Tokyo DisneySea Special Update - April 4, 2001
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Resort Central
Work is underway between
Japan Railway's Maihama Station and Ikspiari on a large main Tokyo Disney Resort
information center. An opening date hasn't been formally announced, but it's
expected to coincide with the opening of DisneySea Park.
• • •
The Construction Vote
The loudspeakers were out in force recently as the race for Governor of Chiba
Prefecture drew to a close. (The prefecture elected it's first female governor.)
Cars and vans equipped with extremely powerful public address systems are a common sight
and sound at election time. As the day neared, they took to periodically cruising
the road along DisneySea's Tokyo Bay facing sides. Their stumping could be heard at
the center of the park.
• • •
Peacetime Fleet
Front view of a blue Transit
Steamer Line vessel.
The first three of the thirteen ships of the DisneySea Transit Steamer Line were delivered by (very large) truck to the park during the pre-dawn hours of April 2nd. The red, blue, green, and yellow ships will take guests on a circular trip around the "sea", with stops at three landings.
The fleet was purchased from the Japanese Self Defense Forces, then heavily retrofitted at two shipyards near the Tokyo Disney Resort, with parts, designs, and supervision supplied by WDI.
• • •
Morale Support
Much of the reason Area 2 (Hotel MiraCosta/New York, etc.) is behind schedule has to do
with a good old fashioned productivity problem. Now that Shimizu has lent it's
assistance to the area (see my previous update) they've sent over an Area 3 executive
known for his especially motivational stories at the Morning Assemblies (click here for more on that). Area
2's gain is Area 3's loss and many in Area 3 have voiced their sadness at his departure.
Another thing Shimizu has done is turn up the pressure on Area 2's workers by driving in the importance of DisneySea opening on time. The pace of construction has picked up considerably since they took a much more active role in the area one month ago.
• • •
Going to Sea
Approximately half of Tokyo Disneyland's Cast Members (from all
departments), many of them longtime veterans and/or leads, will be moving over
DisneySea. I get more than the "Disney Smile" from CM's I've talked with
about their move to the new park. They're giddy about it.
• • •
Discuss It
Related Links
- Tokyo DisneySea Preview (Marc Borrelli's site)
- List of all LaughingPlace.com Tokyo DisneySea Updates
-- Posted April 4, 2001
-- Story and pictures by Marc Borrelli