Disney has confirmed the news that they have purchased 21 acres of oceanfront property in Oahu (Hawaii) to build the first Disney resort not connected to a nearby theme park property that will feature both hotel room and vacation-club villas.

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BURBANK, Calif.--(Business Wire)--Walt Disney Parks & Resorts (NYSE:DIS) announced today ( 10-4-07 ) that the
company has finalized plans to purchase 21 acres of oceanfront
property on Hawaii's island of Oahu.

The property, located on the island's western side in the
picturesque Ko Olina Resort & Marina, Honolulu's premier resort
destination, will be home to Disney's first mixed-use family resort
outside of its theme park developments. The expansive resort,
scheduled to open in 2011, will have more than 800 units including
hotel rooms and villas for Disney Vacation Club, which is Disney's
rapidly growing timeshare business.
"This resort hotel will give our guests another way to visit an
exciting part of the world with a brand they trust," said Jay Rasulo,
Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. "In fact, Hawaii has been
among our most requested Disney Vacation Club getaway locations beyond
our theme parks. We are looking forward to building a special family
resort that honors the cultural diversity of Hawaii and reflects the
spirit of aloha that makes this location so unique."

Consistently ranked as one of the top family destinations in the
world, Hawaii's natural beauty and extensive offering of family
activities make it an ideal location for a Disney resort.

"Disney and Hawaii have something special in common, and that is
the recognition of the importance of 'ohana,'" said Hawaii Governor
Linda Lingle. "We are pleased that a company known for providing
families with a way to spend quality time together is investing in
Hawaii. This is a wonderful opportunity for our residents who will
develop careers at the new resort as well as people from around the
world, who will visit our state to stay at this exciting new
destination. Disney's presence in Hawaii opens new opportunities for
innovative partnerships in non-tourism-related sectors, including new
media and digital technology."

Upon completion, the resort hotel is anticipated to create more
than 1,000 new jobs on Oahu and opportunities to develop long-term
professional careers. Disney was recently named one of the top places
to launch a career by Business Week magazine and is a competitive
employer.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said, "As a mayor who works out of
Kapolei on a regular basis and who has launched numerous economic
development initiatives there, I know people in West Oahu will be
excited that Disney has decided to build its new resort in Ko Olina.
My family and I have visited most of the Disney parks and resorts
around the world, and are huge Disney fans. I believe that Disney can
help our city build a livable community in Kapolei where people can
live, work and raise their families. We look forward to welcoming
Disney to Honolulu as our new corporate neighbor."

Ko Olina
The new resort hotel will be the latest addition to the Ko Olina
development, known for its sweeping ocean views, picture-postcard
white sand beaches and tranquil crystal blue lagoons.

Jeff Stone, President of The Resort Group and master developer of
Ko Olina, has been working closely with Disney on the land acquisition
and project. "Ko Olina means 'place of joy,' and I can't imagine a
more perfect fit here than a Disney resort that will bring joy to
people from around the world," Stone said. "For many years, it has
been our vision to continue to expand Ko Olina as a premier vacation
destination for families and business travelers, and this new Disney
resort hotel is making that vision a wonderful reality."

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said, "Disney is known for
making dreams come true, and the choice of Disney to build its new
resort on the leeward side of Oahu sends a positive message to our
youth. This will be a place that residents will be proud to see built,
and having Disney as a neighbor has the potential to inspire our youth
to dream about the possibilities for the future right here in our own
community."

Disney Vacation Club
Part of the Disney resort hotel in Ko Olina will be dedicated to
Disney Vacation Club, a timeshare program that helps families enjoy
flexibility and savings on vacations for decades to come. By becoming
a member of Disney Vacation Club, families can enjoy vacations at
Disney destinations worldwide as well as more than 500 other popular
Member Getaways vacation locations around the globe.

Disney Vacation Club has grown to serve more than 350,000
individual members from more than 100 countries and all 50 U.S.
states.

