Hong Kong Disneyland (Chinese: 香港迪士尼樂園) is the first theme park inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and is owned and managed by the Hong Kong International Theme Parks.
Hong Kong Disneyland, the fifth Magic Kingdom-style park, is located on a reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. After years of negotiations and construction, the park opened to visitors on September 12, 2005, considered an auspicious date according to Chinese almanacs for the opening of a new business. Disney attempted to avoid problems of cultural backlash by attempting to incorporate Chinese culture, customs, and traditions when designing and building the resort, including adherence to the rules of Feng Shui. For instance, a bend was put in a walkway near the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort entrance so good "chi" energy wouldn't flow into the South China Sea.
The park consists of four themed lands similar to other Disneyland parks: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland. There is as yet no Frontierland, although it may be included in future expansion projects. The theme park's cast members use English and Chinese, including Cantonese and Mandarin dialects, to communicate verbally. Guide Maps are printed in both Traditional and Simplified characters, English, French, and in Japanese.
The capacity of the park is 34,000 visitors per day, and is the smallest Disneyland park. It has so far fallen short of meeting its targeted visitorship figures. The park attracted 5.2 million visitors in its first year, below its target of 5.6 million. Visitor numbers fell 20% in the second year to 4 million, which was below company targets, inciting criticisms from local legislators. However, the park attendance slightly increased by 8% in the third year, attracting a total of 4.5 million visitors in 2007-2008 fiscal year. Since the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005, the theme park has attracted 15 million guests.
The park's small size is often cited to explain its under-performance.[] Currently 22.4 hectares (55 acres) in size, it will be expanded to 27.4 hectares (68 acres) when three new themed areas are completed. The announced areas, namely Grizzly Trail, Mystic Point and Toy Story Land, are all located outside the Disneyland Railroad track, south to the current Adventureland. After the opening of the three new lands, the park is expected to handle 7.92 million to 8.92 million visitors in 2014. Eventually, the park capacity will increase to handle up to 10 million visitors annually over a 15 year expansion period.
| “ |
To all who come to
this happy place, welcome. Many years ago, Walt Disney introduced
the world to enchanted realms of fantasy and adventure, yesterday
and tomorrow, in a magical place called Disneyland. Today that
spirit of imagination and discovery comes to life in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Disneyland is dedicated to the young and the young at heart - with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration, and an enduring symbol of the cooperation, friendship and understanding between the people of Hong Kong and the United States of America. |
” |
An audience of more than 400 guests celebrated the ground breaking of Hong Kong Disneyland on January 12, 2003.Those present included Tung Chee Hwa, then Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; Michael D. Eisner, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company; and Robert A. Iger, President of The Walt Disney Company.
On September 23, 2004, a special "castle topping ceremony" was held in the park to commemorate the placing of the tallest turret on Sleeping Beauty Castle. Among those present were Tung Chee Hwa, then Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Michael Eisner, then CEO of The Walt Disney Company; and Bob Iger, president of The Walt Disney Company, in addition to Mickey Mouse and other costumed characters. Hong Kong Disneyland had the shortest construction period among all of the Disneyland-style theme parks.
The park adds new attractions continuously. See Future construction for more details
The park consists of four classic themed lands, which are Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
In 2014, Hong Kong Disneyland will include a total of seven themed lands with the addition of Grizzly Trail, Mystic Point and Toy Story Land, which were announced for the expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland. The first new themed land is expected to open in late 2011.
Meet 'n' greet is one major feature among all Disney parks. Visitors can to encounter and interact withwith various characters from Disney's animated features and live-action films.
The park features both a daytime parade "Disney on Parade" and "Disney in the Stars", a fireworks show, in the evening. Seasonal entertainment, such as Disney's Haunted Halloween, A Sparkling Christmas and Disney's Chinese New Year, are held in the park to celebrate main festivals.
]] float in Disney on parade]]
| Celebration | Attractions and entertainment* | Year |
|---|---|---|
| A Magical Christmas | Tree Lighting Ceremony | 2005 |
| Magical Chinese New Year | Chinese New Year Celebration Stageshow | 2006 |
| Disney's Halloween |
The Villains' Lair; and Halloween Costume Mini-Parade |
2006 |
| A Magical Christmas |
Santa's Corner; and Mickey's Sing-a-long Tree Lighting |
2006 |
| Disney's Chinese New Year | Disney "Come and Celebrate" Stageshow | 2007 |
| Pirate Takeover | Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Boot Camp; Mirabella, the Gypsy Fortune Teller; "The Doctor of Soul" Voodoo Drum Show; Pirate Procession; and Pirate Party Nights |
2007 |
| Mickey's Summer Blast | Animation Academy; Mickey's WaterWorks; and Stitch's Summer Blast Dance Party |
2007 |
| Disney's Haunted Halloween | Main Street Haunted Hotel; Space Mountain - Ghost Galaxy; Villain in Adventureland; and Glow in-the-Park Halloween Parade |
2007 |
| A Sparkling Christmas | Santa's Workshop; Ice Fantasy; 'Let it Snow' Christmas Parade; and Sparkling Castle Lights |
2007 |
| Year of the Mouse Celebration | Mickey's House; A Salute to Mickey Statues; Mickey's Rockin’ the Mouse Castle Show; Adventures in Fashion; and Rhythum of Life: Dragon Procession |
2008 |
| Nonstop Summer Fun | "it's a small world"; Turtle Talk with Crush; Mickey's WaterWorks; High School Musical: LIVE! and Muppet Mobile Lab |
2008 |
| Disney's Haunted Halloween | Demon Jungle; Main Street Haunted Hotel; Adventureland Haunted Trial; Space Mountain - Ghost Galaxy; Scary Photo Fun; and Glow-in-the-Park Halloween Parade |
2008 |
| A Sparkling Christmas - Royal Kingdom | Mickey's Christmas House; 'Let it Snow' Christmas Parade; Royal Christmas Ball; and Sparkling Castle Lights |
2008 |
| Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox | Lucky Trail; Mickey's House; and Celebration in the Street Procession |
2009 |
| Celebration of Love | 2009 | |
| Star Guest Program | Star Guest Badge; Mickey's House; Magical Moments; and Exclusive Star Experiences |
2009 |
| Summer Fun, Stitch Style | Stich's Get Silly Photo Scenes; Stitch Summer Dance Bash; and Mickey's Waterworks |
2009 |
| Disney's Haunted Halloween | Alien Invasion; Demon Jungle; Main Street Haunted Hotel; Space Mountain - Ghost Galaxy; Scary Photo Fun; and Glow in-the-Park Halloween Parade |
2009 |
| A Sparkling Christmas - A Winter Wonderland | "it's a small world christmas"; 'Let it Snow' Christmas Parade; and Lights of Winter |
2009 |
Note*: Festive entertainment is shown in italic
The Phase 1 Extension began with three new attractions for Tomorrowland that opened in the summer of 2006. In 2008, the Art of Animation, which is located in the Opera House, and the classical attraction "it's a small world" was added.
