BizJournal (as yet unpublished): "'Goofy" theory debunked
If Greensboro residents want to see Mickey Mouse or Goofy, they best plan a trip to Florida or
California.
A popular theory on local blogs has been that the potential developer of a $150 million project in downtown Greensboro could be none other than Walt Disney Co. Not true, says Donn Walker, a spokesman for the firm.
"We have no plans for a hotel or resort in the Greensboro area,” he says, unequivocally.
The theory got its legs from stories that ran in several newspapers around the country after Disney’s investor meeting in February. At that meeting, Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo said the company was looking into building stand-alone hotels in urban areas that are already travel destinations for families.
Walker says while that concept is still being considered, the company hasn’t even begun looking at specific property, but that cities that would be considered would likely be fabled tourist destinations, which Greensboro is not.
the whole thing is very odd though....im still trying to figure out why several states would be competing for this and why on earth is a 500 room luxury hotel being considered for downtown?....I think people latched on to the Disney theory because it was the only thing that made sense. This is a very wierd project indeed and im sure alot of people cant wait to find out the details.
Posted by: watcher | May 20, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Ed just imagine if you had gone gone on FOX 8 News talking about Disney.
Posted by: watcher | May 20, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Although I am not a big fan of Disney, I hope that it is not something worse.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 20, 2007 at 11:33 PM
Watcher, I wasn't saying OMG, it's Disney!, I was talking about the way information ogranizes itself on the web, with the Disney rumor as an example.
Which is not very interesting TV, at least unless and until the rumor proves true, which is probably why they killed the segment.
Posted by: Ed Cone | May 21, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Disney or not, I think this could be a very exciting development for our center-city and im not the least bit dissapointed that its not Disney. But its a very mysterious project because something IS in it makes it feasible to build two LUXURY hotels downtown, one beinG a potential 500 room highrise. Thats almost surreal for our downtown.
Posted by: dowtownboy | May 21, 2007 at 11:57 AM
As before, I am intrigued BUTT ....
How long are we supposed to delay our ACC decision (if there is such a thing)? How long will ACC wait? How long should we expect them to wait?
The Disney portion of this well traveled rumor are now rumored to be untrue. Why should we believe the remainder of the rumored project might be rumored to be true?
Posted by: mick | May 21, 2007 at 02:11 PM
well the Disney spokesman said there are no plans for o hotel or resort but he didnt say there weret plans for an entertainment complex.
Posted by: dowtownboy | May 22, 2007 at 12:09 PM
Perhaps. But at this point, I will relate to you something my dear old dad often passed on to my brother and I.
"Poop" in one hand and "Wish" in the other and see which one fills up first. I am paraphrasing of course.
Time will tell on this deal I suppose. More skeptical but still open minded.
Posted by: mick | May 22, 2007 at 01:03 PM
Ive heard from a source that his friend is involved in the project some kind of way and hes in Orlando......take what you will out of that...it could be just a big coincidence and im sure Disney isnt the only major developer in Orlando.
Posted by: dowtownboy | May 23, 2007 at 08:22 AM
As big as the media has made this project, "Bigger than George Clooney" "cause as much excitement as a Chis Daughtry concert"
I wonder what are the odds of this development, whatever it is, having a House of Blues, ESPN Zone or Medieval Times theater restaurant?
Posted by: dowtownboy | May 23, 2007 at 11:05 AM