Disney Kills Hotel Plans at National Harbor

In 2009, Walt Disney Corp. planned to build a luxurious 500-room hotel at National Harbor in Fort Washington. The hotel would have added another piece to the already-impressive Prince George's County development, and deal another blow to the long-standing perception that the county could not support upscale retail. 

"We're thrilled Disney has decided to invest in National Harbor," National Harbor developer Milton V. Peterson said at the time. "Disney is the top family entertainment company in the world, and its purchase is a great vote of confidence in the future of National Harbor and the Washington area as a top family tourism destination."

So much for that.

On Friday, Walt Disney Corp. announced it has canceled plans to build the hotel. Apparently, the news wasn't a total shock.

When Disney bought the land for $11 million, "there was always a bit of uncertainty" over whether they would follow through, Jon Peterson, senior vice president with The Peterson Cos., told The Washington Post. The harbor, according to The Post's report, has struggled to attract national retailers to open stores there.