DISNEY hopes to kick-start business from the UK to Disneyland, California with the opening of a second theme park on site.
The UK ranks as the fifth biggest market for the Californian theme park. Disney refuses to disclose visitor figures, but acknowledges Disneyland has taken a back seat from its sister operator in Florida.
Walt Disney Attractions’ vice-president international travel industry sales and marketing Craig Parsons said the problem with Disneyland California was that it was not the first thing UK visitors to the region think about.
“We are working very hard on changing the mindset. A second theme park, Disney’s California Adventure, together with a new 700-room hotel open in 2001 will help create greater awareness.
“When people visit Florida and Orlando, Disney is an automatic choice. This is not the case with California because there are so many other attractions to choose from.”
Parsons said the new Walt Disney Travel Company tour operation set up from the UKwill feature the theme park prominently. “Our aim is to get the California visitor to choose to visit Disneyland and experience the Disney product for themselves.
“Anaheim authorities have committed millions of dollars in upgrading infrastructure to accommodate the second theme park.”