Miscellaneous Tokyo Thoughts

[OzAn]

It’s interesting to see that OLC is already eyeing on a second Disney cruise line.

They have limited options remaining to expand on land.

It will be interesting to see if the first OLC Disney ship will be a collection of the greatest hits from DCL's prior ships similar to Tokyo Disneyland, or they want exclusive unique offerings (simlar to their recent park strategy) from the get-go, or a combination of both.

Disney Adventure did almost entirely new concepts and offerings for Singapore (the only repeats were Animators Palate, kids clubs, spas and one of the shows), granted they had an entirely different ship design to work with. However, could have repeated concepts like Marcelline Market and 1923 etc but did not, so there was a conscious effort to be unique for the Asian market.

 

[TTA94]

I've been searching and the only one that comes up is the pop-version you mentioned earlier, so I'm not sure if they released one or made one

This years Greeting show has the English version but not sure if this is the first year they used it and or if it was ever released.

 

[AxolotlTales]

This years Greeting show has the English version but not sure if this is the first year they used it and or if it was ever released.

Didn't know they had it in that, but they never released the soundtrack for it either

 

[BrianLo]

They have limited options remaining to expand on land.

It will be interesting to see if the first OLC Disney ship will be a collection of the greatest hits from DCL's prior ships similar to Tokyo Disneyland, or they want exclusive unique offerings (simlar to their recent park strategy) from the get-go, or a combination of both.

Disney Adventure did almost entirely new concepts and offerings for Singapore (the only repeats were Animators Palate, kids clubs, spas and one of the shows), granted they had an entirely different ship design to work with. However, could have repeated concepts like Marcelline Market and 1923 etc but did not, so there was a conscious effort to be unique for the Asian market.

I certainly anticipate at least some unique venues. Even internally Disney mostly is differentiating the Wish ships.

There’s got to be a big Duffy presence in at least something. Maybe even a dining room - if I’m speculating. I also figure there will be a new Duffy friend.

 

[tanc]

They have limited options remaining to expand on land.

It will be interesting to see if the first OLC Disney ship will be a collection of the greatest hits from DCL's prior ships similar to Tokyo Disneyland, or they want exclusive unique offerings (simlar to their recent park strategy) from the get-go, or a combination of both.

Disney Adventure did almost entirely new concepts and offerings for Singapore (the only repeats were Animators Palate, kids clubs, spas and one of the shows), granted they had an entirely different ship design to work with. However, could have repeated concepts like Marcelline Market and 1923 etc but did not, so there was a conscious effort to be unique for the Asian market.

I mean if Adventureland complete redo is a happening, then I definitely could see Tom Sawyer and Critter Country eventually changing into something else.

 

[TalkToEthan]

Anyone out there know generally what’s going on with IJ Crystal Skull? It closed up back in August without a reopening date. Should we assume that means something serious or far reaching is going on with it as opposed to “regularly scheduled maintenance”??

Since it’s a super headlining attraction I hope it will be back in operation soon.

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

Anyone out there know generally what’s going on with IJ Crystal Skull? It closed up back in August without a reopening date. Should we assume that means something serious or far reaching is going on with it as opposed to “regularly scheduled maintenance”??

Since it’s a super headlining attraction I hope it will be back in operation soon.

It was originally scheduled to close for one year. That the reopening date is still TBD suggests the maintenance required might be more extensive than they originally planned.

 

[TalkToEthan]

……..that would mean it’s likely closed for over a year. Ouch!!!

 

[cjkeating]

Anyone out there know generally what’s going on with IJ Crystal Skull? It closed up back in August without a reopening date. Should we assume that means something serious or far reaching is going on with it as opposed to “regularly scheduled maintenance”??

Since it’s a super headlining attraction I hope it will be back in operation soon.

