa.

Looks like Disney bailed from a bad choice.....good for them!

 

[Donut23]

You do realize National Harbor is just down the river or a fifteen minute drive from DC right? Building a resort IN DC would be a terrible idea given its metro city status, it just wouldnt fit and would be very groggy. I was there just last night and the air quality was "lovely" National Harbor was growing into a destination, however once everyone heard Disney had plans there, they waited in hopes that Disney would make the area big and then development would boom, but then that didn't happen. I do agree the resort was, even though I still would've loved it, a little out of place given its location in a stretch of land isolated in a semi-suburban environment.

I'd just like to see Disney's America resurrected at this point...I still see that as a good ticket.

15 minutes-hardly. It would be at least 15 minutes to find a parking space.....if you are lucky. Washington does not do tourist parking well. Metro is GREAT. Oops.....no Metro Esy to reach from National Harbor.

Oh sorry you misread my words. I never said Disney SHOULD build in the District. Rather National Harbor was a less than stellar choice......and Disney got smart.

If it was such a quick commute into town .... people would drive from there. Perhaps if you left at 3 am it would be a fast drive. This way you could find a parking space.

 

[Lewisc]

Wasn't there talk about extending the Metro line to National Harbor? Probably what's needed before National Harbor makes sense for tourists interested in DC.

I can't see Disney building a resort unless it's DVC and I don't see anyway DVC would sell in National Harbor (or anywhere else in the DC area).

 

[CandyMandy]

The bigger issue here is the reality check Disney is going through on building any more new stand-alone "destination resorts":

http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/12/6/13648/4265/hotels/Disney_s_Hotel_Dreams_Are_Dead?mbid=su_ppc_hotlechatter

Bottom line: between the economic stagnation we are stuck in (which IMHO is not temporary, this is becoming the "new normal") and overreaching on Disney's part (i.e., naively assuming demand for deluxe versions of their hospitality wares in any location is unlimited), the days of all these grand visions of continually expanding Disney resort reach are over.