Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea

Our talented assistant Tiffany has offered one more article before she heads to college. She has checked in on Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea to see how they managed during the earthquake and subsequent tsunami earlier this year. I think after reading her report, you’ll agree with her final statement, amid such tragedy and uncertainty, “…it was a true example of Disney magic!”

We all remember the horrifying images of the damages caused to Japan after the worst earthquake in history hit the nation on March 11 of this year. With a magnitude of 8.9 on the Richter scale, this earthquake set off huge waves—tsunamis—that reached 6 miles inland, tossing cars, boats and houses around and wiping large buildings entirely off their foundations before carrying them out to sea.

As many know, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea were also hit by this quake. The Parks’ cement cracked due to water that seeped through underneath. However, the Resort received only minor structural damages with liquefaction of the parking lot and some minor flooding.

For the 69,000 Guests who attended the Park that day, no injuries were reported. Unfortunately, they were forced to camp out overnight, because transportation had been shut down after the quake. All the Guests were given disposable heaters, raincoats, plastic bags and blankets to keep warm in the thirty degree weather conditions. Tweets from those inside the Parks said there was merriment and laughter throughout, even though many camped in the streets of Disneyland. Cast Members also offered tea, cookies, chocolate, seaweed rice and pork buns to all the Guests sheltered there. The next day some buses were up and running taking Guests to hotels, but the monorail was still down due to damage on the rails. Those Guests who remained were treated to a hot breakfast the next morning. A New York traveler, David Landsel, tweeted, “What a bizarre (and wonderful) place to be trapped!” All the guests were safe and well treated at the Parks.

Cast Members were called back to rehearsal the following Monday with Tokyo Disneyland reopening on April 15 and Tokyo DisneySea reopening on April 28. The Resort donated a portion of ticket sales through May 14 to the Japanese Red Cross; 2.5 million dollars was also donated to the Japanese Red Cross through the Walt Disney Company with an additional million dollars from Cast Member donations. Disney did an extremely wonderful job taking care of both its Guests and Cast Members in this time of need. In my opinion, it was a true example of Disney magic!

Thanks, Tiffany! Have a magical first week of classes!

Today’s Takeaway:
Soil liquefaction was quite an issue in Japan for some time following the earthquake and tsunami.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lVAFMXQy3o?rel=0]

Liquefaction of soil happens when it is overly saturated with water. An earthquake or blasting at a construction site can increase the space between granules, allowing that space to fill with water. As the water pressure increases, the granules move, creating a weak and unstable surface.

Follow this procedure from All Science Fair Projects to study soil liquefaction.

You will need:
– 1 pail of sand
– 1 pail of clay
– 1 pail of loam
– Tap water
– 1 measuring jug (able to measure 100ml)
– 3 bricks
– 1 black marker
– 1 ruler
– 1 stopwatch

Click here to access the entire procedure, observation table and conclusion.

SCHOOL SUJBECT: Earth Science
SKILL LEVEL: Upper Elementary to Middle Grades