Disneyland In Thailand

[The_Moog]

Population is not an issue, as Orlando doesn't have big populations in the vicinity!

It is an issue nowadays.

Orlando was built - what, 40-50 years ago

Demographic studies were done for Hong Kong and Paris before locating there. Paris was chosen over Spain for Eurodisney, because of its easier access for German, British and Benelux visitors.

Thailand has a nice climate? You can't have lined up at Dreamworld on a hot April day to get on a ride !

(Mind you i've also queued for Haunted Mansion in the Parisian drizzle and cold of a november day....brrr! )

[pnustedt]

Has anyone visited the HK version yet?  Thinking of taking the family during the week or next.  A bit concerned about the park being overcrowded though.   

Avoid next weekend - it's mid-Autumn Festival in HK (bank hol on Mon.), the park will indeed be crowded. Also hotels in HK are pretty full - the hotel on the Disney Park is quite reasonable by HK standards and if you stay there you are guaranteed admission. W/e Oct 1 is another bank hol.

Admission to the park is Bt equiv. 2,820, plus rail fair from town Bt520 per person.

On the first day they only allowed 16K people in, about 30K is anticipated to be the max. capacity.

I haven't been myself but people I know who have say it was very good - but long queues for rides, photo opps., etc.

[chico]

Orlando was built - what, 40-50 years ago

not that long, about 30 years.

Demographic studies were done for Hong Kong and Paris before locating there. Paris was chosen over Spain for Eurodisney, because of its easier access for German, British and Benelux visitors.

and for being a lot more generous in helping the financing (Paris)

Thailand has a nice climate?

I don't know, where you come from, but there are not many countries in the world with nicer climates - you certainly don't find them in Europe! 

(Mind you i've also queued for Haunted Mansion in the Parisian drizzle and cold of a november day....brrr! )

there have been some cold days even in Florida, with snowfall and ice, like when the shuttle crushed on liftoff, about 1987/88, if I remember right!

I have been queeing up in Orlando, in LA, in Tokyo, (two weeks too early for Hongkong) - queeing is never a big fun!

One other problem I would see, is the alcohol:

I don't see Thais accepting one or more days without alc!

[Galong]

If Thailand ever made a theme park, could these names be useful for a few of the rides ?

Bar girl – The Escape

Nana - The Ride Of Your Life

The Big Baht Dipper

The Soi Dog Chaser

TukTuk Wurtzeler

Issan Voyager

Mekong Minger

Tornado (sorry he’s banned)

The Pattaya Bareback Rider

The Katoey Beach Run

The New RUNWAY

The Hub-a-Hub-a-Do

Any more suggestions ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They could offer beer bars for those who aren't into rides. And, to be open minded, they could offer bars with ladyboys.

Perhaps with names such as the "Male Fraud" Bar or "Male Box" Bar

[richard10365]

I think they would have problems with the employment ministry. I don't think rodents and animals can get work permits.

[Jai Dee]

On a serious note, and maybe to add fuel to the rumour, I heard a couple of months ago that Disney representatives were in the Pattaya/Jomtien region... more specifically looking at property near Buddha mountain.

Anyone else hear of this?

[aughie]

If Thailand ever made a theme park, could these names be useful for a few of the rides ?

Bar girl – The Escape

Nana - The Ride Of Your Life

The Big Baht Dipper

The Soi Dog Chaser

TukTuk Wurtzeler

Issan Voyager

Mekong Minger

Tornado (sorry he’s banned)

The Pattaya Bareback Rider

The Katoey Beach Run

The New RUNWAY

The Hub-a-Hub-a-Do

Any more suggestions ?

Mr. Newbie's Wild Ride - a ride which spins a newbie around to the point that money flies out of his pockets.

Edited September 13, 2005 by aughie

[Mighty Mouse]

Why would anybody want to go to a Thailand Disneyland to get their thrills and spills?

One only needs to drive a car through Bangkok, or try to cross Second Road in Pattaya to experience a heart pumping sensation.

[astral]

After reading some of the reports in the daily Thai newspapers I have the

feeling that I am already living in Disney Land, with Mickey Mouse as

Prime Minister!!

