The History of Sydney’s Secret Cancelled Disney Resort
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- Опубліковано 16 січ 2019
- Back in 2007, Disney Wharf at Sydney Harbour remained a secret under the codename ‘Project Lester’. Disney was under new management, with CEO Bob Iger taking over from Michael Eisner in 2005. Iger was right to keep the project secret, as Eisner had a habit of oversharing projects that never came to be and would ultimately damage the reputation of the company. Together with the NSW government, Disney cautiously laid down the plans in a 43-page, 10,000-word document.
‘Project Lester’ was an entirely new venture for Disney. The project was trying to break Disney out of their traditional theme park bounds, but apply similar tactics of storytelling through architecture, unique experiences and lively atmosphere in a more communal setting.
The idea of Disney Wharf was to integrate itself amongst Sydney almost more as a functioning suburb than a theme park.
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Good video I love it I’m from Hornsby
You can go to one of these - World's 6 world-class Disney resorts by size: Florida (headquarters), Shanghai, California, Tokyo, Paris & Hong Kong.
I think it would be SUPER cool if Australia had their own Disneyland. It would be really cool to see their own versions of the classic rides we have here in the States.
I live for the day Disney comes to Australia. It’s getting expensive travelling overseas every year 😅
Agreed! Though it would probably still make me crave the bigger Disney resorts more! - Luke
Australia doesn't have enough population to sustain a Disney theme park.
@@davidjacobs8558 And as much as I hate to admit, it doesn't have the culture-focus or nightlife to sustain a concept such as the wharf
@Bradley Lauzon I would guess next Disney park will be built in India, in a decade or two, when their economy improves to current Chinese level.
Sea World can work in Australia so I don't see any reason why a Disney Park couldn't work there. It would raw in tourist from New Zealand Papua New Guinea and elsewhere. I think it would work better than the one in Paris. I hope Australia is where Disney goes next in the 2020's
Good LORD why that sub count so low
*halfway through* Okay, so why the heck didn't this happen?
*later* Ah. Money.
Wow. All of these concepts that were dropped just amaze me, especially such a large and ambitious project in a non-Eisner era. Great video!
Wow, if only the NSW Government went through with it. It would've only been an hour to Sydney instead of 14hrs to Los Angeles 😭😢
The LA parks are okay, but for a really magical experience, do an all out trip to Disney World in Orlando! Especially as they revamp all the parks for the major Disney anniversary in 2020/21
Aren't you guys closer to Tokyo?
@@user-hn2sw9lc2j I suppose so the Sydney proposal was just shopping and dining it was the Gold Coast proposal that was areal theme park blame frm CEO Mike Eisner for killing that. If Australia ever gets a Disney park Gold Coast is where it should go.
Aidan Lam i don’t wanna sound like “that guy”, but i think you mean the Anaheim park
@@dajokahbaby1506 Well, he's probably flying into LAX anyways. Just easier to name the airport rather than the exact destination. Though, you are right. We do hate when people mix L.A. and O.C. into one big thing.
I was in high school when this was rumoured and drove past everyday on the bus.. I'm kinda sad it never came to be. It would've been iconic. There have also been plans for a Westfield, a Bunnings, and a cable car system to take people over to the city... It's strange that the area is no longer a working class area, but they want to keep that area so badly, and don't want traffic going down Mullens road.
This would have been so cool! I hope Disney sets its sights on Australia again soon
New subscriber here and loving your videos! I'm a huge fan of similar Themepark channels like Defunctland, Expedition Themepark, TheTimTracker & Yesterworld Entertainment and I'm so happy to finally see an Aussie based channel! Your content is absolutely brilliant and you guys deserve way more subs 👍👍👍
I remember it maded the news in n.z that Disney was thinking of coming down under. Never knew what happened when it never happened
My husband and I JUST found your channel last night and you’re brilliant! It’s only a matter of time before you hit 100k - I can feel it. Happy to be here at the beginning 👍🏻
You have made a great video. It sure seems Disney Wharf at Sydney Harbour is a PERFECT combination of recreational resort and urban development.
