Would a third Disney pard in the US hurt the 2 existing parks?

[MadMax11]

Climate is a major factor.

Houston's climate is nearly identical to Orlando's. Very similar year-round. If they were going to build a park elsewhere in the States (which I doubt very seriously they'd do), I think they'd do it on the outskirts of Houston somewhere. They'd already have a major airport to connect through, as well. Land in Texas can still be had cheaply. It's the only logical place in the country for a project of that scale, frankly....central between DL and WDW...climate..airport/infrastructure in place.

Having said all that...Disney hasn't shown the commitment to the parks they already have to indicate that they're looking at expansion above and beyond that here in the States.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Man I hope not! All I ever hear about Disneyland is good things and even WDW veterans say that while WDW as a whole beats DL the two flaghsip parks (MK vs. DL) generally seem to go in favour of DL. The main reason I hope not is because I plan on going there in June and staying across the street at the Howard Johnson hotel. Let's just say I fully expect to enjoy DL just as much despite the differences between the parks.

I always say that it's very possible you'll still like WDW better, but I really really doubt you'll be disappointed with DLR. Imagine nearly as many attractions as are in all of WDW within walking distance of each other and your hotel! Not to mention that you can watch the fireworks from the pool and you're probably closer to both parks than even the Contemporary is to MK. Not bad.

 

[fractal]

I'm thinking Pennsylvania - maybe about 10-15 miles from my house. They would need to enclose the entire park in a clear - climate controlled dome that can be totally retracted underground for the warmer months. I'm also envisioning a monorail system with stations scattered within a 15 mile radius of the park. Having a station within walking distance of my home would be very convenient.


The downside is that it could bankrupt the company.

 

[Horizonsfan]

With how much the US and world populations have grown over the past decades, I wouldn't be surprised to see the next, post-shanghai, resort to be built in South America and maybe much much much later on a third resort built somewhere else within the US.

Climate, while a huge factor in selecting the site, hasn't dictated past locations. Just look at images from DLP and TDL and you'll see all kinds of weather with heavy rains, snows, etc.

 

[doppelv]

I think a 3rd resort would only cannibalize from the other American resorts if built in the south. However, I do think that a northern resort would allow guests who maybe can't make the trip to FL or CA the opportunity to visit. I think Disney missed out on a great opportunity a few years back when the Mall of America in Minnesota was looking for a new theme for their park. The MOA already sees a great deal of tourist traffic, the addition of a Disney park would have been amazing. Also, it certainly would have taken care of the climate aspect.

 

[Thrill]

Yes. A third resort would almost certainly pull some visitors from WDW and DLR. Another possibility is that DLR and WDW already satisfy the demand for Disney parks, and people would still travel to those already established resorts, leaving American resort #3 as a complete waste of a couple of billion dollars. So if the third resort doesn't cannibalize the existing resorts, the existing resorts would render the new resort DOA.

Right, that explains Shanghai

That's tapping a whole new market in a promising economy.
And if I remember correctly, the Chinese government is on the hook for half of it.

 

[ChrisFL]

That's tapping a whole new market in a promising economy.
And if I remember correctly, the Chinese government is on the hook for half of it.

Right, but they aren't the easiest to work with and if they didn't want to stay in the theme park game I don't think they'd be doing this...especially on the scale that they are planning.

Clearly they are using this as a big leveraging tool to get the rest of the Disney stuff in China, so the theme parks ARE a big part of Disney's core value, I don't see why people think they'd want to get out of it.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

I think they should just fund a small park in Brazil and get it over with..

Thats a great idea, while theyre at it they can put one in New York City so I dont have to run into anyone from Long Island when im at Disney World.

 

[flavious27]

I always hear talk about where the next Disney park would be in the US but if that were to ever happen, wouldnt it thin out the attendence and quality of the 2 origional parks?

It can have that effect if there is an overlap of customer bases. If they built a regional park that competed with six flags and other single day parks, it shouldn't hit the attendance in FL or CA.

