The HKDL Source

Update for December 24  to December 30 - News and Commentary

 

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News This Week: 'Twas the Weekend Before Christmas | 2008 - Meh or Yeh?

 

It's almost Christmas, and you'd think that would mean that things would be slowing down around here. Nothing could be further from the truth. We've had a big announcement this week in the form of four new attractions for 2008, and we are going to discuss that and the week's festivities in a bit more depth. First, I'd like to deliver a little Christmas cheer around the world by deliver this trip report poem that a certain Chief Spy wrote for a certain daughter of hers. Anything we can do to bring joy to someone at Christmas, right?

 

'Twas the Weekend Before Christmas

 

To Katherine Maria from Mama

 

	Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through the park All the tourists were pushing and waiting till dark; The decorations were hung on Main Street with care, In hopes that more people soon would be there;
	The characters were all dressed up in Reds, While visions of dollar signs danced in their heads;  With the little one in her Santa suit, and I in my Grinch shirt,  We'd brought along an umbrella to avoid being hurt.
	When over at the hub there began such a noise, I awoke from my daydream to see dancers poise. Away to the parade route we flew in a flash, Only to see floats that had gone through re-hash.
	The lights on the castle had such a wondrous glow They gave new hope to the park where attendance was low. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a giant mouse dressed up in Christmas gear.
	With a little baton so white and so quick, He turned the lights on with his magical stick. As quick as a flash the tourists they came, And they pushed and they shoved without any shame;
	Come Daisy, come Donald, and Pluto and Stitch! Bring Goofy, and Mulan, Marie and the Witch! Run to the castle, run to the square, be careful don't fall! Rush to your places to take pictures with all!
	As merry makers ran to the venues with glee, My little one cried as she clinged on to me, There were too many people there for my dear, She became claustrophobic and shook with great fear.
	And then, with a clang, I heard in the distance The braying of zebras; the elephant's trumpet. As I looked at my daughter and she smiled up at me, Away to Adventureland we ran so quickly.
	We saw the hyenas, the hippos, the snakes, We rode on the river cruise-it looked more like a lake; As we were walking through the jungle we heard a great sound, The roar of the Lion King made us turn right around.
	Simba was muscular! Nala so fine! Scar was so dark and the lady bird divine! Timon and Pumba got in on the act. And Mama's old student the fat monkey was back;
	The dancers amazing!  The singers were grand, An encore was called for to make the audience stand! We left the theatre with the gladdest of faces; Where to go next, there are so many places!
	Should we ride Dumbo, or maybe ride Pooh? How about the carousel, is there anything new? Philharmagics the one if you want to sit down; But 3D is nothing when the jester's in town!
	Teacups, who needs them?  Space Mountain could be fun! If Tomorrowland's the place; then Stitch is the one! Alas! He is speaking Cantonese once again, Forget all these rides, Let's go take a walk down Main!
	It's time for the fireworks to light the night sky,  I promise this time I will try not to cry! One last push for the tourists, as they tried to see; Disney in her splendor as it really should be.
	As the last Cannon burst and we were walking away,  I know I saw Mickey and Minnie coming our way. They both turned toward us and we heard them say, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU,  HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!

 

2008 - 'Meh' or 'Yeah'?

 

As you are all no doubt aware, four new attractions were announced for HKDL this week. Coming in Spring 2008, they will be a Muppet Mobile Lab, High School Musical Celebration, Nemo Submarine “Turtle Talk” and The Art of Animation. We won't bore you with the details again, as you have no doubt looked at the Press Release and the Photo Gallery we've attached to it.

