Western Way Development becomes Flamingo Crossings and is now open for developers to buy and build

Disney has started to put parcels at its Western Way development, now called Flamingo Crossings, on the market. Notably, this will be the first chance for outside companies to own, rather than lease, property within the Reedy Creek Water District that Disney administrates.

Flamingo Crossings would target merchants of practical wares and services that tourists, Disney employees, and area residents might need, such as groceries, toiletries or basic clothing — thereby competing with area shopping centers and outlet stores that draw many visitors off Disney property. The restaurants might include a mix of fast-food and casual-dining franchises not common on Disney grounds.

"Generally speaking, it’s your typical shopping center that you see along the interstate," Reedy Creek Administrator Ray Maxwell said. "It’s the value end of the market."

Disney is also looking to add several value oriented hotels and motels for the area. With a possible additional room count of 5,000 that could bring as many as 15,000 additional visitors to the Disney property a day. But what will probably happen is some of the affordable rate hotels and motels that are currently stretched out along the Highway 192 strip will see their numbers cannibalized.

I would have predicted that Disney would finish their Pop Century resort or open another value resort before allowing more of the value oriented hotels to open so nearby (indeed effectively on property – although set outside the artificial ‘gate’ of the resort). But I guess Disney doesn’t want to get into the ‘discount’ rate market that these hotels and motels will be playing in. Not enough margin in that, I guess. (Link)