So where do you put a flagship hotel, 22 years after the Park’s debut (especially considering the reclaimed land constraints of the Tokyo Disney Resort)?
“We embarked on a series of land-use studies,” says Wing, “and found that the most logical place was right at the front door of Tokyo Disneyland. The center of the hotel is on axis and lines up with the castle.”
Rooms on the upper three floors of the nine-story hotel overlook World Bazaar (the TDL Main Street) and will have a prime view of Cinderella Castle and the fireworks show. Conversely, guests will be able to see some of the top floors of the hotel from the Park’s hub.
While the architectural style is reminiscent of the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, the Grand Floridian and the Disneyland Hotel in Paris, it’s not a replica. “This is more ‘Urban Victorian,’” says Gary. “We don’t have 20 acres of landscaping in which to nestle the hotel so we’ve put more detail into facades and the compact-but-rich, lush gardens.” Making the most of every precious meter, there’s even an Alice in Wonderland, Victorian-style hedge maze that masks a required fire truck turnaround.
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Good job on the idea and great reporting!