Japan Earthquake Update – March 15
posted on March 15th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
First and foremost, our hearts go out to all of the people in Japan who have been impacted by last week’s devastating earthquake in Japan. In response to this disaster, The Walt Disney Company is making a $2.5 million contribution to the Red Cross to help aid in the disaster relief. The company has also coordinated a charitable giving program for all Disney employees and will match donations, dollar for dollar, up to an additional $1 million.
In regards to our theme park operations, Tokyo Disney Resort will remain closed this week so that a comprehensive safety investigation can be performed. While there was only minimal damage to the resort, the safety of our guests and cast members is always our top priority so we want to be as thorough as possible in our inspections. The quake caused considerable damage to the local infrastructure and transportation systems in the area so we need to take that into account as well. Fortunately, all of the guests who were at the resort when the quake hit have been able to leave despite these transportation challenges.
A decision regarding operations at the Tokyo Disney Resort will be made on March 21 and we will continue to post updates on the Disney Parks Blog as the situation progresses. The thoughts and good wishes of the entire Disney company go to our colleagues in Japan, their friends and families and all of the Japanese people as they begin their recovery efforts in this difficult time.
Happy New Year from Tokyo Disneyland
posted on December 31st, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
That’s right, the first Disney Park is celebrating the New Year. Our friends in Tokyo Disneyland just started 2011 and soon we will too. And as our parks begin the new year, we’ll be sharing special wishes for a joyful new year from each location – ending with Disneyland Resort. Be sure and check back tonight.
A View From…Tokyo Disneyland
posted on December 22nd, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Last week, we kicked off our “holiday” version of this series with a look at snow-covered Disneyland Paris. Today, it’s Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland and Cinderella Castle is decked out for the occasion. The special event Christmas Fantasy 2010 has a unique “White Holiday Parade” featuring Disney characters in a snowy winter wonderland as well as fireworks in Christmas colors of red and green. Take a look at a few of our favorite park images.
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The Christmas tree at the center of World Bazaar is beautiful. Check back for the next post in this series of sights you won’t see at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World.
A View From…Tokyo Disneyland
posted on October 28th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
UPDATE: We’ve added more unique sights from Disney’s Halloween at Tokyo Disneyland.
Last week, we kicked off this series with a look at the “Halloweenmosphere” created by our friends at Disneyland Paris. Now, here’s another treat – some unique sights from Tokyo Disneyland where the entire park is decked out for Halloween. They’re celebrating the season with a special event called “Disney’s Halloween” at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
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There’s a new parade at Tokyo Disneyland this year called Disney’s Halloween Street “Welcome to Spookyville.” And as you can see, Mickey, his friends and guests are part of the celebration. Stay tuned for our next post in this series featuring sights you won’t see at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World.
Disney Vacation Club opens Doors with Presence in Tokyo Disneyland
posted on July 29th, 2010 by Michelle Baumann, Walt Disney World Public Relations
Hi everyone…some 7,000 miles away, our sister park Tokyo Disneyland celebrated the grand opening of its first Disney Vacation Club Model Showroom at the Ikspiari shopping and dining complex.
In the 15,000-square-foot showroom, visitors can walk through an actual model room of Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Ko Olina, Hawai’i. Kids can revel in the fun with a play area and other interactive zones. Here is an image from the opening ceremony.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique — One Year Later
posted on April 19th, 2010 by Michelle Harker, Merchandise Marketing & Communications Project Manager, Disneyland Resort
Once Upon A Time…as every good story starts, the Disneyland Resort opened its doors to reveal a magical boutique where every little girl’s dream of becoming a Disney princess can come true.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique opened April 17, 2009, and in the past year, many magical moments have occurred in this enchanting location that’s nestled inside the corridors of Sleeping Beauty Castle. On a walk through Fantasyland one day, I had the chance to meet up with Store Operations Complex Manager, Stacey Gentz, who shared some of the stories from our cast and guests.
