Official Disneyland Hong Kong Thread

[Loomis]

Hong Kong Disneyland to add 3 attractions

FEB. 27 8:02 A.M. ET Hong Kong Disneyland announced Monday that it planned to add three new attractions to the theme park as part of its expansion plan.

The additions are the "Autopia" electric car ride, the "Stitch Encounter," a theater show, and the UFO Zone -- made up of water-squirting robot, rocket ship and flying saucer, said a Hong Kong Disney spokeswoman Esther Wong.

The three games -- located in the Tomorrowland section of the park -- will be open to the public this summer, Wong said.

She declined to say how much was being spent to construct the three attractions.

Wong said the Hong Kong government is expected to finish reclaiming land by 2008 for the construction of the second phase of the park.

At 126 hectares (310 acres), Hong Kong Disneyland, opened in September, is the smallest Disney park in the world, but Bill Ernest, the park's managing director, said the company is "reviewing expansion plans for the park."

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I should have guessed Stitch Encounter would be added to the plans when they were advertising for Stitch sound-a-like auditions. I was in half a mind to fly to Hong Kong and audition, until I found out the pay was peanuts (and that it was a silly dream anyways).

[Loomis]

A few more details with tiny CONCEPT ART of the fortcoming attractions:

http://www.etravelblackboard.com/index. ... 277&nav=83

[Loomis]

Hong Kong Disneyland to adjust admissions

MAR. 1 6:23 A.M. ET Hong Kong Disneyland announced Wednesday it has adjusted its admission system to prevent chaos that erupted during the Chinese New Year holiday when hundreds of visitors tried to storm the park after being denied entry.

The adjustment involves setting aside 11 extra days -- around Easter and China's Labor Day holidays -- when only visitors holding date-specific tickets can enter the park, Hong Kong Disneyland Managing Director Bill Ernest said during a telephone conference call.

The newly designated "special days" run from April 14-21 and May 4-6. The decision came following consultations with the tickets' wholesalers and travel industry representatives, Disney said.

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[Loomis]

Chinese official: Hong Kong Disneyland too crowded

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong Disneyland is too crowded, a senior Chinese tourism official said today, hinting that another Disney park is necessary to accommodate demand from China's huge population.

The comments by Shao Qiwei, director of China's State Administration of Tourism, came a day after Shanghai's mayor Han Zheng said the city was preparing to build China's second Disney theme park.

"China has a very large population. We now have 1.3 billion people. The market is very large. As far as I know, Hong Kong Disneyland is now very crowded," said Shao, whose comments were broadcast on Hong Kong's Cable TV.

The Hong Kong theme park, which opened in September, was widely criticized in January when it turned away hundreds of Lunar New Year holiday makers from mainland China because the park was full. Chaos erupted when angry crowds tried to force their way into the park.

The embarrassing incident prompted a public apology from Hong Kong Disneyland Managing Director Bill Ernest and a dressing down from Hong Kong's leader Donald Tsang.

Authorities are carefully studying the issue of overcrowding in preparation for the possible building of the Disney park in Shanghai, Shao said.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported Tuesday that no agreement has been reached on the park in Shanghai, quoting senior vice president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Leslie Goodman.

Hong Kong Disneyland is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Co. and the local government, which shouldered the bulk of the park's construction fees.

[Loomis]

Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel presents traditional sunday afternoon tea buffet
Monday, March 20, 2006

The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel will add a touch of leisurely elegance to the weekend as it presents a traditional afternoon tea buffet every Sunday featuring a range of sumptuous desserts to tempt every palate.

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Soldier Fined For Shoplifting At Disney

HONG KONG -- A Chinese soldier stationed in Hong Kong has been fined for stealing a Mickey Mouse key ring from Hong Kong Disneyland, a court document showed.

[Loomis]

Disney plans strategy for crowd control

A Hong Kong Disneyland committee has come up with three suggestions to avoid serious overcrowding problems, and the park is "actively considering" which of them to implement, a spokeswoman said.

A Hong Kong Disneyland committee has come up with three suggestions to avoid serious overcrowding problems, and the park is "actively considering" which of them to implement, a spokeswoman said.

