Disney Denies Lobbying India Over Park

[speck76]

Sun May 1, 4:52 PM ET

HONG KONG - Disney on Sunday declined to say whether it wants to build a theme park in India, but denied a newspaper report in Hong Kong that it lobbied the Indian government on the matter. The South China Morning Post reported Sunday that The Walt Disney Co. has asked Indian authorities for land for a park site.

"Disney has approached us for land outside Delhi to build a theme park. The company is very upbeat about the project. Its top officials are lobbying hard to wangle a very, very big plot," the Post quoted an unidentified official at India's Urban Development Ministry as saying.

Disney Chief Executive Michael Eisner and Chief Operating Officer Robert Iger, who has been picked to replace Eisner, visited India last week and met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the report said.

But the Post quoted a Singh spokesman as saying the executives did not lobby the Indian leader.

"Nobody asks the PM for land. It was a courtesy call," the unidentified spokesman was quoted as saying.

Disney spokeswoman Michele Nachum confirmed the meeting between Singh and the Disney executives but said she didn't know what was discussed.

She declined to say whether Disney hoped to build a theme park in India, but said the Post report was false.

"We're constantly evaluating strategic markets around the world to grow our parks and resorts business and the Disney brand," Nachum told The Associated Press.

Indian officials weren't available for comment Sunday.

Disney's latest theme park in Asia, Hong Kong Disneyland, is due to open Sept. 12. Critics have questioned if the government was too accommodating to Disney. Hong Kong taxpayers are paying for most of the park's $3.5 billion cost. Officials say the park will boost employment and tourism.

 

[Computer Magic]

I would say Disney is looking into the possibility for a park in India. It also makes since to keep it quiet until the deal in final.

 

[no2apprentice]

A park in India...I am not terribly well versed in overseas economies, but could a Disney park in India draw enough people who could afford the prices?

I can't help but wonder if Disney is looking into manufacturing plants for merchandise, or even (shudder - dare I type it) call centers.

Great, now I'm going to have nightmares tonight.

 

[General Grizz]

At least Disney can open up a Magic of Disney Animation tour of its studios over there... :lookaroun (SIGH)

 

[SirNim]

Ouch Grizz...

 

[SewIn2Disney]

From today's Taiwan News Online:

Disney denies plans to build park in India
BURBANK, California

The Walt Disney Co. denied a report it is planning to build a theme park in India and has lobbied the government there on the matter.

"We have not had any discussions in India regarding the opening of a theme park or purchasing land and do not plan any in the foreseeable future," Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a statement Sunday.

The South China Morning Post, quoting an unidentified official at India's Urban Development Ministry, reported Sunday that Disney has asked Indian authorities for land for a park site.

Disney Chief Executive Michael Eisner and Chief Operating Officer Robert Iger visited India last week and met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the company said.

 

[SewIn2Disney]

I can't help but wonder if Disney is looking into manufacturing plants for merchandise, or even (shudder - dare I type it) call centers.

Call Centers? :brick:

That would just (pardon my french) suck.
I hate when I call Dell for my "award winning service and support" and get someone who can barely speak english. I think before they get a job doing that, they should have to pass a language proficiency test. It's great that companies are creating jobs for people around the world.....but when my computer is malfunctioning, I need someone who can help me now.

/Rant

 

[Shaman]

Eventually Disney will build so many parks that they will become their own worse enemy...by building too many parks, they take away some aspect of the uniqueness of the experience...

A park in India makes no sense to me...Its far too close to its other Asian locations.

*shrugs*

 

[speck76]

Eventually Disney will build so many parks that they will become their own worse enemy...by building too many parks, they take away some aspect of the uniqueness of the experience...

A park in India makes no sense to me...Its far too close to its other Asian locations.

*shrugs*

The world is a very large place

India is a very large place, with a population of about 1 BILLION people

China is a very large place, with a population OVER 1 Billion people

If the USA can support 6 parks (and the US only have a population of 295 million people), then I don't think spreading a few parks amoung a few BILLION people is going to hurt the company.

