Melbourne has put its hand up to host Australia’s first ever Disneyland theme park

Well, the happiest place on earth might just be heading Down Under.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said she would support a Disneyland theme park in Melbourne as it would cement its reputation as the ‘city of fun’.

“As Australia’s capital city of fun, of course we should have a Disney theme park in Melbourne,” Capp told the Herald Sun.

“At Fishermans Bend, exhilarating roller-coasters could soar over the Yarra as part of a Disneyland, Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom.”

Vic Gov

“I know a Disney theme park in our municipality would be a huge hit with residents - myself included - visitors, students and traders," she added.

While Lord Capp has suggested Fisherman's Bend as the perfect location, it's been reported that a significant piece of land near Avalon Airport may also be where the new theme park is built.

David Fox, chairman of Avalon Airport and son of billionaire trucking magnate Lindsey Fox, said the area would pose as an ideal spot for the theme park

“There's an entertainment precinct that we've defined. I wouldn't say (for a) Disneyland at this moment in time, but anything is possible,” he said, as per 10 News.

“In regards to other parts of the precinct, we need to get the rail connectivity lined up."

Ms Capp said the iconic theme park would boost the tourism sector and local economy, especially after the city endured one of the longest Covid-19 lockdown stints.

Mohamad Salaheldin Abdelg Alsayed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

She believes that because the city is home to some world class hotels and restaurants, Melbourne is a no-brainer.

“Melbourne also offers visitors the best tourism experience available in Victoria, from world class hotels, unbeatable retail offerings and some of the best food and drink in Australia,” she said.

And the demand for Australia to have its very own Disney land is through the roof.

Since 2020, a Change.org petition for a Disney in Australia has gained thousands of signatures.

“They think Australia just simply doesn't have the population to support a Disney Park, and tourism market wouldn't do enough to fill in the gaps,” the campaign reads.

“I beg to differ.. I believe Australia HAS the population, not to mention the international tourism it would create as well, and the tourism market to make it just as successful as other Disneyland’s around the world.”

Hopefully, this time around, just like Space Mountain, these plans will finally take off.

Fingers crossed!