Rumors from WDW bus driver

[Amy]

We just got back last night from 9 wonderful days at WDW and USF/IOA. The day we were heading over to Animal Kingdom, our bus driver passed on some info he said he just found out. According to him, by 2012 (long-range plans here!), WDW will have 3 new parks - a roller coaster park, a water park, and he said he wasn't told what the 3rd park would be. He also said there would be twice as many resorts. He said that Disney was bidding for the 2012 Olympics and wanted to have the resorts ready for that, figuring they could use the Wide World of Sports and other stadiums in the area for the Olympic events. Another passenger on the bus was from Texas, and he said Houston was also bidding for the Olympics that year. The bus driver then moved on to talking about the negotiations with the union, said Disney wanted to give them a lump-sum bonus, but the workers wanted an hourly wage increase. That's all I know. Has anyone else heard any of this? 2012 IS a long way off, but a big corp. like Disney has to plan that far ahead. And WDW hosting the Olympics? I'm not too sure of that.

 

[Mousekateer55]

I think it was the whole city of Orlando, not just Walt Disney World bidding for the 2012 olympics.

 

[toefungus]

WDW will have 3 new parks - a roller coaster park, a water park, and he said he wasn't told what the 3rd park would be.

A rollercoaster park, no way. Possibly a water park might be next. Tamap/Orlando are bidding for the olympics, and I hope they get it. WDW will probably play a big part in the olympics. They would do a great job of it!

 

[Coronado Williams]

Originally posted by Amy
He said that Disney was bidding for the 2012 Olympics and wanted to have the resorts ready for that, figuring they could use the Wide World of Sports and other stadiums in the area for the Olympic events.

I think the last time WDW <i>seriously</i> considered bidding for the Olympics was around '72 when they were toying with the idea of hosting the 1980 Olympics. That, of course, was if they went through with Hart, Krivatsy, and Stubee's EPCOT-as-a-giant-sports-complex idea. Which they didn't...

 

[EpcotMom]

Orlando and Tampa are trying to attract the Olympics. It has nothing to do with Disney, except the use of the Sports complex.

 

[wdwguide]

Originally posted by EpcotMom
Orlando and Tampa are trying to attract the Olympics. It has nothing to do with Disney, except the use of the Sports complex.

That is 100% correct. Disney has supported the bid and would host baseball and basketball games on the WWoS complex (and, I would think, choreograph the opening ceremonies), but that's about it.

 

[ScroogesNephew]

Just have to wait and see.

 

[tampafan]

Tampa/Orlando has put on a big push for the 2012 Olympics. With so many sports venues (Raymond James Staduim where the Bucs play, the Ice Palace, Tropicana Field, the Citrus Bowl, the stadiums and arenas at USF and UCF, and all the stadiums where spring training go on like Wide World of Sports) the area feels it has a lot to offer. Also they have the dorms at USF to use for housing the Olympic Village and Cruise lines have offered to anchor offshore as floating hotels for all the guests. If you haven't flown into Tampa lately you are missing a world class wonderful airport and the Orlando airport is also very nice. There are two major problems to this plan, however. The first is traffic. The I4 corridor has been nearly completed, but both Tampa and Orlando lack much in the way of public transit. Also, the heat would make events such as the marathon difficult to hold in the daytime.

Tampa has gotten great marks recently for events such as the super bowl and the NCAA Final 4.

Just FYI

 

[Laurajean1014]

Yes! I heard the same thing. The third park was about Space. It seems that Disney is working with NASA on bringing DIS related stuff on board to have guests view the articles that were in space before they get to the attraction.

Also, heard about rollercoaster park for 2 years now! Go DISNEY Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Euphscott]

Dallas, Houston, Washington DC, New York City, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles are also bidding for the Olympic bid for 2012.

 

[F.C. Fan]

Tampa Fan is right on the money, both Orlando or Tampa have almost non-existent mass transit systems muchless the roadways to handle so many people. I also don't think it would be fair to Disney to have to come up with a good portion of the money (on at least Orlando's end) which probably is what would end up happening.

I think just about any of those other cities that Euphscott mentioned would be better candidates to pull of the olympics than Orlando and Tampa, but who knows maybe that will motivate the 2 cities to get it in gear and solve some of our/ their local traffic, and transit problems.

 

[Peanut]

I've heard the rumor about a roller coaster park from a bus driver before. But... that was back in March of 1996!! Quite some time ago. Who knows what they will build. There are SOOO many different rumors out there. As far as the Olympics is concerned, personally, I would be appalled by the Olympics being soley held at WDW!!! If the city of Orlando is bidding, then I'm all for it, but not WDW alone. I LOVE WDW, but I'm kind of scared!! I've heard too many people compare Disney to Microsoft . What they mean is that Disney is getting too big for it's britches and will stop at nothing to get what it wants. This is horrifying to me, but I can see these individuals points. I am 27 years old and have been going to WDW at least once a year. I still get the fever and can't wait to go back after I get home, but I fear my passion is not being reciprocated by others. Not like it used to be. I guess what I'm trying to say is I adore Disney, and I don't like to be ridiculed for my love of Disney and I wish Disney wasn't quite the corporate giant that it's become.

 

[Wes]

The new man, Rogge, who replaced Samaranch (sp?), is reportedly wanting to downsize the Olympics, in his view that they have become too expensive.

Not sure what this would do for a Disney bid, but that's the way things appear to be right now.

 

[ztbz]

We have too many of these Bus Drivers who love to B.S. People, you won't find me doing this as
it is against D.O.T. Law to Talk and Drive the Bus at the same time with the exception of Ariving and Departing Bus Stops.

 

[jimmybop]

Yes! I heard the same thing. The third park was about Space. It seems that Disney is working with NASA on bringing DIS related stuff on board to have guests view the articles that were in space before they get to the attraction.

maybe your thinking about the new attraction being built in EPCOT "Mission to SPACE"