Disney coming to Australia?

Harrop

Mouseketeer
Joined
Dec 6, 2006
Messages
99
hi everyone!

well over the past couple of years, rumours regarding the disney company being interested in some land located at Coomera on the Gold Coast (home to all australias major theme parks) have being slowly emerging. we must remember that rumours are rumours!

but over the past few months especially, these 'rumours' have been gradually increasing to the point where the hyp is starting to reach newspapers and the news e.g:

Disneylandcoomera.jpg


there is also quite a bit of information starting to surface on the aussie theme park sites, and all the information and rumours seems to be gelling together quite well

i remember during my jan 07 trip to disneyworld, i asked a CM who was working there, and she said "you'll have to wait and see" - and then winked at me

have u guys heard anything about this in the states? can any CM's confirm anything thats been put forward?

rumour has it that an announcment/construction is expected in early-mid 2008, with completion around 2012-2013, and that it could include up to 4 parks

----------------------------------------------
HERE IS A TIMELINE OF EVENTS SO FAR
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2000 - Pre-Disneyland Hong Kong - Queensland Park was planned

As some may know, the Beattie government initially said no to Disney around 2000:

http://hk-imail.singtao.com/news_detail.as...;d_str=20050916


If ever there was a succinct definition of a sweet deal, surely this is it. It may be recalled that before Disney signed its contract with the Hong Kong government it attempted to reach agreement with the Queensland state government for an Australian park. Negotiations ended when the government turned down Disney's demands for subsidies, land grants and tax breaks worth just over US$500 million. The Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said, "only Goofy would have picked up such a deal."



2005 - Disney Execs tour Gold Coast, then Sydney and Avalon

Cut to five years later HK Disney is almost done and Disney are back.


Door open to House of Mouse Disney for Coast rumours
24 June 2005 - The Gold Coast Bulletin

THE Gold Coast could be in line for another major theme park after rumours emerged the State Government was negotiating with the global entertainment giant Disney.

While a spokeswomen for the Department of State Development made no comment, it is believed the department has undertaken an assessment of possible sites that would suit a park.

Sites include Boondall near Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

However, a new theme park would not come cheap for the global brand, with top of the line rollercoasters costing up to $26 million.

Dreamworld's recently opened Claw ride is at the lower end of the cost spectrum at $9 million.

It is not the first time Queensland has flirted with the House of Mouse, with Rob Borbidge's coalition government opening negotiations with Disney in 1998 on the possibility of a theme park in the state.

Mr Borbidge said the plan had been to bid for Expo 2002, which would have been based on land at Coomera.

"Mick Veivers was in the US as sports minister and he met with Disney's head officials," he said.

"They indicated they were keen but wanted to complete their new park in Hong Kong first," said Mr Borbidge. <<Now finished! Still keen I bet;)

However, the state missed out on Expo by one vote and the park fell off he map.

"To the extent it is being revisited by the Beattie Government is great news," said Mr Borbidge.

A spokeswoman for Disney said the company was evaluating various markets around the world but it was unlikely anything would be considered before September, when Disney opened an amusement park in Hong Kong.

Dreamworld chief Stephen Gregg said while any new theme park was speculation at the moment, a competitive market was a good market and Dreamworld would welcome Disneyland if it set up on the Gold Coast.

"At the moment I'd say Disney is focusing on their September opening in Hong Kong so whether it happens or not, we're certainly a few years away from Mickey Mouse in the Sunshine State." <<Here we are a few years down the track;)[/



Early 2006 - Avalon drops out

Here is confirmation that Avalon dropped out of the competition in 2006 (IMO never a serious option), from an article titled: "Avalon chief vows to pursue retail hub `Give DFO a go'" from 2006.



"...But don't expect Disneyland to figure in that (Avalon) plan, despite confirmation that Mr Fox held informal talks with key Disney personnel about an Avalon-based theme park. He said there was no commitment from Disney and no current plans for the idea to go ahead."



Late 2006 - South East Queensland firms up as location for park

Out of interest here is an article from a year ago, perhaps it's been in the work for a while. In fact I'm led to believe Disney have probably been keen for some time. Some rumours says they went to HK after some GC negotiations feel through previously, but I guess the idea might live on.

Even this 2006 article post dates the Avalon and Sydney talk by a year even at that stage, so it's clear that SEQ has been the target for the last 2 years whilst the others have gone quiet (in fact I doubt they were ever serious options, especially avalon):


Team Beattie quiet on queuing for Disney ride
19 September 2006
The Gold Coast Bulletin

THE Government is playing its cards close to the chest over renewed speculation Australia's first Disneyland may be heading for the Gold Coast.

The Disney organisation, the world's premier theme-park operator, has been the target of regular speculation about heading for Queensland.

In the mid-90s, the Borbidge Government was schmoozed by the Disney people about the prospect of a suitable Queensland site including Coomera.

Disney sites in the US are backed by others internationally including Eurodisney in France and its latest venture in Hong Kong.

Pre-election there was plenty of industry talk that Disney executives were keen to sit down for a serious chat with Premier



Mid-Late 2007 - Coomera location firms up

In the Bulletin:
Disneylandcoomera.jpg


Since then:

Noticed on a Financial Planning site a note about Disney:


Great news about Disneyland coming to town (Coomera) which has sent everyone ballistic. Lucky we have plenty of stock available soon that we have land banked for all these years ...


