This Week in Hong Kong Disneyland
Story
HKDL Source launches a new YouTube channel; we take a closer look at that creepy commercial that came out last week; have a brief hurrah over the possibility of more cash being injected into the park and count down our favourite top things.
Update for November 5 to November 11 - News and Commentary
Skip To: Current Closures, Refurbishment and Construction | Events & Important Dates | Current Discounts/Promotions | Park Hours/Schedule/Annual Pass Blockout Days | Make a Comment
News This Week: Creepy Commercial | Cash Comeback | Top Things
It's getting harder to write something each week, so this week we've provided some video humour for you. It's all part of our new YouTube Channel. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, HKDL Source plows deeper into Web 2.0 and launches a place for all of our video content. We'll be slowly rolling it out over the coming weeks, so stay tuned to our new channel for all the latest and greatest HKDL video content.
Creepy Commercial
Let us just say, we love the new Hong Kong Disneyland commercial. It's quite coy and sweet, and it gives the viewer a pretty good idea of what Hong Kong Disneyland is all about. However, on repeat viewings, we couldn't help but feel that there was a creepy quality to it. A woman get's on a ride, and HE is there. She's goes to have a delicious meal, and HE is there. She goes to take the train home, and guess what? You betcha! HIM! Was this gentleman in the ad, in fact, stalking the young lady? We believe so, and that is why we've created this community service announcement.
Cash Comeback
As Tom reported today, the Hong Kong SAR government is considering injecting some more capital into the HKDL project. Is this due to DCA getting money recently? Could it be that they feel the threat of the neighbouring Macau's massive entertainment venture? Could it be that the much-closer-to-home Ocean Park is forcing the hand of the HKSAR? Or has the HDKL Source Gauntlet been thrown one too many times and the mighty power of it forced the hand of the Hong Kong SAR? We'd like to think it was the latter.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Frederick Ma Si- hang also said one of the most sensible things we've heard since this whole debacle started: "I don't want to hear visitors saying they are seeing the same things they saw last year and lose interest in Disneyland," Ma said. That's really the crux of it, isn't it? It's all well and good to say that you can't throw in good money after bad, but when the place is simply not attracting the customers, perhaps crossing your fingers simply isn't enough. The successful Halloween season appears to have reinvigorated the interest in the park for many people, and higher than expected attendance may have indeed given the HK SAR government food for thought. So it seems Mr. Ma has thrown down his own gauntlet. Let's hope this means that things are really going to amp up to eleven over the next few years!
Top Things
This week, we count down our favourite stage shows based on an Award-winning film:
Thanks and don't forget to join us next week.
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Current and Forthcoming Closures, Refurbishments and Construction
- Taihitian Terrace (Adventureland) restaurant CLOSED November 7 through 8 (THIS WEEK)
- UFO Zone (Tomorrowland) will be temporary closed from November 5 to 9, 2007 (THIS WEEK) 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.
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 castle 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.
- 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.
Park Hours/Schedule/Annual Pass Block-out Days
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 7:00pm for most of November. From November 23, hours will extend to the later time of 8:00 PM, as the Christmas festivities begin. 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 November. Deluxe and Premium Annual Passholders get to go crazy, as no dates are blocked to them.
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