HONG KONG | Disneyland Expansion

[hkskyline]

Disney wishes more hotels
The Standard
Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Hong Kong Disneyland has made a big wish - it's asked the government for four more hotels.

Disneyland's proposal includes building one large hotel and three smaller vacation-style hotels to be connected by a mini-tram system, sources told Sing Tao Daily, a sister newspaper of The Standard.

The park, which the sources said saw a record 5.9 million visitors last year - also aims to build an artificial lake.

If the new plans seem too massive for the government, which owns 57 percent of the park, Disneyland is willing to compromise, saying all four hotels do not have to be built at the same time, the sources said.

Disneyland managing director Andrew Kam Min-ho had earlier said the park wanted to build one large and one small hotel. A government source said Disneyland submitted different proposals including the feasibility of expanding within the existing area.

But the source noted that everything is tentative and nothing has been confirmed. It is understood Disneyland wants to expand its rides first before building the hotels.

Disneyland will officially reveal its 2011 performance results this afternoon.

A record 5.9 million people visited the park last year, up more than 10 percent from the 5.2 million in 2010.

Earnings last year before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization has been estimated at HK$400 million to HK$500 million, up from HK$220 million in 2010.

The park's net loss narrowed from HK$718 million in 2009 to HK$200 million in 2010.

Currently, new attractions are being added to Hong Kong Disneyland.

The first - Toy Story Land - opened at the end of last year.

Visitors to this attraction feel dwarfed by the oversized characters of Slinky Dog, Toy Soldier Parachute Drop and RC Racer - characters from the movie Toy Story.

Grizzly Gulch will be completed this year and Mystic Point next year.

The expansion will increase the park's area by 23 percent, taking its total offerings - including rides, entertainment facilities and shows - to more than 100.

From last August, Disneyland raised the adult admission fee from HK$350 to HK$399, and admission charges for children from HK$250 to HK$285.

In September, the park announced the recruitment of 1,000 staff, the largest intake since opening its doors in 2005.

Earlier reports put the figure of the park's entire expansion cost at HK$3.6 billion.

[hkskyline]

Park needs to be less Mickey Mouse
The Standard
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Hong Kong Disneyland opened with a flourish in September 2005.

But it seemed to quickly lose its appeal in the first few years, and Disney veteran Dave Vermeulen had to relinquish the managing director's post to Coca-Cola man Andrew Kam Min-ho in 2008.

Yesterday, Kam delivered his third report card. It's the best one so far. Although the theme park is still in a deficit position, after taking into account all expenses - including interest and depreciation - it had an operating profit of HK$506 million.

So its financial health appears to be steadily improving. However, the burning question is whether Kam can continue to maintain the trend to steer the Disneyland ship into the magical port of sustained profitability.

Kam inherited an under-performing operation three years ago. While it would be relatively easier to start afresh from a low threshold, the more serious challenge lies ahead in maintaining growth. A total of 5.94 million people visited the park in Penny's Bay in the past year. But is that a reason for rejoicing? It was the expected target five years ago.

The 2011 results still lag far behind what they should be as per the original plan prior to the 2005 launch.

Nevertheless, maybe Kam still deserves kudos for doing what his predecessor had been unable to achieve - especially in view of the global financial crisis and swine flu outbreak that greeted his 2008 arrival.

But Kam will have to prove to shareholders - including the government - he can keep the magic working. Results for the fiscal year ended September 30 have boosted public expectations for improvement this year.

Expansion may be the key, but it alone can't solve the problem. There are five Disney theme parks globally - two in the United States, and one in Japan, France and here. When Shanghai Disneyland becomes operational in 2016, the number will increase to six.

Yet, Hong Kong is the smallest of all. Even after the three new theme zones are completed, the SAR park will still be no match for its sisters in terms of size.

There isn't yet a timetable - at least as far as the public is aware - for the local attraction to meet the target of 11 million visitors annually, as spelled out in the agreement between the government and Walt Disney.

