TOKYO DISNEYLAND: What Gives?

[civileng68]

I was just looking at pictures of Tokyo Disneyland and to be honest, I know it's a newer park but, Wow! it looks like there's no problem with money being directed towards that park! It's incredible!

That park looks pristine, clean and very very very technologically advanced. They even have fully themed food carts which are incredible.

I dont understand...........................is it possible that more money is flowing into those parks to try to make an impression on the people of Tokyo since Eisner or whoever probably already feels that the Americans are hooked on Disney?

Im just wondering because with all the cutbacks, when I see the pics of TDL that I just saw, it sort made me a little jealous to be honest with you. It made me jealous that some of us, if not most of us are feeling a little upset lately by the ongoings in management and the cutbacks yet parks like TDL are probably better than our own.

I've never been to TDL and it may not be better but it sure looks more high tech than our parks, and I know that it's newer but just the attractions and overall appeal look better.

They even have the Sky Way! and a much bigger one than was ever at MK in Orlando.

 

[castlecake2.0]

now, please correct me if Im wrong...

What I believe I heard is that Tokyo Disneyland is not owned by Disney, it is owned by the Oriental Land Company, a real-estate agency in Japan. They payed to build the park, and have a licence with Disney to use their characters, ride systems, etc etc... So that is why they may seem more advanced then the theme parks in the U.S., its not that Eisner is spending more money on the parks there, its almost the opposite really, because the Oriental land company is paying for it all. Make sense? That is a very very brief explenation, im sure someone will have a much more detailed response.

-Ty:king:

 

[civileng68]

oh

No i did not know this information. Is Disneyland Paris the same way? It's just wierd because the park is nearly identical to the MK in Orlando from what it seems.

Im just confused now because Disney surely put alot into it to look exactly like Disney of any other place. Im not slamming Eisner, just concerned and confused quite frankly. That park in Tokyo was expensive, it's obvious from looking at it, and I mean VERY expensive.

 

[ChefMickeyGrits]

Originally posted by castlecake2.0
now, please correct me if Im wrong...

What I believe I heard is that Tokyo Disneyland is not owned by Disney, it is owned by the Oriental Land Company, a real-estate agency in Japan. They payed to build the park, and have a licence with Disney to use their characters, ride systems, etc etc... So that is why they may seem more advanced then the theme parks in the U.S., its not that Eisner is spending more money on the parks there, its almost the opposite really, because the Oriental land company is paying for it all. Make sense? That is a very very brief explenation, im sure someone will have a much more detailed response.

-Ty:king:

That's what I understand as well - it is owned by the Oriental Land Company. However, I was under the impression that similar to Disneyland Paris, Disney actually did build the park from the beginning but sold them off to these outside companies that now finance everything (definitely noticeable in Disneyland Paris -definitely did not have that Disney-Magic feel!)

 

[Mary Poppins]

Originally posted by castlecake2.0
now, please correct me if Im wrong...

What I believe I heard is that Tokyo Disneyland is not owned by Disney, it is owned by the Oriental Land Company, a real-estate agency in Japan. They payed to build the park, and have a licence with Disney to use their characters, ride systems, etc etc... So that is why they may seem more advanced then the theme parks in the U.S., its not that Eisner is spending more money on the parks there, its almost the opposite really, because the Oriental land company is paying for it all. Make sense? That is a very very brief explenation, im sure someone will have a much more detailed response.

-Ty:king:

You are correct. TDR is owned by OLC which deals in real estate among other things (think The Sopranos in Japan) :animwink: OLC is where the money comes from to fund the parks. They pay to use the Dinsey name and product. This is why everything is so much better than the US parks...they can afford it!

 

[Creekboy25]

I wish our DisneyWorld could get a $3 billion budget to make a park or improve the parks to be as amazing as Japans!!

That would be great!!

 

[imagineer99]

Besides the fact that a lot of Tokyo Disneyland is funded by the OLC, there is another reason why the parks look so good.

The Japanese public (in general) are a more respectful group of guests. They are cleaner, quieter, and frankly don't try to destroy rides. Unfortunately, many Americans have total disregard for Disney Parks. This is evidenced by chewing gum and trash thrown inside Splash Mountain, etc.

