Disney Bahrain Theme park

[awoltoday]

UPDATE 1 - Alwaleed in talks on $8 bln Gulf Disneyland

By Mohammed Abbas

MANAMA, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is in talks with investors to build an $8 billion Disneyland theme park in Bahrain, at the heart of the world's biggest oil exporting region, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The project would be based on Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS.N: Quote, Profile , Research) theme parks and could be called "Disney Bahrain", Bahrain's al-Waqt newspaper said, citing an unnamed source.

The report did not make clear whether the U.S. company was directly involved in the talks to build the first Disney theme park in the Gulf, where incomes have surged after a tripling of oil prices in the five years to last July.

Alwaleed, the world's eighth richest man, is talking to investors including Kuwait Finance House (KFIN.KW: Quote, Profile , Research), the Gulf's second largest Islamic bank by market value, and Bahraini institutions, the paper said.

Alwaleed indirectly owns 10 percent of Disneyland Paris operator Euro Disney (EDLP.PA: Quote, Profile , Research), and his Rotana Audio Visual Co., signed a deal in November to distribute Walt Disney products across the Middle East and North Africa.

 

[raidermatt]

From the BBC News:

Disney park 'to open in Bahrain'

Will Mickey and Minnie soon be heading to Bahrain?
A Saudi Arabian billionaire is in talks to open a Disney theme park in Bahrain, according to a report.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is discussing the proposed $8bn (£4.1bn) scheme with potential investors, the local al-Waqt newspaper says.

Oil prices - which trebled in the five years to July 2006 - have brought massive wealth to the region.

Kuwait Finance House, the region's second largest Islamic bank, is among those in talks, the paper said.

However the bank declined to comment and the Prince was unavailable.

'Family Entertainment'

It would not be the Prince's first foray into the world of Mickey Mouse and Goofy.

He indirectly owns 10% of Euro Disney - which operates Disneyland Paris and also struck a deal late last year to distribute Disney merchandise across the Middle East and Africa.

According to the report, a study has identified the need for a "project for family entertainment".

Disney currently has 11 theme parks including in Paris and Hong Kong, and has set its sights on Shanghai where China's economic boom has created disposable income among the middle classes.

 

[Mickmse2002]

Is that Bahrain, Texas?

 

[Golter]

Is that Bahrain, Texas?

That is the funniest thing posted here in a long time. Kudos on your quip!

 

[rubberband1293]

Is that Bahrain, Texas?

Dang - I wish I had said that!

 

[ChrisFL]

Interesting, but wonder how it would play against Dubailand

 

[CareBlair]

"The Walt Disney Company has used its own news website to deny reports that suggested it was in talks to open a theme park in Bahrain. Following the news linking it with Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal over the project, the official Disney news site, Mickey News, quoted a company spokeswoman who said that no such negotiations were taking place."

http://www.ateonline.co.uk/60/74/79/articles/10569.php

"The S$5.2 billion (US$3.4bn) Resorts World at Sentosa will be completed in early 2010 and, according to the developers, "will put Singapore on the world map as a leading leisure holiday destination". The resort will include Universal Studios Singapore, plus the world's largest oceanarium, six hotels, and the luxury spa brand, ESPA."

http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1115615.php

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm wondering how it would play against Red Sea World--

 

[TheDogbots]

not profitable to be there.... because when we switch off oil those dudes are going broke... oh wait... that will never happen...

second reason to not build there.... can you imagine Minnie and Daisy in a burka?
(yeah i know, bahrain is one of the more advanced Mid East countries in womens rights...)