DISNEYLAND Malaysia?

[pynshi91]

advertisement
Sunday May 28, 10:48 AM
Talks under way to bring Disneyland to Malaysia, paper says
(Kyodo) _ Malaysia is in talks with Japan's Oriental Land Co. to bring the first Disney theme park to Southeast Asia, the Edge business daily reported Sunday.
Quoting unnamed sources, the weekly newspaper said Malaysian government officials and representative of UEM World Bhd., a government-linked conglomerate, have met with Oriental Land, the operator of Tokyo Disneyland, to bring the world-famous theme park to Bandar Nusajaya.

Nusajaya is UEM's 23,000-acre township in the southwestern tip of Johor State.

"The discussions are progressing well," one of the sources was quoted as saying. "The Disney theme park may occupy about 2,000 acres of Nusajaya."

This will give Malaysia a boost to attract more tourists in the face of expected competition from Johor's southern neighbor, Singapore, which plans to build two casino-cum-theme parks.

The Edge said the planned Disney theme park would be bigger than Singapore's two integrated resorts. ADVERTISEMENT



The daily said Walt Disney Co. is interested in Nusajaya as it would not compete with its other parks in Hong Kong and Tokyo and the new one planned in Shanghai, due to the geographical distance.

Disney holds no stake in Oriental Land. The Japanese company pays royalties to the California-based entertainment company.

[pynshi91]

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 28 May 2006 2256 hrs

Malaysia in talks for a Disneyland theme park: report






KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is in talks with the Japanese operator of Tokyo Disneyland to bring the first Disney theme park to Southeast Asia, a report said Sunday.

Malaysian government officials and representatives from the government-linked conglomerate UEM World are negotiating with Oriental Land to bring the theme park to the southern state of Johor, the Edge financial weekly said.

"The discussions are progressing well. The Disney theme park may occupy about 2,000 acres (800 hectares) of Nusajaya," said the unnamed source.

Bandar Nusajaya is UEM's 23,000-acre township on the southwestern tip of Johor, the state that lies nearest to Singapore.

A Disney theme park would be a major boost for the tourism industry in Malaysia, which competes with Singapore to attract visitors.

The Edge said the planned Disney theme park would be bigger than the two integrated resorts being planned in Singapore.

It said Disney is interested in Nusajaya as it would not compete with its other parks in Hong Kong and Tokyo and a new one planned in Shanghai.

Las Vegas Sands recently won a bid for Singapore's first integrated resort licence, giving it the right to develop a multi-billion dollar gaming, entertainment and convention complex, edging out Malaysia's sole casino operator, Genting International and other contenders. - AFP/ir





AFP text, photos, graphics and logos shall not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP shall not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP content, or for any actions taken in consequence.

Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.

[szehoong]

Originally Posted by tomkat

Even without Universal Studio in the picture, a new Disney theme park in Southern Malaysia does sound technically possible. But of course it will take some time as Disney would surely like to research on the number of crowd that these two IR will be pulling.

Yup.....it is indeed possible even without UNiversal but having it in our neighbouring country would certainly be a pulling factor to them as it would create some sort of a rivalry. Apart from that, having 2 themeparks near each other would certainly be a larger pulling factor for tourist

[tomkat]

I heard the announcement on radio this afternoon. It is confirmed that Malaysia and Oriental Land have been discussing about the new Disneyland in southern Malaysia.

Exciting news. Tropical Disneyland sounds really good.

[tomkat]

Originally Posted by pynshi91

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 28 May 2006 2256 hrs

Malaysia in talks for a Disneyland theme park: report

"The discussions are progressing well. The Disney theme park may occupy about 2,000 acres (800 hectares) of Nusajaya," said the unnamed source.
It said Disney is interested in Nusajaya as it would not compete with its other parks in Hong Kong and Tokyo and a new one planned in Shanghai.

2,000 acre is huge!

Even Tokyo Disney Resort (combination of Disneyland and DisneySea) is only about 300 acre.

2,000 acre of an area is enough for at least 4 major themeparks plus resort hotels.

[szehoong]

Making of Johor Disneyland?




THERE has been no official word but the talk is that preliminary meetings have been held to get Disneyland to Johor.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was in Japan for a five-day working trip, reportedly met officials from Oriental Land, the Japanese partner of Tokyo Disneyland.

