I went in 2019 and it was one of my favourite Disney Theme Park trips. It's the first time I've really relaxed and just wandered around because of the short lines; you can get on everything in a day. Tokyo Disney Resort is incredible but Hong Kong does have a certain charm, I just wish they'd focused more on unique attractions (Mystic Manor and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars are great) to make it stand out more and attract more visitors from nearby countries. I feel one of their biggest audiences could be the Japanese disney-fanatics if they has more things aimed at that specific audience (like a Duffy or Stella-Lou attraction/show).
I totally agree with you. My wife and I were there in 2015 after having been to Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disneyland. It was the most relaxed park experience we’ve ever had. Great unique rides and good park food too.
I was there too 2019. I have different feeling. The castle is on renovation, hong kong was in uproar. So i among all the disney parks i love paris one.
@@hanifwidjayakoesoemah I lived in Paris for years...to me it is the worst park ever...the constructions/buildings are good ,although wear and tear are quite visible, but the service of the cast members were...sigh
HKDL would forever hold a special place in my heart because it’s my first ever Disney Resort and it’s also my most visited one. It’s such a shame that when it was finally getting new rides and experiences, it fell victim to things that is completely out of its hands. I hope the situation in HK and the rest of the world gets better so that we can all visit HKDL and other Disney parks again. 😩😩
its just so frustrating getting 10/10 amazing themed lands/attractions like grizzly gulche and mystic manor which are so completely original to the park not from a film let alone an entirely separate studio.. they have that disney charm to them.. and now all disney can think of is making massive movie themed lands that seem to mimic another rly immersive movie themed land at a studio chain theme park.. its disappointing they just want what universal has
Why does Disney bow down to oppressive, totalitarian, authoritarian regimes like the Chinese communist party? Why does it continue to censor the Simpsons episode about Tiananmen Square for Hong Kong? Boycott Disney!!!
@@bestquotes2765 As per the video, there was land set aside for a expansion or perhaps 2nd gate, but due to politics, the land has been taken back and no longer available to HK Disneyland. I think the 2nd gate will have a higher chance of going ahead if Disney decides to finance it 100% as opposed to relying on the HK gov't to take on part of the cost.
Why does Disney bow down to oppressive, totalitarian, authoritarian regimes like the Chinese communist party? Why does it continue to censor the Simpsons episode about Tiananmen Square for Hong Kong? Boycott Disney!!!
HK Disneyland might not be the best Disney park in the world, but it has its own charm. Usually I need to rush from one point to another just because I want to ride as much as I can in a day, but in HKD I can walk peacefully and still experience it all in a day.
I went in 2017 and 2019, and it's an absolutely wonderful park. You can get on all the rides, and watch almost all the shows, all within one day and with enough time for each, you really don't have to rush yourself It's just such a wonderful and relaxing park to go to (I miss it!)
I absolutely adore this park. I visited for multiple days in 2016 and 2017 as it was the reason we traveled to Hong Kong and really enjoyed the experience. It was the most comfortable Disney Park to visit, mostly calm with short waiting times and enough unique attractions to keep you entertained. I even prefer it over Shanghai Disneyland. I look forward to visiting again once the frozen land is open and travel to Hong Kong is allowed.
I agree with you completely. This park was on my to do list and didn't get to go when airport travel got messed up, but this seemed like the most relaxing Disney park besides DisneySea.
We have been to HKDL 3 times, in 2005 for the Grand Opening, 2008 and 2016. We were scheduled to go back in December 2020. Hopefully we can return in the near future. We love the park and Hong Kong as well.
As a domestic Disney theme park enthusiast it’s easy to forget that the international Disney parks have different rules to abide by. When you think Disney, you think the company has carte blanche; As long as they have the land they can do what they please. That’s clearly not the case for the Asian Disney parks and it is sad to see that the lofty goals that the imagineers have for potentially spectacular attractions may never come to fruition. Thank you for delving into this incredibly interesting topic.
