There's no proof that building DisneySea instead of DCA in Anaheim would have been a better decision for the company.
Douglas, DisneySeas is "THE" premier theme park in the world, marking new standards in theme park design and consisting entirely of unique rides not found anywhere else. To suggest that we would need proof that this park would be any better for the company than DCA is simply mind boggling. For anyone who hasn't read anything or seen pictures specifically about DS, I suggest that you visit the links posted below to see what sets this place apart. After studying the layout and attractions, I defy anyone(who has visited DCA that is) to come back and say that they would much rather visit DCA. DCA may be a nice park for some, but DS is in a league of it's own. There's simply no comparison.
As far as it being better for the company, well, DS would have cost them roughly $3 billion(which is what it cost to build in japan), while DCA cost a shade over $1 billion. You're talking about the potential for more than two or three times the attendance they're getting right now at DCA, and that's being very conservative. So yes, for a little more than double what they've spent already and have been spending lately(and will no doubt continue to spend in the future) to make the place right, they could have had something that would have been talked about all over the world, something extremely special and unique. Rather than charging $14/day for DCA, they'd be pulling in $50/ticket instead. The differences in revenue would be astronomical.
I was really excited when they announced plans to build Westcot in Anaheim(I still have the plans for that park from the preview center), less excited but still optimistic when they revised the plans for DCA, and mortified when those plans became a reality . If it hadn't been for the Fox Family deal, which is not nearly the cash cow that a succesful year-round theme park would be, we may have had that park after all.Quite simply, Disney flat out Goofed on this one. With that said, I'm convinced that current management has no clue what is best for the company.
Laughing Place has some great pics and descriptions of the park, while Barry's site has Quicktime videos of many of the attractions.
http://www.laughingplace.com/Info-ID-Features-TokyoUpdates.asp
www.barrybedford.com