Dreams of an Australian version of Disneyland may not be so far-fetched after all, as a Victorian MP outlined three locations in Melbourne for a possible theme park in his call for tourism heavyweights to back the vision.
Libertarian South East Metro MP David Limbrick spoke on Channel 10’s The Project on Tuesday night about his vision for an Australian version of the resort, saying he had narrowed down three “potential prime locations” to make it a reality.
He told hosts the park could be located in the suburbs of Dandenong, Cranbourne or Frankston – all of which were in his electorate.
‘They are so good that I can’t split them easily. “To prove that it is a small world after all, it turns out that the best locations are in my electorate,” he said.
“Unlike other parts of Melbourne, Disney would be welcomed with open arms in Melbourne’s south east.
Libertarian MP David Limbrick (pictured) spoke on Channel 10’s The Project on Tuesday night about his vision for an Australian version of the much-loved resort, saying he had narrowed down three “potential prime locations” to make it a reality.
“We have tens of thousands of families with children looking for things to do and a great workforce that wants to live and work close to home.”
The move follows American-based Walt Disney Company’s announcement that it was developing $60 billion in plans to “accelerate and expand” investments in its parks and experiences division.
Clearly, this includes investments in international parks.
There are currently six Disneyland locations in California, Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai, along with the Florida version known as the Magic Kingdom.
During his appearance on The Project, Mr Limbrick called on Victoria’s Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos to tell him the Melbourne company was open for business.
He urged the minister to tell the Walt Disney Company that “all assistance” would be given if they wanted to build a park in Victoria that would be “welcomed by the people of Melbourne’s south-east”.
‘This is the only logical place for the happiest place on earth. We need to get Disney’s attention,” he said of the Project.
“What I asked the government to the Minister of Tourism last Thursday is to arrange a meeting with Disney and tell them that Melbourne is open for business and we would like them to invest.
“There are things the government could do that don’t cost taxpayers money.
“(They can) give a guarantee that they can streamline the planning applications, maybe even give them a tax exemption if they get there.
“These kinds of things can be very attractive to a foreign investor like Disney.”
The first place for the ‘happiest place on earth’ was the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim (photo)
Since raising this in Parliament, Mr Limbrick said he has ‘had a fantastic response’.
“I think before we get a Disney, one of the things we have to do is build a movement of people who really want it,” he said.
“People in Melbourne’s south-east would be very interested in this.”
While the dream may come true, co-host Kate Langbroek doubted this wish could actually happen.
“David, you’re great, but we’re not getting Disneyland,” she told Mr. Limbrick.
The MP remained optimistic and told her, “You have to dream.”
Fellow presenter Sarah Harris was quick to remind everyone how successful Western Sydney’s Wonderland theme park was.
‘Remember when Australia’s Wonderland did very well in western Sydney for many years. All the jobs it had… it eventually died, but you know what,” she said.
Despite Mr Limbrick’s call, Frankston City Council Mayor Nathan Conroy has remained largely silent on the issue.
Mr Limbrick’s desire for an Aussie Disneyland comes after Melbourne Mayor Sally Capp AO suggested Werribee as a potential location.
The suburb – 32km south-west of Melbourne’s CBD – was previously a potential site for a $220 million adventure park.
The plans were withdrawn by the state government in 2008 due to the high costs to taxpayers.
The magical extension of Disneyland
The top spot for the “happiest place on earth” was the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
It was the first theme park opened by creator Walt Disney and the only one designed and built under his direct supervision. The park was officially opened on July 17, 1955.
The idea for the park came about when he saw his daughters Sharon and Diane riding on a merry-go-round. From there his desire was born to create a place where adults and children could have fun.
More than half a century later, the dream became reality and expanded to two other continents with a total of seven parks.