Hong Kong Government Unhappy with HK Disneyland

[crazy4wdw]

Hong Kong Government Unhappy With Performance of Its Disneyland Theme Park, Seeks Improvement
December 05, 2007: 09:14 AM EST

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Hong Kong Disneyland's first two years of operation were unsatisfactory and the government _ which holds a majority stake in the $3.5 billion theme park will push for improvements, an official said Wednesday.

The theme park, which opened on Sept. 12, 2005, missed its attendance target for the second year in a row, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Frederick Ma said, without disclosing the exact figures.

"The first two years of Hong Kong Disneyland's operation were not satisfactory," Ma told lawmakers.

"The government will continue to urge the park management to formulate cost-effective business strategies and improve the park's operational efficiency," he said.

In its first year, Hong Kong Disneyland fell 400,000 short of its target 5.6 million audience.

Park officials have been secretive about second-year numbers, but local media reports estimated up to 4.8 million visited the park in its second year.

"While it is not appropriate for us to share any commercial figures, Hong Kong Disneyland has become one of the most visited theme parks in the world and a top attraction in Hong Kong since its opening two years ago," Hong Kong Disneyland spokeswoman Glendy Chu said in an e-mailed response.

Hong Kong Disneyland, a major showcase of Disney entertainment for mainland China, has been criticized for being too small, and lacking the high-profile rides of its international sister parks in Tokyo, Paris and the United States.

It is also facing increased competition from Ocean Park, a local sea-based adventure park, and reports that Disney is planning to build a theme park in Shanghai could add further pressure to the Hong Kong site.

Walt Disney Co.'s earnings results showed Hong Kong Disneyland's operating income dropped in both the first and second quarters this year, curtailing overall growth for its park and resorts division.

The Hong Kong government owns a 57 percent stake in the park and shouldered most of the $3.5 billion construction cost, but is reportedly not keen to inject more public money to fund the park's expansion.

 

[MassJester]

Well that settles it, I'm definitely not going there.

 

[ChrisFL]

"$3.5 billion theme park"

where the heck did all of the money go? It definitely wasn't in the park itself!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) We went to DHK earlier this year while on business to China.
2) I was sorely disappointed.
3) We thought it was even worse then Disneyland Paris.
4) Which, we could not believe.
5) MY PERSONAL OPINION
. . . far too small in acreage
. . . there were not enough major rides
. . . the CM's were trying, but not trained well enough in guest relations


Main Street, U.S.A.
. . . Disney on Parade
. . . Animation Academy
. . . The Disneyland Story
. . . City Hall
. . . Disneyland Railroad
Adventureland
. . . Jungle River Cruise
. . . Tarzan's Treehouse on Tarzan Island
. . . Festival of the Lion King
Fantasyland
. . . Mickey's PhilharMagic
. . . Cinderella Carousel
. . . Winnie the Pooh
. . . Dumbo
. . . Mad Hatter Tea Cups
. . . Sleeping Beauty Castle
. . . Carousel
. . . The Golden Mickeys
. . . Snow White Grotto
. . . It's a Small World (not open when we went)
Tomorrowland
. . . Space Mountain
. . . Buzz Lightyear
. . . Orbitron
. . . Autopia
. . . Stitch Encounter

 

[PBB]

I had the pleasure of working for a supplier at DHK during its construction. I was involved at Mickey's Philharmagic Theater. The money was spent on the sitework. In HK land is at a premium to say the least since it is on an island. The construction company basically drained Penny's bay and filled it in with sand from the bay.

The big problem with the park is pricing. The average HK citizen just can't afford it. This seems to be a typical experience with Disney now. I agree that the park is very vanilla with the rides yet. But it still boils down to pricing.

 

[enyaj40]

is the price similar to what is paid elsewhere?

because if it is, i can see why folks wouldn't want to go, or if they did, why it would perhaps be a one time curiosity thing

 

[din]

is the price similar to what is paid elsewhere?

because if it is, i can see why folks wouldn't want to go, or if they did, why it would perhaps be a one time curiosity thing

i heard from someone from that region and was told that Ocean Park is cheaper and has more attractions than DL HK. Didn't Tokyo and Paris go through similar growing pains?

 

[mitros]

I believe Michael Ei$ner should be turned over to the Hong Kong {Chinese} government. It's his fault anyway............ They'll know what to do with him.