Mediterranean Disneyland Coming to Cyprus?
Jan - 28 | 
23 comments. | 
Cyprus Property, Overseas Property News
Cyprus is to be the site of Europe’s latest Disneyland and the €800 million project will be built by a Russian conglomerate.
To be located in the Cypriot town of Pyla, the project is scheduled to be the largest ever single investment made on the island, according to Finance Minister Charilaos Stavrakis. Although the exact location is not yet decided, reports state that the project will be located on leased state land near the UN buffer zone between Turkish and Cypriot posts close to the Larnaca-Famagusta border.
Originally, the Disney investors were looking to locate the theme park in Serbia and reportedly, a deal was close. However, after a delegation from Cyprus presented the advantages of their island in such a professional manner, they won the resort. Among the key points that led to the victory was Cyprus’ proven political stability, its membership in the EU and perhaps most importantly, the island’s year-round sunny weather.
According to sources, the Cypriot government had been slow to give the project final approval. However, a recent agreement between the Russian developer and Russian tour operators that promises to bring an extra 500,000 eastern European holidaymakers to the island has been instrumental in garnering final support for the project. Many expect that the government will now fast track the approval project in an attempt to complete the “Disneyland of the Mediterranean” before Cyprus ascends to the European presidency in 2012.
The development will involve 3,000 workers from both the Greek and Turkish parts of the island in response to Turkish Cypriot complaints that the development will only aid the south. James Gonzalez, Market Analyst at Obelisk, sees the Disney complex as a way to expand the island’s appeal. “Cyprus has been a favourite resort for retirees for years,” he said, “but the construction of a Disneyland will attract younger visitors and families. It can only be positive news for the whole island.”
The area of Larnaca is already preparing for the future. A new marina capable of handling large cruise ships is already under construction and the airport is also being expanded.
News submitted by Alison Kane, Obelisk International
I wonder how well this will do? I know the disneyland in europe didn’t do that well
Cyprus already has a lot to offer for holidays and investment. This will just add to it. Maybe a good time to invest again?
Does anyone know if this is actually a real Disney backed venture or is it just a Disney “style” theme park built by a Russian buisness? I would imagine Disney guard their brand very tightly.
Theres also information that the cypriot goverment is giving CASINO licences and big theme casino hotels to limassol the investors are aparantly french and jews companys in the process of talks for these projects to be under taken by this year 2009. well cyprus is definetly a mini dubai investment plan!
The cypriot news said that it will be done in a village of Pafos!? Not Pyla! There’s a difference between Larnaka and Pafos! o.O
Either way i think this will be good for tourism! I live in Cyprus and i’ve never been to ANY of the Disneylands! So I can’t wait for it to be finished!
Wonder how big it’s going to be!
cyprus is a dump !!!
i wouldnt bet on it happening. what the old aged greedy government needs is to be kicked in the ass and sort out the poor condition of the road network (more like a donkey path if you ask me) or building public transport metros and trains etc so that people can actually get somewhere cheaply. By no means whatsoever is this comparable to a mini dubai investment.
cyprus is a disaster !!!!
All the posts/comments are a couple of months old so i hope i’m not out of subject.I agree with a post talking about puplic transport witch is practically un-excistend.
cyprus has no relliable or affortable (cheap) mean of transport. YOu can stand at a bus stop (which are sporadically placed in afew hidden places)for 1-2 hours before having a climpse of a bus. What about the Cyprus problem??Cyprus is still at ”war” so to speak, both politically and literally with Turkey,since half the iceland, (the northern part)is occupied by the Turkish army. Not the safest plece to build a great big masive people-magnet hah? ALso adding to the problems is tha over priced and expensive way of living . Everything is very expensive comparing to other European communities who have 3 times the population of Cyprus. ALso to ‘kill off’ a myth thats been going around that Cyprus is a friendly and a laid back place to be. Believe me there is nothing laid back with Cypriots. They’ll have you running with just your underwear on if they can. They are greedy and needy even if they’ve got everything, they never stop needing. Hospitallity is something that died a long time ago when the older generations gave way to younger generations. Friendly is not something you can describe or accuse the Cypriots of being, at least not anymore. Stubborn, greedy, un-polite, sarcastic and racist is a better description. The weather is what makes Cyprus what it is imagined to be by others not living here. That is if you can stand the 8 months of summer and with a small hint of winter. The summer is unberable with temperatures around 37-39 C with lots and lots of humidity. They are plenty of good things to say about this icelad too, i just cant think of anything to write just now. Oh and Cypriots know all this. They also make jokes about it as well. Something like “thats a CYpriot for you” they say every time the see something the dont like. “En telia Kipraios” would be the translation…. For Cyprus to go forward a lot of work needds to be done starting with the goverment and then everything else. They make decisions very slow and usually the wrong ones.
Anyway just a few thoughts and a personal point of view. Please excuse any grammar and spelling mistakes you find.