The plan, according to speculation, was to bring Mickey Mouse and the fantasyland to the proposed 9,645ha Nusajaya, a massive new township in the southern Johor corridor.

The state is said to have set aside 960ha and investments worth RM2bil for the plan, which could create 20,000 jobs.

Interestingly, in April last year, Abdullah said he had no objection if Disney were to come to Johor.

Following that remark, Singapore’s Straits Times contacted Michelle Nachum, the spokesman for Disney theme parks in California for a confirmation but all she was prepared to say was that Disney constantly evaluated strategic markets around the world.

She would not confirm or deny that Johor was on the list.

No one is surprised that Singapore is keeping a close watch on developments in neighbouring Johor. The Lion City, in fact, almost got its own Disneyland in the Seletar area but the plan fell through.

It was reported last year that negotiations went so far as identifying the site and the government was even prepared to add another station to the North-South MRT Line, with the reservoir as a backdrop.

Singapore Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kang was quoted in the Straits Times as saying that in the end, it did not work out because Disney wanted a 300ha chunk of land and was not prepared to pay for it.

Lim told Parliament that this happened in the 1990s when the government was keen to attract a major theme park like Disneyland or Universal Studios to set up in Singapore, saying “theme park operators are actually content providers, they really only provide the software and the intellectual property.”

He said they wouldn’t “want to put in too much of their own money” and that “they earn a development fee even before the theme park operations starts” – management fees would be added when operation started, followed by a cut of the gate takings.

Johor, on the other hand, has plenty of land. It is ready to offer up to 1,000ha of land and in comparison to Hong Kong’s 70ha and Singapore’s reluctance to give up 300ha, the southern state has a distinct advantage.

But running theme parks is not easy, especially in South-East Asia. The humid weather obviously works against us in Malaysia, especially when visitors have to do plenty of walking and waiting in a sprawling theme park.

The theme park in Genting Highlands is successful because of its cool weather and not forgetting the casino element.

The Sunway Lagoon’s wet concept is also successful, given the fact that Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, which have no beaches, have a big market.

The present Disney locations are in California, Florida, Paris, Hong Kong and soon, Shanghai.

Florida has warm weather but it is not humid, unlike Malaysia, and can be windy at times.

But our hot weather need not necessarily be a minus point.

The Formula One race in Kuala Lumpur is now touted the “hottest race on earth” and even the monsoon season in Terengganu has helped put Malaysia on the world map with the Monsoon Cup.

Singapore has had two bad experiences – the 12ha Tiger Balm Gardens, set up in 1935, which later became the Haw Par Villa. It had over 1,000 statues depicting Chinese legends but visitors found them gruesome.

It lost RM72mil.

The Tang Dynasty City was another flop, with one report finding the place too hot on sunny days, having too much concrete with too few shelters and people having to queue up for 40 minutes for a boat ride.

It was part of a comprehensive finding by National University of Singapore’s Associate Prof Peggy Teo, who does research on tourism.

Since then Singapore has played safe, preferring the air-conditioned indoor kind of theme parks such as Underwater World and Snowcity.


Malaysia has taken the right direction by planning new tourist attractions as scenic spots and shopping malls alone won’t do, especially if we wish to get repeat visitors. That was the view of some Arab tourists, interviewed by a newspaper here recently. Our country should also not be in the category of short-stay destination.

More attractions need to be created as the tourism industry becomes more competitive.

Huge sums of money have to be invested to shift world attention to Malaysia.

For example, Brazil paid more than US$1mil (RM3.6mil) to the Rolling Stones for a one-night concert recently. Although the city treated its people and tourists to the free concert, it drew world attention. Shanghai also paid for the ageing rockers.

But in Malaysia, our politicians and some sections of the people may not be so receptive; but it is a small sum to pay for assured global advertisement.

As travelling becomes easier, tourists have also become more demanding. They expect their tour guides to know what they are talking about, having done their research on the Internet before they started their visits.

If they wish to visit a zoo, it must be like San Diego Zoo, a world-class outfit, or a safari park, where animals are allowed to roam freely and not locked up.

Snakes and crocodiles are also passe now.

Plenty of homework needs to be done, especially on the financial prospect of attracting regional visitors, if we wish to set up world-class theme parks here.

