The HKDL Source

Update for May 21 to May 27 - News and Commentary 

 

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

Ah, I really have to stop planning these columns out in advance. Every time I think that I’ve managed to get my writing done for the week, something crops up and forces me to scrap one ill-advised rant for another. So this week, you’ll just have to do without my prepared rant on human rights in China and Disney’s responsibility as a corporate entity to hold the government to task, and instead get a fresh batch of weekly happenings in the 5th Happiest Place on Earth.

 

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Premiere (22 May)

It’s certainly no secret that third instalment in the Pirates of the Caribbean series is released around the world this week, and Hong Kong Disneyland has been building up their marketing campaign for it since the opening of Pirate Land earlier this month. However, with said Pirate Land closing at 4:00 PM this Tuesday – and the Fantasyland Theatre that houses Golden Mickeys also closed for the day – it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that there will be a special screening of the film there this Tuesday May 22. While we have received no official word from Disney in this regard at the time of publishing this column, we’ve joined the dots enough to declare that this is a done deal. Whether this is to be a red carpet event like the Anaheim debut, or something more low-key and purely for the press, is yet to be seen. However, if you can make it to Pirate Land on Tuesday afternoon/evening, please contact us. We’d love to see some photos of the event or the surrounding happenings, and the more the merrier! Naturally, we’ll be providing coverage of this one way or the other, so stay tuned on the site for further updates.

 

 

This is a great opportunity for the park to show off its uniqueness and debut a major Disney film at the same time, especially with the presence of such a huge Hong Kong star as Chow Yun-Fat. Hopefully, there will be some star presence in the park and not simply these ‘pop star celebrities’ such as Stephy and Terry (pictured above) that keep popping up in Pirate Land. If these people do excite you, there are plenty more of them in our freshly updated Pirate Takeover 2007 Gallery, which now sports over 100 photos.

 

Pirates scare off crowds?

 With all this happening in Hong Kong Disneyland, one still has to ask: where are the crowds? Despite the major plug that Pirate Land has been receiving in the press and the local media – as well as those appearances by whoever Stephy and Terry are – the lines in Hong Kong Disneyland remain characteristically empty. Take this photo of the Golden Mickeys line as a case in point. 

So are these seasonal activities enough to sustain and attract new audiences to the park? On the surface, it would appear not. However, Pirate Land is quite possibly the most exciting thing to happen to the park since it opened, and the attempts to try new things – especially things that the other parks are not doing to the same extent – is an encouraging sign for the future. Now if we can only encourage them to build a ride of the same name, and perhaps something with Haunted or Splash in the title as well, then we’d start to have the kind of park we’ve been mentally Imagineering for years.

 

Speaking of the Golden Mickeys, we should let you know that in addition to being closed this Tuesday for the Pirates of the Caribbean premiere, it will also close down on May 28 and 29 for routine maintenance. See the listing below for an update on all the closures and construction in the park.

By the way, anybody who has sat through the Golden Mickeys more than once and was not just there to perve on a Cast Member, deserves a medal. There. I said it.

 

Magic vegetable to woo guests

So what do you do when your theme park is failing to draw the huge number of Chinese mainlanders to your brand? Naturally, you offer them vegetables. Magic vegetables, that is.The Magic Gourd, first announced a few years back, is a film about a boy who discovers the squash-like vegetable and discovers that it grants his wishes. This marks the break with the tradition of hocking Mickey Mouse and Co. to every available man, woman and child on the planet. It is also the latest in a series of moves designed to finally crack the illusive Chinese market. 

One of the things Disney has been consistently accused of since the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in September 2005 is a failure to understand the Chinese market. Consistently low attendance figures belie the clear number of people that live within travelling distance of the park. Seasonal activities such as Christmas, Easter and even Chinese New Year have not significantly boosted numbers – at least not the point where they could overcome their first fiscal quarter dip. Marketing a new character designed specifically for the Chinese market, and one that can be seen and recognised within the park, may be just the ticket for Hong Kong Disneyland. We have long argued here at HKDL Source that the best thing the resort has going for it is the limitless potential of untapped ideas that could fit into the brand-new park. Unique rides and attractions are part of this, and this goes for unique characters too.

Disney would do well to create these unique characters and features that appeal to the Chinese market, and replicate them in the Hong Kong park. Ultimately, a major E-ticket (or even a minor C or D) based around The Magic Gourd upon its (hopefully) successful release would achieve several things. Firstly, it would raise awareness of Disney, the park and the sort of thing that it does. That is, bringing stories to life and allowing people to wander through them. Secondly, it would create a synergy within the Chinese market between film and theme park, allowing Disney to market across demographic sectors and different audiences within the typically restrictive Chinese media. Finally, and perhaps most importantly as far as fans are concerned, it would provide Hong Kong Disneyland with a new and original attraction, which would attract locals and overseas ‘Disney tourists’ alike.

Perhaps a vegetable is the greatest gift Disney could give the world after all. Let’s just wait and see if this vegetable is a healthy one.

Remember, as always, if you have any news, photos, trip reports or just a question, feel free to contact us.

 

Current Closures/Refurbishments

 

• Golden Mickeys (Fantasyland) – CLOSED (May 22 & 28-29): The attraction is closed on Tuesday May 22 for the Pirates of the Caribbean 3 premiere; and then again on the Monday and Tuesday 28 and 29 May for “routine maintenance” according to the Disney calendar.
• Comet Cafe (Tomorrowland) – CLOSED (May 21 - 27): Listed as being closed all of this week according to the Disney calendar.
• 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): Premiere of the film in the park. Pirate Land closes at 4:00 PM
• 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.