How Disneyland almost came to Australia...but went to Hong Kong instead.

[orion2185]

Interesting article

not sure how much information about Disney building a theme park in Australia made it's way to America.

So thought some people might like to know that Disney almost did build a theme park in Australia (Gold Coast) but was pulled at the last second.
Ie concept art, planing, government support, land bought, etc all to be ended very quickly to go to Hong Kong

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au...t-place-on-earth/story-fnj94hgr-1227513359485

 

[DDLand]

Interesting article

not sure how much information about Disney building a theme park in Australia made it's way to America.

So thought some people might like to know that Disney almost did build a theme park in Australia (Gold Coast) but was pulled at the last second.
Ie concept art, planing, government support, land bought, etc all to be ended very quickly to go to Hong Kong

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au...t-place-on-earth/story-fnj94hgr-1227513359485

Sweet, thanks for the share! The two projects they dumped this for HKDL and SDL still have much to prove. Additionally Disneyland Australia seemed to be revived years later over in Sydney. Eisner was on a mad dash back then. His worst idea, the Disney theme park on an oil tanker, just goes to show how far and wide he was thinking on taking Asia.

 

[AussieNSW]

What a shame. We have been to all the parks except Tokyo. HKDL was a huge disappointment I suppose I can say I have been but in the future I will save a little longer and go to Anaheim or Orlando.

 

[DDLand]

What a shame. We have been to all the parks except Tokyo. HKDL was a huge disappointment I suppose I can say I have been but in the future I will save a little longer and go to Anaheim or Orlando.

I'll tell you this, around the time of this theme parks design Eisner developed a brilliant strategy that would shape Parks and resorts for the next decade...

Build cheap.

It didn't work well at all. WDS, DAK, DCA, and HKDL all bombed. If an Aussie Disneyland had been built, rest assured it would have likely suffered many of the same problems HKDL had.

 

[ChrisFL]

What a shame. We have been to all the parks except Tokyo. HKDL was a huge disappointment I suppose I can say I have been but in the future I will save a little longer and go to Anaheim or Orlando.

IMO you should save a little longer and go to Tokyo...it's #1 for me by far.

 

[DDLand]

IMO you should save a little longer and go to Tokyo...it's #1 for me by far.

Correct me if I'm wrong @AussieNSW, but I'd actually imagine that between the much cheaper tickets and shorter flights Tokyo should be cheaper. (I assume you're from Australia)

I'm actually curious when you went to HKDL @AussieNSW, it looks like it's really improved recently. Not all the way there, but great strides.

 

[AussieNSW]

We actually went to Hong Kong on the Way home from Europe after visiting Disneyland Paris. Although with deals and Honk Kong being used as a stopover the price can be very reasonable compared to other places.
To us Hong Kong lacked atmosphere, the staff were not friendly and seemed like you were an inconvenience to them. The rides were in many ways poor copies from the other parks. Although we did enjoy its a small world and Mystic manor. Toy Story land looked good but it had no substance. Most of the park was aimed at presenting photo opportunities not experiences or rides.
To some people it may sound like I am being unfair but about 11 months ago that is what we experienced. During this trip we also experienced Disneyland Paris and even though it had many maintenance issues there, I cannot believe how many rides regularly broke down while we were there including power outages just in the park. There was still a huge gap between our enjoyment level and that of Hong Kong Disneyland.
I think I will have to put a plan in motion to go to Tokyo after our next trip to Orlando and Anaheim for the Christmas festivities this year.

 

[DDLand]

We actually went to Hong Kong on the Way home from Europe after visiting Disneyland Paris. Although with deals and Honk Kong being used as a stopover the price can be very reasonable compared to other places.
To us Hong Kong lacked atmosphere, the staff were not friendly and seemed like you were an inconvenience to them. The rides were in many ways poor copies from the other parks. Although we did enjoy its a small world and Mystic manor. Toy Story land looked good but it had no substance. Most of the park was aimed at presenting photo opportunities not experiences or rides.
To some people it may sound like I am being unfair but about 11 months ago that is what we experienced. During this trip we also experienced Disneyland Paris and even though it had many maintenance issues there, I cannot believe how many rides regularly broke down while we were there including power outages just in the park. There was still a huge gap between our enjoyment level and that of Hong Kong Disneyland.
I think I will have to put a plan in motion to go to Tokyo after our next trip to Orlando and Anaheim for the Christmas festivities this year.

Interesting, thanks for sharing that! Well I suppose it still needs more work. I'm curious what Shanghai will do to it.