Disney could be considering a pirate resort

[aprilshowers93]

I think I may have just found the answer to clear up the rumor about a pirateland. I don't think disney is planning one. The "pirate-themed adventure" imagineering drawing in the 2006 annual report (take a look):

http://corporate.disney.go.com/inves.../int/dint.html

is actually meant to possible be a resort. The Wall Street Journal interviewed Jay Rasulo and here is what he said,

"Disney is hatching plans to take its theme-park experience to the masses, rather than the other way around. Instead of building more big parks, the company is sketching out a string of niche resorts and attractions around the world. That could include such things as stand-alone, Disney themed hotels in cities and beach resorts, Disney branded retail and dining districts, and smaller, more specialized parks."

(Which could mean a pirate-themed resort may be placed somewhere that isn't by a park, but it COULD be at one of their already existing resorts.)

"Disney set to work sketching out some ideas. One concept is to create stand-alone versions of the Downtown Disney dining and shopping districts or resorts like the BoardWalk at Walt Disney World, which includes a hotel, clubs, arcades and other entertainment. An alternative is building a resort around an attraction like an indoor water-park or a theme like pirates or princesses. Another approach is building a family version of a casino, without the gambling."

There is also a picture of the "pirate-themed adventure" that was in the annual report, but here it is labeled "pirate-themed resort -one idea disney is considering"

Wall Street Journal article:
http://online.wsj.com/public/article..._20080208.html

Thoughts? Please share.

Very interesting. They can bring something to St. Louis any time they want!

[LoriMistress]

I think it would be interesting. But you know right afterwards they'll be doing themed resorts based on their rides.

[Tekneek]

This gets to the weird ways business works these days. They can't find the money/initiative/imagination to either keep Wonders of Life open or update it, but they are talking about building entirely new projects elsewhere. Just because Wonders of Life isn't likely to increase the quantity of dollars coming in and is just a quality issue that can't be measured in dollars/cents, it gets mothballed (along with any number of other situations just like it on domestic Disney properties).

Given that they are already outsourcing guest services on existing Disney properties, these new entities will certainly be ran by non-Disney people. That means it might be nice to get photos of, but I doubt they will be worth the rates they would charge.

[skylardad]

I would rather see a pirate themed resort than seeing Adventureland turned into Pirate Land.

I think it would be cool if Disney did create resorts that dotted cities around the U.S. that would be based on a particular attraction and feature that one main attraction within the resort.

For example: a Pirates of the Caribbean themed hotel that offered a full-length version of the ride within the hotel resort. They could also create a western-themed resort with BTM within the hotel grounds.

Of course, they could add smaller themed outlets witin the resort such as water attractions, shopping, interactive, and dining too. What is nice about this concept is that it creates a live travelogue for the counterpart theme parks and wets the appetite for those wanting to travel to WDW or DL (or even abroad to HK, Paris, or Tokyo).

[MinnieMommie]

Thanks for the post. Boh interresting and informational. Doesn't sound as if the proposed changes wil impact the quality of my life in the near future but it does sound as if Disney has its eye on the global economy. How I would love a DD type venue near where I live but don't expect them to go in that direction. Will be eager to learn more as plan become more definate. Thanks again.

[lindique]

I seem to remember reading on another website that they may make some of the rooms at the Caribbean Beach Hotel into Pirates Suites. Makes perfect sense, since the pool area is already in that style (and is about to undergo a long renovation.

[Crow]

Originally Posted by skylardad

I would rather see a pirate themed resort than seeing Adventureland turned into Pirate Land.

I think it would be cool if Disney did create resorts that dotted cities around the U.S. that would be based on a particular attraction and feature that one main attraction within the resort.

For example: a Pirates of the Caribbean themed hotel that offered a full-length version of the ride within the hotel resort. They could also create a western-themed resort with BTM within the hotel grounds.

Of course, they could add smaller themed outlets witin the resort such as water attractions, shopping, interactive, and dining too. What is nice about this concept is that it creates a live travelogue for the counterpart theme parks and wets the appetite for those wanting to travel to WDW or DL (or even abroad to HK, Paris, or Tokyo).

Yes i would like in around Philly. of course like stated above it would probably b expensive.

[Nevergrowup]

Lots of open land here in Texas for them to build on...and it's 1/2 way between California & Florida.

[JPL]

Before we start choosing a location and getting excited this is still all in the "Blue Sky Phase"

Instead of building more big parks, the company is sketching out a string of niche resorts and attractions around the world. That could include such things as stand-alone, Disney themed hotels in cities and beach resorts, Disney branded retail and dining districts, and smaller, more specialized parks."

Note the phrase "around the world" and add this to the fact that Iger as stated time again that the future is overseas for expansion. Now I am not saying we won't see any of this in the US but I would look for the first of these projects to be built overseas or at one of the existing resorts as a prototype to showcase the idea much like they did with the failed Disney Quest project. I would think the most likely location would be Anaheim if they are building one in the U.S. Then expanding overseas.

[Figment!]

Note that Disney has not directly made a connection between the concept art and their more broad blue sky comments, only a third party has (ie the Wall Street Journal).

Disney has officially developed a Pirate Experience blue sky concept

Disney is officially in the blue sky concept phase of planning satellite resort and "niche" gated venues in new locations.

Any connection between the two is yet to be official.

Accordingly the title of the thread has been changed to prevent any confusion.

[aprilshowers93]

I would have to say that I am excited about any "pirate experience" disney might be creating. I hope they make this in WDW whether this experience is in a park or a resort.

[Aurora]

I am a bit cautious about the success of any Disney-owned resort outside the theme park areas, based on my experiences at the Chicago Disney Quest, which closed several years ago.

Even though it was the only other Disney Quest outside of Orlando at the time, the employees were eons away from the personnel at the theme parks and resorts. I would compare them to the enthusiasm of your typical grocery store cashier. Also the game areas were dirty, the virtual-reality glasses were scratched or broken... all in all, very disappointing experience. The Disney quality wasn't even close to being there.

I think it would be difficult to create and maintain that Disney sensibility without the broader support of a large entertainment venue. For this reason, about the only places I could see something like this being successful in the U.S. are Las Vegas, Branson, Wisconsin Dells, etc. -- someplace where people are already suspending a little disbelief in order to be entertained.

[PeterPanFan]

I say do it!