Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks
& Resorts, told investors at a recent analyst conference that
Disney has a plan for "strong, continued growth over the next
decade and beyond," not only from Disney's existing businesses, but
also from "new geographies and new businesses."
"We have only
scratched the surface of the worldwide travel market," Rasulo
said.
Intent on
"broadening our footprint," Rasulo said, Disney is looking at a
number of options that depart from past practices, including
putting Disney attractions in many places where they have not
existed before, such as "resort hotels, RD&E centers or water
parks," he said.
Disney's plans
include expanding its Grand Collection of Hotels in a variety of
ways, including regional resort properties outside of metropolitan
areas, urban hotels, resorts in exotic destinations and boutique
hotels.
The company also
plans to expand its retail, dining and entertainment
complexes.
In addition, the
company wants to expand its theme parks in a different way than in
the past, Rasulo said, noting that "not all parks have to be the
size of our current parks. ..."
He added that
Disney is contemplating a "smaller, deeply immersive park -- for
now I'll call it a 'niche' park -- that could serve a much smaller
daily audience in a more intimate setting."
To contact the reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail
to David Cogswell at [email protected].