Disney in Louisiana

[DisCopper]

OK, I'm here in Louisiana and I'm hearing rumors of Disney buying up some land in Livingston parish (just east of Baton Rouge). Unclear what it's for... and I can come up with all sorts of reasons for Disney not to put anything here.

Anyone heard anything about this at all???

 

[DisCopper]

As usual, I search and search and find nothing, then moments after my post, I find a monster thread on the same subject.

 

[zulemara]

LOL I was just about to say
....not again

 

[OKW Lover]

LOL I was just about to say
....not again

My reaction too. Actually as I think about it, it had been a while since one of these rumors started its rounds so I guess we were due.

 

[CanadianGuy]

... it had been a while since one of these rumors started its rounds so I guess we were due.

Yup.. My thoughts exactly.

 

[Dominus]

Living in Texas I've heard rumours for years that dis. is buying land here, there and everywhere. It never turns out. The rumours usually center around some smallish town near a larger city. Like Katy or Sealy to Houston. But to me it makes more sense to put Disney in Texas than anywhere else. It's central, good climate for the most part, low taxes, insulated from recession, lots of cheap labor, lots of people, transport options (airports, ports for ships, etc.). My vote is for Texas. Although I am biased.

 

[DisCopper]

The rumors I've been hearing haven't been on the internet.. it's all been local... talk in banks, etc... They're not talking theme park... they're talking movie studio (a big deal in LA these days), minor-league baseball teams, and/or water park (which would probably do very well here).

I found a few news articles where Livingston Parish President Mike Grimmer was interviewed about various possibilities in Livingston Parish. Here's a quote from them:

"Grimmer said Monday (in July 2007) there is truth to the rumor that Disney is seriously considering a theme park in Livingston Parish, but cautioned that no decisions have been made yet."

Another quote:

"Grimmer says the Livingston Economic Development Council paid $100,000 for a Disney site study. He's hoping to hear from Disney within the next couple months." (March 2008)

What??? This to me sounds like they're simply trying to attract Disney, and that Disney doesn't necessarily have any interest in developing anything.

This is all out of my knowledge base... anyone have an idea what the deal is with paying for a "Disney site study?"

From the few things I've seen, it really seems like Grimmer is just trying to drum up business for the parish. Let's make people think this is going to be the place to be and maybe we'll get some more business.

I'm NOT buying the hype... I seriously don't see Disney in Louisiana. I just think the whole rumor thing is interesting.

Sources:
http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=8062767
http://www.batonrougetoday.com/forum/baton-rouge-loop/691-watson-balks-loop-plans.html

 

[OKW Lover]

Sounds more like somebody trying to get the property prices to rise.

 

[Familyofsix]

If Disney were to do anything in this state I would expect something in the film industry due to the tax breaks. Disney has filmed some stuff up in this part of the state post Katrina and we are seeing alot more films up this way.

 

[Padrepride]

They wouldn't put a park in Louisiana, too much weather danger. Just a thought, maybe they're doing something for their Adventures by Disney program.

 

[nataliela]

Last time I checked Orlando was further south than Baton Rouge

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

Investment??

No park will be going up in Louisiana.

 

[mickeyholic]

But wouldn't a park here in Louisiana be great! I can dream can't I???

 

[MegaraRocks!]

I agree with my fellow dissers saying that it was/is most likely a movie thing or nothing. Disney wouldnt build a park so close to WDW. But I have to say that I am not loving the way yall are so down on this state. Florida has worse weather conditions then here and it would be more ideal then Texas because of the space available. This is an AWESOME state and i dont appreciate the negativity.

 

[BayouMickey]

The Tell Tale is, it's suposed to be something like HS with a waterpark. Hear say is they have blueprints drawn up and everything.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Remember... Disney now includes things like ESPN radio... and very unsexy enterprises like warehouses and such.. Radio stations need land for transmitters.. warehouses need land.. etc.

Or .. as has been the case in every thread like this since the beginning of the the boards, someone is spreading a rumor to jack land prices to their benefit.

I say the latter.

 

[ScrapperBelle]

Remember... Disney now includes things like ESPN radio... and very unsexy enterprises like warehouses and such.. Radio stations need land for transmitters.. warehouses need land.. etc.

Or .. as has been the case in every thread like this since the beginning of the the boards, someone is spreading a rumor to jack land prices to their benefit.

I say the latter.

Having spent my entire life in LA, I'd bet on the latter as well. LA is home and I love it for that reason...but this state is rife with problems that would affect the success of a Disney park here. First of all, the I-10/12 corridor cannot handle the traffic it already has. Can you imagine the nightmare it would be with a few thousand "extras" thrown in on a daily basis? Have you seen the "repair" work done to I-55 up around Kentwood? It's terrible. I see people on the interstate here from other states all the time and I want to stop them and apologize it's so bad.

Like I said, I'm from here. It's not the same as someone from another state coming on and bashing LA. An actual movie studio (closed to the public) would probably do well. A water park would be great. I actually heard the rumor that the Disney Imagineers were working with Schlitterbahn on that one...but that it was going to be a Schlitterbahn park (which would be great!). But I don't believe any of it. We were also supposed to have a major speedway up and running in Tangipahoa Parish by now...all they've managed to do there is cut down all the trees and leave the land to grow up in weeds and scrub brush.