Yes but when the government owns majority stake in the amusement park, one that has yet to turn a considerable profit, you cant really blame them for their decisions. HK would better be suited as a fuller park rather than split by two mediocre ones, forcing you to go to both parks to get a taste of both, an issue plaguing the california adventure park. A second park would serve as an even less profitable version of a California Adventure
The 2nd gate in Hong Kong is dead for now but not dead forever. As someone who use to live and work in Hong Kong, the HK government not making the extension option available is just posturing for a better deal with Disney. First, if you subtract the management fees and royalties that Disney receives annually from HK Disneyland, the park is actually profitable more often than news reports would make you believe. 2nd, due to the location of Hong Kong Disneyland and the zoning/land use restrictions and allowances that are in place for the that piece of land, it is zoned for commercial leisure and hospitality purposes. Its not zoned for much needed affordable high density public housing but you could build low rise residential such as luxury high end villas. However the local wealthy elite would have little to no interest living next to the theme park. So unless Ocean Park wants to develop that piece of land, the only other thing that that vacant land really makes sense for it is it to be reallocated to Disneyland in the future when it will be needed.
Why does Disney bow down to oppressive, totalitarian, authoritarian regimes like the Chinese communist party? Why does it continue to censor the Simpsons episode about Tiananmen Square for Hong Kong? Boycott Disney!!!
@@wolfgangfierce9559 population of China is 1.4 billion with a growing middle to upper class having an increasing amount of disposable income to spend compared to the 330 million population of the USA with a shrinking middle class, it obvious where the growth is for leisurely activities. Btw Universal studios, SeaWorld and Legoland are or will opening attractions in China so you do you boycott them as well??
@@jasonyau326 The size of the population is irrelevant, the fact is the Chinese government censors half the world, disappears people who speak out against it like Peng Shuai and continue their organ harvesting of Falun Gong and genocidal campaign against the Uyghurs. This government needs to be stopped
@@wolfgangfierce9559so how do you stop a nation that has nukes, otherwise we could stop North Korea as well among others. And China's population is relevant as they can simply overwhelm their adversaries just by the advantage their sheer numbers give them
Hong Kong Disneyland has a special place in my heart as it is where I proposed to my wife at the wishing well next to the Snow White and the seven dwarfs statues. Haven't been in several years but really cant wait to get back because it really is unique plus its is the only Disney park with a mountain in the background when walking down main street.
Thanks to this year D23 we now know what will be the E ticket Marvel ride that will be coming to all three Avenger Campus and the 1st one to get it will be the Disneyland, Resort
"Hong Kong Disneyland feels like the forgotten Disney theme park ... and is in a constant state of expansion for a decade." Sounds like Disneyland Paris is the true forgotten Disney theme park then. (Last Disneyland Park expansion: Space Mountain in 1995.)
Not really, Disneyland Paris or mainly Disneyland Park there really focuses on major refurbishments at the moment than having expansions in which we have been seeing since 2016 when Big Thunder Mountain was refurbished and now with the castle. It took them a while to get that treatment too. I think they will be fine for now, if they try to update all existing attractions in Disneyland Park. Even Disneyland Hotel is receiving a major update, all of this is probably for the upcoming 2024 Olympics. Walt Disney Studios Park is the one that needs overhauling. After the expansion in WDSP, they need some new rides in the main one.
Hkdl is perfect if you want to do all the rides in the park in one day. During the pandemic, we were able to go many times and there was hardly a queue for any of the attractions. Now it’s back into full swing but I think u don’t need to wait as long for the rides as the other Disney parks around the world. If the rides get up to 1.5 hours is already pretty much maxed out. I go there almost weekly with my daughters because of the magic access card. It makes it easier to go for 3-5 hours and then leave again. Quite convenient as it’s about 1-1.5 hours by MTR from my house. I hope they can keep developing the park. Some parts of it do need a bit of a refurb though like the tables and chairs at most of its restaurants especially the outdoor seating areas and there should be more sheltered areas aswell as Hong Kong does get rain often and the sun can be blisteringly hot aswell. It is very family orientated and I found it caters very well for wheelchair users that I have seen being able to access most rides. Hope the govt keeps supporting it as it would be a shame if it does close down with it taking a loss each year which I find unbelievable. Watching how much revenue their retail generates daily.
