Roman "Disneyland" Park planned

[mcjaco]

As reported by Reuters:

 

Pirates of the Colosseum? Rome plans theme park Thu Aug 14, 11:01 AM ET

 

With the ruins of ancient Rome, the splendor of Vatican City and countless Renaissance art treasures, what does Italy's capital lack to attract tourists?

 

The answer, according to the mayor's office, is a Disneyland-style theme park.

 

"The model is Euro-Disney in Paris," said Deputy Mayor Mauro Cutrufo, announcing plans to build a vast ancient Rome theme park just outside the city which he says could be up and running within three to four years.

 

The park would provide family-friendly attractions to show visitors what life was like in the Rome of 2,000 years ago.

 

To be built on an as yet unspecified 400-500 hectare (1,000-1,200 acre) site, it would put a Roman twist on rides like Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean, in which visitors float on boats through a fantasy pirate world.

 

"You would relive scenes from the Colosseum, from ancient Rome, gladiators or maybe Julius Caesar or other things," a Rome city official told Reuters.

 

A decision on whether to go ahead with the park could be made as early as next month after market research has shown potential demand for the plan.

 

But the park has already run into some opposition.

 

The government of the Lazio region, of which Rome is the capital, is run by the centre left and they are hostile to the proposal from the city council which is in the hands of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre right.

 

"I say no to Americanization," said Claudio Mancini, a member of the Lazio council, who hopes the project will be stopped at the planning stage.

 

"There are planning considerations to weigh up because 500 hectares isn't nothing," he was quoted as saying in the Corriere della Sera daily.

 

(Reporting by Robin Pomeroy, editing by Silvia Aloisi and Mary Gabriel)

[jamesdillaman]

Man, at first I thought Disney was building a park in Rome, but alas... I don't know if this will do well or not, as tourists already have so much to see in Rome that going to a theme park will probably not be high on the agenda.

 

-James Dillaman

[Mechanic]

"Hey, let's go to a theme park so we can see what Rome is like when we're already in Rome." Somehow that just doesn't work for me.

[DBJ]

Imo, I think they shouldn't build a park per se, but the city of Rome should absolutely take some cues from Disney on how to be more tourist friendly.

 

For example, the Colosseum, the Forum, and Palpatine Hill could be fenced in - and it could be a POP experience. There is enough room between those locations that would allow attractions. Not typical coasters, but Imax 3D, Soarin, transportation rides,etc., could easily be placed in different sections of the general area.

 

They need far better signs/customer service at the actual Colosseum. I was there on a non-crowded day a year ago, and it was still chaos to get in. Ticketing in general for those set of attractions and nearby museums should be streamlined.

 

There are almost no toilets at all in the area.

 

Almost no places to sit. And, near zero a/c, anywhere (true most places though - along with no ice in drinks)- not even a mister set-up, or temp shade for lines.

 

The landscaping on Palpatine Hill is a missed opportunity.

 

There are no obvious places to eat near/at the Colosseum. If there is any location in Rome that would benefit from an elaborate themed eatery, it's there.

 

There are no characters walking around. They are some people that come dressed up and then charge to get a pic taken, but there is no "official" staff.

 

There is very little written information on signs - in any language - which is odd for a historical site. The only options are to hire a tour guide, or buy an audio tour - but outside of that, you're left on your own.

 

The only ambience created are colored lights at night.

 

So I think in general they could take learn a bit from Disney on how to bring some "show" to the tourist areas of Rome, and not have to delve into the theme park business.

[TheRapidsNerd]

"Hey, let's go to a theme park so we can see what Rome is like when we're already in Rome." Somehow that just doesn't work for me.

 

DCA Anyone? Curious as this sounds, it'd be something new, and hey, why not? If the plan calls, the waterpark will be AMAZING!

[chemical_echo]

"Hey, let's go to a theme park so we can see what Rome is like when we're already in Rome." Somehow that just doesn't work for me.

 

"Hey, lets go to a theme park so we can see what Rome was like while we're in Rome."

Fixed.

 

 

Somehow I think ancient Rome was just a wee bit different than modern Rome.

[Mechanic]

DCA Anyone?

^ Exactly my point.

 

"Hey, lets go to a theme park so we can see what Rome was like while we're in Rome."

Fixed.

 

^ Fair enough, but still... I'm just not feeling it.

[carolinacaniac]

While I would love to add a theme park to a tour of Rome, there may not be many people who feel the same way. I don't know that it would be for the theme and it's location like Mechanic said, because I am sure there is enough of a difference between Modern Rome and Ancient Rome. I think more of the problem would be in the fact that most people have a full slate for their trips to Rome with the things they have already.

[BeemerBoy]

I'll just have a beer and watch Gladiator again, thanks.

[ginzo]

I used to be a HUGE Roman History nerd. And, yeah, this idea does seem a bit strange. Why go to a recreation of the Pantheon when you can see the real thing across town?

 

I dunno. The attractions would have to be very cleverly done to get my interest.

[jamesdillaman]

I'm gonna call this one dead in the water before it gets built. I just don't see it, plus all the locals are against it, and even the local government. It just doesn't seem like that good of an idea, and it's not going to happen.

 

-James Dillaman

[matteocrepaldi]

^ Exactly what I think about this: this park is not going to be built.