Dear Lina, i’ve read what you wrote there and i am sorry to say but u are really wrong, i’m not a cypriot but i have been living in cyprus for 5 years now and i can tell you that they are not stubbort or needy, and if you really got to know them you would be ashamed of what you’ve said… And sure they are not stiil in a ‘war’! Recently i visited north cyprus and i saw a lot of cypriots there. However it is true that the majority of cypriots especially the old genaration is still very angry with them. Cypriots are very naeve, friendly and nice people. Your comment really sounds like : ‘Don’t go to Cyprus but heey go to Icellaaand. And about the weather: in summer: 30 – 39 and in winter 15- 25.
Yes Lina you are so right about Cypriots: “They make decisions very slow ” we should speed up decision making. After all, have a look at how well the USA and UK are doing now with all their fast decision making in the financial and real estate sector! Have fun in Iceland (even though you meant Island) by the way which is now officially a bankrupt state beggining for EU accesion all courtey of their fast decision making ability! If they are is a reason that some Cypriots can be called greedy and needy it has to do with people just like you that sit and whine about everything without doing anything to improve things.
Just a quick note regarding what Lina said, I’m a Brittish born Greek Cypriot and visit Cyprus as often as i can.
I have seen the ups and downs of life in Cyprus, to say that the Greek Cypriots are greedy and needy is a bit harsh to say the least.
I have been to many parts of the world and trying not to sound biased, but the Greek Cypriots are one of the most Friendly people you would meet.
As for the roads, well, i’m sure they will get better as will Transport.
It has one of the best educational systems in the world.
Give Cyprus a chance and you will be proved wrong.
I think building a dysney Land will help with the Cyprus problem, it will bring Greek and Turkish cypriots closer.
I am from the states and just recently stayed in Cyprus for about 8 weeks to visit my boyfriend.
As a foreigner who is visiting, I can almost 100% agree with Lina. You have to realize, an investment like a Disneyland is HUGE. Therefore, I think they should do something to make Cyprus more tourist friendly.
For example, the public transportation system was horrible. I too felt that a lot of things were overpriced. Are you serious? 6 euros for a frappe?! And I cannot agree more with what Lina said about the younger generation of Cyprus. While there, I found that those who did not leave the island (for school, for work, or even just travel), and just have been there are their lives…they tend to be less than friendly. I would go to the club or a bar, and while none ever failed to be packed, the crowd was just not lively. I always want to mention…I am American, but I am Filipino American…and I cant tell you how sad it made me to feel everyone staring at my boyfriend and me.
I am aware of the small filipino population there (and as well as the other minorties). Heck, even my boyfriend’s grandparent’s caretaker was bought in the Philippines.
For the most part, I did enjoy my time there. If they can preserve the environment, if they could fix their roads..beaches are amazing. The sea is amazing. The food, omg, I gained 5-7 lbs while there.
Cyprus just need to work on some things…they need to be more open-minded. The younger generation folks need to know that their sh*t stinks too.
That being said, I’m head to Cyprus again in December
Are you serious with these comments about Cyprus and the Cypriots? These really do sound as they’ve been written by people who have never actually been there… or have a personal beef with the Cyp’s.
I’ve been going to Cyprus for several years and enjoy it so much I’ve brought a property there near Ayia Napa.
# Their highways/motorways between the main cities are very good and modern, where were you driving.. in the wilderness?
# We eat out regularly and I’ve yet to come across a restaurant that is not serving good food with a smile and freindly banter with the customers, and I’d assume we’ve been in over 100 differnt restaurants on the east of the island.. where were you eating Big M’s for 3 euros’?
# Yes – there are issues with costs. The change over to the euro caused this and prices were all rounded up rather than down, but I’m sure this will settle down as basic economics and demand dictate… have you been to the rest of europe recently, now there you can really gripe about prices.
Get real.. give the Cyp’s a chance and try “actually” going there, and if you do.. try having a smile on your own mug when talking to them rather than whats sounds like a real miserable face and moaning about everything.
Enjoy.
Let me give you a real true Northern Cypriots view on this – and i mean a true Cypriot, not one who’s parents were born in Turkey or England, but from Cyprus.
Yes this will benefit the north not for the wrong reasons but the right. You will have your over populated tourist fill side of the island, while we will have our unspoilt, beautiful, clean, crime free, civilised, happy way of living. We wouldnt sell our souls to Disney like you have so easily. Soon you will be the new Benidorm, Magaluff. Aya Napia is your eyesore, greek cypriots dont even want to talk about that dump anymore. You misery will soon be compounded when all that land in Larnaca and Limossol you develop will be reclaimed by the Turkish Cypriots who were forced to leave it behind. We will make more money from claims against the greeks then disneyland will ever make – and we wont have the fat, rude, crude, drunk, complaining, miserable tourists to go with it.
Enjoy your misery
Oh and for any ignorant people who think in the North of the island only the military are there – you know f all about the island and its inhabitants
Does anyone know if this is actually a real Disney backed venture or is it just a Disney “style” theme park built by a Russian buisness? I would imagine Disney guard their brand very tightly.
