The HKDL Source

Update for May 7 to May 13 - News and Commentary 

 

Skip To: Current Closures/Refurbishments |  Events & Important Dates | Current Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours/Schedule/Annual Pass Blockout Days

Welcome back for another week, and here’s hoping you are all feeling loving and snugly after a card-giving Mother’s Day. With my own mother somewhere between Singapore and London (and in Amsterdam by now), my girlfriend Fiona and I had no choice but to kick back and watch the Eurovision Song Contest. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the annual event, it needs to be seen to be believed. YouTube could probably help you a little with the seeing, but the believing is entirely optional. At any rate, Hong Kong Disneyland allowed you to Stuff and Bathe Your Mother for the weekend, a headline that we received exactly zero complaints over. You are a tolerant lot, aren’t you?

 

At any rate, the Pirate Land is in full swing and evidently not a complete disaster. Quite to the contrary, we have many reports coming in that use the terms ‘fun’ and ‘different’ quite liberally, and it is nice to see Hong Kong going all-out for this one-off event. For those of you that have missed some of the coverage so far, we have a Pirate Takeover Gallery 2007 with almost 100 photos inside, so check out the piratey gubbins if you know what is good for ye! However, without being one to look at a long line of glasses and declare ‘half empty’, we still share a bit of concern for the long term profitability of the park. After all, these one-off seasonal events that Jay Rasulo seems to enjoy – which have also included Chinese New Year, and last year’s Christmas and Halloween – may entice the crowds in for a second or third look throughout the year, but it doesn’t exactly scream “Visit me every weekend!” The reason that Anaheim, Florida, Tokyo and even Paris to a lesser extent have this appeal is simply to do with the fact that they have rides worth visiting again and again. All the window dressing in the world doesn’t cover for the genuine appeal of thrill rides that pull back thrill-seekers and park ghosts alike. After all, they are literally giving away Annual Passes at Hong Kong Disneyland this year!

 

 

Now, we know just as well as the next person – unless the next person is a family-oriented squirrel embedded in your left leg, and they aren’t really people anyway – that these rides cost money. Lots of money. Building them is one thing, but maintaining a mark is a multi-million dollar a year expenditure alone. If you were Disney, and you took a look at the recent balance of profits and losses, would you funnel money into an enterprise that was failing to draw the crowds, or send it towards the sure-fire hits in Anaheim and Florida? An article in Variety Asia , and several other sources, showed that “parks and resorts increased revenues by 9% to $2.4 billion and segment operating income increased 19% to $254 million”. However, Hong Kong Disneyland remained in decline during this period, losing out by an undisclosed amount. Variety reported the company as saying “"Segment operating income growth reflected increases at Disneyland Resort Paris, Disneyland Resortand Walt Disney World, partially offset by a decline at Hong Kong Disneyland" (Emphasis added). This means that all parks except Hong Kong Disneyland saw growth in the fiscal quarter ending March 31.

 

The result of this is something of a good news/bad news situation. The bad news is that the Hong Kong SAR Government is no longer willing to foot the bill for any future expansions for the park. As an article that ran in the South China Morning Post commented, the “The 20-month-old park has already cost the government HK$23 billion - HK$13.6 billion of which went into infrastructure works, including the reclamation of about 280 hectares of land. The government also loaned the theme park about HK$6 billion, payable over 25 years after the opening”. The sizeable chunk out of Hong Kong’s pocket must really hurt, especially when it isn’t pulling in the international and more importantly, mainland Chinese tourists that one would hope a Disney theme park would. This news is coupled with the October 2006 report that Disney was considering refinancing options for their loan on the park. Bill Ernest was said to comment in the same report that future construction funding would come from Hong Kong Disneyland, and the shortfall may be covered by the California-based Disney Mothership. On the surface, this does sound like bad news: no government support for future endeavours means Disney is covering the costs solely, and it also means that the people who have to approve the plans for expansion no longer have a stake in the park, and therefore a reason to see the development applications shuffled through without hassle. On the flip side of that coin, it also means that Disney now have an unfettered licence to expand the park on their own dime, using as little or as much money as they want. We can all see the duality there: it’s great to let the Imagineers run wild, but at the end of the day if the choice is to be between the failing Hong Kong park and the successful Anaheim one, we all know which is going to get the capital. Besides, Anaheim has enough to worry about with getting Disney’s California Adventure – another perceived flop that failed to take the local market into account – back on track. In both cases, I see loads of potential for the best of the best of Disney parks. However, for them to be in a position where they are competing for funds is worrying to say the least.

 

Toilets Redux

 

Construction continues on the block of toilets near the Entrance to the park, and in grand Disney style it is certainly a far more involved procedure than we ever could have imagined. As the walls of the block slowly go up, we can see that this is going to be much bigger than a mere Port-a-Loo, proving once again that Disney have the best toilets in the world. Then again, if you’ll recall, I spent the better park of an older column trying to work out why so many visitors commenting on the park were more impressed by the toilets than any other attraction. At any rate, the construction – with a mini-crane – continues near the entrance, as the photo above illustrates. Lots of work for a loo, indeed!

 

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.

 

 

Current Closures/Refurbishments

 

• The Disneyland Story (Main Street): Appears to be back to housing concept art, but expect more construction soon with the opening of the Animation Academy.
• 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. 

 

May

• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Premiere (May 22): Rumoured premiere of the film in the park.
• 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 4 to June 30): 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 (July 1): 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. Several sources indicate that the WaterWorks is set for a July 1 opening, although we still have no word on the Animation Academy.
• 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

• 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.
• Complimentary Deluxe Annual Passes: (May 15 to July 1) If you were born in 1997, you may be entitled to free Deluxe Annual Pass. Valid for for year from date of issue. Full details 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 almost of May, park hours will be from 10:00AM to 8:00PM, 9:00 on Friday and Saturdays. The extended hours accomodate the Pirates After Dark shows. The last week in May will change to 10:30AM to 8:00PM.

 

Value Annual Passholders will have all weekends blocked to them during May. Additionally, May 24 will be a Peak Ticket Day, blocked to Value Annual Passholders. Deluxe and Premium Annual Passholders get to go crazy, as no dates are blocked to them.

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