Michiganders have you heard?

[catgirl]

A friend just told me that Disney is opening a new park in Gaylord. She said Mainstreet USA is scheduled to open in 2010. Has anyone else heard about this?

 

[pouncingpluto]

Seriously. Will not happen. This is a very common rumor, constantly popping up by people living in various parts of the country.

 

[deej696]

I also heard they were planning one in Bentonville, Arkansas. The strategic location will allow the company to capitalize on synergies with Wal-Mart and thus cut the cost of shipping souveniers to the parks.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

Yeah, I know they were searching here in Texas once, but I think they decided to leave it be. It would have been perfect though... lots of land still here, and it would be right in the middle of Disney World and Land. Perfect for me.
Im not even sure where Gaylord is o_o

 

[KYMickey]

Man those Disney bus drivers are really getting around these days! All the way up in Michigan spreading rumors. The next thing you know they'll be in Alaska or maybe Nova Scotia. Of course it may have been one of the blabby CM's spreading the rumor too! They're also kind of pesty this time of year.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

lol nice...

 

[catgirl]

I checked back with my friend to see where she heard about this. She works for MIWorks and said the office in Gaylord is looking for tradesmen to work on the project??? I can't believe it, but she feels her sources are realiable.

 

[ChrisFL]

There's a few possibilities...

It could be another company claiming they're Disney, that happened a year or so ago in another town...

It could be all just a false rumor

It could be that Disney is actually thinking of building something, but that could be anything from a hotel to an office for Disney marketing.

 

[pdchris]

Why Gaylord? That's a bit out of the way of everything. I could see if it was closer to GR or, perhaps, Lansing.
I don't think the deer hunters would be that interested in Disney.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Taking a quick look at Mapqest I can see it is next to I-75. However, the nearest commercial airport appears to be Detroit. The Otego County Airport runway appears to be less than a mile long and so would be almost impossible for commercial jets.

And how many inches of snow does it get a year?

According to its entry in wikipedia it gets lots of Lake Effect snow.

 

[Mickmse2002]

There is a developer/theme park company trying to build some type of venue on land owned by the state to generate employment and tourist $$ in northern Michigan. The deal is hung-up on financing for the deal. Can't recall who it is but wasn't Disney.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

A friend just told me that Disney is opening a new park in Gaylord.

I think it would happen in Cleveland before Michigan.

 

[acehorseytink]

Man those Disney bus drivers are really getting around these days! All the way up in Michigan spreading rumors. The next thing you know they'll be in Alaska or maybe Nova Scotia. Of course it may have been one of the blabby CM's spreading the rumor too! They're also kind of pesty this time of year.

LOL
No kidding, it's a wonder how some of the rumors are not more far fetched sometimes. Ah, but who knows what they will come up with next.

 

[Aburns8]

Gaylord just doesn't seem like a place where Disney would put a park. I heard last year that something is being devoped up there, but I don't think Disney would be involved.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

Well, it doesn't have to be a park or anything. It could just be something kind of small, im not sure exactly what though.

 

[KYMickey]

This thread is interesting to read. There are two groups of posters. The first are those that are trying to believe Disney is actually going to do something in Michigan. The second and more realistic group are those that are just getting a good laugh over another wild rumor like those that arise on a regular basis. We all know which group is facing reality and which group is living in a fantasy world!

 

[MJMcBride]

there is absolutely no chance this will ever happen

 

[rwdavis2]

The first thing anyone should consider when hearing this type of rumor is the location. Michigan has an actual winter and who would travel there from, say December through March/April? Therefore the park would be closed for about 1/3 of the year. There were stories about Disney putting a park in Virginia west of DC back in the 90's. Again January-February can be unpleasant here (not always).
Bob

 

[Argent]

I have been to Gaylord many times and really don't see this happening. They have some nice golf courses but that is about it. Otsego County airport is just for small aircraft. I don't think any airline other than charter has ever flew into there. Closest regional airport is Traverse City - about 40-50 miles away.

Gaylord has been growing over the last few years with Walmart, Lowes etc. Not a lot of income in the area. Most comes from people playing golf, otsego lake and winter recreation. Heck, with Michigan's economey there is not much income in the entire state.

With that said, nothing is impossible but I just can't see Disney building in Gaylord.

 

[pdchris]

The first thing anyone should consider when hearing this type of rumor is the location. Michigan has an actual winter and who would travel there from, say December through March/April?
Bob

Skiers
snowmobilers
ice fisherman

I guess Disney would have to come up with some creative solutions for the winter. Perhaps convert a water slide to a ski jump?