Rumors Circulate a Possible Disney Theme Park in Joplin, Missouri

A news item in Springfield's News-Leader has ignited rumors of a possible plan by Disney to build a new theme park in Joplin, MO.

Though rumors once circulated in the mid-90s that Disney had planned to build a theme park near Branson, MO, rumors are once again sparking following a request for road improvements that would make way for a $1.1 billion theme park in Newton County. The company that requested the improvements, ARM Risk, is reported to have Disney connections following an investigation behind the company's owners. Two of those owners, Robert Brown and Jason Johnson, list their addresses on the "Registration of Fictitious Name" form filed with the state as those of Disney offices in California and Florida.

According to a list of specifications provided by Todd Marshall, a representative of ARM Risk, the proposed theme park would include land purchases of 1,000 acres which would hold one park utilizing 100 acres, 27 rides, 12 stages and 18 restaurants.

In 1993, under the direction of then CEO Michael Eisner, Disney proposed a third American theme park to be built in Haymarket, Virginia. The theme park, which was to be titled, "Disney America," would have included 7 lands based on American history and ideology. Among the proposed plans for "lands" within the park were a Native American village, a Civil War fort, Ellis Island, a State Fair and a Family Farm. The proposal also mentions a number of attractions that later made their way into Disneyland's sister park, Disney's California Adventure, including Grizzly River Run and the park's signature roller coaster, California Screamin'.

The plans for the park were short-lived, however, when Protect Historic America raised opposition to the park. Giving into the opposition, even though Disney had already gained the support of the Virginia Commission on Population Growth and Development, Disney relinquished its plans for the Virginia park.