If you have presented this project with video like this back in the time of planning, you would have convinced both Disney and local government.
They need a Disney park in Australia. That would make tons of money
It honestly wouldn't, Australia doesn't have the population for it.
Not really. If you know the economics of theme parks, Disney/Universal parks are the least likely to make money within 5 -10 years. Each park requires $4-6 billion in capital and a willing national government to foot most of the bill for its construction...
@@FoxRiots we definitely have the population for it. disney has spent a LOT of money on advertising trips to disneyland in australia, they'd be able to experience success with some form of park in australia.
@@j_0anna That's just hopeful thinking. Long term it would for sure lose money.
@@j_0anna Tokyo has 36 million, California has 40 million, and NSW has a population of under 8 million. I don't think we do have the population.
So it like everything these days was not expected to bring in 10,000% profit the day it opened so it was canceled. Greed is always so awesome.
A shame they didnt continue this. i would love to see this happen and see it 'work' in real life. :( Also your story telling is getting better and better. keep up the great work!
It would have been interesting to see how this project would have played out and differed from these original planning documents for sure, but unfortunately, Australia got forgotten by the Walt Disney Company again! - Luke
Really nice documentary
Your narration and script was thoughtful and amazing when you consider that there was little info on this project.
I’m a dedicated new subscriber
Thanks for the subscription, we greatly appreciate it :) - Luke
I love that the city of Sydney and Australia raised the question of how segmented the portion of their society that could actually afford to experience Disney Wharf.
Disney stopped thinking about the common man long ago. They seem to be laser-focused on becoming an attraction for the elite only and could care less about middle- and lower-income families being able to afford the Disney experience at all.
This becomes so apparent when you look at the pricing of the China and Japan Disney parks, who achieve an even higher level of creativity and still manage to keep the parks somewhat affordable, because those parks aren’t actually owned by Disney.
If Walt could see the prices for Disneyland and Walt Disney World today, he would be furious.
Really well produced and informative video. Thank you.
Australians also grew up with The Simpsons, and guess what - Disney has all the rights! Imagine, Disney classics, Simpsons, Marvel, Starwars, etc. under one huge roof down under. And of course, Finding Nemo!
Smh, they missed the chance to make a Rescuers: Down Under park or ride.
That would've been super cool.
My favorite video so far! Great job!
incredible stuff dude. I knew about this project but definitely not like this. thanks for putting it together
Disney should have learnt the NSW government speaks another language instead of English. Luckily it only has 1 word. GAMBLORE!
Given how Marvel, Starwars and Pixar movies have to come success, I see this is the best time to reignite the plans just coming out of COVID
I love the look of the old white bay power station and the old pub in front of it.
Reviewtyme= when underrated is and understatement
I want to see an Australia Disneyland to happen. It would be so exciting to watch it get developed.
Walrus Yes, I want to see that too.
love your work ,
your vidoes are unreal mate !
Wow. That old power station has been sitting there, crumbling away for 36 years. What a waste of a great location and what an eyesore it is.
They do open it up to the public once a year, if it was properly maintained it wouldn't be such an eyesore. But i might be a bit bias because i love the look of urban decay.
This would have been a fantastic addition to Sydney's stunning yet totally sterile city.
Where did you find the Disney Wharf at Sydney Harbour document? I wouldn't mind having a read of it :)
I cam imagine if we had Disney in Sydney it would have been perfect to have it's Disney Cruise ships embarking through Circular Quay.
I think that if this project had been completed, the chances that Disney would build a Disneyland in Australia would be greater.
This place has been empty since 1970s. I drove past this place for 30 yrs everyday.
In todays world it would make a amazing 5 star Hotel. And entrainment venue
The vibrant vibrancy vibrates right off the screen. (Vibrant!)
Omg I would be visiting Sydney every other weekend if this was a thing
As I believe a massive percentage of the country on an annual basis and with Sydney's other attractions this would have meant Melbourne would have had a massive rival on it's hands in the tourism market. I can imagine a massive influx of people choosing to spend as many weekends as possible from all other states and due to the beautiful weather Sydney generally receives I feel people from N.Z and other countries would have been drawn to come to Australia.
