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 potential theme park in his call for tourism heavyweights to back his vision.
South East Metro Libertarian MP David Limbrick discussed his vision for an Australian version of the complex on Channel 10’s The Project on Tuesday night, saying he had narrowed down three “possible prominent locations” to make it a reality.
He told the hosts that 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 show that it is a small world after all, it turns out that the best locations are in my electorate,” he stated.
‘Unlike other parts of Melbourne, Disney would be welcomed with open arms in South East Melbourne.
Libertarian MP David Limbrick (pictured) discussed his vision for an Australian version of the beloved resort on Channel 10’s The Project on Tuesday night, saying he had shortlisted three “prominent potential locations” to make it a reality.
“We have tens of thousands of families with children looking for things to do and a great workforce who would love to live and work close to home.”
The move comes after the US-based Walt Disney Company announced it was developing $60 billion in plans to “accelerate and expand investment” in its parks and experiences division.
This is understood to include investing in international parks.
There are currently six Disneyland locations in California, Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai, along with the Florida version known as Magic Kingdom.
During his appearance on The Project, Limbrick called Victorian Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos to tell him the Melbourne venture was open to the public.
He urged the minister to tell the Walt Disney Company that “every help would be given” if they wanted to establish a park in Victoria, which would be “welcomed by the people of south-east Melbourne”.
‘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 for the Tourism Minister to do last Thursday is 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 won’t cost taxpayers money.
‘(They can) offer assurances that they can fast-track planning applications, and could even grant them a tax break when they are established.
“This kind of thing could be really attractive to a foreign investor like Disney.”
The first place to have the ‘happiest place on earth’ was the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim (pictured)
Since raising this in parliament, Limbrick said he has “had a great response”.
“I think before we have a Disney, one of the things we need to do is create a movement of people who really want it,” he said.
“People in south-east Melbourne would be very interested in this.”
While the dream can come true, co-host Kate Langbroek had doubts that this wish could really come true.
“David, you’re amazing, but we’re not getting Disneyland,” he told Mr. Limbrick.
The parliamentarian remained optimistic and told him: “You have to dream.”
Host Sarah Harris was quick to remind everyone of the success of the Wonderland theme park in western Sydney.
Remember how Australia’s Wonderland did very well in Western Sydney for years? All the jobs I had… ended up dying, but you know,’ she said.
Despite Limbrick’s call, Frankston City Council Mayor Nathan Conroy has remained silent on the issue.
Limbrick’s desire for an Australian Disneyland comes after Melbourne Mayor Sally Capp AO floated Werribee as a potential location.
The suburb, 32 kilometers southwest of Melbourne’s CBD, was previously a potential site for a $220 million adventure amusement park.
The plans were canceled in 2008 by the state government due to high costs to taxpayers.
Disneyland’s magical expansion
The first place to have 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 that was designed and built under his direct supervision. The park officially opened on July 17, 1955.
The idea for the park came from watching his daughters Sharon and Diane ride a merry-go-round. Hence his desire to create a place where adults and children could have fun.
More than half a century later, the dream came true and expanded to two other continents with seven parks in total.