Disney’s Stand-Alone Hotels On Hold or Over?

Jason Garcia at the Orlando Sentinel has bit more background on Disney’s decision to cancel the National Harbor hotel. Disney claims that DVC was not going to be a part of the hotel and that Aulani’s troubled start had nothing to do with it. analysts say the decision to scrap the Washington project also reflects just how challenging it could be for Disney to sustain standalone hotels, which, after all, can’t bank on theme-park visitors to drive occupancy

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Disney’s Stand-Alone Hotels On Hold or Over?

Aulani get mixed reviews in opening weeks

Aulani, Disney’s first hotel not located near one of its theme parks, is getting mixed reviews in the first few weeks of operations. Some of this is no doubt related to the usual issues that have to be worked out at any new large resort, but any bad news is not good after under-priced DVC sales forced the ouster of three executives at the Walt Disney Company. …there have been some early grumblings and glitches at Aulani, from inconsistent service and steep food prices ($43 per person for a dinner buffet) to murky, algae-filled water in the resort’s hands-on stingray pool (which costs $50 per session for adults, $45 for kids)

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Aulani get mixed reviews in opening weeks

Japan Earthquake strands tourists at Tokyo Disneyland, damage reports coming in

A tragedy of giant proportions is playing out in Japan today. An 8.9 magnitude mega-earthquake has rocked the company and then the double whammy of twin tsunami’s swept across much of the country’s coast devastating villages and even threatening operations at a nuclear plant. Additional tsunami warnings are in effect for Hawaii and the west coast of the United States

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Japan Earthquake strands tourists at Tokyo Disneyland, damage reports coming in

Aulani – Disney’s Hawaiin DVC Hotel Time-Lapse Construction Video

Some of my favorite video footage from Disneyland is the time-lapse footage of the park under construction. Since Disneyland, the Disney Imagineers have made a habit of installing special time-lapse cameras to observe most of their other projects. The one pointed at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, in Ko Olinia, Hawai`i has been snapping away since 2008.

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Aulani – Disney’s Hawaiin DVC Hotel Time-Lapse Construction Video

Aulani Construction Update – Disney’s Hawaii Hotel

Just found a great set of 200 photos taken of the construction at Aulani , Disney’s Hawaii DVC Hotel being built on island of Oahu near Ko Olina. The resort is a lot bigger than the models indicated it would be.

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Aulani Construction Update – Disney’s Hawaii Hotel

Aulani starts 1 year countdown to opening

Mickey must have a special deal with Santa to use his sleigh the other 364 days a year.

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Aulani starts 1 year countdown to opening

New concept art from Aulani, the lobby revealed

Pictured above we have a newly released rendering of the main lobby area for Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Disney Imagineer Joe Rhode has been dispatched to keep an careful eye on the project and it looks like his background will come in very handy. The highly anticipated Disney destination resort currently under construction on the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu now has an official name and a dynamic new Web site offering an inside look at the project.

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New concept art from Aulani, the lobby revealed

Aulani is name of Disney’s Hawaii Resort at Ko Olina.

Disney just announced the name of their Hawaiian Resort and for good measure, launched a web site as well. Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i conveys the connection of the new resort to the islands. The new resort is scheduled to open Fall 2011.

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Aulani is name of Disney’s Hawaii Resort at Ko Olina.