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Tokyo Disneyland closed to assess damage, Monorail testing underway

A few quick updates from Tokyo Disneyland.

Although entertainment cast members had been called in to rehearse on Monday, the rehearsals were canceled due to rolling blackouts scheduled for mid-day at the resort. Cast Members are dealing with their own blackouts and struggles for food and water, but a group of Disney entertainment cast members who found themselves freed up from the canceled rehearsal, picked up rakes and shovels and went out into the community to help clear away some of the debris and silt from the homes of elderly.

Here’s a pic of the crew from Disney performer @JarrodLentz‘s twitter stream. Lentz said of the adventure, “The human spirit will not be broke” and “Helping people was the best medicine so far.” I continue to be astounded by how professional and caring Tokyo Disneyland cast has been in the face of tragedy.

Although myself and others had speculated that liquefaction damage near the Monorail stations would result in a long delay in the trains returning to service. That has not been the case. Here’s a short video showing damage near one of the monorails and in the second half you can see them testing the monorail. So that’s good news for Tokyo Disneyland and OLC.

The parks themselves continue on a schedule to open after the 21st. Meanwhile they’re assessing damage and making small repairs. Below the jump is a press release put out by the Oriental Land Company after the quake:

Read More »Tokyo Disneyland closed to assess damage, Monorail testing underway

Inside Tokyo Disneyland during and after the earthquake

Here’s the best video I’ve found so far of what it was like inside Tokyo Disneyland in the hours following the earthquake. As it turns out, fairly orderly and calm. Especially given the circumstances.

The video starts off oddly formatted, but it soon shifts to a more normal perspective.

I’m fairly certain the scene would be very different inside one of the American parks.

Below the jump is an amazing video of what it was like inside the park during the quake:

Read More »Inside Tokyo Disneyland during and after the earthquake

Video of Tower of Terror Attraction at Tokyo DisneySea Swaying in Earthquake

Update: More video from around Tokyo Disneyland Resort.

Here’s a video taken by a park guest sitting in the safety of an open area of the Tokyo Disneyland Resort attraction Tower of Terror (similar to the American park’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attractions) swaying in during one of the after-shock earthquakes.

Now that’s an E-Ticket ride.

Below the jump is more video of DisneySea park guests inside the Tower of Terror as the building shakes.

Previously: Guests trapped in Tokyo Disneyland after mega-quake in Japan.

Read More »Video of Tower of Terror Attraction at Tokyo DisneySea Swaying in Earthquake

Disney to Make Animation for Japanese TV

Chisaki Watanabe of the Associated Press writes that the Walt Disney Company will partner to produce animation for Japanese television. Disney will work with Toei Animation Co., Madhouse Co. and Jinni’s Animation Studios, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to comply with company… Read More »Disney to Make Animation for Japanese TV

Best Hidden Mickey Yet

Steamboat’s blog (whose blogroll I’m honored to be on) is written in Japanese, so I can’t understand a word of it. But judging by the photos it looks to extensively cover Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. She’s also posted what I consider to be one of the coolest Hidden Mickey’s around. Set during one of… Read More »Best Hidden Mickey Yet

Miyazaki Howls!

Miyazaki story boarded his films by himself. I have collected the Japanese DVDs where you can step in between Miyazaki’s story boards and the final film. To my surprise they look almost exactly the same. Same timing, same posing, almost the same drawings, just cleaned up a bit. You can’t say that about most animated… Read More »Miyazaki Howls!

Disneyland’s itching for more bad publicity

Cory at BoingBoing links to another story of a ‘rogue’ tour guide, this time author and Disneyland historian Dave Koenig, being asked not to give tours on Disney property. Does Disneyland really need all this bad publicity? Who is making the decisions up there, Goofy? I agree that Disney has the right to control tour… Read More »Disneyland’s itching for more bad publicity