Post #471614 by dcman on Sat, Jul 25, 2009 6:00 AM

While Disney could still pull the plug (with the recession, Hawaii hotels are averaging about a 50% occupancy rate, pretty terrible), I doubt they will. They may be building in Hawaii at least partly because of the downturn, everything is cheaper as a result. It's a good time to buy and build anywhere if you have the capital.

If I'm correct, the resort will be part of the Disney Vacation Club, which means it will only be available to their time share purchasers. It's very possible it won't be open to the general public.

I do disagree that the Walt Disney company doesn't do original hotels. All their theme park hotels are very themed and original, from the cheapest to the most expensive, though their DVC resorts are much less so.

Walt Disney, like many folks of his generation, was fascinated with Polynesian culture and the tiki scene. His favorite attraction was the Enchanted Tiki Room, which he originally envisioned as a restaurant. Kind of like of decent version of the Rainforest Cafe.

While I'm not sure I love the Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck tikis, neither do I discount the Disney company and their relationship to tiki culture either. It's interesting to me that Disney historians tend to overlook the Walt Disney/tiki connection, tiki folk tend to not miss the Disney connection. I like being part of a group that sees the complete picture.

Dan/dcman