They should built that Disney Wharf next to it. Since they don't have a Downtown Disney. Having a wharf keeping the same concept that was meant for Sydney's. But with some additions.
Plans like the pirates’ cove and downtown disney simply had been scrapped before they built HKDL. And now, the second park too… Mostly because of the structure of the theme park’s operation.
Among all disney parks, Hong Kong disneyland resort has been the most problematic and unsuccessful (in terms of marketing and corp-government communication) one that is under so many constraints although HKDL has wonderful park planning, infrastructures and strong disney vibe. It’s right at the bay surrounded by green mountains, with great dynamics and magic happening in the “valley”, and considered the climate in Hong Kong, it’s (or was) truly a paradise undisturbed by the eternal urban development in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, this would not be the case anymore.
Last but not least, (I think most of the local fans of HKDL would agree) the locals in Hong Kong seem to feel indifferent about HKDL for many reasons. Thanks to Covid-19 with everyone remains stuck in their hometown, whether it does more harm to HKDL or not, in a short period of time it is bringing more locals back to the park and reintroducing the park to the locals who have not been paying attention to it. Well, i do not think it will do a massive change, still, the local work-life pattern is partly the cause as well.
Been there in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Would have gone in 2020 had the pandemic not spoiled our plans. Stayed on site each time. This is a seriously underrated Disney Park. Mystic Manor and the Grizzly Gulch Runaway Mine Cars are 2 of our favourites. Hope we can go there again soon...
Good news! I went to HK Disneyland yesterday and construction of the avengers attraction have just begun as they are removing the star war show stage for the future entrance
What I find disappointing is that they closed Autopia over 5 years ago and still haven’t broken ground on the Avengers E-ticket. For a park that does not have a huge number of attractions, it seems like a huge waste to close an older attraction just to not even start construction on its replacement for over 5 years. Here’s hoping that they plan to start construction on the E-ticket after Arendelle: World of Frozen is complete.
I live in HK,and Hong Kong Disneyland is my favourite park!Frozen is already in the works,Autopia isn’t even in construction,the other Marvel attraction is Ant-Ma and Wasp!All the rides are beautiful.Now,the castle was updated in 2020-2021,with a nighttime firework show and a daytime show in 2022 of June.And they were both beautiful.So this is my opinion.
I didn’t know that any other Disney park was a multi day visit. I’ve only been to the Hong Kong countless times and i thought that was the ordinary size for a Disneyland
There's almost no consistency in the actual size/amount of time you can spend in a Disney park. Every park was built with different space restrictions and budgets
Great video! I’d heard that dca’s quinjetride had to be completely reworked after Chadwick Boseman passed away, as it was going to centre on Black Panther. Regardless, HK is on my bucketlist purely for Mystic Manor.
Are we sure the Frozen coaster will be similar to the 7 dwarfs one? Based on the construction photos showing the tiny layout and some rumours, this will be more of a kiddie coaster like the Barnstormer, no?
I love Hong Kong Disneyland. I visited in 2016 and it was very special for it was the first Disney resort I’ve visited and it was part of my first ever international trip. Hope to visit again soon!
Hong Kong disneyland would be popular if mainland chinese can go visit hong kong without a visa, it would be convenient for people living in southern china. but that wont be the case until at least 2047 under the treaty..
We are scheduled to try and get there in 2023 as part of my promise to my daughter to get to all the parks one time. She doesn't know it, but I am planning it as a combo with Tokyo, so we'll have 3 days in HK (one day to explore the city a little) the two at the park (so we are not rushed and can go back for favorites), then it will be on to the two Tokyo parks and that will complete the group. HK DL was one of Eisner's failures just like DCA. It will take BILLIONS of dollars to get it to a point of just being decent (again just like DCA). Under current Disney leadership though and as the CCP is squeezing HK, it may be much harder than anybody thinks or is willing to admit.
@@bb5242 Yes, I understand that. I agree with you, but there are some who still think that HK is still the same and try to stop anybody from saying otherwise, including Google/RU-vid, so I was trying to find a word that would apply but not get flagged too much.
We love HK Disneyland. It's the right size, not too big and not too small. Went there twice and enjoyed both visits. Would have visited it again if it weren't for the pandemic.
