Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I can't help but wonder what OLC will make of Disney selling vacations to its Guest right on its property. >>> Roger55 said: <<< I think OLC is happy to have the location occupied. >>> I think Roger's right. I can't see OLC being happy that an anchor tenant went away, leaving a prime space unoccupied. And, I don't think there's much to be said about a Japan-based Disney fan that purchases a DVC unit being less likely to visit TDR. And, I think that TDR is the perfect place in the Tokyo area to put a DVC sales office. Even if all it sells is Aulani units, I think they'll have a very strong sales pitch by being able to say "and for times when you go to WDW or DLR, you'll have access as a DVC owner to like kind an quality Disney accommodations on-site." Also, for those years when owners choose not to travel abroad, they can use their points at TDR for one of the three Disney hotels there. Someone had their thinking cap on for this one.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< 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!? >>> When I was there, they even had Rush Limbaugh on the local radio station for 1 hour a day! The US armed forces operates the Far East Network that broadcasts radio and TV programs from home to bases in the Far East. I think it's available via cable TV in all base housing, but in certain areas like in Okinawa, they also get a license as a local radio and/or TV broadcaster so that their content can be heard by off-base personnel. Did you tune in to Rush in your rental car while you were there, Mr X?
Originally Posted By Mr X I was captivated by my opportunity to see the Far East Network while in my Okinawa hotel room. I now know exactly how to behave if I'm ever captured by the enemy!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***And, I think that TDR is the perfect place in the Tokyo area to put a DVC sales office.*** I'm sure time will tell, but I'm still not convinced. Hardly anyone even GOES to Ikspirari, after all.
Originally Posted By SuperDry But of those that do, most are probably responsive to the Disney message.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Do you know that there are alternatives to depression and homesickness other than suicide? Counceling is available.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I'm sure time will tell, but I'm still not convinced. Hardly anyone even GOES to Ikspirari, after all. >> But it will become a must-see destination for any Disney fan - just like the Disney Store directly opposite. These two facilities have the best location in the maze that is Ikspiari so it is the perfect locale. Just the traffic flowing from the Ambassador to the parks will make it popular.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Just the traffic flowing from the Ambassador to the parks will make it popular.*** I'm assuming you mean "that is the hope", right? I've spoken to a few Disney fans (Japanese all, save for SD), and the response thus far is "why?". Not scientific, of course. Still *I* wish it was a freakin TGIFridays Damnit! Who cares about a crappy time share center!!!!???? ***Do you know that there are alternatives to depression and homesickness other than suicide? Counceling is available.*** Yikes. More help from the Far East Network? That's pretty scary stuff! (not as scary as Rush though, maybe ) So, off to Yasukuni Shrine tomorrow SD?
Originally Posted By leemac <<I've spoken to a few Disney fans (Japanese all, save for SD), and the response thus far is "why?".>> It's a sales center, nothing else. It will look nice and be fairly expansive inside. Folks will wander in to see what it is all about. The why is the easy part - to sell timeshares to a new market for a new product and to encourage Japanese Disney fans to consider Aulani for their next vacation.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***But it will become a must-see destination for any Disney fan - just like the Disney Store directly opposite*** I've just got to add, I consider myself a "Disney Fan" (probably a pretty hard core one), but that is hardly a "destination" never mind a place I "must see"...the Disney Store is okay for what it is, but everyone knows its a merchandising place and Disney Fans can decide accordingly (particularly since there are 2 Disney PARKS just steps away, many would chose to skip it...why bother?)...but in any case many Disney fans don't care about time share stuff, so why would that be "must see" for any of them?
Originally Posted By leemac <<I consider myself a "Disney Fan">> You aren't Japanese. Mark my words, the place will be very popular. All you need to do it slap the Disney name on a building at TDR and you are guaranteed that the die-hard audience will turn up. These sales centers are all about awareness - there are a number in the US now particularly in two key WDW states - IL and NJ. It is a way for DVC to reach beyond their original target audience of frequent guests.
Originally Posted By leemac And the Ikspiari TDS is the highest-grossing in the group now that Fifth Avenue has gone the way of the Dodo. It is very popular indeed.
Originally Posted By Malin *** I think Roger's right. I can't see OLC being happy that an anchor tenant went away, leaving a prime space unoccupied. *** I have always been left to believe Disney have the lease on that venue, reason why it was the Disney Company in Japan who took Planet Hollywood to court and not the Oriential Land Company. Disney must still be paying money for the building, and are taking the decision to do something with the space. If the OLC had no problem with the DVC, why wouldn't it offer its partners a park venue to push the DVC and the Hawai Resort. The way I'm viewing this is that Disney are stuck with a lease no one wants because Ikspiari is a ghost town, and are making a decision to put the venue to use, as a way to try and get back some of the money it looses on the lease each month with the building sitting empty.
Originally Posted By Malin *** And the Ikspiari TDS is the highest-grossing in the group now that Fifth Avenue has gone the way of the Dodo. It is very popular indeed. *** I'm rather suprised as I visited a number of Disney Stores last month including the flagship Ikspiari, and brought absolutely nothing except for a 2 day park ticket. Now I'm not in the target audience some will say, but still that didn't stop me spending a small fortune on Disney merchandise at the Resort. But if we are led to believe the Store in Ikspiari is the highest grossing, that gives you a good idea how much money Bon Voyage must be making.
Originally Posted By schnebs I'm not surprised that the Ikspiari Disney Store's that popular. As I remember, the Japanese Disney Stores actually had some fun and interesting merchandise for all Disney fans - not just for Disney fans under the age of 12. Anywho, a question for you folks that are more attuned to Japanese culture and spending habits than I am: Do you think DVC will sell in Japan? I can see the appeal to Disney to have someplace to market Aulani as a destination to the Japanese, but I'm not sure if there's going to be much demand for purchasing timeshares. Personally, I'd love to see strong enough sales of DVC in Japan to get OLC to consider bringing a DVC resort to TDR. I'd assume it'd be a better deal points-wise than using DVC points for one of the Disney hotels.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I'm not sure if there's going to be much demand for purchasing timeshares. >>> It's not a timeshare - it's vacation ownership . <<< Personally, I'd love to see strong enough sales of DVC in Japan to get OLC to consider bringing a DVC resort to TDR >>> I'd probably buy into it , and end up using it at Aulani, WDW, and DL as well.
Originally Posted By SuperDry More to schnebs's question, how familiar are Japanese people with the notion of timeshares / vacation ownership in general? Considering how much negativity there is around timeshares in the US (much of it due to older, more restrictive plans and bad operators), it might actually work toward Japan DVC sales if the concept is new to the general public.
Originally Posted By Mr X They have time share type deals in Japan as well (particularly for onsen style retreats...I believe though that they generally get sold in one day increments rather than the one or two week standard in America, so people are likely to purchase something closer to home and reserve it several times a year for long weekends and holiday periods). Here's the funny part. It just occurred to me that this could be a convenient way for me to land a Hawaii/Anaheim/WDW timeshare deal, since my complete lack of a credit history in America would be a barrier to say the least. Maybe I'll be likin this new sales center more than I thought.
