Originally Posted By karlg TDL, I'm curious as to how Dinsey fans in Tokyo perceive DCA, particularly in light of TDS. I think the U.S. followers of Disney think that DL and WDW are getting pretty poor treatment compared to TDL/TDS. TDS shows them up as adding second and third rate attractions. I have been to TDL a few times and really liked the park. I changed jobs and don't get to Tokyo any more. I'm thinking I will have to find a way to get there after TDS opens (flying right over DCA on my way). Karl
Originally Posted By TDL Hi Karl..better a late reply than none at all - sorry! I have not heard anything negative about DCA from anyone Japanese - but I have several thoughts to send out to the cosmic void for feedback…. Firstly, as a non-American, I can’t quite understand all the complaining about DCA, as overall it looks OK to me. Sure I have not been there, but it seems to have all the basic elements of a Disney park – rides, food, characters, merchandise. You might be interested to note that DCA promo literature in Japan really focuses on things like food and merchandise – maybe because of the so-called “second and third rate attractions”?? Also, a guy in sales for Disney here really pushed the fact that DCA is an 'adults' themepark. I wonder though if the complaining is a case of Americans expecting everything to constantly be bigger and better? When it comes to theme parks, I think that Americans have a lot higher standards than other visitors – you guys are s-p-o-i-l-t to the max. I must admit though that the concept of a California theme in California puzzled me somewhat. Anyway, whilst the Japanese are known for demanding high standards in everything, I don't think their theme park standards are as high as Americans. Even though TDL has such a high standard in cleanliness and detail, I don’t think Japanese would ‘expect’ to find that in the US anyway. When it comes to Disney, most Japanese would probably find a tin shed full of the fab5 to be just as appealing as some high-tech attraction – in a land driven by character goods, they are the basic and secret ingredient. It is really hard to describe the Japanese reaction to Disney to the outside world, but I think it is fair to say that over here we don’t ‘compare’ our parks to those in the US, as much as you guys compare to us. Besides, the US parks are still “exotic” to the Japanese, as is anything in the US. Hell, most people I know get excited just entering a US shopping mall – I know I do! I think a lot of it might come down to “the grass is always greener”. On a final note, if you have ever been to some of Japan’s other ‘theme parks’ I doubt you would ever complain about any park in the US again. Next time you are in town pop into the Sanrio Hello Kitty Land or Kyoto’s movie land (if it still exists). They are the jewels in the world crown of cheesy and cheap.
Originally Posted By Reedy Creek ". Even though TDL has such a high standard in cleanliness and detail, I don’t think Japanese would ‘expect’ to find that in the US anyway." Does anybody esle think that that is a sad indictment on the state of US facilities in general? Hey-don't get angry at me, Mr. SMFM, I DIDN'T write that!!!! "...most people I know get excited just entering a US shopping mall – I know I do!" Then you guys are gonna LOVE DTD and DCA!!!!!! ; )
Originally Posted By TDL mmm.. you know R.C., looking at it again, I don't think that sentence on 'cleanliness and detail' came out exactly as I meant it to. lol. What I meant to convey, was that most Japanese do not expect things to be the same overseas as they are here because they realize that the rest of the world is not so anal retentive (no insults intented) about cleanliness and detail. The "high standard in cleanliness and detail" at Tokyo Disneyland is very much a reflection on the Japanese culture in general.
Originally Posted By Marc -DL Traveler TDL wrote: "Even though TDL has such a high standard in cleanliness and detail, I don’t think Japanese would ‘expect’ to find that in the US anyway." Wow... I could not disagree more. Many, many Japanese people have a very rose colored view of America. They expect America and Disneyland to be a heck of a lot nicer than it is. They tend not to get too disenchanted when they're on a standard whirlwind tour, but when they spend more time here the reality of America begins to sink in and they have a hard time dealing with it. Many Japanese people have told me they *do* notice the lower level of upkeep at Disneyland in California in comparison to TDL. Something must be taken into account - It isn't easy for many Japanese to make critical remarks (especially when they are a guest). Disneyland management needs to take this into account. TDL also wrote: "On a final note, if you have ever been to some of Japan’s other ‘theme parks’ I doubt you would ever complain about any park in the US again." I've haven't been to Puroland (the Sanrio park), but in my experience there are numerous good and bad parks in both countries. TDL also wrote: "It is really hard to describe the Japanese reaction to Disney to the outside world, but I think it is fair to say that over here we don’t ‘compare’ our parks to those in the US, as much as you guys compare to us" Are we talking about the same Japan? Japan as a society can't stop comparing itself to America (or the image of it - one of my columns is about it). We're talking about TDL here - the biggest single tangible example of Japan looking to America. (McDonald's and 7-11 are up there, too). I wish it weren't so much the case. The Japanese people have such potential of their own. If they started looking more to themselves for direction they would likely leave America in the dust. They don't think they can and I think they're wrong. It's kind of frustrating. About DCA, the OL (office ladies) I've talked to like it and that's the important thing. They're know for being character crazy (which they are), but they also love "Hollywood" and the "American" experience. Those things (and the big productions like Party Express) bring them into TDL. The Studio park in Florida is often their favorite at WDW and there seems to be enough Hollywood and America at DCA to make them happy. If I had time I could really go on with this response. TDL (the poster, that it), whereabouts are you in Japan? Marc
Originally Posted By disneywatcher >> Marc-DL Traveler: About DCA, the OL (office ladies) I've talked to like it and that's the important thing. << I wish they could be given magical powers -- abracadabra! -- to lift DCA and transport it over to Tokyo. If Anaheim got DisneySea by mistake through the mystical, miraculous transfer, I wouldn't complain.
Originally Posted By Marc -DL Traveler Back in 1990 the plan *was* to build a Studio park (for about $1 billion) where DisneySea now sits. It was even announced to the press. Then WDI sold OLC on DisneySea (it was easy). Marc
