Disney Says It Hopes To Build 2nd Theme Park In Hong Kong
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
September 13, 2005 5:17 a.m.
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HONG KONG (AP)--A day after Hong Kong Disneyland opened, Disney Chairman George Mitchell said Tuesday the company hopes to build a second theme park next to it to create a multiday tourist destination.
Mitchell said reclamation for the second plot of land on Lantau, Hong Kong's biggest island, has already begun.
"Eventually, the addition of an entire new theme park adjacent to the current park will transform the site into a true multiday destination resort," he said in a speech to the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.
Mitchell said The Walt Disney Co. will capitalize on the buzz Hong Kong Disneyland creates and keep up marketing in China, with the "Disney on Ice" show to go on a 40-city Chinese tour next year.
"With Hong Kong Disneyland bringing so much attention to the Disney brand, we believe it will help create greater awareness for a wide range of initiatives in the region," Mitchell said.
Disney has said it is in talks with Chinese authorities to build a second Chinese Disneyland in the financial hub of Shanghai.
However, Mitchell said Disney already has a strong presence in the country, with TV programming and a Web site reaching tens of millions of Chinese.
China's state-run CCTV airs classic Disney cartoons that are seen by more than 91 million Chinese, Mitchell said. A Chinese Web site launched with Chinese partner Sohu.com boasts nearly 75 million users, he said.
Disney has deals with all Chinese mobile phone service providers, Mitchell said. In publishing, the company comes out with 1,000 books and seven comics a year. Its Mickey Mouse magazine is China's top magazine with a circulation of 375,000 copies, the Disney chairman said.
Mitchell, a former U.S. senator, said Disney is committed to incorporating foreign cultures into its products.
"We hope to explore not just Asian culture, but cultures around the world to make our products more culturally relevant to people everywhere," he said.
-Edited by Paul Baylis
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
September 13, 2005 5:17 a.m.
--
HONG KONG (AP)--A day after Hong Kong Disneyland opened, Disney Chairman George Mitchell said Tuesday the company hopes to build a second theme park next to it to create a multiday tourist destination.
Mitchell said reclamation for the second plot of land on Lantau, Hong Kong's biggest island, has already begun.
"Eventually, the addition of an entire new theme park adjacent to the current park will transform the site into a true multiday destination resort," he said in a speech to the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.
Mitchell said The Walt Disney Co. will capitalize on the buzz Hong Kong Disneyland creates and keep up marketing in China, with the "Disney on Ice" show to go on a 40-city Chinese tour next year.
"With Hong Kong Disneyland bringing so much attention to the Disney brand, we believe it will help create greater awareness for a wide range of initiatives in the region," Mitchell said.
Disney has said it is in talks with Chinese authorities to build a second Chinese Disneyland in the financial hub of Shanghai.
However, Mitchell said Disney already has a strong presence in the country, with TV programming and a Web site reaching tens of millions of Chinese.
China's state-run CCTV airs classic Disney cartoons that are seen by more than 91 million Chinese, Mitchell said. A Chinese Web site launched with Chinese partner Sohu.com boasts nearly 75 million users, he said.
Disney has deals with all Chinese mobile phone service providers, Mitchell said. In publishing, the company comes out with 1,000 books and seven comics a year. Its Mickey Mouse magazine is China's top magazine with a circulation of 375,000 copies, the Disney chairman said.
Mitchell, a former U.S. senator, said Disney is committed to incorporating foreign cultures into its products.
"We hope to explore not just Asian culture, but cultures around the world to make our products more culturally relevant to people everywhere," he said.
-Edited by Paul Baylis