The solutions include creating a "fast pass" system that will encourage visitors to enter the park at staggered times.

The park may also "dispatch" guests to its Inspiration Lake so they can take pictures. It is also considering hiring more staff to entertain guests while they wait in the humidity and heat.

"We are enhancing our in-park procedures just in case crowds gather outside the park or overcrowding situations happen," said Glendy Chu, media relations manager for Disney.

Chu said that the instructions to modify the park's logistical operations on busy days did not come from the government.

"It's our initiative. We have to proactively deal with measures," she said Friday.
[...]
"When [the park] is going to reach capacity we might hand out something like a pass, [which] will advise the visitors to come at a designated time," Chu said.

She said it would not be called a "fast pass," but it works like one, allowing entry only during specific hours.

"We are also considering finding additional manpower and additional cast members to help the guests to answer any of their inquiries and to help explain the situation to them," she said.

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So, in the words of a great philosopher: any thoughts? Questions? Comments?

[singerguy04]

to me it just sounds like they need more places for people to go. Make build some more resorts or even if need be another park. Maybe something smaller but fun to see like Disneysea. How much property does Disney own out there?

[Loomis]

to me it just sounds like they need more places for people to go. Make build some more resorts or even if need be another park. Maybe something smaller but fun to see like Disneysea. How much property does Disney own out there?

They were given 126 hectares, of which they have used about 75 I think.

Phase I expansion is going into that area, but they may be alloted more in the future.

However, with talk of Shanghai Disneyland, that may draw some of the mainland crowds away too.

[Loomis]

Spring 2006 brings new Flowers to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

From April 14 – 17, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel will get into the Easter spirit throughout the weekend with Easter egg hunts; special games; arts and crafts; entertainment “mini concerts”; and a specially-themed Easter bedtime story each night.

Specialty merchandise featuring beloved Disney characters in Easter-themed motifs will be available throughout the park and resorts including cute key chains, stuffed animals, sweet treats and home décor items.

In addition to the four Easter pins that spotlight Winnie the Pooh and his friends, five other Easter pins will be released during this weekend, which feature other favorite Disney characters including Mickey and Stitch.

Tons of New Plants, Flowers ‘Spring Up’ Around Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Spring 2006 will see a myriad of new plants, flowers and shrubs “spring-ing up” around Hong Kong Disneyland, with new flora in its theme park and two resort hotels.

More than 50,000 new flowers – mostly annuals – will be planted during the months of March and April throughout the resort. Visitors will notice exotic plants in Adventureland like princess flower, trumpet tree, coral tree and hibiscus bloom into flamboyant oranges, yellows, reds and pinks, and new, exotic potted plants and topiary in Fantasyland and on Main Street U.S.A also sprout vibrant, spring variations of green, gold and red and blue. Signature floral displays, including Fantasyland Garden topiaries and the park’s most famous flower arrangement – the giant Mickey floral that greets visitors at the park’s entrance – will get a special makeover.

[Loomis]

Hong Kong Disneyland appoints Vice President of Sales and Travel Trade Marketing

Hong Kong Disneyland has appointed Josh D’Amaro as Vice President, Sales and Travel Trade Marketing.

In this key role, Josh will be responsible for all of Hong Kong Disneyland’s travel trade sales and marketing strategies, as well as overseeing the resort’s call center and MICE programs and initiatives. He will also be instrumental in developing new niche segments to help position the resort for continued long-term growth in the region.

“Josh brings with him a wealth of travel trade and international experience to this new role,” said Bill Ernest, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Hong Kong Disneyland. “His deep understanding of sales, business planning and strategy development makes him a valuable asset for the Resort and I am confident that he will quickly establish himself as a trusted partner in the travel trade and as an exceptional leader for the Hong Kong Disneyland Sales team.”

Josh is a seasoned Disney executive having joined the Walt Disney Company in California, USA, in 1998. He has held a series of executive positions including Director of Business Planning and Strategy Development for Disneyland Resort, where he shaped plans and strategies for Disneyland Resort’s long-term growth. He also served as Director of International Marketing and Sales and oversaw all of Disneyland’s international offices in Asia Pacific as they launched campaigns to promote the “Happiest Homecoming on Earth,” an 18-month celebration in honor of Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary.

