The HKDL Source

This Week in Hong Kong Disneyland

Story

What a week for Hong Kong tourism! This week we take a look at our own technical problems, and those of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car network. We also look at why Ocean Park may win the theme park war against Disneyland, look at a rumour involving this year's Halloween celebrations and learn the fate of an acid wielding killer! Ensure your hands and feets are inside the vehicle at all times this week in Hong Kong Disneyland!

 

Update for June 18 to June 24 - News and Commentary

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

As we launch into this week’s column, we have been informed that a few people have had problems accessing the site in the last few weeks. The problem appears to be a large blank gap displaying at the top of several pages. We are naturally concerned that this is happening to a number of people, although we are yet to encounter this problem ourselves on current versions of Firefox or Internet Explorer. Most of these reported problems appear to be happening on older versions of the browsers, so please ensure you have the latest versions when viewing the site. Firefox is also a preferred browser. In the meantime, we are working on being able to have everybody view the site as it is meant to be seen.

Hong Kong Tourism

It may not have been a huge week for Hong Kong Disneyland, but Lantau Island (on which the park is situated) had its big publicity scare last week with a cable car from the nearby Ngong Ping (leading up to the giant Buddha) falling 50m to the ground. While nobody was hurt, and operational problems have been ruled out, the cable car system was closed down pending investigation. One thing is for sure is that this is a mighty blow to the Hong Kong tourism industry, who have spent a great deal of money in the last few years developing infrastructure such as this to lure more people to these attractions. If faith in the system is lost as a result of these troubles, it could be bad for everybody, including Hong Kong Disneyland’s biggest competitor, Ocean Park. One of its main attractions is the cable car system linking the two main areas of the park.

It has been a good year for Ocean Park after all. In May, Ocean Park broke its annual attendance record with 4.4 million customers, sparking chairman Allan Zeman (who we spoke about several weeks ago) to declare victory in the war against the Hong Kong House of Mouse. It isn’t hard to see why either. Despite being 30 years old, Zeman has revitalised the park and made it a more lucrative place to visit and revist. It isn’t just a park with rollercoasters (of which it has several more than Hong Kong Disneyland’s singular Space Mountain). It is an aquarium, an atrium and a wildlife preserve. People just like animals. With that in mind, Zeman has expanded the panda preserve to accommodate two additional pandas taking the tally to four. It knows the local market far better than Disney, which it has proven time and time again. It also has one other thing that Hong Kong Disneyland is losing: government support. “Zeman says the Hong Kong government has approved a subway line to Ocean Park, like the one it built for Disney. Zeman has lined up financing and government loan guarantees for a $700 million expansion that will double the park's attractions to 70 by 2012.” (Source: USA Today) Seventy attractions is a considerable amount when you consider Hong Kong Disneyland’s twenty at best (generously including the likes of the Main Street Vehicles, the Sword in the Stone and the UFO Zone as ‘attractions). It makes one weep to think what could have been if Disney had fronted for the additional 12 attractions and two lands mentioned back in the original announcement.

Of course, Hong Kong Disneyland is not being left out of city-wide tourist plans. Aside from the tie-ins with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government on 1st July 2007, the opening of the Summer 2007 attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland – including Mickey’s WaterWorks and the Animation Academy – are to dovetail with the summer shopping festival in Hong Kong. It is good to see that despite the withdrawal of funds, Hong Kong Disneyland is not being left out in the cold this summer. We hope that Hong Kong Disneyland can continue to ride the wave of good will tourism to the city, and vice versa.

Haunted Holiday House

One intriguing rumour started by jawnjarvis of the MiceChat board is that Halloween in the park this year will involve some kind of haunted house walk-through. While he was “not at liberty” do divulge sources or plans, or any details at all for that matter, it has us well and truly intrigued. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more about this interesting rumour.

Strange Tales from the Front

Two other odd Hong Kong Disneyland related stories emerged this week. Actually, the first isn't really all that odd. The Filipino-Canadian director Bobby Garcia, the former show director for Hong Kong Disneyland who we mentioned back in March, continues to have success with his adaptation of The King & I, which has now moved from China to Seoul, Korea (Manila Times). We continue to wish him and his cast the best of luck.

The other tale is actually the strange one of which I spoke, and this is coming from someone who speaks a great many strange things. While I don't actually remember reading about this at the time, it seems that a 50-year-old security guard, Yip Yu-lin,  on duty at Hong Kong Disneyland last August had acid poured on him by a jealous lover. He died three days later in hospital.  The culprit, Li Yinying, has been sentenced to life in prison. It is amazing what you find when you Google "Hong Kong Disneyland".

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

Current Closures/Refurbishments

• Comet Cafe (Tomorrowland) – CLOSED (Unknown): Listed as being closed until further notice, according to the Disney calendar. The exceptions appear to be this Tuesday 19th (Open 11:30am to 8:00pm) and Saturday 23rd (where the fast food joint is open 11:30am to 9:00pm). So no Chinese fast food for anyone on those other days! For at least 50 metres anyway…
• 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 April 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. The HK Building Department reports this as a 'Dangerous Goods Storage Area'. Time will tell.
• Construction work is being carried out near the main gates, allegedly for some new toilets and Cast Member break room.

Events & Important Dates

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

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.
• 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.

July

• Hong Kong SAR Anniversary (July 1): 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. Giveaways, special merchandise and yet-to-be announced events will take place.
• Mickey's WaterWorks and Animation Academy (July 14 - August 31): While no official date has been announced as yet, the Hong Kong Tourism Board mentions this range of dates for the attractions. Several sources indicate that the WaterWorks is set for a July 1 opening, although we still have no word on the Animation Academy. However, given the timing of the HK SAR Anniversary for July 1, a mid-July launch seems more probable.
• First Anniversary of HKDL Source (July 17): We turn One 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 (September 12): 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.

October

• Halloween: Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialise all through October, as Hong Kong Disneyland celebrates its second official Halloween. Look for the decorations to go up early October, and then segue into the Christmas/New Year celebrations in November.

November/December

• Christmas: From mid-November until New Year's Eve (December 31), Hong Kong Disneyland's Main Street will become a Winter Wonderland, with a tree lighting ceremony; musical events; special meals and the big man himself, Santa.
• Magical New Year and Countdown: Concluding the Christmas festivities, this big event will be a dance party for some; some old-school shindigging for others and an excuse to have fun for all. Count down to midnight in the park, and then go back and drain the hotels of all alcohol.

April 2008

• it’s a small world (April 2008): RTHK News reports that the attraction is set to open in April 2008, which is consistent with Disney’s official line of ‘early 2008’.

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 June, park hours will be from 10:00AM to 8:00PM, 9:00 on Friday and Saturdays. The extended hours accommodate the Pirates After Dark shows.

Value Annual Passholders will have all weekends blocked to them during June. Additionally, June 19 (Tuen Ng Festival) 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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