This certainly can't be achieved in a fortnight, but it would be nice to know when. The local park performed poorly in the first few years because it inflexibly clung to American tastes. The formula may have worked elsewhere, but failed here.

Innovation is needed to expand the attractions to young adults who, having grown up, may find the old ones, er, too Mickey Mouse. Those who know Kam may be tempted to say the non- American chief has many ideas in mind. But can he give the SAR theme park a distinct identity to make it special - despite its status as the smallest in the Disney family?

[SO143]

it would be great if you are able to post some picture of hong kong disneyland

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by SO143

it would be great if you are able to post some picture of hong kong disneyland

My set but they're quite dated : http://www.globalphotos.org/hk-disney.htm

[hkskyline]

Disney has designs on creative types
The Standard
Monday, April 30, 2012

Hong Kong is poised to become the world's next creative hot spot because of its strategic location and a booming design industry, Disney executives say.

In addition, local graduates have an enormous potential for creativity and an edge over foreigners when it comes to offering unique perspectives.

Walt Disney Hong Kong director of creative development and show quality standards Theron Skees said that "2012 is the year for design in Hong Kong."

He added: "We'll soon see some world-class talents emerging from this city, as there's now a growing public acceptance for design and creative jobs as a long-term career option, and local students are really going into it full steam."

Skees was speaking at the launch of the Disney ImagiNations Hong Kong design competition, which aims to inspire young creative talent and identify budding "Imagineers" for the world's largest entertainment company.

The term "Imagineering" was adopted by Disney to describe the blending of imagination and engineering as embodied by its employees.

It is the creative force behind the company and covers a broad range of skills with more than 140 different job titles under its banner, including illustrators, architects, show writers and graphic designers.

Traditionally, culture and entertainment products flowed mainly from West to East. But, according to Disney Imagineer Kelly Willis, this flow will soon be reversed, with local creative types perfectly placed to capitalize.

"The creative focus will be on East Asia in the next decade with integrated resorts, casinos and theme parks sprouting out in cities like Singapore and Shanghai," he said. "As a key gateway to [China] and being at the crossroads of Asia, Hong Kong can develop into a well-established design hub."

Skees said strong government support is the driving force for the rapidly expanding sector, with agencies such as Create Hong Kong providing millions of dollars annually to foster the greater appreciation and adoption of design.

On a visit to Wuhan to promote local creative products and industries last week, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So Kam-leung said the government will continue its strong support for one of the SAR's six pillar industries, and hopes for fruitful collaboration with the mainland.

That support is also the reason why parents now are giving approval to their children to pursue careers in design and innovation over more established professions, Willis said.

The US-based firm is also looking to hire more local graduates to give Asian visitors a more authentic Disney experience and make them feel at home.

Skees dismissed the common refrain that Hongkongers lack creativity due to an education system that places overwhelming emphasis on rote-learning.

[mykebob]

It will really a big expansion for Disneyland if it will be successful to do this. This is such a nice place for visit and for fun. I was there last year and enjoyed there with family.

[thethemeparkguy]

More here:
http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/park/...ng-disneyland/

[SO143]

this must be like a dreamland for sure!

[hkskyline]

China card harder to play for parks
The Standard
Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Hong Kong Disneyland has finally posted a profit since opening in 2005.

Although HK$109 million is modest compared to the capital invested, the sum was nevertheless hard-earned.

Perhaps, Ocean Park got wind of it competitor's result, as chairman Allan Zeman used the soft occasion of a spring reception to reveal some robust figures for the Lunar New Year to win a share of the press coverage.

It was obviously a smart PR "coincidence."

Five years ago, Hong Kong Disneyland was still struggling. There were 120 days a year when daily admissions were less than 10,000 visitors. Now, there are only 14 such days. Clearly, this has a lot to do with the park's expansion and new attractions.

In addition to more families and young singles looking for some Halloween fun, perhaps most surprising of all was that visitors from the Philippines became a bright spot.

