HKDL gets new castle, frozen land and marvel land.

[Supersnow84]

Tokyo can be an exhausting resort but it does have a depth of attractions that means you can miss a lot and still feel fulfilled

My biggest problem with Tokyo still remains how hostile everything is to book if you don’t have a Japanese credit card

Still if HK can sell itself as a stopover destination to Tokyo (which is super easy) to international guests it only works in its favour as currently HK isn’t a destination resort

It still brings into question what HK “needs” next as most people these days are happy with magic kingdom. I’m sure international guests would prefer it become a destination style resort like Tokyo but it’s arguable if HK residents want that. If HK built a second gate (or even a downtown Disney) would it just basically halve magic kingdoms attendance and give it to the second gate or would it attract more guests overall. It remains to be seen what the attendance numbers they announce next. Was arendelle a blip or a long term trend creator

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Hong Kong Disneyland at this stage is more enjoyable than TDL.

HK Disneyland’s issue, as incredible as expansion would be, is the uncertain future of Hong Kong in general. Hong Kong is a dramatically different place than it was when HKDL was first proposed. (For one, locals actually like Disneyland now!) But with SDL becoming the de facto hub for Mainlanders and overall HK tourism unsteady, it’ll be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Supersnow84]

The thought I always had on that front is taking the worst case scenario that HK gets fully re-integrated into China would that really change the park’s dynamic (note I’m not ignoring the plight of HK citizens I’m just thinking hypothetically here)

Shanghai already shows that a park in a “normal” tier 1 city for China can function extremely well. HK even without its “west uses it to enter China” is still a strong tier 1 city, and the majority of its guests are from the GBA

If anything there is an argument to be made that it would actually improve the park’s finances because it could start organising with Beijing rather than LegCo

It might dampen international tourism but do current international tourists really differentiate HK and mainland China as it is

 

[marni1971]

It’s an interesting point that I’ve noticed opinions on HK swinging around in Disney fan listening posts

A lot of blogs that rank the 12 parks now put HK strongly in the middle of the parks (I’ve seen it as high as 5 or 6 with strong justification) and a lot of the Disney subreddits now seem to be more strongly entertaining the idea of doing a HK/Tokyo trip rather than just Tokyo

It’ll be interesting to see guest numbers this year

We’re doing Shanghai and Hong Kong later this year. First time in Shanghai and to be honest we’re expecting to enjoy HKDL more. I’m sure we’ll enjoy SDL but as Brits it doesn’t appeal as much as HKDL did and does. We’re doing HKDL again because we loved it so much. SDL more to see it and tick it off the list (and because we’re travelling so far it would be daft not to do both if we can). After the trip we’ll have to see which one we’d want to return to more.

 

[Aramar]

I've never been to any of the Asian parks yet. Although I would love to visit Tokyo, it seems a bit overwhelming and it scares me. Therefore, the park that attracts me more is Hong Kong. It seems easy to access, with very nice hotels which are not extremely expensive. In addition, it has great attractions and shows like Mystic Manor, Grizzly, Frrozen, Iron Man, Momentous, the Castle itself, It's a small world and Mickey and Lion King shows. The Spiderman Tower of Terror is going to be an excellent addition. Bring back the parade and build a "Disney Village / Disney Downtown" and Hong Kong becomes an excellent park.

 

[IMDREW]

We’re doing Shanghai and Hong Kong later this year. First time in Shanghai and to be honest we’re expecting to enjoy HKDL more. I’m sure we’ll enjoy SDL but as Brits it doesn’t appeal as much as HKDL did and does. We’re doing HKDL again because we loved it so much. SDL more to see it and tick it off the list (and because we’re travelling so far it would be daft not to do both if we can). After the trip we’ll have to see which one we’d want to return to more.

Ooh do tell when you get back! My family was pleasantly surprised with SHD last summer. We did all Asian parks together and ended the trip in Shanghai, thinking it would be more of a cooling down type of experience. But boy, it was the cherry on top! We really loved it. Also helped that we stayed at the Disneyland hotel, garden view room. When checking in I asked for at least a room without view of the construction next door. At night after a great day at the park, we came back to find our room waiting with a beautiful castle/park view. Now we wish we stayed longer!

