Report: Tokyo DisneySea Opening Ceremony,

Report: Tokyo DisneySea Opening Ceremony
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We gathered at the front of the Mediterranean Harbor waiting for the Opening Ceremony at 8am. On a balcony overlooking the Harbor, OLC executives and selected Disney Company cast members including Paul Pressler and Bob Iger gathered to watch the festivities. Back in February, we had sat amongst the OLC executives who had been invited to the Grand Opening of Disney’s California Adventure to experience at first-hand the opening of a Disney park. However, the Grand Opening Celebration for DCA had a distinctly different opening. Most of the guests were kept away from an event that was both beautiful and highly unique for the TWDC. For TDS, OLC executives had decided on a grand opening in front of some of the most faithful of Disney fans.

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Suddenly, a fanfare greeted the hordes of guests that had by now, filled every available space around the Harbor. Then, one by one, six boats appeared from under the bridge leading to Mysterious Island to a specially composed piece of music called “Come With Me”. The boats were shaped like cartoon galleons and each themed to a different Disney character.

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The galleons are used during the “daytime parade” at TDS, the Porto Paradiso Water Carnival. The first five ships in the flotilla are dual-themed, namely each to a different Disney character and secondly to an activity that is represented at TDS including exploration, the arts and cooking!

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The final ship from the Water Carnival had a couple of additions. Admiral Mickey was firmly at the helm with three special guests. A hoarding on each side of the ship declared the Grand Opening of TDS. The guests were Michael Eisner, Roy E. Disney and Tashio Kagami. Each spoke in turn in their native tongue with a translation after each sentence.

Announcer: Representing the OLC, President Tashio Tamagmi and representing The Walt Disney Company, Chairman and CEO, Michael D. Eisner. Also present is the one and only Mickey Mouse, the charming Minnie and Mouse and the Tokyo Disney Resort Ambassador. Speaking first will be President Kagami.

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Tashio Kagami: Good morning guests, representatives from the media and press and executives from the Oriental Land Company. Welcome to the sea of imagination and adventure. Thank you for gathering here today so early in the morning. We are able to celebrate this wonderful day thanks to the support of a total of 270 million guests who have continued to visit and love our park for the last 18 years since its opening in 1983 as well as support from all parties concerned. It is our greatest pleasure to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new park and hotel with all the guests here today.

Tokyo DisneySea consists of seven themed ports each with their own themed attractions, restaurants and merchandise shops. We believe that every aspect of the park including large scale entertainment shows utilising the grandeur of the water and views of the park that are different from one location to another will present guests with fascinating experiences they have never encountered before. We promise you that our entire cast will continue our utmost efforts to ensure that the TDR will always be loved by all our guests and will become a repeat destination. This will be a place where guests will encounter new and fascinating discoveries no matter how many times they visit us or how long their stay is and is a place offering inspiration and restfulness. We hope for your everlasting patroness. Thank you for coming so early in the morning. Now please allow me to introduce Mr Michael Eisner, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, our long time partner with whom we have such strong ties. Mr Michael Eisner.