Disney to Open Hawaii Resort

Disney (NYSE: DIS) has been focusing a lot of attention on its vacation club and travel segment lately.  The company has added Adventures by Disney guided trips in various areas throughout the world and Disney Cruises have taken to the Mediterranean Sea.  Now, Disney has announced that they will continue their niche travel expansion plans by building a Disney resort in Hawaii.

Disney purchased 21 acres of property on the beachfront of Oahu and plans to build a free-standing resort with hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas.  The new hotel would have a Disney theme although the specifics are still a secret.  Disney expects the Oahu resort to open in 2011.

I think this sounds like a homerun for Disney.  Expanding the footprint of their existing vacation club makes sense (and those of you who read Brandcurve frequently know how much I like common sense).  It seems that a Disney resort would be a natural choice for accomodations for families traveling to Hawaii, especially families with small children. 

After hearing about several “misses” for Disney brand extensions recently (you can read about some of those here and here), it’s nice to know Disney is heading in a direction that is consistent with their brand image.  At least, let’s hope the final resort does, in fact, live up to the Disney brand promise.

What do you think about a Disney resort in Hawaii?