Details on Hawaiian resort

[Robin]

From Orlando Sentinel tourism blog:

Disney reveals details about Hawaiian resort

The Walt Disney Co. unveiled more details yesterday about the 800-plus room hotel and time share it will build on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, which is to become the company's first major resort that is independent of its theme parks. At a news conference yesterday on Oahu, Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo and other company execs revealed that the resort will include 350 hotel rooms and 480 Disney Vacation Club time-share units, according to a report in the Honolulu Advertiser. The resort is scheduled to open in 2011.

The Advertiser reports that the resort will also include two towers surrounding a garden with a water-area and a manmade volcano that will serve as the "icon" of the resort. There will be a tube waterslide, with rapids, a bubbling pool and other effects, as well as a saltwater lagoon for snorkeling with both native fish and "some elements of Disney characters," according to the Hawaiian newspaper.
Rasulo shrugged aside concerns about weakening Hawaiian tourism, which has been hit hard by airline schedule cuts and rising air fares. "Hawai'i is a long-term family destination," the Advertiser quotes Rasulo as saying. "There are always economic ups and downs and we have confidence in Hawai'i as a continued family tourist destination for the long term."

Original article includes photo of resort model.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/10/disney-moves-fo.html

[Tagrel]

thanks Robin! That looks nice... Someday we WILL be staying there! :yes:

[OhMickeyYoureSoFine]

Look at this pic I found from a local Hawaiian newspaper.
Looks like a bunch of tall buildings surrounding a full size waterpark? :) It's really big

edit:

link to big pic here:

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/images/content/Disney_first_Hawaii_resort_opening/DisneyResort%20Model.jpg
http://cmsimg.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=M1&Date=20081016&Category=BREAKING03&ArtNo=81016081&Ref=AR&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&Q=90&title=0

[Robin]

It looks really nice!

[dinkybean758]

I second Robin, it really looks great!!! Oh, I can't wait. Hawaii is much easier for us to go....;)

Well.....but my favorite place is WDW that won't change anyway....

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

Honolulu is getting a bunch of new additions!!!

Target will be opening there in March of 2009 as well!!!! :yahoo:

[wolf_luvr_4ever]

HOLY COW! ITS H-U-G-E, even in a small scale model. That is so cool. I really hope Tagrel will go, and hopefully I can Tag-a-long.:mickey::minnie: LOL!

[MissDisney]

We were really tempted to buy at BLT, and I was kind of sad that we couldn't do it (since we just bought at BWV this year and haven't even taken a trip as members yet!) -- but now, I am so psyched that Hawaii is coming. I think saving $$$ now for that purchase is the way to go! It looks spectacular! Thanks for the pic and article!

:coolSmile:

[wdwlvr]

We definitely plan to buy in at Ko Olina. We stayed at the Marriott there in early 2007 and loved it!

Our plan is to buy enough points to go every 3 years.

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

I am happy to report that Disney has started the buildings here on Oahu and although Disney is not really talking it up too much, the boats and the area around Ko Olina is!
We went out on a dolphin tour this past Sunday and the tour guide that drove us out as well as the staff on the boat were all pointing it out and giving details.
So far, it looks as though things are slightly ahead of schedule. I will say that Ko Olina is beautiful and the Marriott has a huge presence here already.
We are actually staying on Waikiki but have driven out here 4 times in just the past week.

There is a great luau place called Paradise Cove that does a great dinner show, luau, arts and crafts for the kids, lei making, jewelry, full bar, hula dancers,flame throwers, etc. Had a great time here!

There is a new water park that opened in 2007 called Hawaiian Waters. Just a mile or 2 away. Not as big as Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, but not too shabby either.
Disney was smart in the location as there is a lot of expansion going on with new shopping centers, a huge Costco, new houses and restaurants all within a few minutes drive.

I took some pics of the area from the shore as well as the boat. Will post them when we get back to Florida.

[BetsyAnn]

Can't wait to see the pictures Linda -- I will get to my 50th state - would love to take a Disney ship to Hawaii and stay at the new resort;) How perfect would that be!

[DVC Mike]

I'm looking forward to staying there!

[Tagrel]

Looking forward to your pictures Linda! :yes: Kristen's brother lives in Hawaii and also said that there is a lot of excitement over this new resort. We can't wait to stay there someday! :yes:

[DVC Mike]

The Spring 2009 issue of the DVC publication Disney Files had a great spread on Ko Olina.

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

Ashley is in the process of downloading all the pictures to a Photobucket account. Hope to have them up soon as well as a Trip Report on our adventures in Hawaii.
Some exciting
Some happy
Some sad
Some angry

[James]

Very good article(s) on how the project is coming along and the surrounding area development too.

http://miceage.micechat.com/

[Robin]

From the glimpse of the resort in the concept art, it reminds me of the AKL. I wonder if they used to same architecture company (the architect died) that designed the Lodges?

[zakerdog]

It looks wonderful (dreaming) :smile:

[Tagrel]

A stay here is very much on our to-do list... Someday.... :yes:

Thanks for the link! great pictures....

[Moley]

We just booked a 14 day cruise out of San Diego next year to Hawaii for our 40th wedding anniversary. :napkin: However, it doesn't include a stay at this wonderful resort. I will have to console myself with 14 straight days of bingo and drinks of the day.

[Robin]

If you sail to the same island, you can find an excuse to visit the resort. Like checking out it's restaurants. Or it's drink of the day. ;)

[OhMickeyYoureSoFine]

Some artist renderings

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/images/content/Disney_first_Hawaii_resort_opening_update1/DisneyHawaiiResortPorteCochere.jpg

View of resort porte cochere

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/images/content/Disney_first_Hawaii_resort_opening_update1/DisneyHawaiiResortGardens.jpg

View of resort gardens looking toward the ocean

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/images/content/Disney_first_Hawaii_resort_opening_update1/DisneyHawaiiResortEntrance.jpg

View of resort entrance

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/images/content/Disney_first_Hawaii_resort_opening_update1/DisneyHawaiiResort1.jpeg

Another view of resort gardens

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/images/content/Disney_first_Hawaii_resort_opening/DisneyResort%20Model.jpg

[Robin]

The South Seas look of the grounds reminds me of the 'feel' of the Poly, down to a volcano pool. The look and layout of the buildings makes me think the architectural style of the WL/AKL is also being incorporated.

I like the way Disney is using hotel towers and getting the most out of the amount of land they have.

Thanks for posting the latest renderings.

[Robin]

I'm not sure which thread had the latest updates on the resort, so I'll post the link to a January 2010 article in Hawaii Magazine here.

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2010/1/20/Disney_resort_Hawaii_gives_name_Aulani