Its a VERY different resort/park. It feels very modern and high energy. Beautiful at night and lots of great things to see and do.

 

[LameBoi]

The thought I always had on that front is taking the worst case scenario that HK gets fully re-integrated into China would that really change the park’s dynamic (note I’m not ignoring the plight of HK citizens I’m just thinking hypothetically here)

Shanghai already shows that a park in a “normal” tier 1 city for China can function extremely well. HK even without its “west uses it to enter China” is still a strong tier 1 city, and the majority of its guests are from the GBA

If anything there is an argument to be made that it would actually improve the park’s finances because it could start organising with Beijing rather than LegCo

It might dampen international tourism but do current international tourists really differentiate HK and mainland China as it is

It is difficult to see how HK or even Macau can be fully integrated with the Mainland. They drive on the opposite sides, social norms and mannerisms are different, and education is also completely different. There was a major scandal reported a few months ago where it was found that some mainlanders who graduated from universities in HK did not know English, which means they cheated their way through as English is the primary language in Uni.

The best option for HK would be a continuation of the status quo while allowing barrier free travel for mainlanders. That way, both mainlanders and foreigners can enter HK freely. Also the HK Dollar is one of the most traded currencies in the world as it is directly tied the USD. Getting rid of the HK Dollar would eliminate a large international revenue source for the Mainland.

 

[DonniePeverley]

I've never been to any of the Asian parks yet. Although I would love to visit Tokyo, it seems a bit overwhelming and it scares me. Therefore, the park that attracts me more is Hong Kong. It seems easy to access, with very nice hotels which are not extremely expensive. In addition, it has great attractions and shows like Mystic Manor, Grizzly, Frrozen, Iron Man, Momentous, the Castle itself, It's a small world and Mickey and Lion King shows. The Spiderman Tower of Terror is going to be an excellent addition. Bring back the parade and build a "Disney Village / Disney Downtown" and Hong Kong becomes an excellent park.

Only hipsters who have never been to Japan rate Tokyo Disney.

It's piitful. Long queues. The Disneyland segmant seems so out of date now, albeit they've added wonderful new attraction Beauty and the beast. But the rest looks rundown.

DisneySea is so crowded that it borders on negligence to have little crowd control. It's an awful experience.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Only hipsters who have never been to Japan rate Tokyo Disney.

It's piitful. Long queues. The Disneyland segmant seems so out of date now, albeit they've added wonderful new attraction Beauty and the beast. But the rest looks rundown.
DisneySea is so crowded that it borders on negligence to have little crowd control. It's an awful experience.

Or perhaps people just have different opinions than you?

For me, if you swapped out BATB with Tron or something you'd be much more accurately describing WDW than TDR.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Or perhaps people just have different opinions than you?

For me, if you swapped out BATB with Tron or something you'd be much more accurately describing WDW than TDR.

Honestly the MK / TDL comparisons are apt. Both are clearly lacking something rn, even with the great additions

 

[PiratesMansion]

Honestly the MK / TDL comparisons are apt. Both are clearly lacking something rn, even with the great additions

The MK/TDL comparisons will always be there in some capacity for design reasons alone.

While I haven't been back since the pandemic, I can't picture TDL being inferior to MK. Cheaper tickets, better maintenance, parades are vastly superior in Japan, unique offerings (really the only worthwhile things unique about MK other than their version of Space Mountain are things that used to be at Disneyland and aren't anymore), etc.

 

[aleh021]

I've never been to any of the Asian parks yet. Although I would love to visit Tokyo, it seems a bit overwhelming and it scares me. Therefore, the park that attracts me more is Hong Kong. It seems easy to access, with very nice hotels which are not extremely expensive. In addition, it has great attractions and shows like Mystic Manor, Grizzly, Frrozen, Iron Man, Momentous, the Castle itself, It's a small world and Mickey and Lion King shows. The Spiderman Tower of Terror is going to be an excellent addition. Bring back the parade and build a "Disney Village / Disney Downtown" and Hong Kong becomes an excellent park.

I agree. Spider-Man TOT & An entertainment district would really bring it up a whole new level.

