Past and Present
In November 1999, the Hong Kong government announced the site for Disney’s first theme park in China. It was to be created through a joint venture with China’s government and The Walt Disney Company.
Opening its 1.8 billion dollar doors in late 2005, Disney Hong Kong in the beginning came off a little short to visitors. The park was primarily marketed to have the biggest, boldest and potentially vast new market for its toys, DVDs, and movies. But the park only had 16 attractions and only one classic Disney thrill ride, which was Space Mountain.
Competition
Some of Hong Kong Disney competition still pulled in more visitors and revenue than Disney when it first opened. A few of their top competitors were Avenue of Stars, The Peak, Ladies’ Market, the Clock Tower, Tslm Sha Tsui Promenade, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Temple Street Night Market, Golden Bauhinia Square, The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
Avenue of Stars is an attraction that pays tribute to the names that helped make Hong Kong the ‘Hollywood of the East’, while giving visitors a panoramic view of the city’s most iconic sight; its glorious skyline, dramatically set against The Peak.
The Peak is considered the highest point on Hong Kong Island; this has been the city’s most exclusive neighborhood since colonial times.
Ladies’ Market gets its name from the huge amount of clothing and accessories on sale for women of all ages.
Clock Tower that was once a bustling station is long gone, but this red brick and granite tower, now preserved as a declared monument, survives as an elegant reminder of the Age of Steam.
Tslm Sha Tsui Promenade begins at the colonial-era Clock Tower and stretches all the way to Hung Hom. A stroll along the Tslm Sha Tsui Promenade takes one past the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and Avenue of Stars.
Ocean Park Hong Kong opening in 1977 has become a worldclass marine life theme park featuring animal exhibits; thrill rides and shows that offer guests an experience that blends entertainment with education and conservation.
Temple Street Night Market is a popular street bazaar, named after a Tin Hau temple located in the centre of its main street, and a place so steeped in local atmosphere that it has served as the backdrop to many a memorable movie.
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (and Golden Bauhinia Square) is a vast curtain of glass and 40,000 square-meters aluminum roof sculpted to echo a seabird soaring in flight, the striking Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is a major landmark on the Hong Kong Island skyline
The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery was once merely a remote monastery hidden by lush, mountain scenery, the Po Lin Monastery made it to the world map when the extraordinary Tian Tan Buddha statue (informally known as the Big Buddha) was erected in 1993. Sitting 34 meters high and facing north to look over the Chinese people, this majestic bronze Buddha draws pilgrims from all over Asia.
What is Disney Hong Kong?
Disney Hong Kong’s quoted mission is to help inspire happiness and delivers a world-class experience through creativity, great leadership and a passionate Cast.
Some of Disney’s top attractions are Toy Story Land, Adventure Land, Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, Main Street, U.S.A, and their newest attraction as of July 2012, Grizzly Gluch.
Grizzly Gulch is a new and original experience, which has been developed exclusively for Hong Kong Disney. The Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars is one of the newest rides you can find that travels throughout Grizzly Glutch. The attractions gives off an old American Western feel. Eager visitors are shown a rousing and frolicking welcome.
Where is Disney Hong Kong going?
Disney Hong Kong is still a relatively new park. Over the last few years, Disney has gained more land, visitors and revenue. Disney Hong Kong now is currently going through 800 tons of rice, chicken and noodles every year. The park had a daily capacity of 34,000 visitors. Has on property 600 species (200 species of tress, 400 shrub species). Disney Hong Kong has one of the Largest Projection screens that can be ranked at #1. The screen is 150 feet long and 28 feet high.
Hong Kong’s growing attractions will definitely bring more visitors into China and especially will bring in more revenue. According to ACEOM and TEA, Disney Hong Kong is the 15th most visited theme park in the world in 2011, with 5.9 million visitors. In 2007, China’s Hong Kong overnight travelers with children or grandchildren increased by 22% from the previous year. To date, Hong Kong Disney Land Resort has welcomed millions of guests, both local and international. The resort is a strong addition to Disney’s Hong Kong Park, which is filled with several family-oriented attractions.
Disney Hong Kong can still be considered small compared to other Disney parks. For example, Disneyland Paris held at least 52 attractions when they first opened, but Disney Hong Kong has started expanding and brings in a lot of tourist each year.
Currently, Disney Hong Kong has over 5,000-cast members. This makes Disney Hong Kong one of the largest employers in Entertainment history. All cast members spend, at least, one week of every year in training. Over the last 10 years Disney Hong Kong was able to increase the theme park to add more attractions such as Toy Story Land and other Disney Land Hotels and Resorts
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