 

As with any new attraction, these announcements have generated a fair bit of fan response. The majority of it, for better or for worse, has been fairly negative to apathetic in the fan community. With the park already reporting significant struggles this week - and Hong Kong's Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development Frederick Ma being criticised for not supporting the theme park more -  it is no wonder that three temporary and one kiddie-aimed permanent attraction hasn't got people uprooting their lives to move closer to Lantau Island just yet. As it is Christmas, and not wanting to be entirely negative and make Santa's naughty list, in HKDL's partial defence, these are the new 'spring attractions', designed to give a bit more oomph to the unveiling of it's a small world, which is also set to debut in Spring. They aren't meant to be 'attractions' in the traditional sense. Just as Stitch Encounter and UFO Fun Zone were pulled out at the same time as Autopia, these are more what you'd call your 'value added' attractions - something you get with a bigger ride.

Still, I can't help but feeling a bit disappointed too. It does seem that each year, the group of attractions does get literally smaller. Plus, the Nemo thing looks like the world's biggest RV. That said, even if we don't always see it in the actions and press, Disney is no doubt sharing these fan concerns. Fundamentally, the park is "lesser" than the other parks around the world because it is smaller and doesn't have as many things to do. That seems to be the general consensus in the fan community, although it does not diminish the local charm and potential that the park has. We, of course, love the place. However, simply saying "stick in an E-Ticket" has never been the solution. As has been suggested here before, Disney's solution (and no doubt their plan all along) is closer to getting their foot in the door of China and cracking the local market. My belief is not that Hong Kong Disneyland is having disappointing results because it is 'half a park' - although that is undoubtedly a partial factor - but because they still haven't sold themselves to the local market properly. Selling for impact is based on three fundamental principles: establishing credibility, finding a gap and offering a solution/filler. In my opinion, HKDL is still struggling with the first of these, and all the rides in the world aren't going to boost the attendance in comparison to Ocean Park, which has the home team advantage. However, if we can see a pattern to the trends of the last year - more show-based attractions, young-adult oriented marketing and more parades - there is definite evidence of strategy and advice as to how the local market works. Whether this is right or wrong, and will ultimately pay off for the park, is something only time will tell.

 

Standard Sign Out Section

 

Contrary to what we said last week, we will be back for the final column of the year next Monday - New Year's Eve! Amazing to think that it has come around so quickly. No doubt it has taken a year to get from the last one to this one, like it seems to do each year, but it just feels quicker, doesn't it? Take the opportunity this week to get about and do some local Christmas stuff, as Hong Kong Disneyland's Christmas celebrations only last just over a week now.

 

On behalf of everyone here at HKDL Source, MERRY CHRISTMAS to our readers; our contributors and all of our well-wishers. To the rest of you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as well. We can only hope to convert you in 2008!

 

Remember, as always, if you have any news, photos, trip reports or just a question, feel free to contact us.  We like to think of ourselves as the people's site.

 

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Current and Forthcoming Closures, Refurbishments and Construction

 

• Disney on Parade will be temporarily replaced with the Let it Snow Christmas Parade.
• 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.

 

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 .

 

Spring 2008:

• Four New Attractions start to roll out in HKDL: Muppet Mobile Lab, High School Musical Celebration, Nemo Submarine “Turtle Talk” and The Art of Animation

 

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!
• Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Victorian Escape Package for 2 Persons: Enjoy the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Victorian Escape Package at the starting price of HK$2,280 and indulge in a relaxing spa with your beloved or friends! Offer period: 27 November, 2007 to 31 March, 2008. See here for details.
• Dining Deal: Book breakfast in advance and receive 30% off. Conditions apply.
• Cathay Pacific and Dragonair Deal: From now until 31 January, 2008*, you can take advantage of the "Buy 2 get 1 Free" or "Buy 3 get 1 Free" travel package from Cathay Pacific and its partner airline Dragonair, featuring an array of value-added benefits. See Offer Details.

 

Park Hours/Schedule/Annual Pass Block-out Days

 

Throughout December, 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. December 21 to December 30 hours will be 10:00 AM to 11:00PM. New Year's Eve will extend those hours to 12:30 AM.

 

Value Annual Passholders will have the remaining weekends blocked to them during November, as well as December 21 to 31. Deluxe Annual Passholders also have December 21 to 31 blocked to them.

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