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Hong Kong International Theme Parks

From Alfawiki
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Native name
Template:Zh
IndustryAmusement parks and resorts
Founded12 September 2005; 21 years ago (2005-09-12)
HeadquartersPenny’s Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Key people
Michael Moriarty (managing director)
OwnerHong Kong International Theme Parks
(Disney Experiences)
WebsiteOfficial website

The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is a property developed and held by Hong Kong International Theme Parks Limited, a partnership between the Government of Hong Kong and The Walt Disney Company. Positioned on reclaimed land adjacent to Penny's Bay at the northeastern end of Lantau Island, roughly from Discovery Bay, it stands as Asia’s second Disney Resort and represents Hong Kong's third theme park following the now-defunct Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park and Ocean Park Hong Kong. Officially inaugurated on 12 September 2005, the resort comprises the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park, three hotels—Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Hollywood Hotel, and Disney Explorers Lodge—alongside retail, dining, and entertainment venues covering .

Following the initial expansion of Disney parks into Asia with the Tokyo Disney Resort, this resort is currently overseen by Managing Director Michael Moriarty, who reports directly to Jill Estorino, President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International.

Concept and Background

In 1998, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts proposed establishing a theme park in Hong Kong, envisioned as the smallest among Disney’s global parks. The Legislative Council of Hong Kong granted construction funding approval in 1999 for development on a site formerly used as a shipyard.

Formed in 1999, the joint venture company Hong Kong International Theme Parks Limited (HKITP) saw Disney investing US$316 million to acquire a 43% ownership share. The initial phase planned to attract about 10 million visitors annually to a Disneyland-style theme park, provide 2,100 hotel rooms, and develop retail and entertainment areas. At launch, the project was projected to create 18,000 jobs, expanding to as many as 36,000 over two decades. The Hong Kong Government anticipated that Phase One would contribute HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) in economic impact—equivalent to roughly 6% of GDP—over a span of 40 years.

In 2000, Disney revealed intentions for a second Chinese theme park located in mainland China. To safeguard tourism in Hong Kong, Disney agreed to an eight-year moratorium on opening such a facility. The master project agreement between the government and Disney was formalized in November 2000.

Land reclamation dredging commenced in July 2000, affecting marine ecosystems near Ma Wan.

Construction

Reclamation efforts started in 2000. Although the 2003 SARS epidemic slowed progress, it did not stop construction entirely and resulted in cost savings of HK$1 billion. A man-made lake named Inspiration Lake, spanning 12 hectares, was created to support irrigation needs.

To prevent cultural misunderstandings similar to those experienced at Disneyland Paris, local traditions were integrated into the design process. Feng shui experts advised on park layout; incense was burned upon completion of construction; and the main ballroom covers an area of 888 square meters, reflecting the auspicious Chinese number eight. Hotel floor numbering excludes the number four due to its negative cultural associations. Cast Members are proficient in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin languages; approximately 500 employees underwent training at Walt Disney World Resort prior to opening.

Initially, shark fin soup was included on wedding banquet menus but faced opposition from animal welfare advocates concerned about environmental sustainability. After removing it from menus but still providing it upon request accompanied by conservation information leaflets, sustained pressure from activists and investors led to a complete ban on shark fin soup in June 2005 due to difficulties in sourcing it sustainably.

Following reports of food poisoning incidents, health inspectors were instructed to remove caps and badges during their inspections; while some complied with this directive, the health department expressed objections.

Opening Day

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, along with its theme park, officially commenced operations on 12 September 2005.

The park targeted attracting between five and six million visitors during its inaugural year, focusing mainly on local residents and tourists from mainland China and neighboring Asian nations. Despite successful initial trial runs, early feedback criticized the park for its limited size and the appeal of its attractions.

Between 23 and 29 July 2006, the resort hosted the 2006 Little League Baseball Asia-Pacific Region Tournament. For this event, two seafront stadiums and baseball fields were constructed between the resort’s hotels, drawing approximately 2,000 spectators.

To increase visitor numbers, Hong Kong Disneyland launched Summer Passes in the summer of 2006 priced at HK$450. These passes granted unlimited entry and exclusive benefits such as extended Fantasyland operating hours and limited-edition collectible pins. Additionally, cast members were provided free tickets to share with friends and family. Although over 60,000 Summer Passes were sold, the park did not reach its projected target of 5.6 million visitors, instead welcoming about 5.2 million guests in its first year. Attendance forecasts were negatively influenced by the Asian Financial Crisis.

