Welcome to the islands, Mickey!
Late last month on O'ahu, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts officially broke ground for its first family destination resort in Hawaii.
The project commenced with a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony on the 21-acre property on the west side of the island.
It's supposed to open in three years...and features 350 hotel rooms and (gasp!) 480 Disney timeshares.
Timeshares or no, the islands had special allure.
The head of Walt Disney Parks and Resort, Jay Rasulo, says the O'ahu location was picked due to the international popularity of Hawaii as a family vacation destination.
Next to Disney's theme park desitnations, Hawaii is among the top vacation choices of Disney Vacation Club (timeshare) members, they say.
State
Senate President Colleen Hanabusa also attended the ground blessing:
“From the moment Disney announced that it was purchasing property on
O'ahu,
they have shown an interest in our community and have demonstrated they
understand the spirit of aloha that we hold dear in our state," she said. "I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Disney to Hawaii
as a new neighbor and employer.”
Welcome Mickey, Minnie, and all your friends. Don't forget your dive gear ;)
In the image above, Walt Disney Parks and Resort Chairman Jay Rasulo (center) celebrates the launch of Disney's first family destination resort with children from O'ahu, Hawai'i. Hey! Where's Mickey? Don't tell me Obama's named HIM to the Cabinet too!
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