The HKDL Source

Update for April 7 to April 13 - News and Commentary

 

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News This Week: A Small Reaction | Hong Kong Disneyland Sinks to Bottom | Autopia Closed

 

Consider me gobsmacked. With well over 2100 hits, and counting, last week’s column is undoubtedly the most read “This Week in Hong Kong Disneyland” we’ve ever produced. Now, call me a cynic, but rather than praising my own skills with the written word, I tend to suspect that the result of all those hits has something to do with all of those official Disney photos of the interior of the new it’s a small world attraction. So here we are, a not so busy week later, with more words.

 

A Small Reaction

 

The reactions to the it’s a small world photos have been mixed and varied. My initial reaction was “My god, they’ve been working on this since 2006. Gosh time flies when you’re having fun…”. It seems that most of the responses I’ve seen come not from a newfound interest in Hong Kong Disneyland on the part of the Disney fan populace (although new things anywhere always tend to get a higher interest rate), but rather a reaction to the proposed changes in Anaheim. I don't mind telling you, here at HKDLSource, our opinions are divided on the subject and that is inevitable with any group of fans passionate about a particular topic. In this case, it is an especially sensitive one as it's a small world is not simply another Disney attraction, but an icon with a song that almost exists independently of the ride in the public consciousness.

Fan outrage will always erupt when a classic ride, especially one overseen by Uncle Walt, is proposed. Just look at the reactions to Pirates of the Caribbean and Tom Sawyer’s Island in Anaheim last year. That said, these things have a habit of passing over and being forgotten once punters get in there and start enjoying the new digs. The biggest difference with the Hong Kong version is the Hong Kong skyline; the new Asian and American bit and most controversially, the ‘doll versions’ of classic Disney characters. As I mentioned briefly last week, these dolls seem to keep with the general feel of the Mary Blair inspired classic attraction, and people are getting far too precious about every change. People go to a Disney park to experience the magic that only Disney can provide, and there is something a little dated – not to mention creepy – about a forty-year-old dolls singing about a world of laughter and a world of tears. On a personal level, I’m finding it great that there is something to be excited about in Hong Kong Disneyland. Every time a change or new attraction is mentioned in any of the parks, my little ears perk up. If Disneyland were to remain static, it would be tragic. If Hong Kong Disneyland did the same, it would be fatal.

Comments I’ve spotted around the ‘net have included “amazing”; and in relation to the Disney characters “natural and non-intrusive”. It’s not all smiles, as some feel it “completely changes the meaning of the ride”, and others just think that the “Woody and Jesse insert looks a little tacky”. The World of Animation has its opinion too, over at the Re-Imagineering blog. They are coming from the "leave a classic alone" perspective, and while I'm all for change, they do make some pretty solid arguments. How do you feel? Be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of this article.

All of this comes back to where Hong Kong Disneyland could be positioning itself. Hong Kong Disneyland is in a unique position, where it isn't burdened by the history that causes so much grief to change in the other parks. With over fifty years of heritage, not to mentioning building on available space, the original Disney parks simply don't have the ability to experiment like their Hong Kong cousin. Hong Kong Disneyland is in an unique position, because it can try new things like skylines in it's a small world, or combining the Jungle Cruise, Tarzan's Treehouse and the Rivers of America. They can wow Asian audiences, while giving the American parks a little more inspiration to how far they can tweak their rides before the villagers start running with pitchforks and fiery things. There’s so much that we share – isn’t it time we’re aware it’s a small world, after all?

 

Hong Kong Disneyland sinks to bottom of popularity

 

In my rush to get those photos out last week, here was a little story I missed. Local newspaper The Standard reports that “Hong Kong Disneyland has plunged nearly to the bottom of the world's 25 most popular theme parks last year - five places behind major rival Ocean Park - according to a survey by Themed Entertainment Association and Economics Research Associates”.

The full article can be read here.

 

Autopia Closes for Maintenance

 

Without any real explantion, the official site has been updated to state: " Tomorrowland attraction Autopia is temporarily closed for maintenance." Fans with memories that stretch back to September last year will remember that the ride was temporarily shut when one of the cars derailed. We'll let you know if this is going down for a while, and when it comes back up!

 

More details on scheduled closures can be seen below.

 

Standard Sign Out Section

We're just getting warmed up! 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.

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Current and Forthcoming Closures, Refurbishments and Construction

 

• Autopia (CLOSED): Tomorrowland attraction Autopia is temporarily closed for maintenance.
• Taihitian Terrace (CLOSED) - Tuesday 8 April  to Thursday 10 April
• Festival of the Lion King (Theatre in the Wild) (SUSPENDED - THIS WEEK): Will be suspened from April 6 to April 11 in order to perform routine maintenance.
• 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. 

 

April 2008

 

• it’s a small world (28 April 2008): The official launch date is now set! You can follow the progress in our Construction Photo Gallery .

 

May 2008

 

• Richard visits Hong Kong Disneyland late in the month (May 24 to May 27). Prepare the fortifications!

 

Current Discounts/Promotions

 

• Annual Passholders: Benefits 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, 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 Residents Save, Dine and Save: Hong Kong Residents get-away for a magical night that includes fabulous dining for two. Stay and Dine package price starts at just HK$1,488 (Save over $400). Offer period: 17 February to 30 June, 2008. Details can be found here.
• Hong Kong Disneyland Victorian Spring Package: Stay amidst the magic in our Victorian hotel and enjoy a relaxing spa vacation with the Victorian Spring Package with your beloved or friends at the starting price of HK$2,380! Offer period: 1 April 2008 to 30 June 2008. Details here.
• 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.

 

Park Hours/Schedule/Annual Pass Block-out Days

 

Hours are 10:00 to 7:30 PM throughout April.

 

Value Annual Passholders will have the remaining weekends in March blocked to them, and all weekends in April. Deluxe Annual Passholders can go crazy for a few months, although it should be noted that April 4 (and all weekends) will be a Peak Ticket Day.

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