Originally posted by Lissydog
Ok, first let me say that they could build a Disney park in Ohio, but it will never happen, because that would be too perfect for me, and things that great just don't happen. lol
However, in my fantasy, here is how I see it. If Disney were to build a park, it would have to be a departure from DL or WDW - more thrill ride based, yet keeping with the Disney tradition of storylines.
It would be seasonal. As mentioned, Six Flags (who by the way is NOT doing gangbusters) and Cedar Point (has consistent attendance yearly) both are open summer months only, with extended weekends through Halloween. Cedar Point draws 3.3 million guests each year, while, when it was SeaWorld and Geauga Lake, each added 1.3 and 1.2 million respectively. (I worked in Marketing at SW before it was sold, so I have a pretty good grasp of the attendance of each park). I would estimate, depending on size, that a Disney park in Ohio could expect to draw at least 5 million a season. Additionally, shopping centers like Downtown Disney and themed hotels would create an extended weekend destination resort. Cedar Point has successfully implemented this philosophy with their park.
Again, why Ohio? Got this question a lot working at SW. NE Ohio is within an average of 500 miles (a days drive) to 2/3 of the entire US population. If it is so accessable to so many people, will they still go to WDW/DL? YES! IMO, a park in Ohio would not replace a WDW/Florida vacation. The average WDW family saves for app. 3 years to vacation in WDW. A destination in Ohio would serve as a summer get away...not as their major vacation option. I don't beleive people would replace one experience with the other.
With all this said, I think it would be too good to be true, but here's to dreaming...