Hong Kong Disneyland - "The Destination of Dreams"
What's one of those places that you can count on to look the same, offer the same services and products, and have the same entertainment value all over the world? No, this time I'm not talking about IKEA... It is one of the mainstays of the leisure industry, a place where you can feel right at home, no matter where in the world you are...
Disneyland, of course. Whether in California, Paris or Hong Kong, you won't be disappointed by the frills and thrills this worldwide concept for an amusement park has to offer. The cartoon characters parading in the streets and sitting in the shop windows are familiar to children all over the world, thanks to the global distribution network that has helped them penetrate all layers of society in almost every culture. The rides that have raised hairs on your neck in one country will also do just that in a theme park by the same name in another country...
China, which has traditionally been viewed by foreigners as being very reluctant to open its doors to outside influences -- especially such Western humbug as theme parks, which only encourage unproductive behavior, -- finally gave the Walt Disney Company permission to build the first Disneyland on its territory in 2003. Opening ceremonies followed two and a half years later in September 2005.
A bumpy start
Since opening, Hong Kong Disneyland has been struggling to keep its visitor volumes up. On the other hand, on special occasions such as public holidays, the park has attracted huge masses of people, sparking problems with the ticketing system, and even unrest, due to the need to turn ticket bearing people away from the gates to avoid overcrowding.
In 2006, it became clear that the park's maximum visitor capacity of some 34,000 per day, would be too much to handle at times. During the Chinese New Year, huge numbers of mainland visitors with tickets to the park were refused entry on account they had the wrong type of tickets, and the maximum daily capacity had already been exceeded. Angered by the situation, some attempted to enter the park by force or by climbing over fences. This event prompted the management to revise the ticketing system so that during public holidays, only visitors with date-specific tickets would be admitted to the park.
Hong Kong Disneyland currently has four differently themed areas, namely Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. One missing section that is found in other Disneylands is Frontierland, which may also be built in Hong Kong in the future. Two more attractions, Animation Academy and It's a Small World, will also be opened within the next year.
In addition to problems linked to the ticketing system, which emerged during the Chinese New Year in 2006, a quick browse through media articles about the resort shows that a few annoyances involving food-poisoning and other indiscretions from the staff and the public have also compromised the reputation of the place. All in all, however, the resort has been able to maintain its status as one in a chain of world-class family destinations.
A family destination
The two hotels serving the resort area are Disney's Hollywood Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel. Both boast full amenities, including swimming pools and beautifully decorated guest rooms. Rates in the Disneyland Hotel range from 140 euros to 524 euros a night per four-person room. As a guest of the hotel, you also have admission to the theme park.
The very first Disney-themed amusement park to open outside of the US was Tokyo Disneyland Park in 1983. 1992 saw the opening of Disneyland Resort Paris, which was initially called Eurodisney.
The owner of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is Hong Kong International Theme Parks company, which is jointly owned by the Walt Disney Company and the Government of Hong Kong.
For more information about Hong Kong Disneyland, please visit: www.disney.com.hk
