Tokyo Disneyland operator Oriental Land unveiled an ambitious USD 2.1 billion plan to launch an "offshore theme park" cruise by 2028, aiming to reduce its reliance on Maihama operations. This approach mirrors Disney's investment in cruises, which we discussed last week. While Disney has a smaller share of the cruise market, it has significantly less debt. Attendance rates rose from 63% in 2022 to 97% in 2024. Meanwhile, China's theme parks drive inbound tourism, now ranking alongside iconic attractions like the Great Wall and the Palace Museum.
These significant shifts underscore global trends toward experiential, human-centric attractions—but did the U.S. get that memo?
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00:00 - Intro: Studios from Los Angeles and Tampa
00:37 - Oriental Land’s $2.1 Billion Cruise Investment
02:50 - What Is an Offshore Theme Park?
06:10 - Diversifying Beyond Maihama: The Business Strategy
08:45 - Challenges of Building a Japanese Cruise Culture
10:30 - Disney Cruise Line vs. Competitors: Strategic Advantages
12:25 - China’s Theme Parks Surge in Popularity
16:15 - Tourism Trends: Human-Centric and Experiential Attractions
18:50 - Why the US Focuses on Rides, Not Experiences
22:05 - Wrap-Up: Global Trends and Future Predictions
