An article printed in the Springfield, MO News-Leader speculates about a possible Disney link to a theme park development in Newton County near Branson, MO. Per the article, a man affiliated with a company called ARM Risk attended a commissioner’s meeting on April 12th and proceeded to make inquiries regarding possible changes to the county’s road system to accommodate a proposed theme park project. Materials given to the commissioners indicate first-phase construction costs of $1.1 billion, a 100-acre theme park and six hotels plus a number of ancillary projects.
The Disney link is purely speculative, but follows some investigation by author Kathryn Buckstaff:
“A possible Disney connection was raised when commissioners checked the company owners. On a form called ‘Registration of Fictitious Name’ filed with the Missouri Secretary of State's office in March for ARM Risk, three owners are listed. Corporations routinely file such forms.
“The owners are Michael Hill of Wilmington, Del.; Robert Brown, who lists his address as 500 South Buena Vista St., Burbank, Calif.; and Jason Johnson, who lists his address as Corporate Office, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
“On the Internet, commissioners found that the Burbank address is corporate headquarters of the Walt Disney Co. Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is headquarters of Walt Disney World Resort.”
Other local newspapers and television stations have since picked up on the story. Interestingly, The Walt Disney Company refused to comment.
Sources: News-Leader; Joplin Independent; KMBC-TV; Neosho Daily News
