Disney is coming to National Harbor

OXON HILL, Md. -- As he stands on the National Harbor hill where Disney plans to build a 500-room, stand alone hotel, Milton V. Peterson relishes in his latest achievement -- bringing Disney here in a down economy.

"To bring Disney to Washington is a coup," the chairman of the Peterson Cos. tells WTOP.

"I've only been working on this 13 years. Disney is the finest hospitality and entertainment company in the world."

Peterson sold 15 acres at National Harbor to Disney for $11 million.

"We needed an icon for the top of the hill," says Peterson.

The property Disney bought faces toward the District, with the Washington Monument in the distance.

"They have found the best site. They aren't telling us their exact plans."

But Peterson, who built the waterfront complex jokes, "I don't think they bought this to raise sunflowers."

Disney's decision to build in Prince George's County will mean jobs and a boost for regional tourism.

"It takes us and gives us the validation that our vision of this as a waterfront destination resort to serve Washington can and will happen," Peterson says.

Don't look for Disney to try to build another Disney's America. Disney scrapped the idea of a history-themed park in Virginia's Prince William County after the community objected in the 1990s.

"National Harbor offers an array of entertaining activities for regional visitors, but it is also a family-friendly base camp, from which visitors from around the world can explore the stirring sights and inspirational stories of our nation's capital," says Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, in a news release.

"We believe National Harbor has the unique opportunity to offer a new level of family-friendly hospitality," Rasulo goes on to say.

The hotel might go well with Adventures by Disney. Adventures by Disney offers guided tours of the mid-Atlantic, including a bike tour around the National Mall, a lunch trip to Mount Vernon and private tours of the White House, Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

(Copyright 2009 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)