Japan Earthquake

[churros]

Sounds like and Aussie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBKoMbDG1KU

It's like they are all sitting together on a bus rocking backwards and forwards but they are sitting on the ground.

[KeithS]

The Walt Disney Company have today announced they are suspending all operations of their Disney Stores in the Tokyo area. 28 of its 47 stores around the country had already been closed pending damage assessments. No word on how many shops are now closed or when operations will resume.

[Tigger71]

My DH has a friend living in the suburbs in Tokyo. He says life for his family is already close to normal (kid in daycare, jobs in city, transport running almost the same) and the threat of the nuclear explosion is only hurting his family overseas...the media playing it up for ratings etc. His folks are able to make contact through email only as phone lines are not fully functioning but they have spoken...

The devastation we are all seeing is horrific and I feel for all those this tsunami has displaced. We can help by making donations - sure!!! But we can help more by continuing on with our travel plans! My DH and I were only just discussing the sights we witnessed in LA a year AFTER their big quake and how they haven't had a big shock for ages...

[KeithS]

I also tend to agree that the dangers have been talked up by the media, however the daily power shortages in and around Tokyo are constant and there are problems with the food supply chain although I suspect that Tokyo will be fine once that initial rush of panic buying is restocked. But I certainly wouldn't be travelling to the north of Japan anytime soon, and it doesn't look like Disney will be reopened for quite a while given all its foreign workers have left.

[calisota]

There has been a few comparisons between the looting that took place in the US after Katrina and the orderly queues in Japan as well as the speed of the government responses. It's an interesting comparison of cultures.

Greg

[KeithS]

It's an interesting comparison of cultures.

Indeed it is - the Japanese have a culture of respect for others and we notice that a lot when we are over there. I think that is why I like the place so much.

[Mel]

It's an interesting comparison of cultures.

Indeed it is - the Japanese have a culture of respect for others and we notice that a lot when we are over there. I think that is why I like the place so much.

Absolutely... although the respect doesn't extend to personal space which takes a bit of getting use to!

[calisota]

Absolutely... although the respect doesn't extend to personal space which takes a bit of getting use to!

I found that giving them a 6'4", 110kg glare worked wonders.

Greg

[Mel]

Absolutely... although the respect doesn't extend to personal space which takes a bit of getting use to!

I found that giving them a 6'4", 110kg glare worked wonders.

Greg

We were constantly being invaded by people wanting to touch Ben and Jared. Ben has white skin that is so white it's almost translucent and Jared is a little blondie so we stuck out like sore thumbs. We couldn't go two steps without people (women, girls, boys AND men!) saying "Kawaii!" and pointing at them. We even had some people approach us and in very good, clear english tell us that we had beautiful boys. That alone was enough to make me love the Japanese people

[calisota]

We even had some people approach us and in very good, clear english tell us that we had beautiful boys

When I do that i just get scared looks.

Greg

[KeithS]

I found that giving them a 6'4", 110kg glare worked wonders.

Doing your bit for International Relations Greg!

When I do that i just get scared looks.

I just deleted about three different responses to this one - then decided that prudence dictated I just keep my mouth shut!

[KeithS]

Check out this great Flickr thread - where the cast members from Disneyland Resort send messages of support to Tokyo Disneyland cast - it is great!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ganbare-td ... 542030949/

[churros]

"our spirits are with you" that is so cool. If the situation was reversed we could expect some great japenglish signs.

[KeithS]

The Oriental Land Company today announced that TDR will reopen in early April - the exact date is still to be decided.

[KeithS]

Tokyo Disneyland reopened today on reduced hours. Disneysea remains closed for the time being.

Guests were met with a guard of honour provided by the cast members through World Bazaar (they did something similar for us during the 25th Anniversary).

There was also a large media presence and Disney executives.

It is good to see the park reopen after the tragic circumstances of recent weeks in Japan.

Crowd numbers were down today with most rides walk-ons, but it is one step on the road to recovery.