Iger sees Disney parks in India and mainland China

I'm interested to hear everyone's comments on this, especially after all the issues they've had in Hong Kong. India would be very cool though =)

Mainland China is *booming*....growth rates for their economy are spectacular, and only getting better. If Disney can get past the governmental/bureaucratic hurdles, there's a HUGE pot of gold at the end of the rainbow...

Agreed. I think the trick though going forward is understanding how Disney culture can mesh with the local culture. You'd think they would have learned that by now, but obviously not after the issues in Hong Kong.

China has recently banned all forms of animation that blend live action actors with animation. For example, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" is now banned in China. Their goal is to limit foreign influence on their culture and to block competition in animation so China's animation houses can grow. The eventual goal is to block all foreign animation to prevent cultural contamination. That's what Disney is facing in China, a very hostile govt. that views standard Disney ideals expressed in their animation (basic human rights, environmentalism, equality regardless of gender, race, or religion)as a threat to the communist govt. I wish Disney the best, but any expansion they have in store for China will be a tough battle.

India, as Iger pointed out, has massive infrastructure issues not to mention cultural difficulties so I don't think it will happen in our lifetime. I think it's more likely to eventually see an Australian property before India.*** This post was edited by DBJ 3/2/2006 12:59:46 PM ***
*** This post was edited by DBJ 3/2/2006 1:00:27 PM ***

China doesn't have any choice but to eventually reach a point where it's democratic. There's just too much money to be had to try and maintain the kind of control they're attempting. I don't know how long it will take, but it will happen.

Especially with all the mainland visitors heading to Hong Kong (whether to check out Disneyland or OCean Park).

Not to be a smart arse here...

Does ANYBODY have any clue how any Western amusement park chain could mesh with people who like to cut in line, throw children over walls when the park is full, and most confusingly...pee and deficate in public?

I've thought about this one long and hard...and the best I can come up with is allow this stuff to happen (with warning at the front gate) and have a lot of cleaning staff.

Any other creative ideas? I'm clearly clouded by the Western ideal of modisty with bodily fluids...

True that the Chinese economy is booming. But when 10 percent growth means your income goes from 100 to 110 dollars per month, it still doesn't leave a family with a huge amount of discretionary spending--at least to western amusement park standards. Unless Disney plans on charging the equivalent of 2 dollars for admission.

Jeffrey said:

"Does ANYBODY have any clue how any Western amusement park chain could mesh with people who like to cut in line, throw children over walls when the park is full, and most confusingly...pee and deficate in public"?

Oh I don't know...sounds like New York City to me...;)

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Does ANYBODY have any clue how any Western amusement park chain could mesh with people who like to cut in line, throw children over walls when the park is full, and most confusingly...pee and deficate in public?

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Build a park without queues, restrooms or a gate? ;)

I was listening to another amusement podcast (sorry) and they were talking about bad guest behavior, and they recalled seeing people urinating in their home park. (Not Disney though) It was a national chain too. Not six flags, or Cedar Fair, or Busch.... or Universal.... is that vague enough? The people were not foreign either.*** This post was edited by Skipinator 3/3/2006 10:32:15 AM ***

When I first moved out of my house, a woman defecated in my driveway. Granted, my driveway was no Disneyland, but it was a pretty fun place to hang out until she did that. ;)

And Jeffrey, throwing people over fences at Disneyland is nothing new. I seem to recall a similar story about opening day at the original Disneyland. Something about parents trying to throw their kids over the fence of the carrousel (I can never spell that right).

As for line cutting, I wonder how they handle that at DLP? My French friends (Brie eating surrenderers for Jeffrey) are always so amazed how Americans queue up so nicely. ;)