So what will Disney’s Hawaii Resort look like? Will there be a dock for a Disney Cruise Ship?
I need to point you all today towards an absolutely terrific article found on DVCNews.com. It is a follow-up to yesterday’s announcement from Disney about building a resort in Hawaii and it speculates on the scope of the project and how it may include the Disney Cruise Line as well.
Could this new arrangement between Disney and Ko Olina result finally give both parties what they have long sought-after? On the surface, the project combines many elements of Ko Olina’s desire for cruise ship traffic with Disney’s vision for an expanded cruise line and regional entertainment centers. The framework is already in place for a Castaway Cay-type, beachfront facility catering to hotel guests, Disney Vacation Club members and even Disney Cruise Line day guests.
Could this prove to be the 21st Century version of Port Disney?
The article makes so much sense that I will now be more surprised if Disney does NOT build a cruise dock at this location than if they do. All credit is due to DVCNews.com for posting this well researched story. To be fair, many have been speculating that the Disney Cruise Line, with its two brand new ships, would be making Hawaii a destination, but this goes beyond that. Disney was predictably short on details in their press release, but the brilliance of this story is the way it opens our eyes to what this new project might actual involve.
The most popular destination among Disney Cruise Line guests is Castaway Cay. Those who have not been there may not understand how great it really is. The only problem is Disney can not use this property for anything beyond the cruises. With this location in Hawaii, they can create an even more amazing cruise destination, and take it beyond the constraints of Castaway Cay.
Jon said,
October 5, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
So I’ve been thinking all of this over, and I realized that this new addition is more of a compliment to their Cruise Line and DVC program. I’m very interested in seeing what kind of entertainment they’ll provide in this new hotel. Talks of one attraction or shows have been thrown about, but I think it needs to be something very super to make people chose Disney over the other options.
KingBob said,
December 6, 2007 @ 1:24 am
Not so sure Disney can do anything cruise line related with their new Hawaiian resort. Disney can’t put a U.S. flag on the ship since it’s not being built here, meaning it will fly a foreign flag. With a foreign flag the ship can’t begin and end it’s journey in the United States. So then you’re looking at one way journeys that have to begin in Vancouver or Ensanada and end in Hawaii (or v.v) and those distances require at least 10-night cruises. Disney’s target market is families with kids and not many kids want to ride a boat for that many days at sea with no stops. So how in the world would a stop at their resort do anything. Cool idea for someone like NCL America that actually operates some U.S. flagged ships around the Hawaiian islands but not such a cool idea for Disney.