The HKDL Source

 

 

News Update & Commentary - Update for March 19 to March 25

 

 

Ah, what a week we’ve had! Sure, that week hasn’t seen much action on the Hong Kong Disneyland front, but we’ve all been busy. Alex discovered an entire family of woodland animals hiding between the files during our recent server move, and Tom actually broke through the space-time continuum and tried to have Hong Kong Disneyland moved to Perth, Western Australia. I wrote this column. Less glamorous, sure, but almost as productive.

 

”Construction mania!” is about the only way to describe this week in Hong Kong Disneyland. There is not one, not two but THREE separate bits of construction going on around the park. Naturally, we know the first of these is for it’s a small world. Construction seems to be progressing nicely, and a definite structure seems to be progressing over the fence. We can hear that famous tune already. The other two are a little bit more interesting – kinda. The construction going on next to the front gates was initially thought to be something to do with the forthcoming Animation Academy. However, several sources – including some Cast Members – have informed us that these are merely toilets. Regular readers will remember a column from last year in which we examined the Cult of the Disney Toilet, and now it seems we will have one more to judge the standards by. However, we’ve saved the best for last.

 

Some time ago, our Chief Spy spotted some yellow containers in the clearing behind Adventureland. We got all excited at first, until most collectively burst our bubble by saying that the containers had been there all along, and any activity probably had something to do with the it’s a small world construction. We reluctantly admitted the logic behind this consensus, although we secretly (and publicly) hoped that it was something more. Without jumping the proverbial, some pictures taken last Thursday by Bennett Shiu – long time listener, first time caller – clearly show some kind of structure being erected in this land clearing, and construction workers standing on top of it. While it could merely be the world’s largest trampoline for construction workers (to go with the largest claw game that turned out to be it’s a small world), excuse us if we get all giddy and excited by the possibilities. Pirates Themed Land? A pen for free range Disney characters? More toilets? Start your speculation now, people!

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the news this week, Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) saw a 4.2% boost (Source: Hong Kong Information Services Department). “On operations, patronage for MTR lines and the Airport Express grew 1.1% to 876 million, fueled by the opening of the Disneyland Resort Line and AsiaWorld-Expo Station.”

 

 

 

Another Hong Kong Disneyland alumni, Bobby Garcia who was Hong Kong Disneyland’s first show director, now directs for New York production company Broadway Asia Entertainment. His production of “The King & I” opens in Kuala Lumpur in July. (Source: The Star Online).

 

 

The Civil Engineering & Development Department of Hong Kong has been awarded the Sixth Tien-Yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize for its infrastructure works for Penny's Bay Development. “Infrastructure contracts 1 and 2 for Penny's Bay Development involved the construction of infrastructural works for the development of Hong Kong Disneyland, including roads, bridges, pumping stations, utilities, lighting, signage, hard and soft landscape works, a water recreation centre (Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre) and associated architecture.” (Source: Hong Kong Information Services Department).

 

Finally, don’t forget to tune into the official Disney website at 10PM (US) PST on March 19 for the online premiere of the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End trailer. The film will star Chow Yun Fat, Hong Kong’s own star of such classics as A Better Tomorrow, City on Fire and The Killer. Given that the long-rumoured Pirates of the Caribbean section of Hong Kong Disneyland is said to be closely tied to this film, and the film franchise generally, it may be worth keeping a close eye on the trailer for clues of things to come!

 

The other thing I wanted to mention again this week is HKDL Source’s support of the Disney Online Community's charity drive, led by MiceAge columnist Kevin Yee, to Give Kids the World. Give Kids the World is a magical resort where kids who face life-threatening illnesses can be kids.

 

To make a donation to this very worthy cause, you can do a number of things. The most obvious is clicking on the banner below and making a donation that way:

 

 

 

Please donate. Every little bit helps.

 

Remember, as always, if you have any news, photos, trip reports or just a question, feel free to contact us. Another way you can help out the site is by voting for us on The Disney Portal. They rank all of the Disney sites on the web according to popularity and numbers of hits, and we are slowly making our way up the ranks. If you want to help us move up even higher, please use the link below to vote for us.