 

[Shaman]

The world is a very large place

India is a very large place, with a population of about 1 BILLION people

China is a very large place, with a population OVER 1 Billion people

If the USA can support 6 parks (and the US only have a population of 295 million people), then I don't think spreading a few parks amoung a few BILLION people is going to hurt the company.

Yes...thats a good point...and I'm not saying that its a bad thing altogether...I just think that Disney could hurt later down the line if there are TOO MANY 'worlds' out there...

With a park in China, I think a park in India doesn't make sense now (they don't even know how much acceptance there will be for the park in Hong Kong)....I also wonder out of those billions how many can even afford to pay the enterance fee to a Disney park?

 

[speck76]

Yes...thats a good point...and I'm not saying that its a bad thing altogether...I just think that Disney could hurt later down the line if there are TOO MANY 'worlds' out there...

With a park in China, I think a park in India doesn't make sense now (they don't even know how much acceptance there will be for the park in Hong Kong)....I also wonder out of those billions how many can even afford to pay the enterance fee to a Disney park?

But look at the US

Sure, the US has the most wealth of any nation, but the average household income in the US is only around $40,000. Out of the 300million that live the in the US, probably 60% can not afford to go to WDW or DL, yet the country can support 6 parks.

China and India each have over 1 BILLION people, and although the countries are not rich, they probably have a similar amount of people that actually CAN afford a park.

One positive is that the Disney name is not yet as popular in these countries as it is in the US, Japan, and Europe. By building parks, and introducing Disney to these cultures, the WDC is strengthening their brands.

 

[Shaman]

But look at the US

Sure, the US has the most wealth of any nation, but the average household income in the US is only around $40,000. Out of the 300million that live the in the US, probably 60% can not afford to go to WDW or DL, yet the country can support 6 parks.

China and India each have over 1 BILLION people, and although the countries are not rich, they probably have a similar amount of people that actually CAN afford a park.

One positive is that the Disney name is not yet as popular in these countries as it is in the US, Japan, and Europe. By building parks, and introducing Disney to these cultures, the WDC is strengthening their brands.

I would imagine Disney does extensive research before deciding on anything....

I wonder if we'll ever see a Disney park in Africa, South America or the Middle East?

 

[wannab@dis]

I would imagine Disney does extensive research before deciding on anything....

I wonder if we'll ever see a Disney park in Africa, South America or the Middle East?

Maybe South America, but the other areas are so full of war and fighting and would be a huge target for some group trying to get TV time.

India has a huge population and many of them want and love American products. I've worked with some programmers from India and apparently many of their people embrace American pop culture. What's more American than Disney!?!

I'm not sure about the economic structure in India, but a park in the right location could probably draw some huge crowds. It's interesting that Disney executives visited the region, but they won't say why and deny the park rumors. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I understand the concerns of "diluting" the parks, but I think they can place parks in different regions without that fear becoming reality.

 

[Shaman]

Maybe South America, but the other areas are so full of war and fighting and would be a huge target for some group trying to get TV time.

India has a huge population and many of them want and love American products. I've worked with some programmers from India and apparently many of their people embrace American pop culture. What's more American than Disney!?!

I'm not sure about the economic structure in India, but a park in the right location could probably draw some huge crowds. It's interesting that Disney executives visited the region, but they won't say why and deny the park rumors. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I understand the concerns of "diluting" the parks, but I think they can place parks in different regions without that fear becoming reality.

I agree...but the WDC isn't really known for its restraint...just look at the all the sequels that have been popping out...I guess I'm just questioning whether Disney will know when its time to stop expanding internationally...

 

[Lynx04]

If the USA can support 6 parks (and the US only have a population of 295 million people), then I don't think spreading a few parks amoung a few BILLION people is going to hurt the company.

Won't hurt the company, nor the American parks. It will only benefit the Disney company, building theme parks in Asian markets is a no brainer. Mostly for the reason you mention, but also the fact that Asian economies are growing rapidly.