 

[Lee]

Yep.
Everything at the Tokyo resort is owned by the Oriental Land Company, whose pockets are miles deep.
However, in Paris it is different. The Paris resort is owned by a Disney subsidiary.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Originally posted by Creekboy25
I wish our DisneyWorld could get a $3 billion budget to make a park or improve the parks to be as amazing as Japans!!

That would be great!!

Now this is where you're wrong! They got 4.5 billion dollars to build the new park!!! I'm so jealous!!!

 

[Creekboy25]

Wow! Jeez, that is a lot of mula!!!

How much does a new e-ticket attraction cost, around 100 million, I don't know, but just a guess. That is 45 e-tickets!!! That is simply insane!! Or it is probably less, maybe I thinking AK, didn't that cost like 120 million??

I am not sure about the money, but either way, that is a humungous budget to work with. We need Bill Gates to give Disney half his money, What does he need it for anyways??

 

[jrriddle]

Just as long as we don't have to go to Widows World. The rides would crash ever few hours.
The other thing to understand about the Japanese Culture (besides what was mentioned before) is that they spend money. Especially on all things Disney. It is tradition over there to buy gifts for everyone (right down to the mailman) when they go on holliday. It's also not out of the ordinary to take a date to Disneyland (I have to move to this country!).
Jim Hill had a great article on this awhile back called "Better in Japan".
BTW, Disneyland Paris is managed by a french division of Disney, which in the end is run by Disney back in the US.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Originally posted by Creekboy25
How much does a new e-ticket attraction cost, around 100 million, I don't know, but just a guess. That is 45 e-tickets!!! That is simply insane!! Or it is probably less, maybe I thinking AK, didn't that cost like 120 million??

No, it cost 800 million and it had 1 and a half E-Tickets...

 

[Creekboy25]

Originally posted by DisneyFan 2000
No, it cost 800 million and it had 1 and a half E-Tickets...

Oh... I guess I was just a little off... :brick: , but still that is a lot of great improvements that could be made with that kind of money.

 

[cherrynegra]

I remember when the Travel Channel was covering TDL and DisneySea they commented on how they had to educate the Japanese CMs on the art of being "less polite" and "more friendly." What the difference is is beyond me.

They also commented that they had to tone the American inclination of getting you wet or spritzing you with water at every attraction because the Japanese wear their finest when attending the parks. No baggy shorts and Tshirts here.

But I too noticed just how immaculate the parks are in Tokyo and am now dying to go over for a trip to take a look. The final comment is just how awesome the parks look when you throw tons of money at it. Can you imagine what the parks here would look like if they did the same???

 

[jrriddle]

Well, if Eisner gets his way and starts selling off the Company piece by piece maybe OLC will buy the Themeparks.
The way things are going that might not be that bad.

 

[cherrynegra]

Originally posted by jrriddle
Well, if Eisner gets his way and starts selling off the Company piece by piece maybe OLC will buy the Themeparks.
The way things are going that might not be that bad.

Wow!! That is just brilliant!!! Can you imagine what the parks would be like if they were owned by OLC???? I have to admit that's one of the best ideas I've ever heard.

 

[mikelan6]

If I remember well, OLC is partly owned by one of the Japanese rail companies.

Also, one of the reasons the Tokyo parks do so well is that Japanese guests buy lots of souvenirs - much more than their US cousins. I remember seeing most guests with LARGE bags filled with souvenirs.

 

[cherrynegra]

That wouldn't be out of the ordinary for the Japanese to purchase more souvenirs. There is a tradition in that culture to purchase gifts for every occasion. Even if there isn't one. "Happy Thursday!!" But I believe the OLC have deep pockets from all their other real estate holdings as well. Now the OLC is thinking of purchasing another park in southern Japan that is closing its doors. They wouldn't be doing that if they didn't have yen up the whazoo.

 

[jrriddle]

Originally posted by cherrynegra
Now the OLC is thinking of purchasing another park in southern Japan that is closing its doors. They wouldn't be doing that if they didn't have yen up the whazoo.

According to the OLC website that deal is apparently dead.
Eisner made mention of a 3rd Disney Park in Tokyo in the future after the 2nd park in China is complete.
As well he mentioned a Disney Cruise Line in Japan as well, don't know if OLC would be involved in that.

 

[cherrynegra]

And I stand corrected. :zipit: