Originally Posted By Malin The Disney Parks Blog is reporting that the Disney Vacation Club will open its first International Sales Centre in Japan at the Tokyo Disney Resort. Taking a look at the artist rendering the venue for the 15,000-square-foot interactive center looks like the former Planet Hollywood site. <a href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/04/first-disney-international-sales-center-set-to-open-in-japan/" target="_blank">http://disneyparks.disney.go.c...n-japan/</a>
Originally Posted By Malin So with the DVC Centre and the Disney Store, this gives Disney two massive venues in the heart of Ikspiari to push its brand. I can't help but wonder what OLC will make of Disney selling vacations to its Guest right on its property.
Originally Posted By Roger55 I think OLC is happy to have the location occupied. Also, don't forget that TDR hotels are available to DVC memebers, so there is an affiliation with OLC and DVC.
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi Let's just hope Japanese don't confuse the "TDR Vacation Package" Center at the Welcome Center with this location for DVC. -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By TokyoSweets So disappointing! It will probably only use the first floor right? Like the ticket center... Who thought it would be a good idea to put the ticket center behind the staircase btw??
Originally Posted By Mr X I think they'll use all that space Sweets, since they're apparently installing a full model room and all.
Originally Posted By TokyoSweets Yeah TGIFriday's would be cool. Anything somewhat useful would be good. Clothing shop, restaurant, entertainment area.... Even within my mania friends I don't know who would be interested in actually buying it. What about MN? Mr.X?
Originally Posted By Mr X I'm not in the market for DVC at the moment, but even if I was I would imagine I'd go to Florida to take care of it (or do so by mail or whatever)...it would never occur to me that such a place would be particularly NEEDED in Japan never mind at TDR (why not more centrally located in Tokyo or something!?)...but I suppose it makes some sense now that the Hawaii resort is coming online. Many Japanese folks who don't generally travel to the mainland U.S.A. even so frequent Hawaii often enough, and that coupled with Disney is a strong draw I think.
Originally Posted By Malin *** Meh. I was hoping for a TGIFriday's or something! *** Same here I was hoping for a T-Rex Restaurant.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I'm not in the market for DVC at the moment, but even if I was I would imagine I'd go to Florida to take care of it (or do so by mail or whatever)...it would never occur to me that such a place would be particularly NEEDED in Japan never mind at TDR (why not more centrally located in Tokyo or something!?)...but I suppose it makes some sense now that the Hawaii resort is coming online. Many Japanese folks who don't generally travel to the mainland U.S.A. even so frequent Hawaii often enough, and that coupled with Disney is a strong draw I think.>> Bingo. This sales center will be geared predominantly to Aulani - the Japanese are the largest foreign contingent to visit Hawai'i by far (double that of Canada usually). So it is important to attract that market to the Disney offering being built.
Originally Posted By mousermerf I was amazed by the number of Japanese tourists in Hawaii. I had heard about it, but seeing it in person really puts it in perspective. They really do dominate.
Originally Posted By Malin *** This sales center will be geared predominantly to Aulani - the Japanese are the largest foreign contingent to visit Hawai'i by far (double that of Canada usually). *** Would explain why Kansai International Airport had so many flights running to Honolulu vs other US States. I don't get why Hawai is such a draw for the Japanese with Okinawa being in closer distance?
Originally Posted By mousermerf Historically it established itself that way - and it does a LOT to cater to them. There are specialized tours and offerings. Americans in certain parts of Waikiki feel like a minority group.
Originally Posted By Mr X Hawaii has better weather than Okinawa and also feels more like a vacation destination, or at least that's how I felt. I enjoyed visiting Okinawa though, the food is incredible.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Seriously, Mr X is right. Although Okinawa is said to be "Japan's Hawaii" for several reasons (far from mainland, tropical island, used to not be part of country and has its own ethnicity, food, and customs), it's still not the same as Hawaii. For one thing, Okinawa's weather is much more seasonal than Hawaii's. You can pretty much go to Hawaii at any time of year and it will be beach weather. Go to Okinawa in the winter (the peak travel season for Hawaii) and you'll find daytime highs in the 60's. Also, Japanese people tend to embrace "travel abroad" much more than Americans. So, going to Hawaii not only provides year-round beach weather, it also provides a "trip abroad" (and to America!).
Originally Posted By Mr X And yet another thing, there's really not all that much to do in Okinawa. The beaches are decent, but not very accessible from the city proper (when I was there we rented a car), there aren't that many hotels along the beach like in Hawaii. And downtown Naha is nice, but small. Not much to see and do after a day or two at best. And, overrun with U.S. military to boot. BUT, they have A&W restaurants there. Where else in Japan (or Hawaii!) can you find that!?
