New Disney theme park in Missouri???

[JoBird]

Forgive me if this has already been asked. I did a search on the boards and my computer was acting wacky!!!
I live in NW Arkansas, right below the Missouri border...yes, home of Wal-Mart. I was in the nail salon this AM and a WM employee, (I'm guessing a higher up) was in there. We were casually discussing the growth of people (NW Arkansas boasts 1,000 families a month, yes I said a month, moving in here...again, WM) and she said "well, wait until the new Disneyland is built across the border."
Now the only "border" anyone who ever lives here discusses is the MO/AR border. So I said "what are you talking about" and she said, kind of hush-hush..."Well, Disney just bought something like 10,000 acres and they are planning on building a mid-america theme park"
Okay, so I come home and do a search and lo and behold, EVERYONE in this state is talking about it!!!!!!
Anyone with any news, please let me know, because I am so curious!!!
Thanks!!!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

That's just downright false. Everyone knows the next theme park will be in Texas.

Seriously, we've been home to those rumors for ages and ages. Seems every year it gets started up again and it's somewhere new. Plantersville, Texas is its latest home.

I do wish they'd build one somewhere in the central US though.

 

[JoBird]

That's just downright false. Everyone knows the next theme park will be in Texas.

Seriously, we've been home to those rumors for ages and ages. Seems every year it gets started up again and it's somewhere new. Plantersville, Texas is its latest home.

I do wish they'd build one somewhere in the central US though.

Everyone here says it's going to be MO because that was where Walt was from...
Very interesting from the standpoint that we have just plain yuck weather 80% of the time.

 

[Aurora63]

I actually dreamt once that they did build a theme park in MO, after all, I think Walt was born there. But whether or not it will actually come to pass is beyond me. I'd love to know more, too.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I love NW Arkansas. I used to go to college there.

It seems like Disney purchases land all over the US. A Marriott employee who used to be an imagineer said there are several new theme parks in the works, but the majority of the work is being done right on the current WDW property. They're building smaller theme parks and hotels around the current water parks.

He didn't give me any indication about MO.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Everyone here says it's going to be MO because that was where Walt was from...
Very interesting from the standpoint that we have just plain yuck weather 80% of the time.

I'd be cool with it! My DH and I honeymooned on Table Rock Lake. I love Missouri.

One thing though - even Silver Dollar City closes down during certain parts in the winter, right? How would Disney operate a park there year-round?

That would be one thing that Texas has going for it. Our weather is identical to Florida's for the most part.

 

[Feralpeg]

Like most large companies, Disney probably does a little speculating. They purchase things and sell them. I worked for a company that did this on a regular basis. It had nothing to do with our main business. It is just good business sense to keep your money working and it helps with tax issues.

As much as I love Missouri (former KC person), I can't see Disney every building a park there. It would be just too seasonal. It has always amazed me that Worlds Of Fun in KC has managed to stay in business all these years.

 

[Stitchfans]

That would be neat to have a Disney theme park so close to home. But it wouldn't be the same as warm sunny Florida.

 

[powellrj]

Sometimes this is a timeshare trick. I know many many years ago DH and I took a tour in French Lick Indiana for a timeshare. They hinted that there had been talk about Disney wanting to do something in the area. Yeah right, French Lick Indiana is one of the last places on earth Disney would want to build a theme park. Dh and I just kinda said thanks, but no thanks.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Sometimes this is a timeshare trick. I know many many years ago DH and I took a tour in French Lick Indiana for a timeshare. They hinted that there had been talk about Disney wanting to do something in the area. Yeah right, French Lick Indiana is one of the last places on earth Disney would want to build a theme park. Dh and I just kinda said thanks, but no thanks.

Am I the only one that thinks the name sounds pornographic?

I'm just not seeing the name "French Lick Disney" in lights.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm just not seeing the name "French Lick Disney" in lights.

Hey this might bring in a crowd that Disney hasn't managed to reach yet.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Former Mo native and there is no way they would build in Mo. Our season is too short.

This rumor flies around frequently to get people to buy property.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Hey this might bring in a crowd that Disney hasn't managed to reach yet.

As much as I'm dying to speculate on ride names, I'll get banned for sure!

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

You and I must be thinking the same things!

TOV

 

[Michie]

They are building the world's 3rd largest water park by Branson~West, Indian Ridge Resort.

 

[Beth76]

Nah, don't believe it either. First of all, weather is the big key here, like several others mentioned. Second, there's no easy way to get to southwest MO. The closest large airport is 3 hours away. Third, there's no other "draw" to the area. There would be nothing else to do there (other than Branson and that really isn't for everyone). Why would people want to flock to MO when they could go to Florida or California and have a much better time.