OT: Disney Park in Canada? What would make it work?

[Pumba's Truth]

Ok so this has me thinking.

Disney is expanding to Shanghai, China. A huge undertaking. I think it will pose some really unique challenges.

I understand that Disney doesn't go it alone to these satelite locations, DLP is partially owned by a conglomerate in France.

BUT ,.,, don't y'all think it would be pretty cool to have a Disney Park up here? Could have some great themeing associated with it. Making it a more northern retreat - capitalize on the wilderness aspects, and the winter months? Or maybe produce an entirely indoor park?

Just some random thoughts and would love to hear y'alls opinions.

 

[sjsjbrook]

I remember when Canada's wonderland was going to be the Disney of the North.

It doesn't quite have the same magic though. lol

I would love to have a Disney in Canada somewhere. There are definately places that have a similar climate to Paris.

 

[irisesareblue]

I think if they put it on Vancouver Island, maybe....they could at least run it all year (after all Paris is chilly and rainy all winter).

Personally, I would still head to the U.S. for the sunshine.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

I think if they put it on Vancouver Island, maybe....they could at least run it all year (after all Paris is chilly and rainy all winter).

Personally, I would still head to the U.S. for the sunshine.

I would look to have something more centrally located than Vancouver.

From BC to DL Cali - isn't much of a commute. Nor is it all that much from here (Ottawa to WDW). However, I would look at population as well.

Central Canada has a significant population and can pull from the NE and Mid-west US.

Canada's Wonderland does have a decent locale but really just doesn't have the flare of a Disney park. It would be interesting to see if one day Disney could purchase CW and flip it to a Disney park. I wonder if the infrastructure could withstand a Disney type environment.

Would it be best to start ground up. Obviously, invesment and sponsorship of such an endeavour would be HUGE!!!

But, I'm curious as to what could be done that would seperate it from DL Cali, and WDW. What would be the unique draw, the hook if you will.

Ideas? This is mainly a brainstorming thing going on here - I don't have enough in the bank to make this happen but it would be interesting to truly establish some ideas from the DISboards population, what would draw them to Canada? Indoor environment? Uniquely Canadian? Proximity? DVC (that's a whole other conversation - a DVC property in Muskoka, huh huh?)

 

[Daddio]

What would make it work?

Alot of space heaters.


David

 

[stefanospops]

I think it is an interesting idea but likely down on the list of places they want to expand to. Disney already has the Canadian market so there really isn't any opportunity to spread additional propaganda here. Paris and Tokyo were done solidify emerging populations for their products, which is why China makes sense too.

Realistically, the west coast is probably the only place in Canada that can sustain a year round operation and as a pp pointed out, it is too close to DL. Retrofitting Wonderland I think is tough too. The current rides at Wonderland are not Disney-like.

I think there could be an opportunity for Disney to look at some type of hotel/golf course arrangement and maybe put a DVC resort there. That may be the only way they consider coming to Canada like that. But doing so somewhere near the US border could make sense. I still think it is unlikely any time soon.

 

[LeisureMum]

I've had loads of dreams of Disneyland in NIAGARA FALLS!

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

Sorry, folks, I don't see this happening for one reason and that reason is CLIMATE. Even the most southerly location in Canada has a climate that doesn't exactly lend itself to Disnification. To recoup costs the park would have to be open year round and unless the whole thing is indoors--which quadruples an already staggering cost--it wouldn't be.

 

[TagsMissy]

Really the only place that could be open year round is the Vancouver area or parts of Vancouver Island. Snow is rare and could feasibly run year round however i'd be surprised to see it in my lifetime.

 

[glenpreece]

We lack the population to support a disney park as well. There is about 100 times the population of Canada in China alone. Add in the climate factor and Canada is a no go. I had heard Walt considered building DL near Niagara Falls since it is a huge Tourist area but the climate nixed his plans.

 

[damo]

Interestingly, Canada's Wonderland has the highest attendance of all the seasonally open North American Amusement Parks with 3.16 million people last year. In comparison, Busch Gardens in Tampa which is open all year, had 4.1 million people. Animal Kingdom, had 9.59 million.

http://www.coastergrotto.com/theme-park-attendance.jsp

 

[Sue M]

I'd love to see it somewhere in the Fraser Valley, just outside of Vancouver. We have the best climate, and could be a year round operation. No colder then Paris! Rarely drops below zero!
Orlando was nothing until the park was built. I don't know how dependent it has to be on Canadian Population, as Vancouver draws a lot of international visitors. And we have the land to build a multi park complex here, could offer more then DL, which doesn't have the room for more expansion. So it could offer something more like WDW, with an Epcot, DHS, etc. On site hotels, maybe a golf course, ski packages, and with the Disney Alaska ship coming next summer, they could have cruise/park packages!

A girl can dream

 

[TLPL]

I've had loads of dreams of Disneyland in NIAGARA FALLS!

ME too!!
I bet they will build something in Niagara Falls eventually. Maybe a resort like the one they are building in Hawaii. Maybe a with a indoor waterpark?
They send Mickey and Minnie here to open Festival of Lights every year and they sponsor them every year. They got to have some interest in Niagara Falls. I heard the rumor they entered the bid for the Maid of the Mist boat ride. So just maybe they will build something here sometime down the road.

 

[canadianmommyof2]

Part of me would love the idea...much less expensive to travel within Canada but the other part of me thinks that I would still travel to Florida because of the warmer climate! This summer was horrible weather wise but it was beautiful in Florida while we were there, makes me want to go back soon because we already have snow on the ground.

 

[Sue M]

Part of me would love the idea...much less expensive to travel within Canada but the other part of me thinks that I would still travel to Florida because of the warmer climate! This summer was horrible weather wise but it was beautiful in Florida while we were there, makes me want to go back soon because we already have snow on the ground.

We had a great summer here on the west coast