"We are delighted to create a place in Hawaii that our Disney
Vacation Club members can call home," said Jim Lewis, President of
Disney Vacation Club. "We know that both our existing members and new
members will be thrilled about this resort in Ko Olina."
Design Work

Designs for the resort are still being finalized by Walt Disney
Imagineers, who have been traveling extensively throughout Hawaii for
the past several months as they garner ideas to develop a resort
celebrating Hawaii's vibrant culture and rich heritage. The team is
working closely with local architects, engineers and cultural
advisors, conducting research and exploring the region, building on a
tradition that has long been a hallmark in the creation of everything
from Disney films to Disney vacation destinations.

Plans for the resort hotel are expected to be finalized and
revealed in early 2008.

Disney's Hawaiian Heritage
While the announcement marks Disney's first resort hotel
development in Hawaii, the company's love affair with the islands
began in the company's infancy with founder Walt Disney. From the 1937
Mickey Mouse animated short "Hawaiian Holiday" to the Hawaiian setting
of Disneyland's groundbreaking Enchanted Tiki Room attraction, which
debuted in 1963 and established the Audio-Animatronics art form, to
the inclusion of Disney's Polynesian Resort at the Walt Disney World
Resort, Walt often pulled inspiration from the popular islands.
Walt Disney Pictures continued the Hawaiian legacy in 2002 with
the hit animated film "Lilo & Stitch," an original story about a
Hawaiian girl who tames a seemingly untamable alien by teaching the
meaning of "ohana," the Hawaiian tradition of family. The Walt Disney
Company also does extensive film work in Hawaii, including on-location
production for the hit ABC series "Lost." The feature film "Pearl
Harbor" was also shot on location in Oahu.

"We are very excited about becoming part of the Ko Olina
community," Rasulo said. "Clearly, Hawaii already has a special place
in our hearts and in Disney's history. Building a resort hotel in
Hawaii is the next chapter in our effort to create immersive Disney
experiences that allow families to reconnect and recharge in the areas
of the world they most long to visit."
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

CANT WAIT!!
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Cool. I bet it will be a beautiful resort. I love Hawaii and Disney so I will be sure to stay there once it opens!

Here is Disney's picture for the concept art. The resort sounds awesome!! Gosh can you imagine the prices though?

Disneyland Hawaii? WOW!! Nice desicion.. but one little issue.. what if a hurricane comes by??

They'll probably rebuild. They make billions a year.

Disneyland Hawaii? WOW!! Nice desicion.. but one little issue.. what if a hurricane comes by??

hurricanes only happen in the Atalntic Ocean if its in the Pacific Ocean its called a Typhoon

hurricanes only happen in the Atalntic Ocean if its in the Pacific Ocean its called a Typhoon


Even so, there aren't many in that region of the Pacific, and if there is one, they aren't normally powerful. Personally, I would be more worried about an earthquake or a tsunami.

Everywhere is a risk and has a risk.

:OOH! FUN!

Now we will have three in the U.S.!

Egad!
Absolutely smashing!
I wonder if there'll be tikis..

:136:

Egad!
Absolutely smashing!
I wonder if there'll be tikis..

:136:



Oh, we can be sure there will be tikis. And lots of them! lol ;)

hurricanes only happen in the Atalntic Ocean if its in the Pacific Ocean its called a Typhoon

On the other side of the pacific they call it a willie willie lol it was on my science test before

lol and mooshu LOL!!!!!!!!!

Disneyland Hawaii? WOW!! Nice desicion.. but one little issue.. what if a hurricane comes by??
what about hurricanes in florida and in california?

I think that's going to be their only problem with all the hurricanes and stuff.

E..e..egad! I better get ready to buy some tickets!

this has been known for quite a while..
news doesn't travel here to quick..

im sure the hotel will have a range of expensive and less expensive rooms,
since there are 800 HUNDRED!!
im sure i will be going there once it is done. :)

it's not going to be a park, it's a hotel resort. i believe they will also have DVC villas there if memory serves me correctly. there's not really enough available or usable land in Hawaii to have a park. I think it's supposed to be done next year, don't quote me on that.