I was flipping through channels earlier and I just so happened to put it on the news and they mentioned a Disney Land is in the negotiations of being built in Katy. Does anyone know more on the subject?
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=109724&highlight=Disney+World+Katy+Houston http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?p=2065145&highlight=Disney+World+Katy+Houston#post2065145
http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2007/07/09/daily57.html Perry signing is major boost for planned theme park Houston Business Journal - July 13, 2007 Earthquest, a massive Disney-style entertainment complex north of Houston, is a step closer to reality after Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed enabling legislation for tax incentives to lure the project to East Montgomery County. House Bill 4015, signed on July 12, will provide the equity to leverage investment in the dinosaur theme park project by creating a special tax zone in the area and facilitating bond financing. The project is expected to cost more than $600 million and cover 250 acres, with a $150 million spa hotel also to be built on the site. The park would be located at Caney Creek near FM 1485 and Interstate 59 on property owned by Marlin Atlantis, a Dallas-based residential community developer. See Dinosaur theme park may roar into Montgomery County. The land is part of a 1,564-acre undeveloped parcel once owned by Rice University that was acquired by Marlin Atlantis in 2004 for a proposed Whitestone residential community. The project is the brainchild of Don Lessem, head of Exhibits Rex LLC and chief adviser to producers of the "Jurassic Park" Hollywood movie. Through his Dino Don Inc. company, Lessem has created permanent and touring dinosaur exhibits. The project is expected to open in 2012 and attract more than 2.5 million visitors a year. The eco-friendly project would focus on a Moody Gardens or EPCOT-style mix of entertainment and education, with a dinosaur museum, IMAX-style theater, and walking trails amid life-size dinosaur exhibits.
i first heard about this in 1998. i've been waiting for it ever since. I also heard about the Texas Ren Fest land being turned into a disney land.
Another article, this from last year: http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2006/11/13/story11.html Dinosaur theme park may roar into Montgomery County Houston Business Journal - November 10, 2006 by Greg Barr Houston Business Journal Frank McCrady has heard more than his share of rumors about Walt Disney Co. opening a theme park north of Houston. But these days, McCrady, president and CEO of the East Montgomery County Improvement District, has a different magical kingdom in mind. That's because a Philadelphia entrepreneur and nationally recognized dinosaur expert have chosen southeast Montgomery County as the site of a proposed large-scale tourist attraction. The entertainment and educational theme park, dubbed Dinosaur City, is to be located on a 50-acre chunk of land at Caney Creek near FM 1485 and Interstate 59 owned by Marlin Atlantis, a Dallas-based residential community developer. The land is part of a 1,564-acre undeveloped parcel once owned by Rice University that was acquired by Marlin Atlantis in 2004 for a proposed Whitestone residential community. Marlin officials could not be reached for comment. McCrady says the district is executing an option for a contract on the property, and will likely seek an option on a second 50-acre parcel. The project is the brainchild of Don Lessem, head of Exhibits Rex LLC and chief adviser to producers of the "Jurassic Park" Hollywood film. Through his Dinodon Inc. company, Lessem has created permanent and touring dinosaur exhibits featured in Houston and other cities. Lessem also maintains an office in Beijing and is working with the Chinese government to prepare a new museum exhibit, the "Treasures of Genghis Khan," to begin a tour of four U.S. museums in 2008. He says East Montgomery County edged the other finalist, Red Oak, near Dallas, from a pool of 64 communities nationwide that bid on the project. "We felt that Montgomery County had a more aggressive and accomplished group and a personal sense of commitment in that they really understood the educational part of all this -- that it was not just a money-making project," Lessem says. At the earliest, Dinosaur City would open in 2010 or 2011, assuming a 2008 ground-breaking target is met. But several hurdles must be overcome to give the project teeth, including a $200,000 feasibility and demographics study to be completed in January.
not gonna happen, disney likes places with good weather(florida, socal) not Houston where it rains 50% of the days in the year, and is humid 100% of the time
Katy isn't in Montgomery County. The dinosaur park is not really related to the Disney rumors. I've heard the Disney rumors for as long as I can remember. I remember hearing about them as a little kid. They had tons of momentum around 1995 when somebody was buying up tons of land west of Katy (towards Bellville) under a bunch of different corporate names...the exact way the land where DisneyWorld sits was purchased. But nothing came of it. Cohen -- what momentum are you hearing about?? i'm curious. i know some would hate it...but i promise you, that kind of investment in Houston area would be amazing. it would spur public development...mass transit...airport improvements, etc...that would be a boon for Houston.
Orlando's climate and Houston's are nearly identical. Florida is every bit as tropical, and then some.
Seriously. I went to Disney World when I was 9. The air was so thick in Orlando that I couldn't breathe.
Disney rumors are popular up near Dallas, too. Even Austin has Disney rumors. I think it's a running joke statewide... lol.
Sorry MadMax, purely rumor momentum. I think I've discussed this about 3 times with folks in the last few months, don't really know why.... but nothing new. It does make sense though. Soon or later Disney will need to add another park in the States. Can't be very far north at all, can't be in desert heat, shouldn't be too close to either Disneyland or World, and existing infrastructure and population center would prob be helpful (but doesn't seem too much of a factor in the Orlando location). I think we'd be trading in our Seaworld and Six Flags season passes...
This has got to be the dumbest fahking idea I've ever heard. Putting a Disney Land out in the boonies like New Caney? Who's stupid ass idea was that? - it's virtually inaccessble to large parts of the Houston area - it's not going to draw many tourists from out of town - the few tourists that do come are going to be appalled at how far the place is from the airport - it will be a $100 cab ride from anywhere - ridiculous capital investment, that they will never recoup
I don't care, who wants a kiddie ass Disneyland anyway?? Bring back SixFlags DAMMIT!!!!! I want rollercoasters, not TeaCup rides, carousels and pictures with a human-sized mouse that never stops smiling. I miss the Cyclone, can't wait to check out the new coaster in Kemah.
Disney took a huge parcel of swampland way outside of Orlando that sat unsold for years, and built Disney World. It's kind of Disney's MO. What? They are called freeways. Besides, Disney does not build for the city around the park. They build it as a vacation draw. If you build it, they will come is the rule of the day for them. With Disney, this just isn't the case. You'll get tourists from the entire region. If parents want to take the kiddos to Disney, and you could drive from Oklahoma, Kansas, or Louisiana to Houston rather than deal with getting to central Florida...you will likely take the closer option. Disney vacations have become so expensive that the cost of travel to the locale is a factor for most folks. WDW is not exactly across the street from the Orlando airport. Disney Land is 2 hours from LAX. Not sure how this is much different. Last time I was at WDW, it was a $65 cab ride. The cab companies at the airport ( and there would become many) would gladly lower their rate a bit to get a large share of that business streaming in. Disney's team of business analysts and financeirs would have done their studies and made a sound decision prior to anything being built.
The Disney rumors have been outside of Katy...around Brookshire. If Baqui's thoughts about New Caney are right, they would be right about that area too. I just think they are wrong.
