Yep - the original hotel for this spot was the Venitian, to be open in phase one by the end of 1976. In 1973 the oil crisis hit and stopped work on the Asian (where the GF is today) - apparently within a sod being cut. This had a knock on effect that stopped the Asian, Venitian and Persian. In the meantime, plans pushed ahead to expand Fort Wilderness and Lake Buena Vista, and then it was all hands on deck for EPCOT Center.
The next thing you know, Eisner and Wells are in, Walker and Miller are out having seen EPCOT Centers budget double - which put them off expansion of anything. Eisner realises WDW is underdeveloped, hotels are springing up outside the property, and has a plan drawn up. The Ray Watson plans of 1983-4 are adjusted, and the first fruit of this change is the GF. Going for the big bucks.
Next up is the first moderate - the CBR. Due to a complex legal issue involving Tishman Realties, Marriott and Arvida Corp. the Swan, Dolphin, Yacht and Beach Clubs are next. By now the Venitian site is looking very appealing, the GF is doing very well, so Eisner wants and even better resort. The Venitian plan is scrapped in favour of the Meditteranean Resort. Land is cleared in 1990 but surveys are alarming - test sinkings of foundation piles literally sink out of site. Further tests reveal the ground would need foundations deeper than Spaceship Earth and the American Adventure combined to support anything at all. Probably the most prime piece of resort real estate in all of WDW is destined to remain scrubland for a while yet.
