Disney to Build New Cruise Terminal
ORLANDO (WTG News) - Sources have learned that the Walt Disney Company plans to build a new cruise terminal to accommodate its extremely popular cruise line. The catch? The terminal will be built on Walt Disney World Resort property and be connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a 40-mile canal. Construction is expected to cost over two billion dollars and take four years to complete.
Insiders are giddy about the possibilities. “Imagine the Magic and Wonder (the Disney cruise ships) majestically pulling up to the terminal just south of EPCOT and guests boarding only minutes after leaving their hotels,” said an unnamed Imagineer. “Now they have to travel by bus to Canaveral. This extends the Disney experience.”
One plan that was squashed as to have the ships pull into the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the Magic Kingdom but the water is too shallow. “Even imagination has to give way to reality,” he adds. He also revealed that beleaguered Disney CEO Michael Eisner is onboard for the project in a big way. “Michael had such a good time supervising the construction of the covered parking lot at Disneyland that he can’t wait to grab a shovel and start digging.”
Another benefit is that the canal will touch the southern tip of the Orlando airport allowing the cruise ships to pick up and drop off passengers there. As well, Disney plans to use high-speed hydrofoils and motored catamarans to transport land guests to the resort. An unnamed official for Universal Studios took this last detail to task and referred to the boats as, “hydro-fools and ratamarans. First the train and now this. Disney is afraid of giving anyone else a piece of the pie.”
Despite industry jealousy, the project is sure to delight the legions of loyal Disney cruise fans. Says the Imagineer. “We’re going to allow them to participate in the digging of the canal. For a few feet of digging, they’ll be given shovels shaped like Mickey Mouse that they can keep.”
Expect an announcement within the week, with construction to begin in 2005.
- Staff
DIS – 25.87
ORLANDO (WTG News) - Sources have learned that the Walt Disney Company plans to build a new cruise terminal to accommodate its extremely popular cruise line. The catch? The terminal will be built on Walt Disney World Resort property and be connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a 40-mile canal. Construction is expected to cost over two billion dollars and take four years to complete.
Insiders are giddy about the possibilities. “Imagine the Magic and Wonder (the Disney cruise ships) majestically pulling up to the terminal just south of EPCOT and guests boarding only minutes after leaving their hotels,” said an unnamed Imagineer. “Now they have to travel by bus to Canaveral. This extends the Disney experience.”
One plan that was squashed as to have the ships pull into the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the Magic Kingdom but the water is too shallow. “Even imagination has to give way to reality,” he adds. He also revealed that beleaguered Disney CEO Michael Eisner is onboard for the project in a big way. “Michael had such a good time supervising the construction of the covered parking lot at Disneyland that he can’t wait to grab a shovel and start digging.”
Another benefit is that the canal will touch the southern tip of the Orlando airport allowing the cruise ships to pick up and drop off passengers there. As well, Disney plans to use high-speed hydrofoils and motored catamarans to transport land guests to the resort. An unnamed official for Universal Studios took this last detail to task and referred to the boats as, “hydro-fools and ratamarans. First the train and now this. Disney is afraid of giving anyone else a piece of the pie.”
Despite industry jealousy, the project is sure to delight the legions of loyal Disney cruise fans. Says the Imagineer. “We’re going to allow them to participate in the digging of the canal. For a few feet of digging, they’ll be given shovels shaped like Mickey Mouse that they can keep.”
Expect an announcement within the week, with construction to begin in 2005.
- Staff
DIS – 25.87