Every now and then, it’s so nice to hear our guests say that no matter the age, it made them feel like a princess, says one of Fairy Godmothers-in-Training, who has been on hand since the opening. It’s why we’re here, and it’s what we do, every day, we create magical memories for our guests during their stay.
Another cast member recalls, “Today when giving a Princess her big reveal, she was so happy that she shouted ‘I guess dreams really can come true.’”
Inside these doors, a guest can say three magical words — “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” — and in an instant, the magic that we all hope to create actually happens. “We give them the royal treatment,” Gentz says, “from hair and make-up to costumes and accessories. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth it… all you have to do is see the smile on their faces. That alone is worth a thousand words.”
The magic of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique isn’t just here in California. For those of you visiting other parks around the world, there are Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques at Walt Disney World (inside Cinderella’s Castle and in Downtown Disney at World of Disney store) and at Tokyo Disneyland.
How can you book a reservation? Call 714-781-STYLE (714-781-7895). Transformations start at $44.95, plus tax. We can transform Princesses from age three and up. For details on the different levels of packages visit ArtofDisneyParks.com. And, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique isn’t just for girls. The location at the Disneyland Resort currently offers a “Cool Knight” package for all of our noble young gentlemen.
Congratulations Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on a year of making magic come to life!
Do you have a story to share about your experience at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?
First Disney International Sales Center Set to Open in Japan
posted on April 7th, 2010 by Michelle Baumann, Walt Disney World Public Relations
This summer, Disney Vacation Club is scheduled to open the doors of its first ever international sales preview center at Tokyo Disney Resort. The 15,000-square-foot interactive center will give guests a peek at Disney Vacation Club resort hotels as well as other vacation offerings Disney offers. Guests can see for themselves a two-bedroom model of the vacation home accommodations that DVC members and families can expect to find on the island of O’ahu at Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Ko Olina, Hawai’i. And kids won’t be bored because Disney designed a supervised play area and interactive family discovery zone within the space. Check out this first artist rendering.
New Chairman Visits Disney Parks Around the World
posted on March 31st, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Tom Staggs has been on the move this month, touching ground in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris and Germany during his first “world tour” as chairman of Parks & Resorts. And at each stop, there’s been a recurring theme: people passionate about building the future.
That’s certainly happening in Germany where construction on the Disney Dream cruise ship has been moving right along. Tom arrived right as they were beginning to join the hull sections together to form a ship structure that will feature 14 decks and 1,250 staterooms with a capacity of 4,000 guests. It’s hard to imagine, but there will be approximately 66 million pounds of steel cut and welded together, some 37,000 pipes produced, and nearly 5,000 miles of cabling used by the time it is complete. The ship will sail from Germany to its new home in Port Canaveral, Florida later this year before embarking on its maiden voyage in January.
Tom also visited Disneyland Paris just in time for the launch of The New Generation Festival. The year-long celebration will highlight a new generation of heroes from Disney films such as “The Princess and the Frog” and “Lilo & Stitch,” as well as Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story,” “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles.”
Tom also got a status report on the new Toy Story Playland coming to life at Paris’ Walt Disney Studios this August.
Earlier in March, the team at Hong Kong Disneyland also welcomed Tom during his first visit to Asia as chairman. Tom met with Cast Members, dived into the operational details of the resort and was briefed on Hong Kong Disneyland’s celebration honoring the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Tom said one of the highlights of his visit was meeting with Hong Kong Disneyland’s very first Cast Member, Mariam Im, and presenting her with a 10-year service pin.
And during his visit to Tokyo Disney Resort, Tom managed to pack in more than even our most seasoned guests by touring both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. He met with several Cast Members and Imagineers – and tried all eight flavors of popcorn sold at the parks.
Tom summed up his recent travels this way: “When you spend time at all our properties, you appreciate how unique each one really is. Of course, there is a lot that is the same. Our properties share the same DNA. But at the end of the day, each has its own identity, its own heritage. And each has its own individual challenges. One thing stands out above all else though, and that is the quality, strength and passion of our Disney Cast members.”