They are slowly working around the attractions bringing them up to modern standards. Show, structural, systems, safety etc. Whilst I am not a Tokyo expert I believe rides that have been through a similar process like Pirates, IASW and Sinbad have reopened without any changes of note.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

They are slowly working around the attractions bringing them up to modern standards. Show, structural, systems, safety etc. Whilst I am not a Tokyo expert I believe rides that have been through a similar process like Pirates, IASW and Sinbad have reopened without any changes of note.

I heard most of the pirates refurb was earthquake reinforcement. But yes, recent long refurbs have been structural work unseen to guests.

 

[BrianLo]

I have been reading over the corporate annual report and there a few random nuggets in there - as I'm adding things this post got longer than I expected; turns out a lot of nuggets.


One exec makes mention of future large scale redevelopments also falling into backstage space. That does not really seem to describe either of the two "ideas" presented. Both "ideas" are placed on a timeline that is after 2029. It seems more simple redevelopments Ala Wreck it Ralph may occur to bridge the gap, or they are just leaning on anniversaries.

Another section mentions priority towards addressing areas that are particularly heat prone for guests, which I think describes what they are wanting to do with Port Discovery, which is particularly sun exposed in its current format.

They reaffirm they would like a second cruise ship many times (I suspect that's the origin of the reporting). The cost of the Wish-class ship is 1.87B US dollars; there's likely inefficiency there, as I'm sure the Disney parent company is passing on some developmental charges. This is only semi-relevant as the Disney company also has unallocated capital in their cruise spending plan and suggests there is another ship or two in Disney's own 10 year plan (2032/33). I am partially wondering if OLC is pursuing commitment towards the option slot, likely one of Disney's new class. Though they go onto say "the launch of the second ship will be considered when the first ship is successfully on track". Typically turnaround would be 5 years - an option slot converting to an order could give them an existing vessel structure in as low as three. I'm talking slightly in circles, but based on this I'm shooting my shot that ship 2 is 2033/34 and the company has pre-expressed preference for an option to Disney and Meyer Werft. But also one they have the time threshold to consider. There are committed cruise ship orders through 2036 from some lines, so the immensity of this forward commitments can be extreme.

Re: is the ship going to have anything original to it:
"However, some of the onboard facilities, food, entertainment and other aspects have been changed to suit the preferences of Japanese guests, and original elements have also been included with the intention of creating a unique Japanese experience that is different from other Disney cruises".

The ship is based out of Tokyo International Cruise port, 2-4 day cruises. It talks about a variety of cruises, but hard to parse out if the ship actually is stopping anywhere?

It's not too bad to get from there on metro to Maihama. About 30 minutes, 15 minute drive. They don't say this, but I presume there will be resort transit given how close it is. There will be no guest opportunity to sail onboard for its repositioning to Japan.

Their parks strategy they reaffirm is to "Provide moving experiences and surprises that cannot be found anywhere else in the world through development unique to Tokyo Disney Resort". In addition to mentioning they are outreaching guests from North America and China - that is fairly bluntly a shutdown of any mutual development. Only original projects now on.

They make mention of wanting to balance out development; which I think is again speak for a big attraction in Disney Sea (the one we've been shown), then a big Fantasy Spring style development for Disneyland. I don't think that Adventureland artwork is much of anything than Blue Sky ideas.

Occupancy is 95% and they are exploring another hotel. They talk about it being in Tokyo Disney Resort periphery. I'm not sure if that means offsite or they are after one of the Partner hotels.

"In adding a new hotel, we will consider a hotel category that is suited to the position and guest demand". It's a bit garbled, but this follows their hotel breakdowns that are incredibly deluxe heavy. My read is this will be a value or moderate offering.

They hit 15% overseas guests in their parks. The focus on parks seems to be attracting more overseas guests. The focus domestically is exposing their own market to cruising, which the domestic market has very little personal exposure to. A lot of stakeholders are excited by this as they feel it is the tip of the iceberg. Cruises operating margins will be higher than the parks after startup.

