Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the April 2nd Land of the Rising Mickey Interview with Eddie Sotto. This article is at: <a href="News-ID110045.asp" target="_blank"><a href="http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID110045.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News- ID110045.asp</a></a>.
Originally Posted By Futurist EXCELLENT...EXCELLENT...EXCELLENT!! I can't wait to read more! I've had the opportunity to meet Eddie several times. I hope he's very happy and successful with his new venture.
Originally Posted By Gurgi HI, I just have a quick question about OLC. What other properties does OLC operate other than the Tokyo Disney Resort? Is the TDR their biggest money maker? I'm just curious to know how large OLC is. Thanks, Ben C.
Originally Posted By Marc -DL Traveler You'll find a handy graphic on the subject here at OLC's new Englich language website - <a href="http://www.olc.co.jp/english/company2.html" target="_blank">http://www.olc.co.jp/english/c ompany2.html</a> OLC *is* the TDR, but a controling interest in OLC is owned by the much larger company, Mitsui Fudosan (Fudosan = real estate developement). In turn, Mitsui Fudosan is part of the giant (bigger than the Walt Disney Co.) Mitsui Group. Marc
Originally Posted By disneywatcher When Marc writes in his column that: "[the Tokyo Disneyland visitor tends] to dress up more than Americans...The respect for property is one thing I really appreciate about Japan. Everything doesn't have to be either nailed down or placed well out of reach. I've seen a lot of theming and decoration at TDL (as well as many other places) that wouldn't last 10 minutes in America." And Eddie Sotto says about the Tokyo park's clientele: "I like to see nicely dressed guests, too. It adds value to the entire experience....They respect property better, love the parades, are patient, and generally are 'dream guests.'" Visitors to Tokyo's Disneyland seem to have more in common with a larger number of Americans at Disneyland in Anaheim several decades ago, when Walt Disney was still very much alive. Also reminds me of descriptions of how people would dress up when traveling aboard planes before that kind of transportation became as run-of-the-mill as taking a Greyhound bus. Maybe one reason the Oriental Land Co. can display more of the qualities of the DisCo. of years gone by is that more of their customers sound like a throwback to far more average Americans of a long time ago -- at least in regards to a few basic cultural issues involving public activity -- based on film I've seen of visitors to Disneyland during the 1950s and early 1960s (and not even dealing with bottom-line issues such as the gift-buying habits of Tokyo office girls). I'm sure it helps justifying the development of a more ambitious park like DisneySea when more of your customers have qualities like those found in Tokyo.
Originally Posted By ADMIN <font color="#FF0000">Message removed by an administrator. <a href="MsgBoard-Rules.asp" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the LaughingPlace.com Community Standards.</font>
Originally Posted By foolishmortal I think that overall there are many outstanding CMs here in the states. However, if you have ever visited TDL, the whole place is like being in the morale driven Disneyland of the early 70s. It is true what the other person posted, the whole mentality of the guest and the CM is different. It is a more innocent vibe that's there. My sense after paying to visit the DL recently is that many CMs at Disneyland are not privvy to the amazing culture that existed years before. It isn't them either, it is the lack of training, morale, and culture that has been fostered from the top down. Disneyland used to be a place that was cool to work at and that every kid fought to get in. It isn't nearly as special anymore. Even the costumes go home. My belief is that money has little to do with it. It's pride and culture. I worked at WDI even though I could have made more at Universal, but it didnt mean anything to me. I worked at DL for 2 bucks an hour (1975) and was proud to wear by nametag. DL CMs are great, but it is different in Japan.
Originally Posted By TDL To work in a major themepark in Japan (particularly TDR) has become so desirable that folk jump at the opportunity to get even a loo cleaning job in the park. We even have 'theme park' training schools (costing an arm and leg, mind you), just to give an extra boost to your resume.
Originally Posted By JoeInJpn And there is a major recruitment drive right now for 8,500 more openings in the resort. I'm have seen numerous ads in publications and train stations for opening day cast members of TDS. JoeInJpn <a href="http://www.jtcent.com" target="_blank">http://www.jtcent.com</a>
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Mr. Soto says it best: "dream guests" and management who is conscerned with the upmost quality, something i have mentioned over and over in these boards, and that's why i have all along proclaimed TDL to be the best Disney theme park in the world.
Originally Posted By Marc -DL Traveler disneywatcher wrote: "Visitors to Tokyo's Disneyland seem to have more in common with a larger number of Americans at Disneyland in Anaheim several decades ago, when Walt Disney was still very much alive." I feel that observation is right on target. Without going off into a truly lengthy sociological dissertation (which is what the subject deserves) I'll just say that Japan has been able to maintain a much more responsible level of social conduct. I believe the fact that it's a homogeneous society with individuals who tend to feel very comfortable within systems and abiding by rules has a lot to do with it. Tightly knit families closely tie in with that and are key. America, on the other hand, has more a "Land of Opportunity" attitude. Unfortunately, there's a percentage of the society that doesn't possess the awareness and respect of others to live up to the responsibility required to live in a society which encourages individual action. I strongly feel that something close to an ideal society lies somewhere between the respect found in Japan and the celebration of the individual found in America. It's such a tricky balance, though... I think government/schools can do very little in this area. It really comes down to strong families. Marc (This message was paid for by the Committee to Stop People From Stealing and Breaking Things Just Because They Can
Originally Posted By Marc -DL Traveler "foolishmortal", You'd make my day if you sent me an email. Marc
Originally Posted By irishfan It is interesting though what he says with regards to Tokyo Disneyland once Disney Seas open: "Very tired. Especially that Tomorrowland. It will look so "not the place to be." It's classic small fry target audience will keep it vital for sure, but it will pale in comparison". This must surely be a worrying statemnt? I was also suprised to hear him say that the attractions themselves could have been creatively pushed further, and that technically, there is no Spiderman!
Originally Posted By CousinOrville The attractions were pushed as far as they could be given how far in advance they had to be "locked in" for production. "Stormrider" alone will be very new and different, but all of this came about before the Spiderman attraction was opened. TDS will still blow people away, it is just the lead time to develop (5 years min.) new things around that is sometimes discouraging. TDL is designed to be timeless. The "tired" comment relates to the relic Tomorrowland and they may still have plans to renovate it after TDS opens. OLC is aware of and doing all it can to keep TDL "creatively fresh." Pooh is a good example. They have positioned TDL as a park based on the core characters to be positioned more child/family targeted and TDS is a bit more adult with things for kids in it, more for the explorer/adventurer. OLC's care for the parks and the guest and the differentiation of the parks should be the right basis for further enhancement and expansion. I'm sorry my comments we're somewhat misleading. Eddie
Originally Posted By irishfan Thanks, thats exactly what I was thinking: This park is going to blow people away!