Prior to joining Disney, Josh worked in corporate finance for the Gillette Corporation in his hometown of Boston. He received his B.A. in Business and Marketing from Georgetown University.

[Loomis]

Tourism: Disneyland dissatisfies public
(HK Edition)
Updated: 2006-04-05 14:36

A whopping 70 percent Hongkongers don't have a good impression of Hong Kong Disneyland and think it has not fully fulfilled its social responsibility because of inadequate communications.

A random survey conducted by Polytechnic University (PolyU) School of Hotel and Tourism Management shows seven out of 10 people's attitude has become more negative towards the theme park because of the problems experienced since its opening. The survey covered 524 people, 31 per cent of whom had visited the park.

More than 50 percent of the respondents said it was unfair for the SAR government to provide HK$13.6 billion for land reclamation and infrastructure to attract Walt Disney to Hong Kong.

[Loomis]

HK Disneyland performers file complaint
Apr 10, 2006, 11:30 GMT

HONG KONG, China (UPI) -- Overworked and underpaid Hong Kong Disneyland character performers have called on the theme park to improve their working conditions.

Disney`s staff union said 84 of the 120 character performers responsible for the daily parade and meet-and-greet sessions with visitors had signed a petition asking for equitable pay with character performers hired for the live stage shows. Entry-level salaries for daily parade performers average about $1,160 a month, about $258 less than for the stage performers, the South China Morning Post reported Monday.

The union spokeswoman said that working days of over 12 hours, insufficient rest, fatigue and injury were taking a toll on many performers and that Disneyland had not adequately addressed concerns.

One worker said his work as a performer caused him to suffer joint and muscle pains.

The union estimated that more than 30 character performers have experienced injuries related to their work.

Character performers are given two sick days a month, although they can easily be out for one to two weeks at a time to recover.

'And once we use up all our sick days, we have additional days deducted from our annual leave and then have to take unpaid leave,' an injured performer said.

[Loomis]

Hong Kong Disneyland adds Easter delights

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Hong Kong Disneyland will be adding magical touches to their first Easter celebration through specially designed Easter menus and delicacies at the Hong Kong Disneyland Park, the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel.

The three course meal at the Corner Café on Main Street USA begins with a minestrone soup, followed by a piquant poached ling fish coupled with a salmon mousse and butter rice. Dessert will be a perfectly roasted hazelnut and chocolate truffle laced with ripples of mango and raspberry coulis.

The Corner Café High Tea Tower is a must hideaway for guests with sweet tooth. Deep chocolate fruit tart, American cheese cake, whimsically Mickey Mouse shaped cookies, blueberry Madeline are only some of the treats you can expect to warm your heart.

A traditional Easter brunch with spicy Scotch eggs, roast leg of lamb, Swiss sugar eggs and steamy hot cross buns at the Enchanted Garden will temp every palate.

Hong Kong Disneyland director of food and beverage, Klaus Mager said: “Children and the young-atheart look forward to the sweet Easter eggs and bunnies so they’ll be delighted to see them adorning the tables. However, I don’t expect them to stay on the table once the kids find them!”

Guests holding a valid Hong Kong ID card can Double the Magic when they purchase a one-day ticket and receive a second visit free of charge. This offer is only available from 20 March to 28 June, 2006 excluding 14-21, 30 April and 1-6 May, 2006.

[Loomis]

2 execs resign from Hong Kong Disneyland

APR. 23 3:29 A.M. ET Two senior marketing executives at Hong Kong Disneyland have resigned, a park spokeswoman said Sunday.

Senior Vice President for Marketing Roy Hardy Chan, who frequently represented the park at press events, and Director of Strategic Marketing Jennifer Chua have resigned and already left the company, spokeswoman Glendy Chu said in a statement.

She didn't give the reasons for the resignations.

Chu said the park is conducting a local search for replacements.

The resignations came after Bill Ernest was named managing director of the park in January, replacing Don Robinson, who left to become president of a resort in the Bahamas.

Hong Kong Disneyland, which opened in September, is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Co. and the local government.

So, any takers? I'll give it a go if nobody else is interested...