Idea for HKDL

[ChrisFL]

Ok, its not news or a rumor but there isn't many other places to put this, so heregoes...

After double-checking the website, and seeing how severely lacking HKDL is in attractions, I think they should add a new, fully state-of-the-art POTC ride.

I know, when the changes were being planned for the classic rides at DLR and WDW, many people didn't want to see changes. I still also enjoy the classic appeal and nostalgia, but yet, I can't help but wonder how much more could be done with today's technology if done to build a whole new ride. I don't think it should stray from the familiar formula, but maybe with some more immersive battle scenes, between 2 pirate ships and lots more swordfighting like DLP's Pirates

I think HKDL is the perfect place for it as well, they need a familiar theme, but with a fresh new blockbuster quality attraction that would give people a need to visit.

It might also help that the 3rd movie starred Chow-Yun Fatt and featured many asian parts in it.

Thoughts?

 

[Another Voice]

Disney is already way ahead of you. A 'Pirates' for HKDL was in the works and it was the reason that Chow-Yun Fat was in the third movie (except the Chinese government took exception to his character - and the actor's politics - and censored him out of most of the film).

The planned attraction was based on a generic, store bought raft ride - the story pretty much similar to the existing 'Pirates' attractions. An entire half of HKDL's Adventureland would have been turned into Tortuga with shops and restaurants. The art work even made it last year's annual report I believe.

The problem was that Disney demanded the Hong Kong government pay for the expansion. Already loosing lots of money on the whole HKDL mess, the government refused. Their basic position is that Disney created a poor park and left the Hong Kong taxpayer with the bill. If Disney wants to fix things, then Disney will have to pay for it. So the Pirates project is dead.

Although this summer the "big event" was a pirate invansion of HKDL - meaning there were a couple pirate shows and some redecorating. It was supposed to have lead up the announcement of the new ride, but as I said the government had other ideas.

Since the summer, Disney was forced to rew-write the financial terms of HKDL to keep the place afloat. Disney is giving up all its revenue and royalties for several years and the banks have dropped some financial conditions that would have let them foreclose on HKDL (shades of Euro Disney all over again).

What is going to happen in the future is anyone's guess. Disney won't put up any money; Hong Kong won't put up anymore money until there's a more equal deal between the Disney and China. In the meantime, Hong Kong's Ocean Park is setting record attendance and huge financial returns.

When Disney ignores "The Disney Way" - they fail. Plan and simple.