The Star
Wednesday May 31, 2006

Effendi: We’re in talks with Disneyland

By SIM LEOI LEOI

PUTRAJAYA: It’s confirmed! The Government is in talks with Disneyland officials in Tokyo and in the US to lure the international icon to set up a theme park in Johor.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Effendi Norwawi said yesterday that the Government was exploring the options.

“We are talking to both Tokyo and US Disneyland. We have to see which one is the more realisable option for us,” he told newsmen yesterday after launching the Economic Census 2006 in Putrajaya.

“This is because we want to make sure that the Southern Corridor is comprehensively developed with theme parks and hotels,” he said, in response to talk that preliminary meetings were being held to get Disneyland to Johor.

Meanwhile, in Johor, the idea of Mickey Mouse and his gang frolicking in Nusajaya has generated much excitement. Read more here.

My thought on the above:

1. Singapore wants to open Las Vegas Casinos to entice Maysians to spend and gamble so we build Disneyland in turn..so we see which one will draw in the crowds and money.
2. I wonder if really Disneylands are build here as well .. those Water Theme Park .. in few other places .. what will happen to them ar? Eventually die off? Checking the official website, it cost averagely RM 200 per ticket per day just to enter the park and enjoy the facilities. Even if we give a discount 50% Malaysia Boleh discount, the rate can still be very pricey especially when it is a family outing. Even the Sunway Lagoon entrance fees people already ‘kow peh kow boh’ already. – by Pcyeoh
3. How many Disneyland are there in the whole wide world? Yes, you can even count them using only one hand. Do you ever wonder why they are only a handful of them? It has nothing to do with the 960 hectares of lands or the RM 2 billion in investment. Except for Singapore who have no such land space unless we sell them our sand to create that 960 hectares (now you know why they want to buy the sand from us so badly) such theme parks which is heavy in investment needs the critical mass and technical know how to sustain and grow its existence. What is Johore? They couldn’t even do a good job in maintaining the only Safari Park in Malaysia. I think all the animals there just packed up their bags and left town. Those poor camels who survived the blazing Sahara Desert only to die in our Boleh Desert. What happened to their their grandiose plan to develop Desaru into a world class beach resort? And here they want to talk about Disneyland just because they have 960 hectares of land in their pocket. – by Pcyeoh
4. Actually I am thinking about all the poor souls in the MICKEY MOUSE, DONALD DUCK, MINNIE MOUSE … whatever in our humid weather conditions. I do hope these souls do not suffocate at all. Donald Duck who has lost his pants somewhere is definitely not coming here to lose his shirt. But Singapore is also hot and humid, and they have companies willing to spend megabucks to build and operate the Integrated Resorts there.Oh, I forgot – IRs will have casinos, and aircon 24/7!

Ooopss… and today news:

By: Sirgalahad

“Walt Disney Park and Resorts spokesman Lisa Haines told Reuters: “There are no existing discussions in Malaysia and we currently have no plans for a Disney-branded resort development in that country.”………….. read full news here

A roll call, please, of those parties in Malaysia which end up looking stupid over this:

Effendi Norwawi – told reporters that Malaysia was exploring options to develop the southern corridor into a tourist hub. He said: “We have been in discussions with Tokyo and also with Disney in the US.”

Pak Lah – according to an AFP report, he confirmed that Malaysia has met a group interested in investing in the project. He said: “Actually, I have not spoken to the Disney people. But there is a group who has shown some interest in getting Disneyland to be there. It is just a preliminary and there is nothing more to say about it.”

Perhaps, Pak Lah comes off looking the best in all this. As for The Edge and Effendi Norwawi – a visit to the headmaster’s office seems to be called for!:)”

My thought on the above:

1. If Malaysia Disneyland needs clowns, they can find plenty in Parliament.

Apparently, I’ve read that Hong Kong Disneyland are not making money. Attendance are low but their revenue still ok. Will this happen to Malaysia Mickeyland? I doubt not as we are squeeze in between Singapore and Thailand. It is still cheaper for them to fly/drive here.

Whatever it is, I do hope Disney will reconsider as I’m a growup kid. 🙂