The outer edge of Adventureland was under construction from early May to September 2008, adjacent to Festival of The Lion King and the rafts dock. Digging was under way beneath the berm, to permit expansion beyond the railroad track perimeter. A temporary structure for Demon Jungle, an exclusive attraction for the 2008 Halloween season was built in the area beyond the railroad. Also, the walkway will link to new themed lands in the future.
The Walt Disney Company has been negotiating with the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong on funding the upcoming Phase 1 Extension. The park plans to introduce three new theme lands, which will increase the total land area of the park by about 12 hectares. A number of new thrilling rides had been chosen and will be built in order to satisfy the market of young-adults and teenagers. It is reported that the preparation for groundbreaking has been finished and the park is ready to start the construction once it has granted permission from the government. In order to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Hong Kong Disneyland, the park is aiming to start the construction in 2009 so that the first part of the extension will be able to open in 2011, while the second part of the project is expected to be finished in 2013, one year prior to the opening of the Shanghai Resort.
On 30 June 2009, Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, announced that the expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland had been approved by the Executive Council. The park will receive three new themed lands, they are Grizzly Trail, Mystic Point and Toy Story Land. The park will feature a total of seven themed areas after the completion of all the new attraction. Later in July 2009, the Legislative Council approved the expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland. The Ground-Breaking took place on the 13th December 2009 for the construction of the three new lands.
Currently, a new shopping district (see Downtown Disney) and the third hotel are taken into discussions. Announcements of these two additions for the resort may be made in March 2010.
For long-term construction, with the reclaimed land reserved for the Phase 2 Extension and the Disneyland park being blocked by the Park Promenade (a pedestrian walkway which links the MTR Disneyland Resort Station, Disneyland park and Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel), it is expected that the resort's second Disney theme park will be built on that site.
A Phase 3 Extension is also being considered by the Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government.
Just before the grand opening, the park was criticised for overestimating the daily capacity limit. The problem became apparent on the charity preview day on 4 September 2005, when 30,000 locals visited the park. This event turned out to be a disaster, there were too many guests. Wait times at fast food outlets were at least 45 minutes in length, and wait times at rides were two hours in length.
Although the community, and the park's biggest shareholder, the Hong Kong Government, put pressure on the park to lower the capacity, the park insisted on keeping the limit and only agreed to relieve the capacity problem by extending opening time by one hour or introducing more discounts during weekdays. However, the park said local visitors tend to stay in the park for about nine hours per visit, implying that the mentioned practices would do little to solve the problem[].
During Chinese New Year 2006, many visitors arrived at the park in the morning bearing valid tickets, but were refused entry, because the park was already at capacity. Disgruntled visitors attempted to force their way into the park or gain access by climbing over the barrier gates. Disneyland management was forced to revise their ticketing policy and designated future periods close to Chinese public holidays as 'special days' during which admission would only be allowed through a date-specific ticket.
Officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene department, who were asked by Disney staff to take off their badges and caps in order to enter the park, left park visitors feeling very uneasy. The officers investigated a food-poisoning case in the park's restaurants. The chairman of Legco's food Safety panel, Fred Li, described the incident as shocking, and called on the director of the department to take follow-up action against Disney. Hong Kong Disneyland says what happened was inappropriate and has apologised for the incident. The Secretary for Justice has since said that the government did not have enough evidence to make a prosecution, thus dropping the case.
As at other Disney theme parks, visitors to Hong Kong Disneyland have their finger biometrics scanned at the entry gate. Vistors are not warned of the policy beforehand. Scanning is done of all vistors older than 10 years of age, and is used to associate ticket media with the person using it. The company claims that "the 50 sample points from the surface of a guest's finger ... do not contain sufficient information to recreate a fingerprint image." Nonetheless, forensic specialists note that the data collected are more than adequate to establish a positive identification.
Disney initially refused to release the attendance figures after media reports surfaced saying the park's attendance numbers might be lower than expected. Disney finally relented, and declared on November 24, 2005, that Disney had officially welcomed over 1 million guests during its first two months of operation.
In response to negative publicity locally and to boost visitor numbers, Hong Kong Disneyland offered $50 discounts for admission to the park to holders of Hong Kong I.D. cards in the period before Christmas in 2005. In the period from March to June 2006, the park offered holders of Hong Kong I.D. cards the opportunity to buy a two-day admission for the price of a single day.