Malaysians would surely like to see Mickey Mouse in Nusajaya but we believe careful planning and plenty of common sense are needed as massive public funds would be involved, so that no one takes the mickey out of us.


From The Star by Wong Chun Wai

[choon]

If Government still dun wan to improve the infrastructure as like access and transportation (hardware) and immigration staff attitude (software) to the tourists (many cases and bad impression news on how they handle tourists on second link immigration), this could be the main problem for them to consider to invest here..

[babystan03]

Disneyland in Johor and IR in Singapore can create a win-win situation for both if the marketing strategy is right......I think the tourism authorities can work something out.....

[dengilo]

more like disinineverland! if i was disney i open one in thailand!

[forrestcat]

Huhu..since the theme is expected to be big....the theme park would need a monorail...probably around the theme park, Nusajaya and connected to S'pore or at least at the S'pore-Malaysia entrance.

[forrestcat]

May 30, 2006 12:21 PM this news

Malaysia Aims To Build 'Disneyland' Theme Park In Johor

PUTRAJAYA, May 30 (Bernama) - The government is seeking the best option to explore opportunities to build a theme park like "Disneyland" in Johor, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Effendi Norwawi.

He said this Tuesday in response to local news reports that Malaysia was in talks with the Japanese operator of Tokyo Disneyland to bring the first Disney theme park to Southeast Asia.

The reports also stated that Malaysian government officials and representatives from the government-linked conglomerate UEM World were negotiating with Oriental Land to build a theme park at UEM's 23,000-acre township, Bandar Nusajaya, in the southern part of Johor.

"We are exploring all our options, including this (Disneyland) because in the Southern Corridor Development, we want it to be a comprehensive and attractive region," he told reporters after officiating the launch of Economic Census 2006 here.

"This will include theme park and other attractions," he added.

Mohd Effendi said the government was already in talks with representatives of Japan Disneyland and US Disneyland.

"We are also discussing with several other parties to get the best option," he said.

-- BERNAMA

[kadiology]

i wonder how much the entrance fee would cost if the idea materialized. never been to disney before, but i remember going to alton towers cost me like 20 pound per entry. anyway, interesting idea, i hope it materialized.

[tomkat]

Disneyland Tokyo entrance fee is 5,500 yen. If I am not mistaken, Disneyland, Anaheim charges USD55 per entry.

[Greg]

I hope that the Singaporeans have to pay more than the Malaysians.

[choon]

Originally Posted by Greg

I hope that the Singaporeans have to pay more than the Malaysians.

Greg..u must hate Sporean a lot hah..

[Greg]

Originally Posted by choon

Greg..u must hate Sporean a lot hah..

Not hate, but I've noticed how disrespectful they behave in Malaysia. Speeding on the motorways with their flashy cars.
They earn significantly more than Malaysians do, so therefore I believe it's justified that they pay more entrance fee.

[pynshi91]

Tuesday May 30, 1:50 PM
Malaysia confirms holding talks to build Disney theme park
(Kyodo) _ A Malaysian minister confirmed Tuesday the government is holding talks with Japan's Oriental Land Co. and Walt Disney Co. to build a Disney theme park in its southern state of Johor, as it competes with neighboring Singapore to draw tourists.
"We have been in discussion with Tokyo and also with Disney in the U.S.," Effendi Norwawi, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of economic planning, told reporters.

But he added that Disney is not the only theme park the government is looking at.

"We are hoping to get Disney, but we are discussing with several other parties to see which is the most realizable option," he said.

The Edge business daily reported Sunday about Malaysia's plan to open the Disney theme park at Bandar Nusajaya, a 23,000-acre township on the southwestern tip of Johor, which borders Singapore.

The newspaper said government officials and representatives of UEM World Bhd., a government-linked conglomerate, have met with Oriental Land, the operator of Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea, to run what would be Southeast Asia's first Disney theme park. ADVERTISEMENT



The envisaged theme park would cover 2,000 acres of Nusajaya and would help give Malaysia an edge over Singapore in attracting tourists, the report said. Singapore is planning to build two casino-cum-theme parks.

[pynshi91]

Malaysia in talks for a Disneyland theme park: report






KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is in talks with the Japanese operator of Tokyo Disneyland to bring the first Disney theme park to Southeast Asia, a report said Sunday.