Just some more rumours, this one from the Disney Blog:


Just for all you who are wondering,it has been known for some months now that Disney have bought a lot of land on the Gold Coast. The new Disney site will be very close to Dreamworld.
Posted by: disney princess | September 23, 2007 at 10:50 PM


And from SkyscraperLife, post by SoulVision:


Looks like our slogan "Brisneyland" might not be a bad saying after all...

This is from a friend who spoke to another guy (who probably got it from another guy) lol. So don't hold me accountable, this is just a rumour.

He said that "Disney" will be releasing something soon, and to buy property in the Coomera area. It's going to create around 5000 jobs. Who knows, it could be anything from Disneyland to a Disney store... lol

but that's what I heard! tell you what though, that would be the icing on the amazing cake in South East Queensland! fantastic stuff.

im interested in hearing what you guys think!
 
Like you said rumours are rumours, but it would make sense for disney to move to Australia eventually, i just wonder if it will be in another form than a magic kingdom, maybe a new dvc resort, or a disneysea park with waterpark, could be anything! Will have to wait and see;)
 
I think someone at the recent press event in Anaheim said there will be no new parks prior to 2015, and thats as far as they plan in advance (something to this effect, if you dig through micage's articles from the past two weeks you'll find it). There is a huge billion dollar investment being put into Anaheim right now, and I think that's where a large part of their growth is aimed at right now. They're still trying to make that a resort destination as opposed to a 3 day or so visit.

They could be playing coy though, or I may have misread.

Disney is planning worldwide expansion but not themeparks they're doing themed hotels with an E ticket ride and a couple small rides attached. Those are planned for Europe, though not in France. The idea is to drum business up for the main parks via this.
 
I can't see that financially it would be viable in Australia yet. One day would be excellent though. I am glad it won't be soon as we are spending a fortune flying to the States next year :lmao:

Yvette
 

This is really a much better fit on the Disney Rumors & News board here on the DIS and that's where you'll find it now!

Thanks,

Knox
 
As a pp pointed out Disney is planning worldwide expansion with themed hotels and maybe a small theme park or waterpark.So Austraia may be a posible location for one of those hotels.
According to Jim Hill you may be right . He thinks Disney has been holding talks with Austrailia about adding a Disney Park.


BTW:
According to JIm Hill Austria may be coming to Disney.He thinks that an outside company is trying to add an Australian pavilion to the World Showcase.

Here is a link to the article.

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_h...-showcase-pavilions-being-built-at-epcot.aspx
 
I think a more important factor is that the Austrialian PM just called for new elections - and suddenly a local government is promising all kinds of new jobs and a booming economy because "they're in talks with Disney".

Interesting.

And frankly at this point if Disney is losing big money on mirco-sized Hong Kong Disneyland with a population base in the hundreds of millions, how is Disney going to support a theme park in Australia? If there's any truth to this rumor, it's likely to be another Destination Disney Grand Resort/Villia project like the one in Hawai'i.
 
I think a more important factor is that the Austrialian PM just called for new elections - and suddenly a local government is promising all kinds of new jobs and a booming economy because "they're in talks with Disney".

Interesting.

And frankly at this point if Disney is losing big money on mirco-sized Hong Kong Disneyland with a population base in the hundreds of millions, how is Disney going to support a theme park in Australia? If there's any truth to this rumor, it's likely to be another Destination Disney Grand Resort/Villia project like the one in Hawai'i.
Nah the government in QLD is Labor. The federal government is Liberal. They wouldnt have anything to do with each other.

I agree Australia's populaiton wouldnt be big enough to support one, but the Gold Coast industry is all based around tourism.
 
As a pp pointed out Disney is planning worldwide expansion with themed hotels and maybe a small theme park or waterpark.So Austraia may be a posible location for one of those hotels.
According to Jim Hill you may be right . He thinks Disney has been holding talks with Austrailia about adding a Disney Park.


BTW:
According to JIm Hill Austria may be coming to Disney.He thinks that an outside company is trying to add an Australian pavilion to the World Showcase.

Here is a link to the article.

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_h...-showcase-pavilions-being-built-at-epcot.aspx


Just a couple of things...Hawaii is not going to be up and running until 2011. The last time Disney tried this it crashed and burned. Disney so far has shown little reason why I might stay at a Disney hotel in Hawaii other than brand name and they are real resorts already in Hawaii not the faux ones Disney likes to build. I would doubt that Disney would go off building more of these things in different locations until they see how the first is going to do.

Jim Hill...while he does have some great info and connections at Disney if you check his site he has just as many "why didn't Disney build this" articles has he does "this is what Disney is planning to build" ones. So don't go planning a trip to Disney's Grand Egypt Hotel and Camel Ride just yet.
 
Just a couple of things...Hawaii is not going to be up and running until 2011. The last time Disney tried this it crashed and burned. Disney so far has shown little reason why I might stay at a Disney hotel in Hawaii other than brand name and they are real resorts already in Hawaii not the faux ones Disney likes to build. I would doubt that Disney would go off building more of these things in different locations until they see how the first is going to do.

Jim Hill...while he does have some great info and connections at Disney if you check his site he has just as many "why didn't Disney build this" articles has he does "this is what Disney is planning to build" ones. So don't go planning a trip to Disney's Grand Egypt Hotel and Camel Ride just yet.

I agree.
If Disney does build in Austraila I also think it will be many years down the road.

Disclaimer: As with ALL things Disney we (the common folk) hardly ever know what Disney plans to do until a project is under way.
 
This is very interesting.. any updates on this?
 


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