Even rather conservative projections predict an urban population of up to 800 million people.

"In a couple of years we come out ahead, based on very conservative projections," Mr. Harris said.

According to conservative projections, our population will approach 500 million by the end of the next century.

"Our conservative projection is for 100,000 visitors in the first year, and it could easily be much more."

The company traditionally makes conservative projections, then routinely surpasses those modest figures.

On the most conservative projections, waste management costs are certain to make nuclear the most expensive form of electricity.

But few budget experts doubt that tax revenues are going to be lower than even the governor's conservative projections.

But the increases will contribute to a budget deficit that, by the most conservative projections, will last at least two years.

Reasons for Optimism "Those are conservative projections," he said recently.

Over 17 million people visited the park in its first 18 months of operation, roughly in line with Disney's more conservative projections.