Disney in Texas

[mrp4352]

Actually, last year (and continuing through to this year) SFOT is trying hard to change it's image from a teenager hangout to a family fun day. They've added a character meal with Bugs, several rides that the whole family can ride (not just little kids or big ones), and the increased emphasis on park cleanliness is very obvious. While I don't think Disney would invest in it (because they already have options on land elsewhere in Texas and because there is still a bunch of debt), in 5-10 years it might be concievable...

 

[Tinker_]

Wow-- I know it won't happen, because I could never be that lucky! haha! if Disney opened up in Texas we would be there every month!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Wow-- I know it won't happen, because I could never be that lucky! haha! if Disney opened up in Texas we would be there every month!

I wouldn't say it will never happen.

However, I would say that all the rumors over the past decade that Disney has already acquired land for a third Disney destination in the US are all false.

 

[Another Voice]

Let me just add, however, that it is possible for Disney to expand without adding new theme parks. The original DVC plans called for several stand alone resorts across the country - dude ranches, big city condos, properties in ski & beach resort destinations. While off-property DVC developments were a complete disaster, few ideas about how to make extra money for Disney die.

I mean, we now have "Disney Parks" and "Disney Cruises" - why not "Disney Resorts"...?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Let me just add, however, that it is possible for Disney to expand without adding new theme parks. The original DVC plans called for several stand alone resorts across the country - dude ranches, big city condos, properties in ski & beach resort destinations. While off-property DVC developments were a complete disaster, few ideas about how to make extra money for Disney die.

I mean, we now have "Disney Parks" and "Disney Cruises" - why not "Disney Resorts"...?

I agree that off-property DVC resorts are possible in the future.

DVC's Vero Beach and Hilton Head properties are considered business failures because they took far too long to sell out. That meant that Disney had capital tied up for too long, and that marketing costs were too high. (They are only failures from a business standpoint; the resorts themselves are highly regarded by guests.)

Much has changed in the time since DVC's Vero Beach and Hilton Head properties were built:

• There's now a huge DVC member base to whom new locations can be marketed.
• Disney Vacation Club has has become one of the most respected brands in timesharing.
• The whole timeshare industry has a better reputation than 10-15 years ago.
• And, most importantly, the lodging industry has seen a separation between the companies that own lodging properties (capital-intensive) and the companies that operate and brand them.

That means another company can supply the capital, and Disney can make money off Disney's marketing skill, operating experience, and brand value.

There are still down-sides to off-property DVC resorts, including high land acquisition costs for prime locations and higher marketing costs in locations where the Disney name isn't as "magic" as at WDW and DLR. But, presumably, there are locations where a successful business case could be built despite these higher costs.

However, I wouldn't expect DVC resorts in suburban Dallas or some of the other rumored locations in Texas.

 

[Another Voice]

They are only failures from a business standpoint; the resorts themselves are highly regarded by guests.

Disney isn't all that interested in what pleases guests these days. The only judge of "success" is the amount of cash that's returned to maintain the corporate overhead. The off-site DVC resorts will always be considerd failures internally.

That means another company can supply the capital,...

Which is probably how this would proceed: an outside company would both fund the construction and operate the resorts; Disney would be given an equity state and license the name and characters. Disney isn't interested in "investments", they want the cash up front. It also means some existing resorts could be re-branded "Disney" and the entire project given a jump start.

There are still down-sides to off-property DVC resorts...

Which is why I think these will follow the current WDW model - the places will be built as resorts than a DVC unit will be stapled onto the side at a later date.

 

[drakethib]

The rumor around where I live is that the new Disney resort will be built east of Houston more towards Beaumont.


Been floating around here for the last ten years or so....

 

[MJMcBride]

I agree with all the others what is wrong with Texas?

Nothing is wrong with Texas. Its just never going to have a Disney Theme park is all.

