Disney to Build at Coney Island?
Several readers respond to reports that Disney's looking at Coney Island in New York for some sort of development. Wishful thinkers envision a theme park, but Robert says Disney's thinking about retail development.
[Several readers have submitted comments similar to the one below. Before everyone goes nuts, though, let me clarify that, from what I hear (and no, I'm not giving up my "Deep Throat" here), Disney's looking more at a "Downtown Disney"-style retail development, or something in the scale of the DisneyQuest in Chicago. It is not thinking about a theme park.--Ed.]Crain's Business posted an article that Disney was looking at Coney Island to create a new park. Disney had looked at this area of New York several years ago and has been quiet since. I wondered what the comments on this construction might be.
It's true but no theme park? Why a theme park in NYC. Hoards of traffic already and they can't handle more. I can see it retail, entertainment and hotel complex. Disney had alreay tried to buy the land before when Rudy was mayor.
Yeah, I see something like "The Disney Store Warehouse!" Where you can buy all the crap you didn't want to buy when you were in the parks!
I think Disney ought to build a small theme park on Coney Island. Considering there are a few small parks there, Disney could buy up those, keep the classic rides, and expand to something even more spectacular.
From Anonymous
Posted July 30, 2002 at 4:22 PM
No, thats stupid, then they would be pulling a Six Flags. What they should do is open a Disney Quest, but with it failing here in Chicago, they probally wont do that. Thier problem was first when it open tickets were too expensive to go very often so that got it a bad name, but they dropped the prices, but the reason the one in orlando works is because they have people that have other reasons for going there. They should open a Downtown Disney New York and they could have both a Disney Quest and an ESPN Zone there, then I think it would work.
From Anonymous
Posted July 30, 2002 at 7:02 PM
Disney will save disneyquest for the city. I believe disney might build a larger version of the boardwalk. The place will probably have a large hotel some restaraunts, street entertainment, character meals, games, etc. They probably will also have a rollercoaster and some rides, like those in califoria adventure. I would expect it not to be like a theme park, but instead buy individual tickets for each ride.
From Anonymous
Posted February 10, 2003 at 2:16 PM
DISNEY at Coney Island is a bit like Ebenezer Scrooge running a buddist temple. The Coney Island image would be there, but only due to the corporate objective that nostalgia sells and profit is the ultimate incentive. Even the power of Disney might not be enough to convince Brooklynites that it's the right path for Coney Island to take. It has always been Coney Islands unique independent, renaissance men and women that created the amazing, surreal, carnival type atmosphere that is Coney Island.Not always big money but big ideas and artistic spirit. Old school creativity and uniqueness has never died in Coney, even thru the 70's when arson was the biggest form of entertainment. Coney Island's style and image are not created by big business but by dozens of individuals and that spirit is still it's greatest asset. only if disney can see this and work with the community to renew the true Coney spirit can they succeed. A die-cut replica of Disneyland or great adventure would not be welcome except for the shortest of time. Then the magic of Coney would grow around it, and only if the powers at Disney went with the beat would they stay an accepted part of the sandy island. Coney Island has not held the imagination of Poets, Philosophers, scientists, Artists,and the general public for over 100 years just to become a Brooklyn Disneyland. Don't try it Mickey, your not in your neighborhood anymore.
Greg
From Anonymous
Posted February 28, 2003 at 12:01 PM
If Disney ever lay their grubby money-hoarding paws over in Brooklyn, Im speculating that, much like in the 70s, arson would come back as the biggest form of entertainment. MIckey, undoubtedly, is going to be hot.
Thats a big laugh...they cant even keep their mother ship in Florida afloat, now they are thinking of building in NYC. I will say that its a novel idea, as the old coney island of the early 1900's was, and is considered by many people as the greatest amusement park in history. Its a shame that the park is now a shell of its former self, but it would be a bigger disgrace to me if Disney were to get its grubby hands on it. It spells disaster any way you slice it. Traffic problems, overcrowding, crime, fire, and overpricing would be just some of the problems, not to mention Disney's total incompetence when it comes to conducting and maintaining business. Personally I would love to see Coney Island shine as it once did by rebuilding some of the things that have been lost in time. If you want to do something with Coney Island...restore it.
From Anonymous
Posted March 1, 2003 at 11:15 AM
If Disney should buy Coney Island they should keep select rides like The Cyclone and build a Downtown Disney. They don't need a ESPN Zone because there's one already in New York. Enless they make it a Coney Island one with the ESPN Club from WDW in right next door.Then they can block off a section of the beach for a Night Time Spectacular in the middle of the city. That would be cool!!
From Anonymous
Posted March 1, 2003 at 11:21 AM
I forgot to add a DownTown Disney/Bordwalk. With Disney Quest and ESPN Zone right next door to the ESPN Club
"Thats a big laugh...they cant even keep their mother ship in Florida afloat..."
Make no mistake. Even Walt Disney World loses 75% of its attendees, they will still make money on the park.
I find it incredibly odd that everyone assumes that Disney, the corporation that is having a decline in theme park attendance could so easily be taken down.
I have as big a beef as anyone with Disney and their recent practices...but this is a multi-billion dollar corporation. This isn't the same company from the early 1980's (when the parks were doing boffo business and the rest was in the toilet) worth a mere $2-3 billion. This is a MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATION. In the at least $50 billion plus range. Trust me, with NYC's recent financial woes (and the Disney fueled Times Square success,) I'm betting the Big Apple will be spread eagled to accomodate the mouse.
From L C
Posted April 6, 2003 at 9:29 PM
I think there is lots of potential for a Disney venture in Coney Island which would incorporate both Coney Island "landmarks" (Wonder Wheel, Cyclone, Parachute Drop) and Disney Magic (painstakingly themed rides, a downtown disney like shopping strip,restaurants and nightclubs). It might also be nice to see some bits of Coney Island's past brought back to life (the steeplechase ride,Rollerskating/dancing/dining on the pier). The only problem is that Disney specializes in fantasy and its hard to submit to fantasy with the grim reality of a slum right outside the gates.
From Anonymous
Posted April 14, 2003 at 1:43 PM
I would love to see more info on this. As a newyorker, I want to see Coney Island come back to life, and if Disney can help ... more power to them. Any links for more information ?
How big is Coney Island anyways?
From Anonymous
Posted June 23, 2003 at 7:11 PM
With the brand new large train station being build. The very popular Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets) minor league team and more space due to the Jumbo Jet rollercoaster being torn down. I would say somethings funny going on in Coney Island.
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