You might have visited multiple amusement and theme parks but going to the OG, Disneyland, is the dream of many of us. The one that’s situated in Anaheim, California is the only one built under the direct supervision of American animator Walt Disney after which several similar parks inspired by it were opened across the globe.
And one such theme park might soon be opened in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. Yes, you read that right!
According to a report by the Times Of India, the island nation might soon boast of having South Asia’s first Disneyland as a team from Disneyland has agreed to visit Sri Lanka in November to hold discussions on this regard.
Sri Lanka: South Asia's 1st Disneyland to open in Hambantota
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/W90QKvMnSB#SriLanka #Disneyland #Hambantota #tourism pic.twitter.com/j4eYvJIQ6P
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) October 23, 2022
Moreover, Walt Disney has invited Sri Lanka’s State Tourism Minister Diana Gamage to the US to discuss plans for the $18 billion investment which will boost tourism in the country which is currently going through a major financial crisis.
Diana walking the talk!
Team frm Disneyland hv AGREED to visit #SriLanka in Nov. to hold discussions on setting up SouthAsia's 1st Disneyland in Hambantota!
Diana Gamage will be visiting US soon to discuss plans fr the $18bn investment following an invitation frm Walt Disney.
— Jamila Husain (@Jamz5251) October 23, 2022
This comes after Sri Lanka was given the hosting rights for ‘Miss Tourism World – International Finale 2022’ in Colombo. As per NDTV, Croatia, and Russia, the other two countries shortlisted to host the 75th edition of the ‘Miss Tourism World 2022′ voluntarily withdrew their candidature in order to support Sri Lanka to host this event owing to the fact that it will give their economy a major boost and revive the tourism industry in the country.
Having said that, Indians online weren’t happy with the fact that Disneyland might come to Sri Lanka. This is how they reacted:
What? Why?? Kya mila Hume fir 5th largest economy ban ke? https://t.co/RKj6hmo6ba
— Rishika (@Rishhhtemebaap) October 24, 2022
Indians on comments… https://t.co/QClNP2LFcJ pic.twitter.com/W7JECP5dbB
— Arpan ~ Religion is Ritualistic Fascism (@OpinionatedBong) October 24, 2022
The irony! #SriLanka https://t.co/DPigUssoHr
— Tresa Sherin Morera (@moreratresa) October 24, 2022
Modiji, Yogiji, Amitji ye kaise hogaya? 😭 https://t.co/SUfvZm0rG2
— 𝓢𝓾𝓳𝓲𝓽 𝓚𝓾𝓶𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓱𝓸𝓸 (@bicyclologist) October 24, 2022
Sri Lanka me khol lo saalon, India me mat aana Tum 🤬🤬🤬 https://t.co/8thmGLqUaO
— Illegaldesi Gaming (@illegaldesi) October 24, 2022
Expectedly Indian Ego Got 3rd Degree Burns… LOL https://t.co/QClNP2LFcJ
— Arpan ~ Religion is Ritualistic Fascism (@OpinionatedBong) October 24, 2022
Should open in india too
Preferably telangana
Outside hyderabad city ofcource https://t.co/X223jKrHF7— sajre salman (@tinikomidaniol) October 24, 2022
Batao matlab kya bole bhai SL jaisa sadel desh mein investment aa rahi https://t.co/jX5WqMuZSB
— ASMIT (@GunhaonKaDevta) October 24, 2022
Went there for the comments and the bruised egos didn't disappoint. https://t.co/AdcRuVJj9Z
— Pablo Chaterji (@pablochaterji) October 24, 2022
Butt hurt people in the comments section https://t.co/OM9H9pj3X4
— Zee (@MhaskarChief) October 24, 2022
Some people online were in complete disbelief speculating that this might be a false alarm.
I think Jamila might just have gotten duped over a fake @WaltDisneyCo story (https://t.co/G0d9PlYtXB).
Okay, before we get there, consider the following👇 https://t.co/NeJkFAYWhl— Neville Lahiru (@kriticalvodka) October 24, 2022
Well, folks, I can say with reasonable certainty that Diana Gamage never sent any email about Disney investing $18bn in Hambantota. It was in fact someone pranking @Dailymirror_SL's illustrious editor. How do I know? Because I got that very email Jamila got!
8/n pic.twitter.com/l1AMuSsCGh— Neville Lahiru (@kriticalvodka) October 24, 2022
Yeah, right. Disney is going to build a Disneyland, in Sri Lanka where 90% of the population don’t even know what Disney is, in remote backwater Hambanthota of all places. Perhaps the elephants, monkeys and peacocks will buy the tickets. What utter lies 🤣🤣🤣
— Helarisi Wijekoon (@HSanJWijekoon) October 23, 2022
Not sure why Jamila makes new news. This is from Apr 2021. Also, it’s a Korea based developer who has Asia licensing.
So much wrong information in one tweet.https://t.co/vrWz1XXntF
— Kara (@0xSriLanka) October 23, 2022
This is a fake story bought by Jamila. There is nothing wrong in pointing the red flags in the news. Simple one is the investment amount almost 35% of the national debt.. DM failure to do the Due diligence is what cause of all the comments. Worst part is keeping this news live..
— Mafaz Ansar (@Mafazansar) October 24, 2022
What is the source of this information? Why would they build a Disneyland in Hambantota of all places (positivity aside) when there are way more countries with guaranteed visitors? Besides $18 bn seems rather high when the Shanghai one cost $5.5bn in 2011
— Nadi (@nadi9534) October 24, 2022
Currently, there are six Disneyland parks in the world in places like California, Florida, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. I can smell something burning. Oh, maybe that’s just us Indians jealous of Sri Lanka.