Disney Purchases National Harbor Development

The Peterson Companies announced today the sale of land at its National Harbor development near Washington, D.C. to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for $11 million. Disney is considering using the 15-acre site overlooking the Potomac River in National Harbor, MD as the location for a resort hotel for families and others visiting the region.

"We're thrilled Disney has decided to invest in National Harbor," said Milton V. Peterson, chairman of the Peterson Companies. "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."

The new resort hotel would be one of Disney's stand-alone resort hotels separate from the Disney theme parks, like the project under construction in Hawaii.

"As we began identifying possible locations to grow our business, the Washington, D.C. area immediately jumped to the top of the list," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "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. We believe National Harbor has the unique opportunity to offer a new level of family-friendly hospitality."

National Harbor is a 300-acre destination waterfront resort with six hotels, the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, public art such as "The Awakening" sculpture by Seward Johnson, shops and offices, numerous high rise residences and the largest marina on the Potomac River. It is also the future home for the new Cesar Pelli-designed National Children's Museum.