Will Neverland be another Graceland?

[Nancyg56]

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.

I feel the same way. I want to remember him when he was younger and his "idiosyncrasies" were not so developed. With that said, I think that there is a huge difference between MJ and Elvis and with their homes. Elvis' home was Graceland, he lived and worked there. I think that MJ had been gone from Neverland Ranch for a long time, there was a lot of negative publicity surounding that property. I'm not sure the appeal would be so wide reaching not would that appeal last as long as the appeal that Graceland had for Elvis fans.

I am willing to bet taht another major difference between Elvis adn MJ and the management of their legacy adn their estates will be lightyears apart as well. MJ does not have Priscilla. All I see so far with MJ is that his family is willing to exploit him in death and will probably squander whatever finances his music and memory can generate. I really hope that there is someone who was placed in charge who can manage his money and estate so that it can grow for his children.

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

ITA> Perhaps in the short run but I don't think it has the longevity that Graceland has.

 

[MineMail]

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.

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!

I don't know if it was just "sour grapes," but when MJ entered into the agreement to give control over Neverland to the holding company, he said that he was done with Neverland because the accusations had tainted the place for him. The rides were sold off soon afterward.

Maybe he was just trying to convince himself, but Daddy Jackson is dead set on a spectacle for this weekend. I think Michael Jackson should be laid to rest in LA, not at Neverland.

Never been to Graceland, not interested. Ditto for Neverland.

 

[kinntj]

I'm a fan, but I don't see them changing that over to a museum. It's too much of a memory of finances gone wrong and the charges brought against him. It's in a remote location, so there's not a lot to accomodate the people going through there.

 

[kinntj]

Maybe he was just trying to convince himself, but Daddy Jackson is dead set on a spectacle for this weekend. I think Michael Jackson should be laid to rest in LA, not at Neverland.

Never been to Graceland, not interested. Ditto for Neverland.

Joe has been ticking me off with his making it about him. I agree that MJ should not be put to rest there. He belongs in LA where he was living with his children for quite some time now.

I wouldn't go to any shrine put up by anyone of any celebrity. I don't believe in idolizing people in that way. I do listen to his music and enjoy it and that is all.

 

[MineMail]

Joe has been ticking me off with his making it about him.

Apparently, he's ticked off his family too. Using your son's death as an opportunity to promote your new business venture is really inappropriate.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31671192/ns/entertainment-gossip/

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I wouldn't go....but I've had the exact same thought about turning it into an attraction like Graceland.

 

[WaltD4Me]

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.

This is what I was thinking. I've been to Graceland, even stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel across the street. There is alot to do and see in the area for a fan. Beale Street, Sun Records, Elvis's restaurant, plus all of Memphis, we had a great time, but Neverland is really out of the way, it's on a 2 lane road and there isn't much else around there and not close to anything else that would bring tourists to the area. I'm sure people would go there, but I can't see it drawing enough people to maintain it. I can see the intial draw, but it would need alot of work first and I don't see it drawing crowds like Graceland still does 30 years from now.