Disney’s first major project underway in Hawaii despite recession
Hawai’s first Disney Resort can be seen taking shape at Ko Olina — concrete proof that the resort/entertainment company has faith in the future of the Islands’ embattled tourism industry.
“"It’s a visual affirmation that they’re continuing to invest," state tourism liaison Marsha Wienert told the Honolulu Advertiser. "It confirms Disney’s commitment to the Islands and the future of the Islands."
Disney expects to invest about US$800 million in the project, completing the first phase in the fall of 2011.
At a time when visitor arrivals have plummeted and the tourism industry has seen more layoffs than grand openings, Disney’s budding resort is not just a Mickey Mouse venture, said the Advertiser.
"Disney is the No. 1 brand in family vacations," Wienert said. Combine that with the state’s "fabulous reputation as a family destination" and there’s reason for optimism for the visitor industry, she said.
As it builds the new resort, Disney is also preparing to blend Hawaiian culture into its own magical kingdom.
Disney Resorts chairman of parks and resorts, Jay Rasulo, recently spoke in Waikiki on cultural lessons learned by Disney after some early mistakes.
In 1992, when Disney opened in France, Rasulo said, the company discovered that the French really didn’t care for the hot-dog carts scattered around the park. "And they were insulted when we didn’t serve wine with our meals at the Magic Kingdom," Rasulo said. "Bon appetit: Now we do."
The Disney team also learned that Europeans prefer to eat breakfast at home, or in a hotel restaurant, before going into the parks.
So the early entry specials that succeeded in the United States didn’t work there, he said. And they found that while many adults in Europe are comfortable in English, their young children preferred to hear their native language, so more shows are multilingual.
Rasulo said the company took these cultural lessons to heart in establishing Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005 by consulting with a feng shui master so the park’s walkways feature a bend near their entrances, and the doorways are set at the correct angles.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025