I see why they scrapped the project. This would've been a huge failure. If they want to build a Disney park, they should build an actual theme park, not a mall.
I think with some reworking it could have been a success, Aulani seems to do well for Disney and that has less than Disney Wharf would have had. - Luke
Statistically they need to have at least 12 million through the gates annually and Australia can’t maintain that for a theme park. This would have been an amazing area for families as there are hardly any activities in Sydney that are free or like this. It would have become an iconic area, with locals and tourists.
Plus with so many great ideas and unique shows and events it would have kept bringing people back to the wharf.
This surely would have attracted many tourist and interstate visitors. I for one would have went if it was built and I don't live anywhere near Sydney.
It would have failed because the current New South Wales government actively prevents people from having fun. They are killing the night life, live music events, and non-Casino based businesses. If Melbourne had better weather, I'm sure the Victorian government would have allowed this to go ahead.
Too true, the fact they ultimately decided to go with a second Casino just across from Star City instead of the Disney Wharf project shows where the New South Wales Government stands. We also agree this could have been the perfect project for Melbourne, and could have brought life back to somewhere like Southbank. - Luke
Sad but unfortunately it reflects the reality.
I was in my early 20's in the late 80's
This was when the NSW government granted pubs poker machine licences.
Over night the live music scene in Sydney,which for 20 years was huge.....died.
It was massively more lucrative to rip out stages and dance floors in band rooms and replace them with gaming machines.
Now I'm sad because I know what I am missing out on! Such a shame, it could've been awesome!!
Dump the idea of people living at Disney Wharf and build DVC properties instead. Disney planned for 20,000 people to live in Celebration, Fl and only 8,000 live there. It's expensive to live there and looks like a movie lot. No thanks!
Some sort of Disneyland needs to come to Australia! I can’t believe it hasn’t happened yet because it really needs to happen!!
A very interesting idea from Disney... I think it would have been a hit but yes a lot of people would not be able to experience a lot of the things that were to be offered
Awesome vid mate! 👑👑👑
Great vid!
if this actually happens it would be the best day of my life
I live a few hundred metres from this location, transport is hopeless, no parking etc. Idea has some merit. So many planned uses of this location have come up and nothing has happened. I think it would have worked maybe, but we are not a full Disney culture in Oz.
true. Has any one ever tried driving around this white bay area during peak hour on a week day, or at any time on the weekend? its a congested mess. And thats BEFORE there is anything there attracting people to the place.
4 years after this video and we're still getting a yearly tease about how Disneyland Australia is absolutely definitely really happening for real this time.
Has there been any word on that new theme park being built in Avalon since it was announced or is it another park that failed to even open in Australia?
What a shame!! Sydney desperately needs a large glitzy attraction, esp to cater for tourists who aren’t into nature.
I remember They were also planning on building Disney at Birkenhead Point.
I’ve always thought that Disney would be fit for Australia. I’m really sad for every Australian Disney Fans because some of the biggest Disney fans r from Australia. Disney & the gov should’ve built this Wharf. 😢
Australia needs a Disney Park
Go to one of these - World's 6 world-class Disney resorts by size: Florida (headquarters), Shanghai, California, Tokyo, Paris & Hong Kong.
Fantastic video! Honestly, I don't see why the majority of the ideas and concepts couldn't have worked. But having said that I strongly disagree with them having residential apartments which would have cost a fortune to buy/rent.
Yeah it would have had to see a lot more revisions to have been successful but we feel the ideas would have worked! Yeah if the current properties they are selling at WDW are anything to go by, the apartments would not have been cheap! - Luke
Interesting concept
*Disney bought fox. DISNEY OWNS FOX STUDIOS. THEY OWN LAND IN SYDNEY. let's hope and pray they make a small disneytown* 😍😍
aj my thoughts exactly!!!! Heck even a freaken Disney store!!!