Malaysian government officials and representatives from the government-linked conglomerate UEM World are negotiating with Oriental Land to bring the theme park to the southern state of Johor, the Edge financial weekly said.

"The discussions are progressing well. The Disney theme park may occupy about 2,000 acres (800 hectares) of Nusajaya," said the unnamed source.

Bandar Nusajaya is UEM's 23,000-acre township on the southwestern tip of Johor, the state that lies nearest to Singapore.

A Disney theme park would be a major boost for the tourism industry in Malaysia, which competes with Singapore to attract visitors.

The Edge said the planned Disney theme park would be bigger than the two integrated resorts being planned in Singapore.

It said Disney is interested in Nusajaya as it would not compete with its other parks in Hong Kong and Tokyo and a new one planned in Shanghai.

Las Vegas Sands recently won a bid for Singapore's first integrated resort licence, giving it the right to develop a multi-billion dollar gaming, entertainment and convention complex, edging out Malaysia's sole casino operator, Genting International and other contenders. - AFP/ir

[pynshi91]

Malaysia Aims To Build 'Disneyland' Theme Park In Johor




PUTRAJAYA, May 30 (Bernama) - The government is seeking the best option to explore opportunities to build a theme park like "Disneyland" in Johor, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Effendi Norwawi.

He said this Tuesday in response to local news reports that Malaysia was in talks with the Japanese operator of Tokyo Disneyland to bring the first Disney theme park to Southeast Asia.

The reports also stated that Malaysian government officials and representatives from the government-linked conglomerate UEM World were negotiating with Oriental Land to build a theme park at UEM's 23,000-acre township, Bandar Nusajaya, in the southern part of Johor.

"We are exploring all our options, including this (Disneyland) because in the Southern Corridor Development, we want it to be a comprehensive and attractive region," he told reporters after officiating the launch of Economic Census 2006 here.

"This will include theme park and other attractions," he added.

Mohd Effendi said the government was already in talks with representatives of Japan Disneyland and US Disneyland.

"We are also discussing with several other parties to get the best option," he said.

[pynshi91]

AP
Malaysia in Talks to Build Disney Park
Tuesday May 30, 4:44 am ET
Malaysia in Talks to Build First Disney Theme Park in Southeast Asia: Government Minister


KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysia is exploring plans to build the first Disney theme park in Southeast Asia, a government minister said Tuesday.
Effendi Norwawi, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of economic affairs, said the government is in talks with Disneyland operators in Japan and the United States to establish a theme park in the southern state of Johor, near Singapore.

ADVERTISEMENT


"We are exploring all our options, including this (Disneyland) because in the southern corridor development, we want it to be a comprehensive and attractive region," he was quoted as saying by national Bernama news agency. "So this will include theme park and other attractions."

Effendi said the government hopes for an agreement with Disney, but it is also "discussing with several other parties to get the best option." He did not give details and could not be reached for further comments.

Building a Disney park would likely boost tourism for Malaysia and would pose stiff competition to Singapore, which is building two casino resorts. Tourism is Malaysia's No. 2 foreign exchange earner, after manufacturing.

Walt Disney Co. opened a theme park in Hong Kong in September.

Alannah Goss, a spokeswoman for Disney's Asian operations based in Hong Kong, told The Associated Press that the company constantly assesses strategic markets worldwide but declined to say if Johor is on the list. She said she is aware of ongoing talks.

"We are constantly evaluating strategic markets in the world to grow our park and resort business and the Disney brand," she said. "We continue to evaluate markets but at this time, we have no plans to announce regarding a park in Malaysia."

The Edge business weekly reported over the weekend that Malaysian government officials have made an attractive offer to Oriental Land Co., the Japanese operator of Tokyo Disneyland, to run a similar park in Johor.

The plan is to bring Mickey Mouse and the fantasyland to a 2,000-acre site in the new proposed Nusajaya township in Johor, it quoted unidentified sources as saying.

The newspaper said Walt Disney Co. is interested in the proposed Malaysian park as it will not compete with other Disney parks in Hong Kong and Tokyo due to geographical distance.

Shanghai's mayor said in March that the city is prepared to build a Disney park, but Disney officials have said while talks were underway, no agreement has been reached.