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

One exec makes mention of future large scale redevelopments also falling into backstage space. That does not really seem to describe either of the two "ideas" presented. Both "ideas" are placed on a timeline that is after 2029. It seems more simple redevelopments Ala Wreck it Ralph may occur to bridge the gap, or they are just leaning on anniversaries.

I wonder what they had in mind when making that statement. Critter Country and Arabian Coast seem like the two most likely lands to expand into the backstage area based on the current layout of the parks.

 

[BrianLo]

I wonder what they had in mind when making that statement. Critter Country and Arabian Coast seem like the two most likely lands to expand into the backstage area based on the current layout of the parks.

My reaction was also behind the river/critter country, we know they’ve been exploring there for years. Adventureland caught me off guard. Further expansion behind Tomorrowland would not be backstage, nor would the usage of the TDS expansion plot.

Speaking of, we see how useless of an exercise it is to focus on known expansion pads when post Tower they have partially redrawn or majorly developed their parks 5 times (TSMM, Soaring, Fantasy Springs, B&TB, Space Mountain) and we’ve named 5 more sites (Adventureland, Westernland + behind it, the bus lot behind Tomorrowland, the Arabian Coast Energy plant, the waterway and Aquatopia)… then they are like psych, cruises! Yet the “last expansion pad” still sits there.

Someone would have better odds with winning a powerball than predicting Tokyo’s development.

 

[Disney Analyst]

We had a great time in the parks the last 4 days. But I do have thoughts. Lots of thoughts! They are still ruminating, but I shall throw them somewhere soon.

 

[TalkToEthan]

……looking forward to reading those.

 

[OzAn]

My reaction was also behind the river/critter country, we know they’ve been exploring there for years. Adventureland caught me off guard. Further expansion behind Tomorrowland would not be backstage, nor would the usage of the TDS expansion plot.

Speaking of, we see how useless of an exercise it is to focus on known expansion pads when post Tower they have partially redrawn or majorly developed their parks 5 times (TSMM, Soaring, Fantasy Springs, B&TB, Space Mountain) and we’ve named 5 more sites (Adventureland, Westernland + behind it, the bus lot behind Tomorrowland, the Arabian Coast Energy plant, the waterway and Aquatopia)… then they are like psych, cruises! Yet the “last expansion pad” still sits there.

Someone would have better odds with winning a powerball than predicting Tokyo’s development.

I suspect they are reserving that last precious TDS expansion plot for the next IP that truly breaks out after Frozen. Whilst a Polynesian area with a Moana ride makes total sense for that plot, Moana is not that big of an IP in Japan. I don't think they've had a break-out Disney IP of Frozen level in Japan since well ...Frozen. Baymax comes close but he already has a ride in TDL.

OLC venturing into cruises is actually not that surprsing. When I was on the Disney Wish last year, I was surprised at the amount of Japanese tourists on board. Why give that market to Disney when OLC knows how to serve the Japanese even better?

 

[Nickm2022]

personally feel that the new AL expansion will happen and the removal of aquatopia won't. I think a new AL is needed and up incredibles and moana seems incredibly fleshed out. for DisneySea think some Marvel themed water area would be nice like a Wakanda forever area.

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

personally feel that the new AL expansion will happen and the removal of aquatopia won't. I think a new AL is needed and up incredibles and moana seems incredibly fleshed out. for DisneySea think some Marvel themed water area would be nice like a Wakanda forever area.

Marvel is not popular in Japan, so I doubt they will ever add a full land themed to MCU. I think we'd sooner see an Avatar land based on the seas of Pandora, though I also wouldn't consider that particularly likely either.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

I wonder if they’ll build another Disney resort in Japan?

 

[TalkToEthan]

No,
It’s more or less impossible
……….feasibility is looking mighty unfavorable.

Japan’s demographics, its pyramid, will not allow for another due to extreme low birth numbers and an aged population