Disney SeaWorld? Maybe!

[wannabef]

You know, in reading through all the problems with Disney purchasing SW, I find myself nodding in agreement (despite my earlier post.) I guess I just want to see a fifth gate or some new lands.

As of next April, we will have seen the longest period without the introduction of a new gate at WDW -- and even the 11-year gap between MK & EPCOT was tempered by the promise of the coming "Progress City." Though the economy here at home is struggling, the cheaper dollar is providing unprecedented buying power to tourists from other developed nations. The promise of attracting those visitors alone should be temptation enough for expanding the World.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Although I am far from opposed to Disney taking on Seaworld and associated parks, my money is and will remain on Nakheel. This would mean that their investment in World of Discoveries Dubai is protected. The national airline of Dubai is already flying into Houston and soon into Los Angeles which would make owning parks in both Texas and California an attractive proposition.

dolphingirl47

 

[Condorman]

I would be all for Disney buying SW if, and only if, it meant removing all the ill-placed features currently dotted around the existing parks.

For example, taking out the Nemo show from AK, and all Nemo theming from FW and dumping them into SW. If it meant putting the new and rumored Little Mermaid dark ride - not in MK - but in SW. If they aggregated all the necessary elements into SW then I would be OK with it, but they would never spend the money to relocate these attractions.

In the end, I hope it is just a rumor by InBev to drive up the price and that Disney has no interest or intention. It's $2b better spent on the four parks. And if Iger and Lasseter has any sense, they would make such an investment and announcement now and have it all ready to go for the 40th anniversary of WDW (MK) in 2011.

Maybe that's why they're shutting down MK early on 10/3 and 10/4?

 

[timmac]

Disney is not going to purchase or build any new theme parks in the future. They need to concentrate on their own parks and focus on combating Universal and their Potterland.

I think the argument presented here might just be one big reason why such a purchase could make sense. What better way to compete with Harry Potter than with SeaWorld?

 

[jcfreak15]

I think Disney buying Sea World would be awesome!!! They could totally Disney theme it. And get rid of all that free beer. That would make it way better.

I think it should be called Disney Sea Kingdom. You know, like Animal Kingdom?

 

[wannabef]

For those who've been to DisneySea, could SeaWorld be revamped to match it? Or would it be best for Disney to invest in building DisneySea from scratch as a 5th gate in Orlando? (Not that that's likely to happen from what I hear about the cost of that place!)

 

[Condorman]

I've been to DisneySea and it is everything they say it is. For Disney to turn SW into DisneySea, it would take $5 billion+ (that's not a joke, in fact that's a low-ball figure; it cost the OLC $4.5 billion back in 2000 to build DisneySea) and the better part of four years for design and construction purposes.

If Disney had any intention of doing DisneySea, they would not even consider buying SW. They would do it from scratch. And while they will never do it from scratch, we can hold out hope that maybe, at some point in the future, they would incorporate Mysterious Island into AK. MI is really the best thing in that park - a land in and of itself - and could be done for $1.5b.

But I don't think we'll see that either.

Thanks, wannabef. You made me sad, now.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I think Disney buying Sea World would be awesome!!! They could totally Disney theme it. And get rid of all that free beer. That would make it way better.

I think it should be called Disney Sea Kingdom. You know, like Animal Kingdom?

You nutz???

The free beer is the best part of SW!!!

 

[TinaMedley]

I think it could be a good fit. As an St. Louisan, we're not happy that AB was sold, I could be interesting. I think Disney would keep up their animal involvement.

 

[jheigl]

To make a suggestion to various posts regarding transportation to and from, I don't know how much it would cost, but couldn't Disney dig a subway?

 

[KYMickey]

To make a suggestion to various posts regarding transportation to and from, I don't know how much it would cost, but couldn't Disney dig a subway?

The cost of a subway is much higher than the other possible solution such as light rail or even monorail. In addition because of the type of soil and groundwater levels a subway isn't even possible.

 

[CanadianGuy]

To make a suggestion to various posts regarding transportation to and from, I don't know how much it would cost, but couldn't Disney dig a subway?

The water table in Florida is just about 1 foot above the ground. Yeah .. it's all swamp.. so that wouldn't really fly.

Plus, you have to pay for an secure subterranian rights... and so on.. Subway isn't gonna happen. Monorail is sexy .. but WAY too expensive.

Your choices are:

1) Bus / Shuttle

I don't see any others.

 

[minnie61650]

....because of the type of soil and groundwater levels a subway isn't even possible.

You are correct.

The peninsula of Florida is actually floating on a water surface that is sometimes only a few feet down. That's why homes in Florida do not have basements.

Many may ask,"But what about the utiladors under the MK? "

The amazing aspect of these utilidors is that they are all on the first floor! Hard to believe that the Magic Kingdom is actually the second and third floors, but it's true.

When the Magic Kingdom was built tons of dirt which was removed from what is now the Seven Seas Lagoon was used so they could raise the level of the park 1 floor up.

 

[Padrepride]

If Disney really wanted to link the parks, which is really far-fetched imo, they could dig a canal since the water table is so shallow. It would probably be much less costly as a light rail/monorail line.

 

[Metro West]

If Disney really wanted to link the parks, which is really far-fetched imo, they could dig a canal since the water table is so shallow. It would probably be much less costly as a light rail/monorail line.

And would take YEARS to complete.

 

[manning]

If Disney really wanted to link the parks, which is really far-fetched imo, they could dig a canal since the water table is so shallow. It would probably be much less costly as a light rail/monorail line.

It would be nice for show, but it takes more energy to move a boat thru water than to move a surface vehicle.

Not knowing the cost, I wondered why they have not used the people mover (the ride in tomorrow land) as a way to move people around WDW.

 

[KYMickey]

If Disney really wanted to link the parks, which is really far-fetched imo, they could dig a canal since the water table is so shallow. It would probably be much less costly as a light rail/monorail line.

Trying to get the permits in right of ways to build a canal would be astronomical feat for any nongovernmental agency or company. Also building bridges for all the roads between the two points would be astronomically costly. Building canals would be much more expensive than even monorails!

Not knowing the cost, I wondered why they have not used the people mover (the ride in tomorrow land) as a way to move people around WDW.

The people mover is a very low speed, high maintenance method for moving people between two points and has very limited flexibility to meet changing demands. It is also as expensive or more costly than any of the other possible solutions. IE. It ain't going to happen.

 

[doconeill]

Anyone who thinks a subway is cost-effective - read about the Big Dig. Then imagine the soil conditions about 10 times worse.

While digging for the Big Dig, they seemed to have forgotten a bit of Boston's history - that some of the "land" wasn't there before, but was filled in by plowing a hill or two into the water. This didn't make for very stable soil to be digging a large tunnel through.

The costs have soared over $14B (that's billion) dollars, for a 3.5 mile tunnel plus some other associated roadways and a bridge. I can't find the exact mileage, but if I guess 10 miles total, that is still $1.4B per mile.

I think that beats the pants off even the worst guesses for expanding the monorail.

And trying to tunnel through Florida swampland? Yeah...just a little harder.

 

[SamiL]

To make a suggestion to various posts regarding transportation to and from, I don't know how much it would cost, but couldn't Disney dig a subway?

YES!! The Dwarves could dig the tunnel. Problem solved!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I've got my fingers crossed for Sea World getting hitched to Universal. Hopefully InBev will keep the Busch Gardens since they are more closely associated with the company. Mebbe go into partnership with someone else to lower their exposure.