Disney opening first Hawaii Resort

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts has announced that it will be breaking ground on the developement of a hotel and resort in Hawaii, tentatively titled Disney Vacation Club Resort Hawaii. The resort will offer 350 hotel rooms and 480 vacation villas for Disney Vacation Club members. the complex will be located on 21-acres of land in West Oahu and will feature an 18,000 square-foot spa, 8,000 square feet of banquet space, two restaurants and wedding facilities.

Disney executives claim this project will generate 1,000 new jobs in the area, ranging from entry-level positions to managerial staff. “There are always economic ups and downs. We have confidence in Hawaii as a continued family tourist destination for the long-term,” said Walt Disney Parks & Resorts chairman Jay Rasulo.

This will be Disney's first resort to stand apart from any accompanying amusement park. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held Nov. 13 and the resort is expected to open in 2011.