Hong Kong Disneyland is actually one of my favourite theme parks in the world, with Grizzly Gulch and my favourite land, Mystic Point being the exclusive lands in the park.
I was really surprised at how good HK Disneyland is. I was looking forward to my time there but had some pretty low expectations. The Runaway mine cars in Grizzly Gulch might be one of my fave Disney Rollercoasters.
My wife visited briefly in 2019, just about enough time to ride Mystic Manor and watch the Paint the Night parade, both of which she liked very much. The short waits also made the park very enjoyable. But the subsequent unrest and political crackdown in Hong Kong made her unwilling to go back there for a good long while, even before the pandemic hit. Ultimately HK Disneyland's biggest problem may turn out to be where it is--though it seemed like a relatively promising location when it first opened. (Come to think of it, right now you could say the same thing about Walt Disney World.)
The magic of Disney is that it brings all people together peacefully. Unfortunately, we can't allow the baseline to be what the average Chinese citizen lives with in terms of personal freedoms.
@@bb5242 The average Chinese citizen has way more freedom, that is why they are stable and forging ahead, unlike some other unstable western countries.
I grew up into my twenties in Toronto and have lived in Hong Kong for the last 15 years. This idea that we’re living under tranny and that all our freedoms have been lost.. is just an idea that is perpetrated by the news. The best example I can give for a ‘westerner’ is.. seeing violent headlines in the local newspaper yet not seeing or feeling any violence in your community or within your network.
I went in 2019 and absolutely loved it. Very short lines and the best version of haunted mansion. Can't wait to go back. I just wish disney hadn't shot themselves in the foot by opening a park in Shanghai, it's taken so much business from HK.
Considering their are more middle income people and up in China than in all of U.S which easily supports 2 parks and if the marvel expansion goes through along with other expansions. By the middle and later portions of this decade HK Disney can be a profitable park and can justify a 2nd gate across from it.
@@Marylandbrony The main problem is that fast trains make trips to Shanghai much more convenient for Chinese mainlanders than Hong Kong. Why go to Hong Kong Disneyland when you can go from Beijing to Shanghai by train faster than taking a flight.
@@WellBattle6 That was not my point. China is more than capable of supporting 2 Disney parks similar to the U.S. Shanghai Disneyland can be the equivalent of Disney World as the main mutiday park that appeals to the country at large and HK Disneyland can be the "local" park that is targeted for a more regional audience. The province of Guangdong alone is larger than Japan, home to Tokyo Disneyland and i'm not counting Hong Kong proper or other regions in Southern China were it might be faster to reach Hong Kong than Shanghai. By your logic Tokyo Disneyland compete's for every other Disney park in Asia and Disney World takes away theoretical business away from potentially smaller parks around the world including non-existent ones in the Northern U.S, another European park and one in Latin America.
@@Marylandbrony That really depends on how you define "middle income". An annual salary of $10,000 USD places one squarely in China's "middle class", as that's roughly the average annual income. But Disney in the US, Japan, and France is clearly targeting guests with incomes about 6 figures, especially in recent times as they refuse to expand capacity and instead opt to raise prices to match supply and demand. And as it stands, the population of 6-figure-earners in China is way below that of the US, despite having 4x the population. And perhaps as a result, Shanghai Disneyland currently costs well under half of what a ticket to one of the US parks costs (i.e. around $50 USD)
Why does Disney bow down to oppressive, totalitarian, authoritarian regimes like the Chinese communist party? Why does it continue to censor the Simpsons episode about Tiananmen Square for Hong Kong? Boycott Disney!!!
It was the first Disney park I went to back when it first opened! I don't remember much from then, but I vaguely remember going on Autopia. 2nd time I went was in late 2015. At that time, it was really quite dead. There were barely any lines (not that I'm complaining), but it just didn't have any magic. Hope things get better for them soon. Like you said, it could be the first and only Disney park for someone, so it'd be great if they could experience that magic.
2019 was the year that HKDL could made a profit again. But what happened in the city rapidly changed the situation, and HKDL's situation gets worse and worse after that...The politics will still be the main factor determining its future...
