Breaking News: Disneyland® Parks International Reach Agreement In Principal To Acquire Ontario Place and Centre Island In Toronto!

4/1/2015 - Toronto, Canada

Disneyland® Parks International LLC and Walt Disney® Studios,  have reached an agreement in principal with the Government of Ontario to acquire the former Ontario Place lands off of Lake Ontario for their first Canadian Park.  MGM Resorts had originally reached a tentative agreement to acquire these lands from the Ontario government  A deal was in place for MGM to build a Casino, Convention Centre and 6 Star Hotel, however it was turned down at Parliament.  In addition to acquiring Ontario Place, Toronto's Centre Island will also be part of the land deal and will be home to Walt Disney® Studios.  Disneyland® Canada and Walt Disney® Studios Canada will be connected by monorail and a Disneyland® Ferry which will feature Character Appearances every hour.  

The acquisition by Disney® comes as Toronto is getting set to host the Pan Am Games.  A spokesperson for Disneyland® says although negotiations have been going on for about 8 months, the timing of the announcement is strategic to piggy back off the attention that will be on Toronto - Canada for the Pan Am Games this summer.  "Toronto is a world class city, and Canada's premier city.  We wanted our first Canadian Park to be situated in a city that was easy to get to from all parts of the world.  Another deciding factor was that the disposable income in the Greater Toronto Area being significantly higher than that in other parts of Canada.  Vancouver Island was in the running due to the significantly warmer weather, however the proximity to Anaheim played a huge role in Disneyland® Resorts looking to Southern Ontario.  We wanted to be within a short distance of other major attractions and Toronto provides that.  With the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, and Ripley's Aquarium drawing tourists from all over the world, this was a great fit."

Disneyland® Resorts originally looked to acquire the Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, however Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment nixed that deal with their refusal to relocate their professional sports outfits the Toronto Football Club (TFC) and Toronto Marlies (the farm team for MLSE's NHL Franchise the Toronto Maple Leafs).  Subsequently, Disney's attention turned towards Ontario Place and Centre Island.  In addition to the two theme parks, there will be nine hotels and two indoor waterparks.  Disneyland® Canada will be similar to parks in Florida, California, Japan and France.  The deal now has to pass in Parliament and has already received opposition from the Toronto Island Airport, Toronto Yacht Club, and the residents of Toronto Island.  

The big question remains?  With Disney® adding a Canadian park, will Mickey and Minnie now be forced to wear pants?  A "magical" press conference is scheduled for noon today!  And Happy April Fools' Day to all! ;)