Kinda sad and wonder why they haven’t tried to build some sort of downtown Disney district at HKDL

 

[Supersnow84]

I agree. Spider-Man TOT & An entertainment district would really bring it up a whole new level.

Kinda sad and wonder why they haven’t tried to build some sort of downtown Disney district at HKDL

It’s mostly because the HK residents don’t really see a need

Why go out to Lantau island to see a world of Disney a Starbucks and few speciality shops when if you want to shop you’d be better off just doing it in downtown HK and if you want Disney you are probably an annual pass holder anyway and I hat you could do in a downtown Disney you can easily do inside the park anyway

Honestly ikspiri is as much the “local shopping centre” as it is a downtown Disney but HK just doesn’t have that local population around it to support both sides

Its status as a destination resort ironically suffers from it being so convenient to just stay in HK

 

[LameBoi]

It’s mostly because the HK residents don’t really see a need

Why go out to Lantau island to see a world of Disney a Starbucks and few speciality shops when if you want to shop you’d be better off just doing it in downtown HK and if you want Disney you are probably an annual pass holder anyway and I hat you could do in a downtown Disney you can easily do inside the park anyway

Honestly ikspiri is as much the “local shopping centre” as it is a downtown Disney but HK just doesn’t have that local population around it to support both sides

Its status as a destination resort ironically suffers from it being so convenient to just stay in HK

There is also literally an outlet mall complex the next station over in Tung Chung next to the 360 gondolas. Don’t get me wrong, having a Downtown Disney, which was supposed to be built with the park, would be fantastic. A DT Disney would offer HKDL a solid consistent revenue base collecting rent from restaurants and stores, but that is only if retailers are willing to come in the first place. Park operating hours are also way too short right now to sustain a DT Disney.

 

[marni1971]

There is also literally an outlet mall complex the next station over in Tung Chung next to the 360 gondolas. Don’t get me wrong, having a Downtown Disney, which was supposed to be built with the park, would be fantastic. A DT Disney would offer HKDL a solid consistent revenue base collecting rent from restaurants and stores, but that is only if retailers are willing to come in the first place. Park operating hours are also way too short right now to sustain a DT Disney.

I’m sure they’ve done their sums and research and if it would be profitable they’d build it.

It does make you wonder if a token small company gift shop for those things guests forget to buy and an attached Starbucks along with a permanent bag store would work in some capacity.

For Tokyo, when we finally get there I’m personally looking forward to the old school attractions and painted pink concrete as much as the more recent attractions.

 

[Supersnow84]

I’m sure they’ve done their sums and research and if it would be profitable they’d build it.

It does make you wonder if a token small company gift shop for those things guests forget to buy and an attached Starbucks along with a permanent bag store would work in some capacity.

For Tokyo, when we finally get there I’m personally looking forward to the old school attractions and painted pink concrete as much as the more recent attractions.

To be fair that does kinda exist

There is a little gift shop on the main plaza that sells a small collection of stuff from emporium and there are a few other temp locations like a bag storage area

They do seem to be trailing some stuff (that little shop is always packed full) but u don’t know if it’ll lead anywhere

 

[marni1971]

To be fair that does kinda exist

There is a little gift shop on the main plaza that sells a small collection of stuff from emporium and there are a few other temp locations like a bag storage area

That’s what I was imagining. All in one building to keep it low budget but classy. Bathrooms too. Like a single building satellite to cater for what guests might need after going out the gate. But again, I’m sure they know better than we do what’s needed

 

[IMDREW]

I also think a Downtown Disney area at HKDL would take business away from park and hotel restaurants which would be bad

 

[Animaniac93-98]

For Tokyo, when we finally get there I’m personally looking forward to the old school attractions and painted pink concrete as much as the more recent attractions.

You'll get a kick out of Snow White's load area, the towers at the entrance to Tomorrowland and Dumbo.

A lot of the music loops too.

I know I did.

 

[Rush]

As per Jim Hill in the latest episode of Fine Tooning, the Spiderman drop tower attraction is to be set in a sleek Manhattan glass tower, where you can look in and see the elevator falling down (behind the glass). An earlier version was supposed to be set in the Osborn tower, where guests would've been caught in a battle between Spiderman and the Green Goblin.