Of course, the online leaker had no other details to provide about this interesting development. Is Disney planning to build another water park at Walt Disney World? If so, where would it go? The obvious answer would be on the grounds of River Country, but that site has so many problems it's probably cost prohibitive (for a description of what's happened to River Country, check out this article).
Of course, there's also the possibility that this water park isn't slated for Walt Disney World at all. Given their lack of space, it doesn't seem a possibility for Disneyland, either. The Tokyo park has enough issues to deal with right now, what with rebuilding their current infrastructure after the earthquake. Which means if it's not for WDW, it's either going to Paris, or perhaps the newly announced park in Shanghai. A water park was not part of the original plans for Shanghai, but plans can easily be altered.
The more one thinks about this, the more it seems as though Paris is the answer. The Paris park is in dire need of more to do, as it's not attracting the sort of day trip audience Disney had hoped it would. Also, they received a generous deal from the French government to purchase more land to develop around the existing resort (which currently consists of two parks and a resort hotel). So, they'd have the space.
Of course, the selfish part of me REALLY wants this to go to Walt Disney World, if it is ever built. Practically, though, I wonder if WDW could really support three water parks? In the summer months, sure, but what about in January? And does it really make sense to have almost as many water parks as you do theme parks? They're certainly not going to close Typhoon Lagoon (which just recently got a massive expansion and the addition of a water coaster) or Blizzard Beach (one of the most popular water parks in the country).
Putting aside the logistics for a minute...how FUN would a Pirates water park be, though? The theming would be out of this world- between the ships and the jungle locales the films visit, you have the potential for a completely immersive world. The Kraken that appears in the 3rd film could make an appearance, perhaps as part of a water coaster. The films have provided us with a plethora of beautiful backdrops for this potential park, which I'm sure the Imagineers are just dying to get their hands on. The concept art seems to show a raft ride of some sort. A slide that appears to be part of a waterfall, some treasure, and what appears to be Davey Jones.
Ok, back to reality....this might be a bunch of nothing. As you've seen on this blog before, Disney is notorious for putting up signs and concept art before they should. Remember this at the Magic Kingdom?:
That was back when the submarine voyage was supposed to be re-themed after the Atlantis film. Atlantis, of course, notoriously flopped, and the submarine voyage eventually became a Nemo attraction. Walt Disney World's submarine voyage closed down, the lagoon was drained and covered, and for a few years, was nothing more than a playground. It currently sits on the site of the Fantasyland expansion.
Another thing to consider...Disney Imagineers draw up hundreds of pieces of concept art. Most of it never gets beyond concept art. For all we know, this could be nothing more than one Imagineer's coffee creak project. It's possible this isn't even Blue Sky (Imagineering speak for an idea that's been given the green light to go into development) at this point. However, it is surely no coincidence that this concept art was released to perfectly coincide with the premiere (at Disneyland) of the newest Pirates film. Perhaps if this film performs as expected at the box office (that is to say, it's a monster hit), we might hear more about this project.
Peppa Pig theme park
ReplyDeleteOf course, there's also the opportunity that this waterpark isn't scheduled for Wally Walt disney World at all. Given their deficit of area, it doesn't seem a probability for Walt disney land, either.