Disney plans UK theme park

Walt Disney Attractions is planning to bring its new interactive theme park, DisneyQuest, to the UK as part of an aggressive international expansion strategy.

Tom Allen, vice-president of international marketing and sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa for Walt Disney Attractions, says: “DisneyQuest is something we would like to roll out internationally and obviously the UK is at the top of the list.

“We are looking at taking it to somewhere like London, but we are still in the very early stages.”

The news follows speculation last month that Disney was in talks with the Government to buy the Millennium Dome after 2000.

DisneyQuest, which combines motion simulators with virtual reality and hands-on arcade games, opened its first site in Florida this summer.

Visitors to the parks can use computers to design their own rides within simulators and participate in Disney films and experi-ences. Additional sites are expected to open in Chicago and Philadelphia next year.

Disney has recently reorganised its theme parks and resorts segment Walt Disney Attractions under its new president and former head of Disneyland Resorts, Paul Pressler.

Walt Disney Attractions includes international sites Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Regional Entertainment, which includes its sports bars and DisneyQuest.

Recommended

The Ghost of Xmas present

Marketing Week

For most marketing professionals, 1998 will be the year of digital television. Retailers are rubbing their hands with glee at the Christmas prospect (exceptionally – in every other category they are wringing them with despair). And the profound longer-term consequences of digital on our viewing habits can scarcely be doubted. But there are plenty of […]

‘Local Heroes’ remain in-house

Marketing Week

I would like to correct last week’s report on BBC local radio’s “Local Heroes” campaign (MW December 10). APL is carrying out off-air activity in some regions, the television trails were devised and executed by BBC Creative Services. James Thickett Head of Marketing BBC Regional Broadcasting London W1A

Safeway tests remote shopping technology

Marketing Week

Safeway is to test a new remote shopping service, following an 18-month development project with computer giant IBM. Up to 200 customers from the chain’s Basingstoke store will use new handheld personal organisers – called Easi-Orders – as part of the trial. It is hoped the service will provide a more portable and adaptable alternative […]