While Tokyo Disneyland has opened and Tokyo DisneySea draws closer to regular operations, much of northeast Japan is still dealing with the after effects of the twin earthquake and tsunami devastation. It’s nice to read a report of Disney sending some of its cast of… Read More »Disney characters make special trip to Japan’s Tsunami Evacuees
Tokyo Disneyland Resort has announced that one of its two themeparks will reopen for guests starting April 15th. Tokyo Disneyland, the original park will reopen this Friday. From what I’ve read, this is a welcome move by both cast members, who have been living on… Read More »Tokyo Disneyland to reopen this Friday, April 15th
Update: Ikspiari re-opened today. That’s a mall area that’s essentially the Tokyo Disney Downtown Disney equivalent.
There’s still no date announced yet, but Tokyo Disney Resort has started moving toward a re-opening date for its resort hotels and theme parks. Their website still says a decision will be made soon, but many of the international cast that were sent home have been asked to return and restart rehearsals.
Even as the performers head back to Tokyo, more stories of what it was like to experience the quake are making into the news. Eva, a parade performer, was in the rehearsal hall when it struck, while Bethany was at home in her apartment.
While no official date for re-opening has been announced, April 1st was rumored to see at least one of the parks open. At this point that seems unlikely, but who knows. Many of the furloughed employees are receiving 60% of their pay while the park is closed.
Also, below the cut is another video showing some scary moments during the quake inside Tokyo DisneySea.
New video has just been uploaded that shows recent footage of damage to the neighborhood near Tokyo Disney Resort. This car is driving right by the resort, see the Cirque Du Soliel building go by on the right early in the clip. Then look to the side of the road and cracks in the road. Sometimes the ground has shifted by a couple of feet. That whole area will need new paving, new power lines, new street lights, bus stops, etc.
This, of course, is nothing compared to what the Tsunami ravaged sections of Japan have experienced. But it does shed some light on how soon we might expect any of the Tokyo Disney hotels or Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea to reopen.
There’s still quite a lot of clean up to do.
Here’s video of a local news station interviewing a Tokyo Disney performer upon her return to the US. There’s also a few shots of the damage done to her apartment and neighorhood:
Below the jump is new video from inside Tokyo Disney Sea taken just before and after the quake:
Read More »Tokyo Disneyland – New Video of Damage to Neighborhood, Performer
The Walt Disney Company announced that it will be returning some operations to Japan for administrative and Disney Store roles. This is seen as the first move to resume film, themepark, and store operations. No word on when the Disney Stores themselves will re-open, and… Read More »Disney resumes some activity in Japan
Events in Japan continue to teeter on the edge of disaster. Whether you’re a villager in Northeastern Japan whose every day is a fight for the basic necessities of survival in a post-tsunami zone or a resident of Fukushima or nearby cities (including Tokyo) where… Read More »When Should Tokyo Disneyland Reopen?
The Walt Disney Company has had a presence in Japan almost 30 years and the animation products produced by Walt Disney have a huge following in Japan. So to say there is a lot of goodwill between the Disney legacy and the people of Japan is an understatement. It’s terrific to see the Disney company and its employees reach out to make a sizable donation to help the people of Japan in their time of emergency.
According the press release below, The Walt Disney Company and its employees will send as much as $1.5 million to the relief effort. $2.5 in an initial donation to the American Red Cross and up to another $1 million in employee donations and matching funds to the Red Cross and Save the Children. That’s a pretty sizable sum and a great gesture from Disney.
Additionally Disney has reached out to both US and international employees in Tokyo with help and the OLC will provide those international cast who desire it a round-trip ticket home and then back to Tokyo when the park opens again.
The full press release is below the jump:
Read More »The Walt Disney Company to Donate up to $3.5 Million to Japan Recovery Effort