The HKDL Source

Update for October 29 to November 4 - News and Commentary

 

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News This Week: End of Halloween | Top Things

 

Well, I've been sitting here for longer than one should probably sit without actually doing anything, tapping at my keyboard in frustration and thinking of something to talk about this week. I briefly considered making something up, because if I make enough random predictions at least one of them has to come true. Then again, we pride ourselves on bringing you only the finest information that we can scrape together at the last minute each week. Speaking of which...

 

End of Halloween

 

It's spooky how time flies. The grim-grinning ghosts stop socialising and go back inside this week, with the end of a brilliant Halloween season. All indications - including yesterday's extended hours "by popular demand" - seem to indicate that the season was a success for the park, and it couldn't happen to a nicer Halloween parade. It brought the crowds everything we've been wanting since the park opened - unique attractions and parades; activites aimed at a broader range of age groups and genuine scares. That parade was truly magnificent though, wasn't it? Thanks again to all of those that sent in photos and trip reports from their travels during the season. We hope you'll be able to do the same during Christmas.

 

To be honest, I've never quite understood Halloween. I like all the trappings, but the major US holidays for this period - Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas - all come one after the other and each seems to be bigger than the last. Hong Kong Disneyland will, of course, not be doing anything for Thanksgiving (a largely American tradition), but the Christmas festivities will be kicking off on November 23. So expect those Halloween decorations to be down quicker than you can say Jack Skellington, and tinsel to be going up all along Main Street within the next few weeks.

 

 

As far as what we can expect for Christmas, we only have a few rumours and hints at this stage. We are told that a new parade is being worked on, although it won't be as spectacular on the budget as was the case with the Halloween parade. It's really important that HKDL keeps the momentum going in the lead up to this season, and hopefully we will see the kind of public shopping mall displays that we did last year. Christmas, aside from being the season of giving, is a perfect opportunity for HKDL to outreach to the community and 'sell' what they are offering in a nicely presented Christmas wrapper. Creating a seasonal identity with these events is also really important, to the point where you can't help but think of Disney/HKDL when you think of the season to be jolly. At the very least, we'll be keeping an eye on Ocean Park too, as they are also vying for the public's seasonal attention. All we need, like with all things, is for HKDL to actually announce the thing. Not going to throw down the Gauntlet this week, but it would be nice to be able to know what is coming in the park so we have things to look forward to. Much of the goodwill that the US and other parks has fostered in the fan community is through the hints and announcements about upcoming expansions and festivals. It gives the fans something to discuss other than 'what is wrong with the park'. Of course, as long as they're talking about you darling...

 

Of course, before we jump the gun, we've got to finish off Halloween with the big night on Wednesday. Slip on your scariest make-up, grab your pitchforks and head on down to what has largely been said to be one of the greatest Halloween displays at a Disney park in years. You can relive all the Halloween highlights in our Halloween Centre and Gallery.

 

 

Top Things

 

So, what thrilling countdown will happen this week? We list the top attractions in Hong Kong Disneyland that involve a 3D film theatre in some way:

 

1. Mickey's PhilharMagic

 

Thanks and don't forget to join us next week. 

 

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Current and Forthcoming Closures, Refurbishments and Construction

 

• Space Mountain (THIS WEEK): After the Haunted Halloween at Hong Kong Disneyland, Space Mountain will be closed on November 1 and 2, 2007 for retrofitting. The attraction will be resumed on November 3, 2007.
• Taihitian Terrace (Adventureland) restaurant CLOSED October 30 (THIS WEEK)
• UFO Zone (Tomorrowland) will be temporary closed from November 5 to 9, 2007 for routine maintenance. The attraction will be resumed on November 10, 2007.
• Disney on Parade will be temporarily suspended from November 17 to 21, 2007. Parade will resume on November 22, 2007
• 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'. We now have an indication that a hotel will be going up in the 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. 

 

October

• Halloween: (September 25 to October 31) Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialise all through September and October, as Hong Kong Disneyland celebrates its second official Halloween. Look for the decorations to go up late September, and then segue into the Christmas/New Year celebrations in November. This year will see the debut of a Haunted Hotel on Main Street; Space Mountain - Ghost Galaxy; a glow-in-the-dark parade and a host of other spooky surprises. You can read about the full line-up here.

 

November/December

• Christmas: From 23 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. A new parade is in the works as well, we're told.
• 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.

 

January 2008

• High School Musical: A hybrid version of the bafflingly popular US TV hit will come to HKDL in January 2008.

 

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’. You can follow the progress in our Construction Photo Gallery .

 

May 2008

• Richard visits Hong Kong Disneyland late in the month. Prepare the fortifications!

 

Current Discounts/Promotions

• Annual Passholders: September to December Passholder deals can be found here. Discounts for early renewals are also available.
• Bring a Friend Free: Annual Passholders can bring a friend to the park for free between September 1 and September 23! 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 December, 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 September 2008!
• Dining Deal: Book breakfast in advance and receive 30% off. Conditions apply.

 

Halloween Events/Park Hours/Schedule/Annual Pass Block-out Days

 

Day	Main Street Haunted Hotel	Glow-in-the-Dark Parade
Monday 29 October to Tuesday 30 October	1:00 PM - 8:00PM	7:00 PM
Wednesday 31 October	2:00 PM - 11:00 PM	7:30 PM

 

Note that these don't in any way replace the existing parades and fireworks. Disney on Parade will be temporarily suspended from November 17 to 21, 2007. That Parade will resume on November 22, 2007.

 

Park hours will remain at 10:00 to 8:00pm for the rest of October. October 31 will also extend to the later time of 11:00 PM, as it is Halloween Night (and the conclusion of the Halloween festivities). All weekends will be Peak Ticket days, and the ticket prices will be reflected accordingly.

 

Value Annual Passholders will have the remaining weekends blocked to them during October and November. Deluxe and Premium Annual Passholders get to go crazy, as no dates are blocked to them.

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