Disney parks and resorts chairman Jay Rasulo recently spoke to the Argyle Executive Forum on a variety of topics including the planned Disney Vacation Club resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
Rasulo was interviewed by Arnie Weissman, Editor in Chief of Travel Weekly at Argyle Executive Forum's Leadership Forum in Hospitality and Leisure. The interview covered a range of topics including Disney's boutique resort concept, the economy, and plans for a Disney Vacation Club resort in Hawaii. Regarding the Hawaii project, the article has this to say:
While not willing to divulge much in terms of plans for the Hawaiian resort, Rasulo did mention that it would be on Oahu and that it is on a lagoon. It will be a combination of a vacation club and hotel and will tell a Hawaiian story. While they are not going to try and "out-Hawaii Hawaii", the goal is to create an experience for the family in which they can learn things about Hawaii and its culture that the consumer may not have known before. Additionally, Rasulo imagines that at some point the hotel will serve as a base for an Adventures by Disney retreat.
Disney announced the combination cash / timeshare resort back in October 2008. Several pieces of concept art were released, along with a few details including the site on the island of Oahu and a planned scope of roughly 800 rooms. But in the 7 months since the announcement, few additional details have been disclosed. Construction on the resort has not yet begun, despite the planned opening in 2011 or 2012.
Visit Argyle Executive Forum to read the full article.