Visitor numbers declined further in the years that followed; by December 2007, attendance had decreased by 23% to approximately 4 million guests. The Walt Disney Company’s third-quarter report released in August 2007 confirmed these underwhelming attendance results.

Expansion plans included developing a new retail area called Downtown Disney as well as constructing a third hotel. Land reclaimed for the Phase Two Extension was designated for a second Disney theme park. Negotiations regarding a Phase Three Extension were ongoing between Disney executives and the Hong Kong Government.

On 10 January 2012, The Standard revealed intentions to build four additional hotels—one large-scale and three smaller vacation-style accommodations connected via a mini-tram system. By June of that year, discussions about establishing a second theme park had begun.

Construction on the third hotel, Disney Explorers Lodge, started on 6 January 2015. The project was jointly funded by The Walt Disney Company (HK$1.7 billion), the Hong Kong Government (HK$1.7 billion), and Hong Kong Disneyland (HK$600 million). The hotel opened on 30 April 2017 with a total of 250 rooms. Later that month, conversations resumed concerning Phase II expansion plans involving a second theme park and more hotels, aiming for completion of the new park by 2020.

In February 2016, the resort reported its first financial loss in four years—HK$148 million—with attendance declining by 9.3% to 6.8 million visitors. Analysts attributed this downturn to reduced numbers of mainland Chinese tourists due to China's economic slowdown, political unrest, a weakened yuan against the Hong Kong dollar, and competition from the soon-to-open Shanghai Disney Resort.

On 2 May 2017, The Walt Disney Company’s investment proposal of HK$5.45 billion in partnership with the Hong Kong Government received approval from the Legislative Council finance committee after thorough deliberation.

Nevertheless, in September 2020, the Hong Kong Government announced it would not proceed with purchasing adjacent land for a second park because Hong Kong Disneyland was not prepared to commit to immediate development at that location.

The Complex

The resort complex extends across both Tsuen Wan District and Islands District.

It comprises:

  • Hong Kong Disneyland, designed after the original Disneyland in California and featuring eight themed zones.
  • Inspiration Lake, an artificial body of water serving recreational purposes as well as irrigation within the resort area.

Hotels

Situated on land reclaimed along the coastline facing the South China Sea, the resort comprises three hotels offering a combined total of approximately 1,750 guest rooms.[1] Additionally, a plot is designated for a fourth hotel located between the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney Explorers Lodge.

Transport

The Resort enjoys convenient connections to Hong Kong’s public transportation network, accessible via train from both Hong Kong International Airport and the city centre. For guests staying at the hotels, a complimentary shuttle bus service operates throughout the Resort.

Since December 2016, the Star Ferry has provided daily trips from the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier in Kowloon to the Disneyland Resort pier. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes aboard the renovated "World Star" vessel.

Hong Kong International Theme Parks

Hong Kong International Theme Parks, Limited (HKITP) functions as a joint enterprise between the Government of Hong Kong holding a majority stake of 52%, and The Walt Disney Company, which owns the remaining 48%. Originally, the government possessed a 57% share while Disney held 43%, but after Disney invested HK$3.63 billion (US$465 million) in expansion efforts in 2009, ownership proportions were adjusted to their current distribution.

Profitability

Since its inauguration in 2005, the resort experienced financial losses until it reached profitability in 2012. However, starting in 2015, it recorded deficits once again, amounting to HK$148 million, which escalated to HK$171 million in 2016 and further to HK$345 million in 2017. These losses continued through to 2023, before the resort posted a historic net profit in 2024, breaking a streak of nine consecutive years of negative results. The year 2024 also marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong Disneyland as it is expected to eliminate its debt entirely by settling term loans owed to both the SAR government and The Walt Disney Company, fueled by unprecedented profit levels and visitor numbers.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Hong Kong Disneyland Resort News Archives 2002 Archived 18 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. 21 November 2002. Retrieved 31 July 2007.
  2. ↑ Victorian Opulence and Modern Luxury at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Archived 12 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. 9 August 2005. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  3. ↑ Hollywood Hotel Art Deco Gem of the Resort Archived 12 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. 9 August 2005. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  4. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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