There used to be a Disney store in Brisbane back in the 90s.
aj true n it’s short 20-25min walk from Central station....n Moore park is a perfect place
Anything would be great! I was at darling harbour the other day and there was a "Disney Pixar putt" mini golf course that had sold all sessions by 12pm so if they're doing market research I think it's going well 😊
I'm so sad that this hasn't been build because I like Dysney Springs so much
I never thought we got anywhere near a park but now i am bummed out at the thought we where so close. Right now i am totally intending to pay for a annual pass like straight away
It's sad that Australia got close to a Disney Resort twice and both times they failed to see the light of day. - Luke
The last I heard about the notion of a Disney park in Australia was that when Village were looking at the site for Sydney's Wet N' Wild out at Prospect, the state government offered the land to Disney (perhaps merely as a way to boost the value). Disney passed because there was a heritage listed building on the land that they would have had to incorporate into their plans. Also, there's been rumblings that the unconventional wharf project could find a home in Melbourne's Docklands.
Oh wow, I've never heard about the Wet N Wild site, very interesting if true! Let's hope Docklands gets a part of Disney Wharf 2.0, it is the perfect location for it! - Luke
Does a city like Sydney really need an American brand to make a success out of the plot of land? Can it not create a venture of it's own? Maybe I'm not into Disney really but feel it's sad that people can't get excited about something else for the site that is of it's own and not part of a brand.
I wish the cruise ships would come here
That’s would of been cool
This would have been so amazing. If only this happened. Who knows, maybe Disney will come to Australia one day
Thank you for the ❤️ and all of your amazing content
A full park should of happened a long time again...or it could of placed a full Disney outback park where Wonderland was...
YESSS... SOMEONE DID A VIDEO ON THIS. THANK YOU ❤️❤️❤️
I want a Disney wharf in Canada it would be insanely popular and if it was smaller it could be seasonal
Unfortunately Australia is such a relatively small market that when we are weighed up against the massive populations in Asia,we become less and less attractive as a target for Disney type ventures.
I'm guessing but if I was wanting to expand an operation like Disney I'd be looking at places like India.
A massive population and a huge ever growing middle class.
The description on what the wharf would have went on way too long. Shops, offices, theatres, places to eat... we get it.
Will Australia Very Get a disneyland???
At the same time the NSW Government was playing two sides by trying to court the Australian Open to be housed at a purpose built facility at White Bay - they were unsuccessful at this and then the GFC hit and Disney had no appetite
I'm sad this never took off
Where did you get the documents from? I would love to read up and do my own research and reading on this.
Hey DisneyDude, whilst the original documents seem to have been removed from the internet, if you send me an email at Luke@ReviewTyme.com I can shoot you through a pdf of the original document :) - Luke
@@ReviewTyme I managed to find them on the internet. Thanks for offering though. :D
@@DisneyDudeRBX Awesome, someone must have reuploaded it, enjoy reading! - Luke
This sounds awesome! WTF happened?
If this went ahead.. it would have closed down within a couple of years... people have no idea what the cost of living is like in Sydney.
Aww you sound legitimately sad. Cheer Up... You keep making videos like this, Disney is bound to see them and realize there's a market in Australia for Disney diehards. Love your work, keep em coming!
It's a shame that Australia doesnt have anything Disney and they have so much space and opportunity to build something. Although it would also be a big risk building a resort & wharf for that much amount of money without a park or any attractions attached to it as all the other Disney resorts do. The park itself is what draws in the tourists and im not sure if many families would wanna travel thousands of miles just to spend it at a small disney resort/mall with no real attractions. But I could be wrong...hopefully the reconsider building something in the future.
You don't sound like an Aussie so I don't think you really know what you're talking about. There's a lot of our land that's uninhabited or hard to inhabit and what land is usable is getting overcrowded already. And in a project like this the local government would have to invest millions that they can't afford. They already lack in looking after the community.