 

[lunchbox1175]

NOT because I live in Texas is why I am saying this. I really think it wouldn't hurt them at all. I know many many people who will not fly nor can afford to fly their family in either direction from Texas. Also the drive is 2 full days and more either way. Texas for the most part has great weather here.. San Antonio New Braunfels area San Marcos would be fantastic for all counts. Weather, location,etc. People and I mean lots of them, cannot afford that much time off and the money to drive or fly to go to Disney. I am constantly selling Disney to people her. Even though i get nothing LOL.. But bottom line we need a mid way for people who may never get to go and will never get to go because of how far it is either way. If it takes 2 hard days to drive from Mid Texas and 2 hard days back Lets say 5 days total travel then what does that week vacation get in Disney.. 2 days.. Not worth going . So those people may never get to go. I know tons of people that would gladly spend time and money at Disney if they could go and take more than one week off. lets face it.. You need more than even 4 days there to enjoy it and if its spent traveling or airfare that is ridiculous.. Disney would have a whole new world of Lovers if they could only go.. I hope they can quit building overseas. Those people all come here so why are they building them there. JMHO

I live in the Houston Area, and the flight is never really very expensive, although I can understand how it would be for a larger family than mine, but the flight is only a little over 2 hours. We take an early flight every time, get to our resort hotel by noon, and enjoy a great first day. We also always take the last flight out on the day we leave, and don't have to actually leave for the airport until 3:00 in the afternoon, so we get a good half day to do any last minute things or shopping that day. If I remember correctly, Disney does own a huge plot of land here in Texas as well, somewhere in the middle of the triangle between Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. My understanding though is that they haven't done anything with it because the State of Texas has no plans to develop any major road ways in that direction at this time, and Disney is not going to foot the bill for that kind of infastructure and they can't have two lane roads leading up to the park.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

It can have that effect if there is an overlap of customer bases. If they built a regional park that competed with six flags and other single day parks, it shouldn't hit the attendance in FL or CA.

I have a water park 5 minutes away from my house called Splish Splash. When you first walk in its like a street fair, nicer then dinoland without the small rides. It has shops and games. after that you have many themed water park rides and most Que areas have some scenery and effects as good as some on Disney rides since they cant have the scenery on the slides. The place looks like it was invented by some Disney Imagineers and I totally take this place for granted. I visit Disneyland more then I visit this place. The attendence there is almost as big as any Disney Water park. The plot of land next to it is an old abandoned national defence air port. It is the perfect plot of land to build a Disney Resort. Its known around here to get 30-50 degree weather all the up until Christmas. I would love to see a Disney Park instead of a bunch or office buildings. If they are going to cut down some trees and plow a meadow why not make something nice. They had already planned to make a man made mountain with a ski hill on the inside with a resort bigger then Disneyland, but it was voted off. I think for sure these buisyness owners can pull off a Disneyland since its a more mild project, Splish Splash was happily welcomed by the comunity. They would be wise to get a Disney licence like the parks overseas and build a Disney park.

 

[lighteningqueen]

You are kidding.. Minn???? The weather would not be ideal for a pak. Cold most of the year snow. Who in their right mind would travel into unknown conditions. The south pretty much stays constant. No snow or maybe one for the season, warm like Florida but not humid. San Antonio and around that area would be ideal, it has other parks it has Sea World, River area Alamo. Lots of history and things to do..I would still visit WDW even if they had one here. You always want to go farthest from home. When on vacation.

 

[SobchakSecurity]

Four words: Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Disney has in Florida complete control over what they do with their property, and no other jurisdiction in the country will allow them to even approach the autonomy they have in Florida. Even Floridian lawmakers want to curb Disney's power.

Disney has pretty much maxed out its North American market anyway, and it's a market that is very mature. Orlando is only a three hour flight from Boston, New York, Toronto, Chicago, or Detroit, and two hours from Washington, Texan cities and southern cities.

After the Disney's America debacle, I don't see them trying to carve a spot in suburbia or rural farmland ever again in this country.

 

[Mickey_777]

After the Disney's America debacle, I don't see them trying to carve a spot in suburbia or rural farmland ever again in this country.

Instead of Prince William County, it would've been nice if Disney could've built the park near Williamsburg. Imagine a "second" Orlando (although historical) with Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Disney America. Richmond road has a very "International Drive" feel to it also. Too bad.

 

[flavious27]

You are kidding.. Minn???? The weather would not be ideal for a pak. Cold most of the year snow. Who in their right mind would travel into unknown conditions. The south pretty much stays constant. No snow or maybe one for the season, warm like Florida but not humid. San Antonio and around that area would be ideal, it has other parks it has Sea World, River area Alamo. Lots of history and things to do..I would still visit WDW even if they had one here. You always want to go farthest from home. When on vacation.

One of the reasons Disney wouldn't build in San Antonio and much of texas anyway. Disney is going to want a buffer between their property and gates. They will not want to have to plant a couple square miles of trees.