What a load of tosh! Are none of you educated as none of you can spell? Magaluf, Ayia Napa, business, island, I could go on. Anyway, thought it was the Turks who invaded not the other way round so I think it would be the Greeks claiming compensation. However, it is time we moved on from this conflict, bitterness and vindictiveness gets you nowhere and people like you don’t help. Sounds like a lot of jealousy. Ever been to Bodrum – I’ve seen more fat, crude, rude tourists there. Try sorting your own country out first. I know you think you are right but take a moment to ponder – is the rest of Europe wrong? Cyprus is backed by the EU – Turkey is not. Anyway, don’t really want to get into this policital argument as excellent progress has been made. The Cyprus people are lovely, warm and welcoming. The reason it is expensive is because of the exchange rate and the euro. A disney park would be extremely good for the population as it would create jobs and plenty of money from tourism which is all the island has to offer. Without tourism there would be poverty. I own a property in Alethriko and love being there. As for the transport – car hire and driving is easy and I have never had a problem with taxis. You want to come to Britain the transport here isn’t that brilliant either.
I heard information this past weekend that the Russian endeavor (Dineyland-like amusement park) could not get approval to build in the buffer zone around Pyla (Pile) and that now they have worked a deal to build it in Oroklini. All (unofficial) indicators, such as a new 1.3 million Euro town counsel building, new grocery stores (Russian owned), a lot of new Russian neighbors (I have lived in Oroklini for the past 2+ years) and the fact that the counsel has cleared many previously “overgrown” lots and are cleaning up the entire community leads me to believe this will actually happen. I also heard this past week that the flea market (very popular) which is located in a marsh at the bottom (south end) of the village will be closed. This could be a perfect location for a theme park, although I’m not sure there is enough real estate to make it “the biggest” project in Cyprus now with all the Arab (Qatar, UAE and Saudi) projects getting approved. I think Cyprus has a plan. They may be selling their “souls”, and I feel they could be heading down the “Dubai road” which I also feel is flawed, but could be financially lucrative for those in the know and in the right positions. Food for thought. As a property owner in Oroklini, I would love to see this project happen (“Orlando-klini”???). Does anyone have any new information?
Dear Lina,
Im sorry that your so hurt and bitter against the greeks cypriots. I could only assume that a greek has dumped you and no one else wants you. I hooe your not living on our beautiful island as cold bitter people are not welcome there
As for the turk, who claims the south side has been spoilt by the tourism, let me tell you ive been to the illegal occupied northern Cyprus and ive never seen so much filth and poverty. Until we rightfully claim it back from the turks, I know where i what to live and it’s definately not the illegal occupied area of northern Cyprus.
Oh and one last point, the one right thing i agree on what you said is that your a ….
Firstly I want to make one thing clear – Cypriots come in the form of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, essentially differentiated by language. Turks are from Turkey and Greeks are from Greece and Cypriots are from Cyprus. PLEASE keep this in mind when you begin to talk about Cyprus and Cypriots. For example Scottish people speak English but they are not English.
Ok away from the lesson. Disney would be an excellent project for Cyprus if both communities could be part of it. Pyla as the location would also be a positive as it is a mixed village. However, here we see once again how the Cypriots are selling (giving)their land and potential investment to foreign investment (Russian/American). The Russian’s have already bought up Hectares of land in the north of the island and I presume exactly the same in the south. However, if the Cypriots are too busy fighting over silly political issues that are over 50 years old then I guess they need this foreign investment to improve the infrastructure and tourism on the island. The people of Cyprus (north to south) need to start working together and not against each other because in the end greed will lead to nothing and your island will be sold to foreigners.
Those who are complaining about the roads and transport must understand that a Disney investment would have to include some transport investment which would consequently benefit the whole island. YOU ALL NEED TO LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE!!
Apart from all the waffle – does anybody know if this project has been approved.
yes the turks invaded but the reason seems
to be forgotten. the americans invaded and made sure
everyone knew about it. its always a political thing. waste
of money? nope because its not your money to waste.
I would say that everything said can be true. The good and the bad and it depends where you go and when. I have seen good and bad. I do think that all the problems that are experienced in Cyprus including the north-south issue and the economic, can be resolved if some of the people with authority stop being greedy and investing in the country.
As for the Disney/Russian Park, I hope they build it but I don’t think they will. I would think that the island could not handle such a venture. Imagine how many visitors a park would need to be profitable. The California Disneyland had 14.7 million visitors last year, imagine the Larnaca airport if this happens. I can’t.
I love cyprus bit expensive but you just have to know where to go.come out of the tourist areas and you will find cheap qaulity restaraunts.lovely beaches sunny weather modern accomadation good food and some nice people.what ever country you go theres good and bad so you just have to get on with it.
cyprus would be ideal for a disney as its easy to get to from all sides of europe.