Look out Mickey — here comes Romeworld
Watch out, Mickey Mouse. Here comes Romeworld.
No joke. Roman city officials have announced they are considering a theme park that would would focus on Roman history.
“You would relive scenes from the Colosseum, from ancient Rome, gladiators or maybe Julius Caesar or other things,” a Roman city official said.
Apparently the park could be open within four years, and a final decision on whether to go ahead with the project could made within a month.
But a big motivating reason? Deputy Mayor Mauro Cutrufo says that Rome’s tourist numbers this August are down at least five percent from last year.
Are they skipping Italy and going to Euro Disney instead? Maybe. Then again, maybe tourists aren’t thrilled about the new ordinance that bars anyone from eating or drinking in Rome’s historical center, with fines of up to $80?
Of course there’s no way of knowing. And if you have your heart set on sitting on the Spanish Steps, an anti-gelato ordinance probably isn’t a deal breaker.
On the other hand, take-away food is a time honored way to save money in an expensive city. With the Euro high and the worldwide economy weak, maybe this wasn’t the best time to tell hungry tourists that they weren’t welcome to walk and snack at the same time?
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Comments
One Response to “Look out Mickey — here comes Romeworld”
Please share your thoughts...
Personally, I think this is quite crazy.
There is so much to see and do in Rome - even with kids, that I can’t believe the local officials see any need to add a Roma-Euro-Disney.
Anyway, here’s my take on this idea: http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/blogs/wandermom/2008/08/14/a-theme-park-in-rome/
Michelle