 

 

 

Current Closures/Refurbishments

 

• The Disneyland Story (Main Street): Disney wasted no time in taking down the Christmas trappings, but The Disneyland Story is still not as it was originally. The penguin figures and concept sketches from the forthcoming it’s a small world attraction will be temporarily on display in the Opera House.
• Fantasyland: No closures in Fantasyland, but there is constant construction going on ‘beyond the berm’ for the forthcoming it’s a small world attraction (Coming 2008).
• Land appears to be cleared and built upon behind Adventureland and the Promenade for as-yet-undisclosed project. As at March 2007, new construction has been spotted in this area, with a definite structure taking form there. Others still say that this is prep-work for a Downtown Disney style area and the Pirates extension to Adventureland. Time will tell.
• Construction work is being carried out near the main gates, allegedly for some new toilets.

 

Events & Important Dates

 

If you know of any events that should be listed here, please let us know. 

 

 

April

• Ching Ming Festival (April 5): This spring festival may not have an official presence in the park, but it has been classified a Peak Ticket Day. Expect it to be busy, coming as it does immediately before the Easter long weekend.
• Easter Long Weekend (April 6 - 9): No official announcement has been made of a park event, and if history is a guide then there may not be anything major, but all four days have been classified Peak Ticket Days. Combined with the Ching Ming Festival (above), this could be a busy week. At the very least, expect hotel events and seasonal merchandise, and perhaps some springtime floral arrangements throughout the park as we saw in 2006.

 

May

• Buddha’s Birthday (May 24): The birthday of this spiritual leader is celebrated as a public holiday in Hong Kong. Another Peak Ticket Day.
• Pirates Overlay (May/June): Disney has announced that they will be celebrating the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End in grand style, with pirates taking over Adventureland and the hotels. See here for more details.

 

June

• Tuen Ng Festival (June 19): Also, known as the Dragon Boat Festival. It is a day for patriotic remembrance, eating cakes and dragon boat races. It is yet another Peak Ticket Day.

 

July

• Summer attractions: While no official date has been announced as yet, we expect the Mickey’s WaterWorks parade and the Animation Academy to open sometime in July.
• Hong Kong SAR Anniversary (Confirmed): Disney confirms that they wish to celebrate with a series of events to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong returning to China as, well as the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government on 1st July 2007.
• First Anniversary of HKDL Source: We turn 1 in July, and you know we aren’t going to let it slide. There will be street parades; fireworks…well, ok, maybe not. The budget won’t cover that. However, stayed tuned for competitions; more member interactivity and a whole makeover for the site!

September

• Hong Kong Disneyland’s Birthday: Hong Kong Disneyland turns two. No official word on any celebrations, but given that the First Anniversary was relatively low-key, we can’t imagine any huge events on the horizon. Don’t quote us though.

Current Discounts/Promotions

• Spring Getaway Package: From 31 January to 30 April 2007, Standard Chartered Visa Cardholders/ MANHATTAN Visa Cardholders can enjoy 1 night stay at our hotels and a breakfast or dinner buffet, starting from just HK$1,380 for 2 persons. The official site has all the details. See also the St. Valentine’s listing in events (above) or press release here.
• Interest Free Installment when Purchasing Annual Passes: Purchase Annual Pass now with a Standard Chartered VISA Card or MANHATTAN VISA Card to enjoy a 12-month interest free installment. Offer Period: 1 December, 2006 – 31 May, 2007. See here for details. 
• Stay and Play for 2 Days: Book a hotel stay and enjoy an extra day at Hong Kong Disneyland when you purchase a one-day ticket! The offer has been extended until 29 September 2007!
• Dining Deal: Book breakfast in advance and receive 30% off. Conditions apply.

 

Park Hours/Schedule/Annual Pass Block-out Days

 

This week and next, park hours will be from 10:00AM to 7:30PM.  However, these hours extend to 8:00 PM from March 26.

 

Also note that fireworks will be at 7:15 PM as a result of the earlier closure.

Value Annual Passholders will have all weekends blocked to them during March. Deluxe and Premium Passholders have no blockout dates in the near future

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