New Toy Story-Themed Disney Resort Name Announced

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

If you’re a super fan of all things surrounding the Disney / Pixar films, Toy Story, then you may want to start saving up for a plane ticket to Japan! A new resort is in the works, and Disney has announced the resort’s official name.

As shared by DisneyParksBlog: “Tokyo Disney Resort has announced that its new Toy Story-themed hotel will be called Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel. With 595 guest rooms and 11 floors, the hotel’s exterior, entrance, lobby and other areas will bring to life the world of toys based on the Academy Award-winning Disney and Pixar “Toy Story” films. This will be the fifth Disney hotel to open in Japan but the first “moderate type” Disney hotel in the country, offering guests a new option between “deluxe type” and “value type” hotels. The hotel is situated directly in front of Bayside Station on the Disney Resort Line, providing guests easy access to both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Parks.”

We’re excited to see how this new Disney Resort unfolds! We absolutely adore all things Toy Story, so we are looking forward to a resort that incorporates all the favorite Toy Story characters such as Woody, Buzz and Jessie. While no opening date has been announced just yet, we’ll keep you posted so you can begin planning your Tokyo Disney Resort getaway!

Jim Cora, Disney Legend Who Helped Found Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea, and Disneyland Paris, Passes Away at 83

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

According to the OC Register, Disney Legend Jim Cora passed away on Sunday, March 21st a following a brief hospitalization.

Cora began his Disneyland career working part-time as an Attractions Host Cast Member cleaning 3-D glasses for the Mickey Mouse Club Theater. After 43 years with the company, Cora retired as the chairman of Disney International.

Cora thanks Walt Disney himself for his quick rise through the ranks of the company. He recounts an incredible story where Walt Disney sent teenage Cora to the Disneyland Administration building to find Van Arsdale France. Cora was instructed to “Tell him Walt sent you. I think he may have something for you.” Van Arsdale France founded Disney University.

Jim Cora went on to join the opening team of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and then to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World where he was responsible for implementing the “Disney Way of Leadership” program. Cora then helped redesign the “area concept” of the Disneyland Park, leading him to be responsible for Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

In 1979, Jim Cora became the managing director of Operations for the Tokyo Disneyland Project. He held responsibility for all of the operational planning, management, and training for the park. Before the park opened, he was promoted to Vice President of Walt Disney Productions Japan, Ltd to help oversee the Oriental Land Company and to upheld Disney’s operational standards.

After his time in Japan, Cora moved back home to California and assumed the role of Vice President of Disneyland International in 1983. Shortly thereafter, Cora took on the project of negotiating agreements and master planning for the Disneyland Paris project. He was promoted to Vice President and COO for the Euro Disney Corporation. In 1995, Jim was promoted to President of Disneyland International where he oversaw the development of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. His final focus was to develop and maintain strategies that would allow Tokyo Disney Resort to succeed and grow. He retired from this position in 2001.

Josh D’Amaro, the current Disney Parks Chairman, claims that Jim Cora was one of the few remaining connections to Walt Disney. D’Amaro said in a statement,

“His dedication to bringing Disney magic to people around the world was only matched by the passion he exuded throughout his career and for the many years that followed. I always loved hearing Jim’s thoughts about our business. He was one of our last connections to Walt Disney and he will be missed dearly.”

Tokyo Disney Resort Reveals Schedule for Socially Distanced Character Greetings & Other Entertainment

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Since traditional meet-and-greets and entertainment programs have largely been suspended since the Tokyo Disney Resort reopened on July 1st, socially-distanced character greetings have taken place at both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea at surprise times to avoid crowding. But it seems that as the Tokyo Disney Resort continues to ease back towards normality, the Oriental Land Company is ready to reveal when these special greetings take place.

Tokyo Disneyland

The Mickey & Friends Greeting Parade featuring the Fab Five will roll down the parade route every day at 10:00am, and again at 3:15pm. You can watch a video of the character cavalcade on wdwnt’s YouTube channel.

The Mickey & Friends Castle Greeting happens a bit more often, at 9:05am, 11:25am, 2:30pm, and 4:30pm. You can also watch a full video here.

Nightfall Glow is resuming performances starting September 1st, and will shimmer along the parade route every night at 6:45pm.

Tokyo DisneySea

The Mickey & Friends Harbor Greeting sets sail around Mediterranean Harbor at 9:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, and 4:00pm.

tokyo-disneysea-aisatsu

The special Transit Steamer Greeting featuring Duffy, Gelatoni, ShellieMay, and StellaLou will circle the waters of Tokyo DisneySea at 10:30am, 1:10pm, and 3:10pm.

tds-duffy-boat

Both Parks

disneysea-fireworks

And of course, fireworks will light the skies above both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea with Disney Light the Night, which will be presented at 8:00pm nightly, wind permitting. Wind cancellations or alterations are a frustratingly common reality at Tokyo Disney Resort due to its seaside location and nearby housing developments.

Ikspiari Shopping Center At Tokyo Disney Resort To Reopen June 1st

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

While Tokyo Disney Resort still largely remains closed due to the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus, it seems we’ve got the first real good news in a long, long time. Ikspiari, the shopping center at Tokyo Disney Resort similar to Disney Springs or Downtown Disney, is reopening on June 1st!

Closed since February 29th, Ikspiari will reopen to visitors beginning June 1st. This seems to follow similar models seen in Shanghai and Orlando, with shopping centers opening ahead of parks to test social distancing protocols.

The Oriental Land Company stated that the following procedures will be in place:

  • Not all businesses will be open. Businesses that are open will be restricted to 11AM-7PM.
  • Temperatures will be checked upon entry. Anyone with a temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius will not be admitted.
  • Entry may be restricted during high-traffic hours.
  • Only the following entrances will be open:
    First Floor – Clock Tower Plaza, The Courtyard
    Second Floor – Maihama Station
  • Cinema Ikspiari’s ticket booth will operate from 11AM-6:30PM. No late-night shows will be offered.
  • The Tokyo Disney Resort Ticket Center will remain closed for the time being.

It’s exciting to see operations slowly resume here at Tokyo Disney Resort. The state of emergency was lifted yesterday for the whole metro area, including Chiba Prefecture. Now it’s just a matter of time until Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea themselves reopen!

16 Yr Old Breaks Into Tokyo Disney Resort’s Ikspiari Shopping Center

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

While the Tokyo Disney Resort remains closed through at least mid-May, Guests are able to enter the first floor of the Ikspiari shopping center for three essential local businesses – a dentist, pharmacy, and grocery store. Most stores and restaurants on the first floor, as well as the entirety of the three other floors, remain closed. It seems that didn’t stop a local 16-year-old from getting in, however.

According to TBS News, the boy broke in on April 21st, at around 3:30pm. He was visiting the Maihama area along with a group of other boys, according to police. It’s unknown whether charges were filed or an arrest was made against the boy.  But police have heard that boys on a nearby beach had more knowledge on the situation.