Disney to head downunder?

[Dean[AU]]

source:http://www.roller-coaster.com.au/article.php?aid=41
Disney to head downunder?
March 21 2005

Disney, the owners of some of the world's greatest theme parks including Disneyland in Anaheim, California, Walt Disney World in Florida and the soon-to-open Hong Kong Disneyland are reportedly looking at land in Western Sydney for their next theme park experience.

Since the early 1990s, Disney has been interested in various locations in Australia for a theme park. The DisneySea concept was once planned for the Gold Coast, a concept that was originally developed for Long Beach, California and eventuated at the Tokyo Disneyland Resort. Other locations around Queensland have also been investigated

The property Disney are said to be looking at is a 30 hectare property that was released for tourism development by the NSW State Government last week near Blacktown, the area where the since-closed Wonderland Sydney theme park was located.

There are no confirmed details about this alleged development. Disney are keeping their usual tight-lipped approach, while NSW officials are vague. It is unknown the scope of this development, and whether it will be a traditional "Magic Kingdom" style Disney park made famous by the original Disneyland theme park, or another format Disney have already experimented with in one of their existing parks.


FINALLY!

 

[Dean[AU]]

source:http://www.smh.com.au/news/National.../2005/03/20/1111253885114.html?oneclick=true#

Mickey Mouse lets cat out of the bag
By Bonnie Malkin
March 21, 2005

Western Sydney could house a new outpost of the Disney empire, with an amusement park and resort modelled on those overseas.

Disney said it was looking at international sites for a theme park, including 30 hectares at Prospect, near Blacktown.

"We are evaluating different markets around the world as part of our growth strategy," a spokeswoman for the US company said.

If Disney develops the Prospect site, it will be its first in the southern hemisphere.

However, the spokeswoman said that no decision had been made about the site, which the State Government released for development as a zoo, water park or amusement park last Monday.

It was unlikely anything would be considered before September, when Disney opened an amusement park in Hong Kong, she said.

Last week, the Minister for Western Sydney, Diane Beamer, invited expressions of interest in the Prospect site, which is within a 27-kilometre stretch of parklands.

She said documents had been sent out in answer to 22 expressions of interest so far.

"Expressions of interest closes on March 24 and the department will be assessing them from that date," she said.

Ms Beamer had no comment on whether Disney had made one of those 22 requests. The Mayor of Blacktown, Leo Kelly, also had no comment.

Western Sydney's first big amusement park, Australia's Wonderland, closed in April last year because of declining patronage and a crumbling infrastructure.

 

[imagineer boy]

Ooh! Interesting. Let's just hope that it doesn't end up like HKDL.

 

[CaptainMichael]

Interesting, its about time they ease off of Asia. Here's to Disneyland Australia!

 

[Debbie]

Ooh! Interesting. Let's just hope that it doesn't end up like HKDL.

Pardon me for being locked in a closet; but what happened to HKDL? I never knew there were issues with it. :wave:

 

[General Grizz]

North, west, east, and south: all roads led to Rome.

 

[imagineer boy]

Pardon me for being locked in a closet; but what happened to HKDL? I never knew there were issues with it. :wave:

Well, right now it's rather small, and there's quite a lack of attractions.