Disney finally coming to DC

[acroyear]

But not with a theme park, especially not the failed (due to politics) venture for America in Manassas...

Disney Buys Land for Future Resort Hotel at National Harbor - washingtonpost.com:

Walt Disney Co. has bought a 15-acre parcel at Prince George's County's sprawling National Harbor development, a shot in the arm for a project that opened with big ambitions a year ago, only to run headfirst into one of the sharpest economic declines in decades.

Disney plans to build a 500-room hotel resort on the parcel, providing another anchor for a 300-acre venture that seeks to rival the District as a conference and convention destination.

About the only problem I have with the National Harbor project, and what may be it's eventual failure, is the commute is a bitch. No easy airport access (National requires a transfer from yellow to green) and Metro doesn't get all the way there in any case (requiring a bus or a cab). Granted, the Wilson Bridge project has improved getting there through VA, provided you trust getting from the GW parkway over to Patrick/Henry through Old Town. The signs work, but not great.

So if you don't have to leave the area except perhaps one day of tourism, great.

But as a hotel quarter serving DC, it'll have to have more than just good looks to compete with same priced hotels closer to the city or business centers of Tyson's and Silver Spring.

Comments

[thelongshot.livejournal.com]

My friend that works with Disney has known about this project for a while. He told me about it probably a year or two ago.

As for its success, I think where it is going to find it are those groups for who the DC Convention Center is too large for. Honestly, there aren't too many hotels in the area where you can have a decent sized convention. Talking to a friend of mine who is staff for Katsucon, they will be going to the Gaylord next year after bouncing from the Omni Shoreham.

BTW, it looks like the Gaylord runs shuttles into DC and Reagan National.

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

Is this the Disney thing you mentioned last week?

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

No. I was referring to the loss of the voice of Mickey Mouse. I'll post on that when i can gather my thoughts.