Will Neverland be another Graceland?

[EMom]

The commentators keep harping on how the investment company bought Neverland from Michael Jackson for half of what he paid for it and that they'll be lucky to recover THAT when they try and sell it. All that keeps going through my head is, "Why would you try and sell it for the real estate (land) value when the true value is in making it another Graceland?" Surely the new owners have thougth of this.

When Elvis died, he left a relatively small estate behind. Among other things, Priscilla Presley opened Graceland for tours and in short order, that estate became worth a great deal more. People are stil touring Graceland decades after Elvis' death and it's still a moneymaker. Given the massive TV coverage of MJ's death, I think tours of Neverland would make a TON of money. For decades. If they could throw in a few bits of MJ items, that would be all the better.

As for his family, he didn't auction off all those things (gloves, costumes, etc.) recently as he had planned. If they have any sense, they'll open a Michael Jackson Museum and get some cash to pay off his debts and support those kids. Sad to say, but between constantly being sued and being a spendaholic, he's worth more dead than alive. Now money will come in at a faster rate than it goes out.

 

[minniecarousel]

great idea!

That piece of property isn't worth much as it is, but I agree, it could become a "shrine" for his fans. If it worked for Elvis, why not MJ?

 

[DawnCt1]

It certainly has the potential but it would have to be restored to the level that it was at its peak. In some ways, its too bad that MJ didn't make it a museum available to the public. He may have found himself a bit more able to stay financial afloat.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I've been to Graceland, I can't see myself ever going to Neverland unless Jackson is completely exonerated of all charges regarding child molestation by the children who accused him.

Even then, I just think his treatment of his adopted children (dangling one of them off the balcony as an infant) was just so bizarre I wouldn't feel comfortable enriching his legacy.

 

[EMom]

I've been to Graceland, I can't see myself ever going to Neverland unless Jackson is completely exonerated of all charges regarding child molestation by the children who accused him.

Even then, I just think his treatment of his adopted children (dangling one of them off the balcony as an infant) was just so bizarre I wouldn't feel comfortable enriching his legacy.

I'm not saying I'd go there. I'm speaking merely from a moneymaking perpective of the new owners. Let's face it, plenty of people would pay to see Neverland, either because they don't believe he was guilty of anything or because they are of the sort that can somehow seaparate the "celebrity" from any flaws he may have had as a human being. It's a heck of a lot easier for international visitors to go see Neverland than Graceland, and Graceland gets many international guests every year. Not to mention the US visitors alone who would go see Neverland.

I'm just saying I believe the potential to make a fortune is certainly there and I'll be amazed if someone does not take advantage of it. Donald Trump, maybe?

 

[Lanshark]

Its a way for the "family" to keep capitalizing on his name.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I think it would be a great idea and they would make a ton of money. Do you know how many people around the world would come there, just as they still do to Graceland.

Graceland has the same look from when Elvis was alive, they do an upkeep but its very dated of course, so they would have to choose how they want Neverland Ranch to look.

His fans would most definately appreciate it if they did and it would be a way for them to recoup some money and it would be something his children could look up to him for. All of the great things he had done in his lifetime.

 

[Faith09]

I would visit.

How far is Neverland fom Disneyland?

 

[C.Ann]

Although I personally wouldn't be interested in going there, I could see it being a money-maker.. Probably not a bad idea..

 

[luckymom4]

I know all entertainers and famous people (heck, us regular Joes for that matter!) have their own little weird kinks. But I do not feel comfortable with this man as an American icon. I know I'll catch a LOT of flack for this, but I don't think that someone who has been accused of child molestation on numerous occasions deserves this treatment. I feel for his family for their loss. I know he was loved. And he did contribute to the pop music scene. My brother was a huge fan when we were little. And I know he hasn't been convicted of the molestation. But I can't understand the same people who were downing him when he was alive now putting him up on a pedestal.

 

[Imzadi]

As for his family, he didn't auction off all those things (gloves, costumes, etc.) recently as he had planned. If they have any sense, they'll open a Michael Jackson Museum and get some cash to pay off his debts and support those kids. Sad to say, but between constantly being sued and being a spendaholic, he's worth more dead than alive. Now money will come in at a faster rate than it goes out.

Amazon sold out on all their MJ cds & stuff within hours after his death. Some TV news show estimated that with sales of all his music spiking up so much and how much air play his songs will get on the radio, PLUS the fact that he's no longer spending out several million a day, his debts might get paid off after all just from all the royalties that will be rolling in from his song catalogues. His kids might actually get some money in the end.


As for Neverland, isn't that where the child molestations allegedly occurred? I wouldn't want to go there. Yes, let's see the actual bed where MJ admitted he "slept" with the children. Yuck!

 

[bookgirl]

I wouldn't be visiting it. Can you imagine the tour guide having to explain that this is the hallway with the motion sensor leading to MJ's locked bedroom, this is where he kept his hyperberic chamber, this is the fridge where he kept the jesus juice. Ewwww! Honestly I mourned MJ 15-16 years ago when he quit being the singer I grew up with and turned into something else. He was screwed up by his family, stunted emotionally and I won't even get into what he's been accused of. I prefer to remember as who he was before he lost his mind. Neverland is a symbol of what he became not who he was.

 

[tinatark]

MJ was actually part owner of the holding company that took possession of Neverland. There were reports of some renovations being done there recently. I have also heard it is being considered as a burial site.

 

[redlight]

I don't see it acquiring the same appeal as Graceland. Michael will be remembered for his music, not for Neverland.

 

[happygirl]

I would never go to Neverland. I just couldn't.

 

[jlima]

Graceland is in a metropolitan area (Memphis) with major airports & interstate highways nearby; it is easy to get to and in the heart of the Elvis fan base.

The Neverland ranch is a good hour's drive from the nearest tiny airports (Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo) and a few miles off the 101 in Central California. It's not easy to get to and while this area has some other tourist attractions, especially the wine industry after the movie "Sideways", there aren't a lot of hotels nearby, just what's in Solvang, and a little farther away in Santa Maria. Plus, with the notoriety of the place, I don't ever see it being a tourist attraction.

 

[jlima]

I would visit.

How far is Neverland fom Disneyland?

About 3.5 hours; depending on traffic; about 150 miles.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Didn't he basically have his own little amusement park there? Seems like it could be a museum/amusement park in one.

 

[olena]

Supposedly, there are grief-stricken fans out there committing suicide, so there's probably somebody out there who would visit Neverland.

 

[jlima]

Didn't he basically have his own little amusement park there? Seems like it could be a museum/amusement park in one.

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal a few weeks ago, before he died . . . Colony Capital was fixing up the property to sell it; and I believe they removed all of the carnival rides that were there.