MUMBAI: Media conglomerate Disney is said to be looking at the possibility of a theme park in Singapore. It is talking to Singapore authorities on the matter.

Media reports indicate that Disney has been in discussions with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on a possible theme park in Marina East, which will cover a land area of around 30 hectares. The site in question is an empty plot of land beside the new 18-hole Marina Bay Golf Course at Tanjong Rhu, operated by a unit of NTUC Club.

Market talk indicates that Disney could get prime land to build the theme park without going through a tender. It will unsettle bidders for a family-themed integrated resort with casino on the resort island of Sentosa.

Reports indicate that in the 1990s, Singapore almost had its own Disneyland in the Seletar area. However, Disney wanted land that was four times bigger than its Tokyo attraction but was not prepared to spend its own money.

Coming back to the current scenario, bidders for the Sentosa site include Genting International PLC (G13.SG), which has promised to build a Universal Studios theme park if successful, and a joint venture between Kerzner International Ltd. (KZL) and Southeast Asia's largest developer CapitaLand Ltd. (C31.SG). The tender for the Sentosa site closes next month.