With expansion the goal, on February 12, 1974, it was announced that ABC had obtained a one-year option to buy the historic New Jersey town of Smithville for $9-million.
Similar to Colonial Williamsburg, the restored town contained three inns, and about 60 shops and buildings on 2,300 acres (930 ha), located 10 miles (16 km) from Atlantic City.
[9] After a year of construction, The Wildlife Preserve was nearing completion in Largo, Maryland, and its opening date began being advertised as July 1.
But the company did say the Florida scenic attractions had improved revenue results, unfortunately "...attendance levels were very disappointing at The Wildlife Preserve in Largo, MD, and at Historic Smithville.
[20] In an attempt to course-correct, ABC brought in Len Levin to create new advertising spots for The Wildlife Preserve,[21] in hopes it could change public opinion on the park.
"[23] In hopes to compete with Kings Dominion, in November, ABC planned on building a $30 million themed amusement park to go along with the existing offerings at The Wildlife Preserve.
[24] Despite the company's goals, ABC's stock price continued to stumble and as a result in February 1976, it was announced the expansion was canceled,[25] and The Wildlife Preserve would close.
[27][28] In November 1978, it was revealed Jim Fowler, and his group of naturalists and Washington businessmen, was offered an option to buy The Wildlife Preserve from ABC for $3 million.
Russel W. Shipley, the attorney representing Fowler's group revealed the sale was expected to be completed that year, and the park would likely reopen Spring 1979.