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

But Remember SoFT has more than one park in Texas. There is also Fiesta Texas in San Antonio. We used to live in Austin and went to FT at least 4 times a year. It was very family-oriented. We even had season passes.

Then we moved to North Texas. We have been to SoFT three times in two years. DH's company paid two of them. It is closed in, no where to go. They are having to try to buy the businesses and land that enclose them in order to expand.

And let's not forget AstroWorld. It is dead. Gone. Land was worth more than the park.

In other words, buying SoFT would be a nightmare for Disney.

 

[drakethib]

But Remember SoFT has more than one park in Texas. There is also Fiesta Texas in San Antonio. We used to live in Austin and went to FT at least 4 times a year. It was very family-oriented. We even had season passes.

Then we moved to North Texas. We have been to SoFT three times in two years. DH's company paid two of them. It is closed in, no where to go. They are having to try to buy the businesses and land that enclose them in order to expand.

And let's not forget AstroWorld. It is dead. Gone. Land was worth more than the park.

In other words, buying SoFT would be a nightmare for Disney.

While I can't speak for all of SFOT, I can speak of Astroworld. I for one am glad that place is closed. I had brought my nieces there about a year before it closed and the place was trash. IT was obvious they were trying to cut cost and the quality sucked. I probably dropped $400 that day in the park and it wasn't worth $40.

I actually wrote a letter and complained to SFOT (something I am normally too lazy to do) and got a simple "we will try to do better" response.

Astroworld used to be a fun time for kids, but I guess they new they were closing an didn't care anymore.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Please, regardless of your political views, don't turn this into a political thread.
If a thread is labeled as such, I can easily avoid it, but this thread has a title which I'm interested in.

Please, I ask kindly that you keep your politics off this thread so I can enjoy reading it!

MG

 

[ms_mckenna]

I have to agree with other Texans ... I would not be that lucky. We live close enough to Dallas that DH would make trips at least once a month. Wow that would be heaven ... I would be more than happy with even a really cool DVC resort though.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I could see Disney building a resort with DVC in Texas but not a theme park along their current model. Vero and Hilton may have been failures at the time but with such a big base of DVC'ers now a resort in a desirable location should sell. Although that's where I stumble with Texas. I cant think of any part of it that the biggest concentrations of DVC'ers would want to visit.

 

[Zuzyq78]

Well yesterday my brother mention to me that his friend who is a resident of San Antonio and lives off Loop 1604 and Hwy 90 received a letter from Disney saying that they have just purchased 60,000 acres of land. I really believe this is TRUE! San Antonio is growing so fast, so why wouldn't Disney want to be part of it. We don't know if it will be a Resort, Resident or theme Park but it's Disneys!:yay:

 

[Zuzyq78]

I might be wrong in the amount of acres Disney bought. I read more articals on the web and some say 300 acres (which is nothing) and some say 1,600 acres. I thought my brother said 60,000 acres but I will have to ask again. I am even going to ask him if his friend could lend him the letter. Then I will scan it and post it....Wish me luck!

 

[DancingBear]

...I read more articals on the web and some say 300 acres (which is nothing) and some say 1,600 acres...

Please provide links to these articles.

 

[Zuzyq78]

I tried but I need to post 10 comments before i do... I wll provide them soon!

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

All I can find is message board rumors, some dating back to 2001, on messages boards in San Antonio and on theme-parks.

 

[CheshireCat]

......but has anyone ever heard that Disney may open a park on one of the Hawaiian Islands? I keep hearing this....I live on Oahu currently, but will be moving back to the mainland sometime next year.

....of course, curiosity is getting the better of me (I am a cat, ya know )

 

[MJMcBride]

Please, regardless of your political views, don't turn this into a political thread.
If a thread is labeled as such, I can easily avoid it, but this thread has a title which I'm interested in.

Please, I ask kindly that you keep your politics off this thread so I can enjoy reading it!

MG

I'm confused. Who is doing that?