The HKDL Source

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Update & Commentary - Update for April 2 to April 8

 

 

It’s either a feast or a famine when it comes to writing this each week. It seems that with the blooming of the Northern Hemisphere’s spring, Hong Kong Disneyland’s publicity department has kicked into full gear by announcing three of their major campaigns for the next quarter all in one hit: The Easter Fun Zone; the Annual Pass Benefits and perhaps more interestingly, the Hong Kong SAR Anniversary celebrations, being initially marked with free annual passes to all children born in 1997. The latter sounds incredibly generous, especially when it is being offered to everyone around the world. Yes, the entire world’s population of ten-year-olds will be able to gain 340 free days of admission to Hong Kong Disneyland. We are left asking a simple question: what’s the catch?

 

 

Hong Kong Disneyland’s struggle to meet attendance figures is no secret, and it seemed a bit dubious at first as to why they would want to give away tickets to the 80,000,000 (approximately) children born in 1997. The answer to this become obvious after a few moments thought. Any responsible parent – that is, ones that don’t throw their children over the park gates – will accompany their 10-year-old to the park. That means at least one more Annual pass or a whole lot of individual tickets sold for every parent that accompanies them. What if they have brothers and sisters suddenly jealous that their 10-year-old sibling is getting a free ride? Chalk up another sold annual pass or park ticket. What was originally a give-away has now become one of the smarter campaigns Hong Kong Disneyland has offered in a long time.

 

 

Of course, a secondary question to this is always going to be “What is attracting parents and children to keep coming back to Hong Kong Disneyland”? As this article from the Laughing Place correctly points out this week, very little has been done in the last 18 months to turn Hong Kong Disneyland from the PR disaster it initially was to something worthwhile and distinctive in the Asian region. (Of course, that article also mentions the possibility of a Disney enterprise in my home town of Sydney, Australia which makes me as giddy as a school girl). With the exception of one-off events such as Easter and the SAR Anniversary in April and July respectively; the Pirates Overlay in May and the traditional seasonal celebrations in October through December, Hong Kong Disneyland is not offering any major new rides or attractions until early 2008 (and even that is the old favourite “it’s a small world”). What is being promoted, therefore, with all these Annual Pass deals is essentially the ability to see the new WaterWorks Parade and the Animation Academy on Main Street as many times as you like. With still barely more than a day’s worth of things to do at Hong Kong Disneyland, we wonder what you are going to do with the other 339 days available on your pass?

 

 

 

 

That said, there’s plenty to do this week in Hong Kong Disneyland, for that is the name of this column. The aforementioned Easter celebrations kick off this week, with the Easter Fun Zone in Fantasyland and the Wild About Safety features in Adventureland. These seem to be squarely aimed at kids, so if you are over the age of 12, you are probably going to want to ride on Space Mountain about 47 times. If all you plan to do is eat your way through Easter, then see the table above!

 

 

Looking over the news for the week in Hong Kong Disneyland, there are a few interesting articles to be found out there in WebLand.

 

 

• Magic @ Disneyland: An interview with Noble Coker, CIO of HKDL, dropped at least one little tidbit we found interesting: "Guests in the future would want a more enhanced experience, so when they visit the Tarzan tree house, they would like more information on Tarzan or even like to see a movie clip of the film. We are gearing to deliver that enriched user experience." (Source: Global Services Media)
• Disney revamps its Australian travel agents site: "Information on the Disney’s newest Park, Hong Kong Disneyland has also been added to the website. Agents can now access all the latest information on the Park’s attractions, dining options, entertainment and the two Disney-themed Hotels." (Source: e-Travel Blackboard)
• Disney Star launches new incentives for travel professionals: "Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Disneyland module is split into three levels. Travel agents can learn about the Park, the two Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Hotels and the incredible attractions on offer both inside and outside the Park. Disney recommends all graduates and new trainees complete the Hong Kong Disneyland module. For eligible graduates who complete the Refresher and Hong Kong Disneyland modules, Disney will award them with a plush toy, a key ring, a Disney Stars 2007 Certificate and an exclusive Disney Stars pin. A 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket is also available to all first time graduates and graduates who did not use their tickets last year." (Source: e-Travel Blackboard)

 

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. While some contend that this land has always been in this state, we have reports that some construction was seen to be going on in this area. 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 Fun (April 5 - 15): Disney has announced a host of Easter-inspired kids’ activities for the park. April 5 through 9 will see an Easter Kid Zone in Fantasyland; while Adventureland will have a “Wild About Saftey” theme from April 4 to 10. Kids can also take part in an “Easter Photo Hunt” from April 5 to 9. Easter games in the Hotels from April 5 to 15, but their special meals will begin March 31. Special meals will be served over the Easter long-weekend in the hotels. These days have been marked as Special Ticket Days. Full details can be found here.
• First Pin Trading Fun Day (April 13 – 15): 12:00noon ~ 6:00pm, with a 30 minute break before and after the parade, Pin Trading will take place on Main Street, at the rest area between Emporium & Main Street Sweets. During the event period, a unique and special "Pin Trading" Limited Edition Pin Box Set will be launched at a very special price. Bring along your own Pin Collection of 10 or more pins and fill a leaflet to redeem a mystery gift. (Thanks to Bennett Shui for details).
• 903 Disney Attack (April 21): Radio station CR2 hosts this dance party in a transformed Tomorrowland, with top DJs including Sammy and the I Love You Boyz. Admission is HK$200. Doors at 7:00PM, with fireworks at 8:00PM and the whole thing tucking in for bed at 12:00AM. Tickets are available now.

 

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.
• Annual Passholders: From April 1 to June 30, 2007, this exclusive benefit allows Annual Pass holders to enjoy a soothing Victorian Indulgence Massage (50 minutes) or a relaxing Victorian Timeless Facial (50 minutes) for just HK$699, up to 35% off the standard price. Additional benefits for Premium Passholders, as well as more benefits for all, can be found 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 all of April, park hours will be from 10:00AM to 8:00PM. .

 

 

Value Annual Passholders will have all weekends blocked to them during March and April. Additionally, Value Annual Passholders will have April 5 through 9 blocked, due to the Ching Ming Festival and Easter Long Weekend. Deluxe and Premium Passholders have no blockout dates in the near future

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