Well sound like the Spider-Man TOT New York ride doesn’t fit in the storyline with Ironman experience and ant man and the wasp nano battle. Because both of them are set to happen in Hong Kong. With now the frozen theme delayed to be open in 2022/2023. The avengers e ticket ride won’t be deliver on time as the original schedule, But now demolition of Jedi temple stage has begun, I think the construction of that is going to be start very soon. About the second gate, I do hope Disney still got plan in their hand, however it won’t be happen in next few years due to uncertainty of the pandemic. Not to mention the affect of National Security Law. The future of the resort is same as Hong Kong full of unknown and not optimistic.
You got it wrong when you said that the HK government didn't allow Disney to further reserve the usage of Phase 2 land, it was in fact HK Disney giving up on it. HK Disney didn't do anything with it for the past 15 years and failed to meet the requirements of visitors count set (for their Phase 1) in the original contract which allowed HK Disney to easily reserve the rights of purchase of the Phase 2 land. I mean if you are given nearly 2 decades to do it and you didn't, that probably means you are not interested at all or it is simply not achievable, which is fine, business is business, but Disney for sure did make their own firm calculated decision in abandoning the rights of the 2nd Phase land. It's not like HK government all of a sudden took back the rights to the land overnight. But the rest of your coverage is spot on! Thumbs up.
I remember autopia since I grew up in Hong Kong and go to Disneyland pretty often, it was pretty sad when I noticed it was no longer there. Another attraction was meeting stitch and I love it and it's pretty sad they replace it with star wars characters, I will miss it dearly
ReviewTyme! I love your videos! Been to Hongkong Disneyland a few times and it is a really underrated park. The Mystic Manor and Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars are some of the best Disney rides I've ever been on! I truly believe that the Frozen expansion will be really amazing. I wish there was gonna be a second park. I would love to see Hongkongs interpretation of DisneySea there!
I went to hk Antman ride before and i had some trouble in the middle ride, i had to leave with the path for emergency , it was a very hilarious experience
I live in hk and hv a year pass(only for weekdays) and it’s really great🤌like I can hv every line at most 30min(very rare to hv over30) and never hv to rush in morning too line up. I just go there when I’m off and watch every lion king show. The cast is just so good. So cute and make my week so good🥹✨✨✨
I want some more stuff coming to the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort like more cool attractions for Hong Kong Disneyland like a clone of Treasure Cove, a second gate theme park, more resort hotels, and an RDE complex similar to Disney Town!
Kinda surprised Disney did pull a Walt Disney Studios maneuver and just develop the most minimalist park they could have before 2015. If they could have, while it would have required extra investment down the road, they would have at least the 2nd park land set and opportunity for 2-3 more resort hotels (with one having been built close/within the park like DCA Grand Californian)
I think that only would have worked if DIsneyland tried to bankroll it 100% as opposed to try and get the HK gov't to partially fund it again. But with so many projects in the works, I think Disney may have been stretched thin.
It has long been on my "bucket list" Mystic manor, Big Grizzly Mountain & their version of It's A Small World. With those mountains in the background, it is a beautiful park. With the info you just gave, it will be "land locked" like DL & WDW. Harder to fit in "new stuff" without having to take out "old stuff" LOL! I also feel Frozen was carbon copied to save $$. The bigger boats will help with capacity.
