Ignoring the financial plight that major theme parks are facing around the world, an online petition calling on the Walt Disney Company to create a Disneyland theme park in Australia has gathered more than 1,000 signatures.
With Disney already operating attractions across in Europe and North America, it also operates three resorts in Asia: Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort.
Having previously explored developing attractions on Sydney Harbour and the Sunshine Coast – projects that were subsequently abandoned - on fan has created a petition on Change.org calling on the world’s largest theme park operator to launch what would be the first Disneyland in the Southern Hemisphere.
The petition, called ‘Time for Australia to have our very own Disneyland!’, states: “They think Australia just simply doesn’t have the population to support a Disney Park and tourism market wouldn’t do enough to fill in the gaps.
“I beg to differ. I believe Australia HAS the population, not to mention the international tourism it would create as well, and the tourism market to make it just as successful as other Disneyland’s around the world.”
The petition has had nearly 1,000 signatures at the time of writing.
The Walt Disney Company has been hit hard by the pandemic, recently revealing its parks, experiences and products division took a US$3.5 billion hit on operating income due to COVID-19.
In the early 2000s Universal Theme Parks also considered a development at Melbourne Docklands. This project was found not to be feasible.
The petition does not indicate if those backing the theme park will be required to invest in the project.
Click here to view the petition.
Image: Shanghai Disney Resort.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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