Dead Flamingos?

[Mouse Detective]

There was absolutely no need for FC to exist, but greed.

This is absolutely true. I've said all along that new hotel construction costs too much money now that the rates such a hotel would have to charge to make a profit far exceeds what a hotel in that barren location could charge. Which is why nothing has been built. Even the previously announced Walgreens never got built.

Disney needs to create a reason for someone to want to be there. Being the PI fan that I am, suppose Disney built their PI 2.0 there? Then there would be a reason for people to want to stay there to be near that type of adult fun. A hotel (or two) would partner with such an endeavor. And with that, a few restaurants would want to be there. And with that a few retail shops would want to be there.

But without Disney creating the need, the place is likely to remain dormant.

 

[WDW1974]

Flamingo Crossing is still in the works but moving at a snails pace.

When they couldn't get Walgreens (which go up in Central Florida in about a month's time it seems) to follow through, I got the idea that their deal was likely contingent on other development, which didn't happen.

Perosnally, again, I think FC is a godawful idea and I truly hope some sanity happens before some company is stupid enough to believe they are gaining something from being on Disney Property (and paying ridiculously for the land rent) vs. being half a mile away on on US 192.

 

[WDW1974]

This is absolutely true. I've said all along that new hotel construction costs too much money now that the rates such a hotel would have to charge to make a profit far exceeds what a hotel in that barren location could charge. Which is why nothing has been built. Even the previously announced Walgreens never got built.

Disney needs to create a reason for someone to want to be there. Being the PI fan that I am, suppose Disney built their PI 2.0 there? Then there would be a reason for people to want to stay there to be near that type of adult fun. A hotel (or two) would partner with such an endeavor. And with that, a few restaurants would want to be there. And with that a few retail shops would want to be there.

But without Disney creating the need, the place is likely to remain dormant.

There just is absolutely no need to pay Disney what they want to be 'on property' (albeit outside those deadly Pixie Dust encrusted archways). Why would Cracker Barrel or Red Lobster or Carraba's need or want locales just a mile or two from other locations? Why would Holiday Inn Express or Comfort Suites. The rates they'd have to charge for being on MAGICal land would no doubt drive up their rates to prices that no longer offer the same value they are known for.

That land needs to be saved for something else ... now, TDO has a chance to not eff up something again in a huge way thanks to the great economic collapse of 2008-present.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

That land needs to be saved for something else ... now, TDO has a chance to not eff up something again in a huge way thanks to the great economic collapse of 2008-present.

Solar farm?

 

[WDW1974]

Solar farm?

I'd rather something more MAGICal than that.

 

[saxamoophone]

Disney still owns and runs the Crossroads across from 535, right?

The problem with Flamingo is the "special" location. Tourist won't go anywhere near it, nor do locals travel that far down 429. 429 in general gets about 1/10th the traffic as 417, and 1/100th the traffic of I-4. Until the area around it builds up, I just don't see the appeal to build there...especially when Winter Garden Village is only 15 north and has all the retail you could ever want!

 

[71jason]

Disney still owns and runs the Crossroads across from 535, right?

No, sold it off a long time ago.

 

[71jason]

There just is absolutely no need to pay Disney what they want to be 'on property' (albeit outside those deadly Pixie Dust encrusted archways). Why would Cracker Barrel or Red Lobster or Carraba's need or want locales just a mile or two from other locations? Why would Holiday Inn Express or Comfort Suites. The rates they'd have to charge for being on MAGICal land would no doubt drive up their rates to prices that no longer offer the same value they are known for.

Spend more for the added benefit of being in the middle of nowhere where only the poorest of CMs drive by (Clermont aint' Dr. Phillips), rather than fronting onto the most direct route between WDW and the largest timeshare development in the U.S.

The higher-ups may love to mock "foamers," but only the most delusional of foamers could think a tangential connection to WDW somehow made this real estate valuable. This plan shows a basic lack of understanding of how business in general, let alone the Orlando market, works.

 

[Hoop Raeb]

Busch gardens has a lovely collection of real ones in a picturesque setting.

Except for the smell.

 

[WDW1974]

Disney still owns and runs the Crossroads across from 535, right?

The problem with Flamingo is the "special" location. Tourist won't go anywhere near it, nor do locals travel that far down 429. 429 in general gets about 1/10th the traffic as 417, and 1/100th the traffic of I-4. Until the area around it builds up, I just don't see the appeal to build there...especially when Winter Garden Village is only 15 north and has all the retail you could ever want!

Yes, I love Winter Garden Village. Feels like some places in SoCal and is very close to friends in Windermere.

FC is truly in a barren wasteland and the idea that people would want to open businesses there because it's sorta behind the Tree Farm and waaay behind Coronado Springs is absurd and greedy to a level I can't quite understand.

There's a reason why people flock to DD or City Walk. They are in the middle of resorts.

FC is a great place to meet your meth dealer ... oops, I mean Pixie Dust dealer!

 

[WDW1974]

Except for the smell.

Flamingos do stink badly ... Craig and Geoff say it's because they pee on themselves to cool off.

 

[OFTeric]

I took some pictures in January 2013 of what it looks like:

 

[WDW1974]

Eric, it hasn't changed its look in years. They did all that work very quickly and it's been sitting ever since (again, great waste of money, Disney). Look how faded that sign is. I'm going to take a visit soon and get a picture lying down in the middle of the road in mid-day. I'm not too worried bout being run over and left for Spirit kill!

 

[DocMcHulk]

Western way was a positive. My family uses it all the time to get to and from our off property resort.

 

[wdwmagic]

Didn't a CVS get close to going in here? Whatever happened to that.

 

[OFTeric]

I think the big problem with FC is that tourism development WEST of WDW has almost completely halted. When you look at OCC rates for hotels in Orlando Metro, Orlando West (I-Drive), LBV, Kissimmee, 192

The lagers month after month, quarter after quarter and now year after year is Kissimmee and 192. No one wants to stay WEST of Disney anymore. Everyone if they are not staying on Disney property want to be in between Disney and Universal Studios. Even Orlando Metro hotel are doing much better business than 192 and Kissimmee.

Hotels on 192 have started calling themselves Lake Buena Vista South in order to make themselves sound like they are closer to WDW.

 

[wm49rs]

Didn't a CVS get close to going in here? Whatever happened to that.

I thought it was a Walgreens? And I guess they didn't want to be to the only kid on the (empty) block....

 

[unkadug]

I thought it was a Walgreens? And I guess they didn't want to be to the only kid on the (empty) block....

There is really no sense in having a neighborhood pharmacy if there is no neighborhood.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I'd rather something more MAGICal than that.

I got it. Did you ever try and get into Olive Garden (either one) on 192? It's close to impossible. Take the whole property and make it the worlds largest Olive Garden. No waiting. All the bread-sticks and salad you can eat. Love the idea. Maybe I'll take some of my spare change and build it. M A G I C A L!!!!

 

[luv]

Except for the smell.

They always smell. It's part of their charm.