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//http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/09/disneyland-australia-finally-proof-that.html

Do you remember the "Disneyland Australia" rumor we heard more than a year and a half ago in February 2008? At that time, Disney denied that they had plans for an Australian theme park, but you know what? finally, the Disneyland Australia project was not a rumor or a mirage, but was true.

Let's go back in time to remember the whole story. On February 27th, 2008 Jano Gibson, a Sydney Morning Herald journalist, wrote this article:

WHITE BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AU -- The Walt Disney Company has been eyeing off a prime piece of real estate on Sydney Harbour as it seeks to expand its global empire of theme parks and resorts.

The State Government has confirmed Disney recently held unsolicited discussions with the Dept of State and Regional Development about the redevelopment of White Bay, a working port next to the Anzac Bridge.

A spokesman for the Minister for State Development, Ian Macdonald, would not elaborate on what was proposed during the discussions, saying only that they took place in the past few months and had been discontinued.

Disney, which has 11 theme parks, 8 resorts and a cruise line across 3 continents, was one of a number of unnamed companies that have approached the Government with unsolicited proposals for the site, the spokesman said.

There were no "active concepts" at present, he said.

A spokesman for Disney, John Nicoletti, said his company was constantly exploring opportunities to grow. "As part of that process, we have conversations with lots of entities," he said. "And, while Australia is an attractive market, at this time we have no plans for this region."

He would not comment on what Disney had envisioned for the White Bay site, including whether it was for a Disneyland theme park, a Disney resort or some other venture.

The Government has established the Bays Precinct Taskforce to formulate a development strategy for White Bay, Glebe Island, Blackwattle Bay and Rozelle Bay.

Details are expected to be released when the sub-regional strategy for Sydney's inner west goes on display this year.

The executive director of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, Patricia Forsythe, said a Disneyland at White Bay would be a wonderful opportunity for Sydney. "It is a spectacular site worthy of an iconic development," she said.

She said a world-class arts facility would also be suitable.

The secretary of the White Bay Precinct Committee, Christina Ritchie, said locals must have a say on the site's development. She could not comment on the Disney discussion without more detail".

China, Australia, Disney is going more global!

Your thoughts???

[peep]

Wow, did not see this coming. Seems odd that all of a sudden they are vastly expanding the amount of resorts around the World. Surely this would mean less people having to travel to the Resorts that already exist?

[TimmyTimmyTimmy]

If 8 Millions should visit a Disneyland in Australia it would take alot more than just the old Space Mountains and Small Worlds to draw crowds. People paying huge sums to go from Europe to Australia might not afford a longer stay at an expensive resort as the Disney resorts tend to be.
China is packed with people. Still... HKDL does not do good when it comes to numbers of guests.
A park in Australia could be the biggest challenge for Disney since the original Disneyland.

[dagobert]

Very interesting, but I doubt that Australia will ever get a Disneyland. I think that the population is too small.

Australia would be a great location for a Disney hotel like the one that is currently built on Hawaii.

[Anthony]

Australia would be a great location for a Disney hotel like the one that is currently built on Hawaii.

Definitely. Perhaps something a little bigger, since there'd be much more space to work with. A large water park, a Downtown Disney area, golf, other leisure. Maybe several hotels.

Aside from the castle (which is VERY surprising to see), it looks like that's what they were looking into.

[TimmyTimmyTimmy]

I just hope they don´t focus on hotels and downtowns. The parks are the reasons to the visits.

[mattboywonder]

I agree a traditional Disneyland would not work in Australia because of its population.  In 2007, Tokyo Disneysea alone had over 12 million visitors - consider Oz has a population around 21 million........well, do the math!  They have a few theme parks along the Gold Coast, the best of which is probably Warner Bros Movie World, but I could see Disney doing something like a water park or some entertainment complex.  Many Europeans going to Oz can have a stop off enroute and visit Hong Kong Disneyland anyway.