WDW in Brazil?

[Tardisblue]

With the huge number of Brazilian tourists that frequent WDW, has Disney ever considered building it's first theme park in the southern hemisphere somewhere in Brazil? Seems like a no-brainer?

Discuss.

 

[rteetz]

With the huge number of Brazilian tourists that frequent WDW, has Disney ever considered building it's first theme park in the southern hemisphere somewhere in Brazil? Seems like a no-brainer?

Discuss.

Im sure they've looked into it. I just don't think its going to happen. I think disney thinks that they would spend more money if they have to travel because they are paying for hotels as well. If they build a park in Brazil they would only pay for park tickets and not the hotel part. So traveling seems to be more money for disney.

 

[OKW Lover]

Im sure they've looked into it. I just don't think its going to happen. I think disney thinks that they would spend more money if they have to travel because they are paying for hotels as well. If they build a park in Brazil they would only pay for park tickets and not the hotel part. So traveling seems to be more money for disney.

Umm, have you noticed how big Brazil is? Not everybody in the country (leave alone the rest of South America) is going to be able to go there without staying at a hotel.

 

[KYMickey]

Umm, have you noticed how big Brazil is? Not everybody in the country (leave alone the rest of South America) is going to be able to go there without staying at a hotel.

That may be true but except for a couple of major cities along the coast the rest of the country is very poor and wouldn't be a target consumer anyway

 

[JoWiJo]

How odd. I had the same passing thought about Disney in Brazil earlier today.

Anyway...

Im sure they've looked into it. I just don't think its going to happen. I think disney thinks that they would spend more money if they have to travel because they are paying for hotels as well. If they build a park in Brazil they would only pay for park tickets and not the hotel part. So traveling seems to be more money for disney.

From what I've read in the forums over the last year, many Disboards users seem to think that most of those particular international guests probably stay off site when they get here, particularly when they come as groups. At least, that's the impression I get. If that assessment is correct (on both ends), then building a resort down there would make more sense because they'd have less traveling expenses and therefore more ability to pay for Disney Resort rooms.

But I agree, they probably have looked into it, and it probably won't happen. At least not on their dime. Now if someone wanted the rights to build a Rio Disney and paid for the development themselves, then you might get the Mouse to the discussion table.

That may be true but except for a couple of major cities along the coast the rest of the country is very poor and wouldn't be a target consumer anyway

And then there's what you said. Probably not gonna happen for that reason.

 

[Disneychick75]

Brazil is almost as large as the US. Then there are all of the other countries. DIsney would have a good market.
Saying they wouldn't stay in an onsite resort is like saying someone in Pennsylvania would drive to WDW for the day and not stay onsite.

 

[vandy]

Brazil is almost as large as the US. Then there are all of the other countries. DIsney would have a good market.
Saying they wouldn't stay in an onsite resort is like saying someone in Pennsylvania would drive to WDW for the day and not stay onsite.

As previously stated though, it doesn't matter how big Brazil is nor just on the number of people. The population centers are on the eastern side of the country and the western is the Amazon rain forest. I am sure Disney also looked at the median income of the region, not just Brazil. I do not see where there would be the same percentage of the population in South America who could afford a Disney vacation as there is where the other Disney Theme Parks are located. I believe the opportunity for profit is not as good in Brazil or South America in general.

 

[rteetz]

Umm, have you noticed how big Brazil is? Not everybody in the country (leave alone the rest of South America) is going to be able to go there without staying at a hotel.

true but as others have stated they would put it in or near a major city which would mean those guests would most likely be day guests. The rest of the country is poor or has rain forests and such. I'm sure disney has looked into building in several regions around the world but I don't see Brazil getting a green light anytime soon.

 

[OKW Lover]

That may be true but except for a couple of major cities along the coast the rest of the country is very poor and wouldn't be a target consumer anyway

Yet they can afford to fly to WDW

 

[Disneychick75]

There's a LOT of money in South America. The country's economies are growing and the rates of poverty are shrinking. I won't be surprised if Disney builds a park there if the trend continues.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Yet they can afford to fly to WDW

Well the economics of the country are far different from here... And the ones coming here are not the poor clearly. Here is a rundown of the economics from a few years ago.

http://www.worldcrunch.com/business...ows-income-gap-persists/c2s4115/#.UvcPCX-9KK0

 

[yitbos96bb]

There's a LOT of money in South America. The country's economies are growing and the rates of poverty are shrinking. I won't be surprised if Disney builds a park there if the trend continues.

Do you have some links to that? The stuff I'm seeing does not support that statement, although some of it is 2-3 years old.

 

[Disneychick75]

Do you have some links to that? The stuff I'm seeing does not support that statement, although some of it is 2-3 years old.

It was in some literature my daughter used writing a paper for her Economics 101 class.

 

[Tardisblue]

I'm simply feeding fuel into the fire, I have no data or inside info. However, if I were a Disney executive, I'd wait to see how the World Cup and Olympics pan out. If both of those go off without any major issues, I'd seriously consider Brazil as the next country for a park.

GDP per capita is only about ¼ of the US, though. That would give me pause.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Brazil has a population of around 200 million, with some highly populous metropolitan areas: São Paulo with around 20 million and Rio de Janeiro with around 12 million.

In comparison, Canada has a population of around 35 million and Australia around 23 million.

Brazil has a growing economy and the potential to be one of the world's major economies some day, give the country's size, population, resources, and dominant position in South America.

Not all is well in Brazil. According to the CIA World Factbook, Brazil's "highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems."

I would not be surprised if Brazil has a Disney park some day. But it could take a few more decades.

 

[TheNovice]

There's a LOT of money in South America. The country's economies are growing and the rates of poverty are shrinking. I won't be surprised if Disney builds a park there if the trend continues.

I agree. I believe that at the current moment it might not be completely worth it for the potential profit, however, given: Brazil's population; geographical size; and expanding economy, I would not be surprised if a resort sprung up here in the next twenty years or so.

 

[Hisgirl]

I, too, wondered about a Brazilian WDW, but my DH, who does business in SA said that crime is epic in Brazil and that kidnappings are a big issue for tourists. He said he would be surprised if Disney would consider it due to the crime. There are places down there his company requires a body guard at all times. I'm sure disney loves all the Brazilian tourists!

 

[Uncleromulus]

I, too, wondered about a Brazilian WDW, but my DH, who does business in SA said that crime is epic in Brazil and that kidnappings are a big issue for tourists. He said he would be surprised if Disney would consider it due to the crime. There are places down there his company requires a body guard at all times. I'm sure disney loves all the Brazilian tourists!

But the other tourists who have to put up with them aren't so happy

My guess is that even if they opened a park in Brazil the rich Brazilians would still come to WDW anyway----

 

[Disneychick75]

Don't forget there are 11 other countries is South America besides Brazil. Disney might even choose to build a theme park in another area like Sucre, Bolivia which is more centrally located on the continent. They could also choose another area in Brazil besides Brasilia. Not many people had heard of Orlando before Disney World was built.

 

[Laketravis]

Brazilians come to WDW because the exchange rate works in their favor. If/when that reverses, WDW may have to go to them.

Google "Disney Brazil" and there is a wealth of past speculation, rumors, and some facts available.

Considering the communication channels Disney has already established for south America, they are certainly plugged in well enough to collect all of the intelligence they need to make a solid decision either way.