I want these attractions come to the Hong Kong Disneyland park that should be fully realized! - Treasure Cove feat. Pirates of the Caribbean - Peter Pan’s Flight - Journey of the Little Mermaid - The Magic Carpets of Aladdin - Raging Spirits (an upgraded and expanded version of the attraction) - Moana’s Splash Mountain - more awesome attractions
Treasure cove : can’t cause it is only for Shanghai and it is Shanghai’s major attraction Peterpan : can’t because no space and it’s Shanghai major attraction Journey of the little mermaid :not a great ride actually Magic carpets of Aladdin there is no space for a reskin ride of dumbo Splash mountain : no space More awesome attraction :no space Reality is cruel 🥲
@@JustinCoasters the only place that can build new rides currently is the demolished autopia and a little place left near toy story land but now is cast member car park hope they would use it greatly Frozen land opening in 2021 December or 2022 I go to hk Disneyland once every two week And Disney need to ask for fund to build things I don’t think they would demolish more area to build new things
@@JustinCoasters moreover I don’t think HKDL will rebuild “ old “ rides that are in other parks I think HKDL can only win by having FULLY NEW DESIGNED rides because tbh Tokyo disneyland have literally all the classic rides too hard to compete
The loss of the second theme park expansion area is tragic but understandable. I’ve been salivating over the possibilities for that second park ever since my first visit in the first year the park was open. However, it has been clear that HKDL is struggled since the very beginning, and Disney itself has a very mixed track record with second parks (Walt Disney Studios Park and California Adventure 1.0 beyond very notable duds). Sigh…
@@williambrown8249 However Tokyo Disneyland Resort is wholly owned and operated by the Oriental Land Company, who has a very strong track record of a willingness to spend lavish sums of money for a high quality result. By contrast, many of Disney’s parks are built and launched on anemic budgets, including Walt Disney Studios Park, the original DCA, and the original HKDL.
they also canceled this for us too the avenger's ride. but also i think its because of whats going on with the usa and china, like i heard rumors they might just have them paid the license for this park because of the things that have happened and going to happen.
We have been to the US parks and visited in HK in 2017 and loved it! Hooping to get back next year. I really hope Disney invest some time and money into this park. Mystic Manor is one of the best Disney rides.
I love Hong Kong Disneyland. I'm wondering if there could be another ground reclamation project - filling in more of the bay - to make room for expansion? -Frank
I went to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2012 or 13 and it was just weird. It was Disney, but being used to Disneyland in CA make it feel uncanny valley-ish I guess... It was probably the copycat castle
Awesome video! At 11:08 you say that the resort only made a profit in 3 from 16 years of existence, I would love to look deeper into these statistics, but I couldn't find anything online as of yet, could you link me the source, please?
Thanks for watching Alexandre! The source I used for that fact is here, the final paragraph in this article - asia.nikkei.com/Business/Media-Entertainment/Hong-Kong-Disneyland-loss-hits-342m-despite-higher-local-visits
Then again, looking at the concept art for the Avengers E-ticket ride, it looked like they had T’Challa/Black Panther there with the rest of the Avengers. Thanks to the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman and Marvel not wanting to recast the role, could this be another reason for why we don’t have that E-ticket attraction?
One reason is that Avengers, and the MCU moved along through Endgame and finished. Those early Stark expo graphics look cool, but seem outdated (that film was 2008). Even the more recent Avengers material feels dated to me. I think Marvel is a victim of its own success in many ways. Disney's Star Wars Lands have the same issue but not because of the success of the sequel trilogy.
I live in HK and I have young children so I LOVE HK Disneyland. Since the pandemic has made it almost impossible to travel and with HK having contained COVID quite well, we have stayed at the resort multiple times during the year. However speaking to other HKers without kids, they think it’s a drain on HK resources.
The park should have been built in Australia as had been talked about. I fear with the changing back to china rules tourists wont be going to Hong Kong as they previously did and this park will continue to decline with it's visit numbers by international guests. I loved the park for my three day visit back in 2017, but questioning any return again. Rides like Mystic Manor need to be cloned and built at the other parks. Tokyo would love the monkey merch.
It's a.. not so right decision to place another Disneyland in a visa-gated country, Japan and Hongkong. That could be the reason why it's less successful comparing to Universal Studios Singapore, since Singapore is more open and doesn't require travel visa for South East Asian passport holders, making it easier to visit.
Most people in HK don't own cars because our public transport system is so good and extensive that cars aren't essential to get around the city here. So yes, most ppl take the train or local buses to reach the park.
i used to come here every year but since covid, i haven't been able to. I absolutely love this park and because of the many happy and good memories i've made here, this will prob remain my fave park hahaha sadly. i feel that hong kong disneyland is sorely neglected. Like, if u ask someone about disneyland, they wouldn't think about this park first... also, random side note, mystic manor is an extremely cool ride but that area is the most neglected in the park. It's SOOOOOOO quiet it's so creepy. As a kid, I was extremely scared to go there