You should have mentioned that Hong Kong Disneyland was originally supposed to be built in the Gold Coast, Australia
he has a video on it
A Disneyland Australia would be amazing. Petition to make this happen. If a Disneyland Aus was created, it'd be interesting to see how they'd make it more Aussie, like a 19th century Aus version of main street, and indigenous dance etc being incorporated into the parades like HK. I wonder if it would be more practical if they built it away from the city center, but still close to Sydney, similarly to how Tokyo Disney isn't actually in Tokyo, but close enough.
western sydney will need this project to revive the area
Did they plan any large rides like rollercoasters?
None that were in the initial proposal documents, it was mostly smaller self contained experiences like Philharmagic and Soarin. - Luke
They wanted to build a park up at the cold coast.
Honestly I have a feeling that Disney will still eventually come to Australia someday. Even if it wasn't Disney Wharf.
I'm sitting here at 2:00am in Sydney saddened by the thought that this will never come to fluicion.
*Fruition. Don't comment at 2:00am, kids.
Let New Disneyland Rise in Sydney Australia Again.
I would love if disney was in disney as I live in new Zealand and it would be so easy to make it to disney
How do I get into this paradise?
You can't. It was never built. The video is just a visualisation.
Do you think the Pixar Putt that Disney recently opened in Melbourne is them testing the appetite for something on a bigger scale? It feels such a no-brainer for Disney to have a resort of some kind in Australia.
I think things such as Pixar Putt, the new "Disney Flagship Floor" of David Jones in Sydney and things like Marvel Stadium are tests to see how Australians react to new Disney experiences. Ultimately I think the first step would be bringing back some Disney Stores into Australia and seeing how things go from there! - Luke
Government should not be getting into corporate investments. Good thing they did not go through with it. If Disney cannot find a way to profit in AUS, then they should not enter. Good thing this didn't happen and F the tax payers.
Even if it’s was built it probably would of been closed down by now Sydney doesn’t have a good record of keeping theme parks alive
Will be Disney in Sydney Australia?
No, this was a planned Disney wharf that was cancelled over 10 years ago.
“Would the existence of Disney Wharf take away the magic of Disney?”....my thought is different: I think it would take away from the magic of SYDNEY.
The one that gets me, the one that makes me cry a little inside everytime I walk into a disney park is, Westcot. Me being a huge epcot fan, living in northen California is way to far from the epic park that is epcot. So imagine when I hear the news Disney is gonna make a west cost epcot. I was so excited. Then it got canceled for DCA. The more I researched what Westcot was gonna have the more mad I get when I witnessed how much money had to be put into fixing DCA. Its still not close to what Westcot would have been. Disney really, really droped the ball on that. Instead of the epic rides we would have got and the beautiful park it would have been, we got superstar limo and a jellyfish drop ride. Ugg. The only thing I really liked at DCA in its first few years was Sorin and TOT. Once of witch is now a marvel ride and the other alot diffrent. I prefer the orginal sorin. Why Disney why. 🙁
Yeah, not practical. Especially when they tried something a little different with Disney's California Adventure and it was a huge fail. Which is why they had to "expand" it. They had to take out all the things they thought would work, but didn't and replace with things that people actually wanted. It sounds like a wonderful idea, but not someplace people are going to come from other places to visit. Aulani works in Hawaii because people are going to Hawaii anyway. And yes, I know people come to Sydney, but come on...this place would be mostly visited by locals and you can only spend SO much money at a place like that every week/month/year.
Is this place still being built?
Sadly no, Disney decided to focus their expansion efforts on China right around the time they cancelled this. - Luke
When start build?
not happening.
Definitely like a lot of your videos very interesting facts but this video was a lot of Disney springs Xmas events and also you used a lot of the same scenes in the last Disney Australia video. Could of included more facts about the location or other stuff..
Will Disney ever come to Australia?
Jim jam Top secret Chocolate it’s opens 2032
It's way too expensive for our government to invest in
I believe it eventually will, but it won't be in the short term. Possibly in 20 years or so but right now it's not financially worth it for Disney.
Given how many Australians are fans it would be unfitting not to build it.
Wow!
Wait... Didn't they try this with Celebration? That didn't turn out so good for them.