To an extent, Disneyland and Ocean Park mirror challenges common to Hong Kong as a whole.

Like the rest of the society, both parks have benefited substantially from the mainland's individual visitor scheme. With more mainlanders coming here, so were more people visiting the theme parks and spending money.

The same holds for the rest of the SAR, so it's worrisome to see the recent surge in ill feelings toward mainlanders.

Given James Tien Pei-chun's role as Tourism Board chairman, it was awkward to hear him repeat the need to limit mainlanders' entry. It would make more sense for him to defend the scheme and help cool local hostilities.

But, in reality, it will be unrealistic for Tien, a lawmaker, and others in the legislature to go against public sentiment and speak favorably about the individual visitor scheme - even if it had saved Hong Kong from economic ruin after the financial crisis and the SARS epidemic.

The Disney figures offer some more food for thought. Out of every 10 visitors, four came from the mainland. But growth has already slowed down. And it will be difficult to say for sure that the SAR won't be affected by the Shanghai Disney theme park - scheduled to open in late 2015 - despite the official line that both sister parks are designed to cater to different clientele.

Also, the growth in mainlanders staying overnight in Hong Kong is slacking. People coming and leaving the same day are less likely to find time to visit the theme parks.

So, it would make sense for tourism officials to look elsewhere in Asia for potential visitor growth.

However, that's not free of risks, as China is engaged in territorial disputes with various neighboring countries. Should tensions escalate, it is foreseeable there will be fewer tourists arriving from those countries as well.

If the SAR government responds to local sentiment by clamping down on mainland travelers, we may discover that we'll end up too close to the edge of the cliff to be safe should the worst happen.

[hkskyline]

Rise of new marvels at parks
The Standard Excerpt
Thursday, February 28, 2013



Hong Kong Disneyland will be the first in the world to feature the superheroes from Marvel Comics.

The heroes - the most popular of which include Spider-Man, Iron Man, the X-Men and Hulk - will be housed in a new themed area opposite Toy Story Land, according to John Tsang.

It is expected to be completed by 2016 or 2017. It has yet to be decided, however, which characters will be included, a source said.

A new night parade will also be launched with the projects funded by Disneyland's operating surplus, Tsang said.

Disneyland said it has nothing to add to his remarks.

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[hkskyline]

Disneyland looks to raise prices
The Standard
Friday, March 22, 2013

Hong Kong Disneyland is conducting a review that may see ticket prices rise for the first time in two years.

There are suggestions the increase may be in the range of 13 percent but the company will only confirm a review is being carried out.

"After all we haven't increased the fees for two years and there is inflation," a Disneyland spokesman said.

However, a source said ticket prices will rise by more than 10 percent, which would mean a jump from HK$399 to HK$450 for adults, and from HK$285 to HK$320 for children.

Locals may be hit particularly hard if Disneyland does not introduce a concessionary period.

"Previously, we provided a concessionary period for Hong Kong residents . We will take another look, but at this stage it's hard to say," the spokesman said.

Tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing said he expects an increase of about 10 percent, with 13 percent being far too much.

"It is reasonable for Disney to increase ticket prices in light of inflation and the opening of new attractions," Yiu said.

"The rise will have little effect on tourists but will hurt local residents," he added. "I think the concessionary period should be extended to six months so residents may buy tickets at the old prices during that time. This will provide a buffer for both local visitors and travel agencies."

Yiu hopes holders of annual family passes will enjoy concessionary rates.

Disney last raised prices by 14 percent in 2011, pushing adult tickets up to HK$399 from HK$350, with a concessionary period for locals.

Last month, Disneyland reported that in fiscal 2012 it had made its first net profit - of HK$109 million - since opening in 2005.

Total revenue stood at HK$4.27 billion.

It was also announced last month that the theme park will open an area featuring Marvel superheroes in 2017.

Another attraction, Mystic Point, is on the way.

Rival Ocean Park has no plans to raise ticket prices.