The HKDL Source

Update for January 7 to January 13 - 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: This Year in Hong Kong Disneyland | Walt Disney Treasures DVD

 

As I continue to plan for my holiday/honeymoon in just a few months time, it suddenly struck me why I find Hong Kong Disneyland so appealing: its simplicity. Although almost four months away, my booking to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida still requires me to book my dining and airport-hotel travel plans (as they were not things I could do up front). Being an international customer, and given that many of these things have to be done via the phone, this is potentially bothersome and expensive proposition, at least more so than a holiday should be. Once I get there, no doubt I'll have the time of my life, although the place looks huge. Some may call Hong Kong Disneyland "small", but I prefer to think of it in my present state as "streamlined". If this model is maintained as the park grows and evolves, I have no doubt that it will one day be considered one of the greatest Disney Parks ever. For now, it just makes a nice convenient place to not have to think about planning to much at the end of a six-city holiday. Anyway, enough about me...

 

This Year in Hong Kong Disneyland

 

It's really easy to be an armchair Imagineer, and casual guesser. All it takes is someone to mention that they heard someone affiliated with Disney say something about "piracy" to prompt every fan forum on the web to erupt in a frenzy of speculation over whether it could mean Pirates of the Caribbean; Peter Pan's Flight or some crazy combination of the two. Come to think of it, that's not a bad idea - let's start that rumour! It'd be great, you'd hope into a vessel that flies, before being taken off to see Captain Jack do battle with Captain Hook, and...and...

 

See how easy it is? So before this year runs away from us, let's concentrate on those things that we know are coming.

 

	Chinese New Year   It's the first major event on the Hong Kong Disneyland calendar for 2008, it's going to go off! A new Rhythm of Life Procession; a chance to visit Mickey's House; Adventures in Fashion with Vivienne Tam, as well as new things to eat and buy in the park!
	it's a small world   Due to open in April 2008, this major addition to Fantasyland is a Disney classic. This indoor boat ride is set to employ technology and scenes seen in any other Disney attraction.
	Four New Attractions   While the jury is out on whether you can rightly call Muppet Mobile Lab, High School Musical Celebration, Nemo Submarine Turtle Talk and The Art of Animation "attractions", it is a step in the right direction. Kinda. It's set to happen around Spring, so we'll keep an eye or two out for them.

 

 

We will no doubt be adding to this list as the year goes on...

Walt Disney Treasures: Disneyland - Secrets, Stories and Magic

 

The Walt Disney Treasures set is now in its 7th Wave, and as an annual tradition, I've picked up the three releases for this year. It's kind of a Christmas present to myself (which is tragic on so many levels that I don't know where to start). It's always great when there is some Disneyland-related content to be found on one of the discs, and this year an entire set devoted to the original Disneyland in Anaheim has been released. Although essentially prepared for the 50th Anniversary in 2005 - and originally advertised as a stand-alone DVD, then as part of the Walt Disney Legacy Collection - it now comes to us as part of the tinned Walt Disney Treasures sets. Hong Kong Disneyland does get a brief mention at the end of the new feature-length documentary Secrets, Stories and Magic, but if you are a fan of Disney parks and Imagineering, this is a very difficult set to pass up. Along with the aforementioned documentary created for this release, the first disc also gives us vintage material in the form of People and Places: Disneyland USA; and Operation Disneyland, a piece on the opening day in 1955 not meant to be seen by the general public. On to Disc 2, and Disney has presented three episodes of "Wonderful World of Color": The Golden Horseshoe Revue (1962); Disneyland Goes to the World's Fair (1964) and Disneyland Around the Seasons (1966).

 

Of particular interest is the time-lapse footage of the construction of the original park in just over a year! Those familiar with modern theme-park construction will know that getting through all the paperwork and legalities will take at least that long now. After all, Hong Kong Disneyland was first announced back in 1999, but didn;t open until 2005! Given how closely Hong Kong Disneyland is connected to this original theme park, this is an essential item for all Disney parks fans. With it's a small world due to open in a few months in Hong Kong, this DVD also acts as an 'origin story' for that attraction, with the Disneyland Goes to the World's Fair piece showcasing the original ride. Sure, the 1960s television was barely passing for program content, as opposed to pure advertising, but that could be said of so many shows in 2008. A must own for all fans!

 

Standard Sign Out Section

It's the first column for the year! We're just getting warmed up too! With our membership sign-up section fixed, there is no stopping the onslaught of the Member Zone; the fabled competition and anything else we've written down on the back of a coaster over the last few years. 2008 is going to be huge.

 

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.

Also, don't forget that you can now subscribe to The HKDL Source Newsfeed via the links below:

 

	Subscribe to RSS Feed

 

 

If you have any trouble using the feed, or have spotted some pesky bugs, please feel free to Contact Us and we'll try and sort it out.

 

Current and Forthcoming Closures, Refurbishments and Construction

 

• Disney on Parade : From January 7 to 11, 2008, Disney on Parade will be temporarily replaced by Mickey's Main Street Express. Disney on Parade will resume on January 12, 2008.
• Taihitian Terrace (CLOSED): On January 8 though 10 (THIS WEEK)
• 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.

 

Events & Important Dates

 

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

 

February 2008

• Chinese New Year (January 22 to February 24): Quite possibly the most important traditional Chinese holiday on the calendar, Hong Kong Disneyland has put it's own stamp on the event. Traditional Chinese parades and costumes can be seen mixing it up with the magic of Disney. The week of February 7 to 13 will be the Peak time, so get your tickets now!

 

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 (May 24 to May 27). 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, 2008. 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 30 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

 

Dates	Hours	Ticket Days
1 February to 6 February 2008	10:00 AM to 8:00 PM	Peak Day
7 February to 17 February 2008	9:00 AM to 9:00 PM	Special Day (except 14-17 as Peak)
18 February to 29 February 2008	10:00 AM to 8:00 PM	Regular Day*
* Except weekends. All weekends in January and February are Peak Days. Ticket prices will be reflected accordingly.

 

Value Annual Passholders will have all weekends blocked to them during January and February. Both Value and Deluxe Annual Passholders also have January 1 and February 7 to 15 blocked to them.

Comments

Leave a Comment

You Must Be Logged In to Post a Comment