[Heng]

Has anyone visited the HK version yet?   Thinking of taking the family during the week or next.   A bit concerned about the park being overcrowded though.   

Avoid next weekend - it's mid-Autumn Festival in HK (bank hol on Mon.), the park will indeed be crowded. Also hotels in HK are pretty full - the hotel on the Disney Park is quite reasonable by HK standards and if you stay there you are guaranteed admission. W/e Oct 1 is another bank hol.

Admission to the park is Bt equiv. 2,820, plus rail fair from town Bt520 per person.

On the first day they only allowed 16K people in, about 30K is anticipated to be the max. capacity.

I haven't been myself but people I know who have say it was very good - but long queues for rides, photo opps., etc.

Thanks pnustedt, and I try not to go out even in Bangkok on the weekends. HK would definitely be a weekday trip. Would probably just stay in the Disneyland Hotel and avoid the rail commute for 1-2 days in the park all together.

[Bryan in Isaan]

10 years ago Disneyland negotiated with the Roi-et government to set up Disneyland here. Market survey showed that climate is a key factor. All year round profitable because of the ideal climate. It failed because of water shortage. A business like this requires a lot of water. Now this problem is solved.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mr. Roiet:

I am very curious about this. I recently talked with another friend of mine in PonTong who also said that Disney tried to come to Roi Et and the gov't turned them down so they went to Malaysia instead. Thats all I heard. Are there any articles or websites talking more about this? I'm here in Kalasin and that might have brought some activity to our area of the country. I heard rumors of a similar nature that Kalasin province has kept out some foreign supermarkets. Maybe this is common.

Bryan

[The_Moog]

Disney tried to come to Roi Et and the gov't turned them down

...whatever, I bet the provincial Governor soon booted those pesky Disney suits out of his office when they were brandishing cheque books.

You know....EVERY country and province inthe world say they would like a piece of Disneyland.

Starting a few rumours that Walt Disney Inc people are 'seriously interested' doesn't cause any harm to local property prices, re-election chances of officials.

Now I like Roi Et....but how many people live within 10 hours of there? It would have six visitors a day, and two of those would be water buffaloes.

You can't compare Thailand to major population centres such as LA, Paris, Southern China or metropolitan Tokyo.

This is the third world. Lets be duly modest.

[Scott]

Wouldn't it be nice if they charged tourists 1/2 price and locals double!! That would be an interesting queue to be in!

[Narachon]

After reading some of the reports in the daily Thai newspapers I have the

feeling that I am already living in Disney Land, with Mickey Mouse as

Prime Minister!! 

See my previous post.

Queing = Lining up....

[westybrook]

I feel sorry for any Thai that ends up in any of those costumes on a hot day

Things can turn ugly when heat gets to people, and having 50 kids running and jumping around you, climbing on ya, I don't think a Thai Mickey could do it

He or she would come out of there with sweat pouring of them!

[Boggers]

As someone who worked at Disney World as a public relations specialist, I know that Disney is quite leary of opening another park outside of the US. The HK park caused quite a bit if conflict within the company, but there are underlying China/US trade relations involved.

The primary reason why Euro Disney has failed to match the success of the US parks is the difference in disposable income between Americans and Europeans. The parks have moved away from Walt's vision (he just wanted a fantasy land for the public) and are now simply fronts to sell merchandise and concessions - the parks' number one source of revenue.

Americans have the money and willingness to buy useless crap like 6 ft tall Mickey dolls and gold-plated back scratchers, but the average visitor to Euro Disney enters the park with much less money to spend. Not only do Thais have even less disposable income, Disney would have a difficult time selling official merch since knockoffs are freely available on every street corner.

That said, Disney could negotiate with the Thai government to crackdown on the counterfeits if Disney were to build another park (they were interested in a coastal resort area at one time). A park in Thailand would not have the other major problem Disney deals with at the Euro park - French cries if American cultural imperialism (odd, since the French try to claim that Americans have no culture. Odder still since they wear blue jeans, drink coke, listen to rock and jazz, and watch more American movies than their own).

The Thais would embrace Disney, but it would really be built for the international tourists. However, it is still very unlikely.

wow, I tied a long tail to the end of that kite.