Disney in Arkansas?

[History Buff]

^Kind of strange, since the Transcontinental Railroad did not cross Missouri and especially not the Branson area.  That would have drastically changed Ozarks history.

[Coaster]

^^Wow, where'd you find that postcard? You have everything!

[KBCraig]

^Kind of strange, since the Transcontinental Railroad did not cross Missouri and especially not the Branson area.  That would have drastically changed Ozarks history.

It didn't really cross the whole continent, either. 

[rubedugans]

I pick up things EVERYWHERE...a few on ebay, most at antique stores, estate sales, friends, gifts etc. This one came from a store selling a bit of everything, I tend to gravitate towards paper first, the look towards glass/ceramic etc. There is no date on the reverse-it is unused- but I really wonder what it was to become.

 I can only imagine what the park would have said!

"Now lissen' up y'all. Mickey and his kin are a' comin' to tha hills fer a whootin' hollerin' good time. Join Mickey, PLuto and all the other Folks fer a family reunion Ozark style!"

[oldsdcer]

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, Disney own a 20,000 acre ranch in Southeast Missouri near Ellsinore, Pop. 432, which they later sold to an Arab, which was later sold to a group that include one of the University of MO basketball stars.

[crsjrr]

WOW, REALLY?  If they own the property, could someone post the county where, check the tax rolls, and if it's true, see how many acres?  I'm sure the number of acres involved would determine if a park would be possible.  Without some sort of proof, just a rumor! 

But imagine the possibilities. There are a number of successful parks in and around Orlando. Couldn't SDC and Disney park compliment each other? Since HFEC has grown to become a entertainment company with properties nationwide, I would think SDC would receive a lot of reinvestment by the company. It would be great for the Branson area, it too could experience a another rebirth of sorts.  Come on Disney!!   

[Junior]

I should have added this at the top of this thread, but there were always rumors during the time I lived in Branson in the 70s and 80s that Disney was gonna buy out SDC and make SDC into "Frontierland" in the new midwest Disneyland park. Never happened, did it? The rumor still pops up every  now and then. In the 90's, I heard the rumor again, and was convinced by the person that told me...a family member...that it was true. I was bummed out for weeks. But again, never happened, did it? I don't know how or why the rumors get started. However, I will stand by what I initially wrote at the top of the thread. Newspaper reports say Disney owns a large tract of land in Benton County, Arkansas between Bentonville and Pea Ridge. What happens with the property is anybody's guess. Maybe they will hang on to it for a while, then sell it. Maybe they will develop it with something. Only time will tell. 

[History Buff]

Warehousing?  Printing?  Manufacturing?  Offices to work with WalMart?  Who knows?

[betamike]

Northwest Arkansas is a perfect location for a Disney Park, especially since the trend of Disney Parks are now micro parks or vacation destinations based on nature, exisiting infrastructure, etc.....not another Magic Kingdom.    With that being said, I can say with MUCH confidence that there are no plans for a Disney destination.

The land everyone has heard about is more than likely an off-site Wal-Mart location for warehouses or production.  Wal-Mart has a standard that all company's that do business with them must have an executive level person residing in Benton County (true!) and there are positions posted internally here at Disney in Florida for positions in Arkansas. 

Northwest Arkansas is just as beautiful as the Branson area, in fact, there is no difference between the two locations from a recreational perspective.  I loved growing up in both areas and consider both of them "home"

While I would love a Disney destination closer to home, I have it on extremely good information that it isn't happening.  However, I have rubbed elbows with quite a few people who make a lot of planning decisions so if they do then expect me to be on the opening team!  Hahaha

[joecorn]

Just found the board a few days ago; first post.

As a Bentonville resident, I was informed about this back in the early 2000's by an individual who at the time was involved in city planning.  "Disney Consumer Products" had purchased a large parcel of land northwest of town, somewhere near J St and Price Coffee Rd (North of I-540).

No one really though anything about it at the time because just about every Fortune 500 has some sort of presence in Benton County due to the Wal-Mart factor.  (Not to mention that it's hard to imagine Bentonville realistically as a DVC destination.)

I just did a quick search on the Benton County Circuit Court deed records and found 4 records pertaining to "Disney Consumer Products International" dating back as early as 2003.

Now, in regards to that rumor that Disney has held hundreds of acres on the north shore of Table Rock since the '80's.....

[Junior]

Betamike and Joecorn, thanks for the input here. Interesting. Oh, yeah...I heard the rumor about Disney owning land on the north side of Table Rock, too. Not much happening there, either, is there?

[Andymeets1880s]

Ok.....*scratches head*....THIS got my attention being I lived in Benton Co. Ark! Ummm.....do they still own this property at this moment? And why would Disney buy and hold something that sits stagnate (sp)?! Have they sold it by now? Umm....    any update I can get here would be helpful!

[Junior]

Far as I know, they do own the property...it makes sense they would have some real estate at Bentonville for purposes of serving Wal-Mart. I don't know if they have built there or not. However, Wal-Mart issued an order a few years ago that if vendors wanted to sell to them, they better get an office in Bentonville, so if Wal-Mart needs someone from their company at a moments notice, they are right there. I know some companies...like Rubbermade...sell the bulk of their product to Wal-Mart...so it only makes sense Disney would want to have property at Bentonville available to put in a warehouse or office to better serve the largest retailer in the world. (Secretly, I wish they would open a themed complex around here, I'd try to get a job!)

[MissinTheGreenTrams]

My husband used to survey land down in mac county in AR and he did a survey for NASCAR. Ha. I dont think it got built or nothin but go figure!

[tinmann620]

New life to an old rumor...a realtor associate claims to have been a part in the handling of Disney buying several hundred acres in northern Arkansas, to build a "Disney Midwest", claiming that's why the improvements to 65, Branson airport, & the new lanes to Harrison.  Allegedly the first phase will be complete by 2018.  (I heard a random person discussing the same project, while waiting for a movie to start this past summer) Got to love rumors...