SMH Article today -Disney looking at western suburbs...

[Skipper]

Mickey Mouse watch on west Western Sydney could house a new outpost of the Disney empire, with an amusement park and resort modelled on Disneyland. Disney said it was looking at international sites for a theme park, including 30 hectares at Prospect near Blacktown. "We are evaluating different markets around the world as part of our growth strategy," a spokeswoman for the US company said. However, the spokeswoman said that no decision had been made about the site, which the state government released for development as a zoo, water park or amusement park last monday. It was unlikely anything would be considered before September when Disney opened an amusement park in Hong Kong, she said. Last week, the Minister for Western Sydney, Diane Beamer invited expressions on interest in the Prospect site. She said documents had been sent out in answer to the 22 expressions of interest so far. "Expressions of interest closes on March 24 and the department will be assessing them from that date," she said. Ms Beamer had no comment on whether Disney had made one of those 22 requests. Bonnie Malkin I know it doesnt really say anything new but I say where theres smoke.... The journo must have some lead to be following this story through.....

[T-bone]

I just heard on the radio at 2 Pm today, Disney are to build a Theme Park, and Resort in Sydney.

[bigglesworth003]

Let hope all goes well and they do choose Sydney!!! Sure id love it in Melbourne but heck Sydney's a 1/2 hour flight away!!! Just remember they are also looking at South Korea, Shanghi China, and areas in South America, So lets all just hope they (the sydney governement) Woo Disney into Sydney!!!!

[T-bone]

Didn't you read my post?

[bigglesworth003]

around the world as part of our growth strategy," a spokeswoman for the US company said. However, the spokeswoman said that no decision had been made about the site, which the state government released for development as a zoo, water park or amusement park last monday. It was unlikely anything would be considered before September when Disney opened an amusement park in Hong Kong, she said.

I did read you post im just thinking the radio report was wrong as above it shows what the spokeswoman said. but if im wrong and your right ill be the first to admit it and apoligise! and also jumping for joy

[T-bone]

www.mix106.com.au Listen live. News reports every 1/2 an hour.

[Ruddegar]

I too hope that the report is true, but it seems strange that on the same day as reports come out that Disney has made no decision on its next location in both the SMH and Telegraph, that Mix is now running with the decision already being made. I think it would just be a case of the reporters at Mix being a little bit over anxious, and paraphrasing. I doubt anything has been confirmed yet. Also to be taken into consideration, the cut off for expressions of interest for the 30ha isnt until March 24, so it makes it all a bit suspicious. I hope I'm wrong, but we will soon find out I guess! Cheers

[scott]

This is really starting to sound good

[T-bone]

We can only hope for the best.

[Nebuchanezzar]

Yeah, it does sound like the radio was jumping the gun a bit. At school today for instance, everybody was talking about it as if there is definately going to be another theme park built there. As a side note, I'd prefer to have a Busch park there.

[joz]

30 Hectares doesn't sound like much. In all its 74.13acres, enough to make a park as big as Disneyland in Cali, but with no parking, hotels or other amenities that come standard with every Disney theme park. Even so, it should be quite an interesting story to follow.

[T-bone]

Well. Dreamworld is 35 Hectares. With 80 Hectares to actually use. So it does seem small for a Disney park.

[bigglesworth003]

does anyone know where abouts the land is address wise is it the old wonderland site?? and yes it is a small amount of land, does anyone know if theres more in the area??

[supersimpsons]

On Ten News they just said a new sports centre is being planned for Western Sydney so maybe it's not a theme park at all?

[Andy_q69]

On Ten News they just said a new sports centre is being planned for Western Sydney so maybe it's not a theme park at all?

Yep, and they just have to be discussing a Disney themed Sport centre too! How exciting. >_>

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

actually, the sports upgrade in western sydney was attended to by Bob Carr, it is the Blacktown Olympic Precinct, which is getting an upgrade...

[scott]

.As a side note, I'd prefer to have a Busch park there.

Agreed. Although if it is a park other then Disney I think it will be Six Flags.

[matty_o_911]

If Disney hopes to be successful in Australia, they have to develop a new style for the themepark to suit Australia, because people can go to a generic clone of the "traditional" Disney park in several locations around the world already. Any Australian Disney park would have to be unique and given an Australiana theme for example so that international tourists would choose to go to the Australian Disney park over all of the other ones in existence. However this I suppose would make it less of a Disney park.

[GoGoBoy]

I think it'd be a bit sad for Disney to choose the site Diane Beamer is promoting in Western Sydney. It is in Prospect for goodness sake. Doesn't sound like a very good location. And 30 hectares really is pretty weak. I don't understand why Blacktown Council are promoting this particular parcel of land as a possible theme park considering its relatively small size? It would certainly not leave much room for future expansion. Surely there are other larger, more appropriate areas of land still available for this sort of thing

[Inverted]

Whats wrong with Prospect, I live in prospect and your saying its not a good area? Hmmm lets see, where will all the freeways from the north/south, East/west intersect, Well if you dont know it will be right past the old wonderland site, So I think its a great spot for a Themepark.

[Whombex]

...out of curiosity Paul, what radio station was this on?

[T-bone]

Mix 106.3 A Canberra Station, which is tied in with the Mix Stations around Australia. http://www.mix106.com.au http://www.arn.com.au Australian Radio Network is the company which owns all the stations branded "MIX". You can listen live aswell.

[Daniel]

actually, the sports upgrade in western sydney was attended to by Bob Carr, it is the Blacktown Olympic Precinct, which is getting an upgrade...

Zordy will be spewin'!

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

It is in Prospect for goodness sake. Doesn't sound like a very good location.

Actually the 30ha site has a lot of PROSPECTs. Personally, any PROSPECTive buyer would benefit from opening a tourist destination there. (Personally, PROSPECT "SOUNDS" like a GREAT location.... given the above description...)

[Bussy]

It was also reported on Nova 96.9 in Sydney. Basically they were saying Disney were looking at coming to Prospect one minute and the next they were reporting that they had done a deal (not in as many words). "The Bus is now leaving for Nova South Australia"