Disney caters for adults in expansion plan
Hong Kong Disneyland will add two new themed 'lands' with more adult appeal as part of its expansion plans, managing director Bill Ernest said.
He declined to identify the themes but said they would appeal more to adults and young professionals. This would help the theme park strike a balance with its generally tamer fare for families and children.
'The names of the lands are still working titles, but I haven't seen them anywhere else before,' Mr Ernest said.
The government and Disney, the theme park's joint venture partners, are currently evaluating Hong Kong Disneyland's business model amid plans for expansion. The push for more attractions that appeal to a more mature audience follows the relative success of the theme park's first foray into more adult-oriented entertainment during Halloween last year. There was double-digit growth year on year in Halloween attendance, Mr Ernest said.
The theme park is also directing its mainland marketing efforts at families and young professionals in seven cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Tianjin and Nanjing. The mainland is an important source market, as it accounts for more than 50 per cent of the park's summer attendance.
Hong Kong Disneyland attractions are currently themed after Adventureland's jungle environment, the futuristic Tomorrowland, Fantasyland's magical theme and Main Street USA, which is designed to evoke small-town America. The theme park has taken up about 80 hectares of the 126-hectare site, with the rest left for future development.
There are similar 'lands' at Disney's other parks around the world. In Paris, there are eight, including Toon Studio, Frontierland as well as special effects-themed Production Courtyard and Backlot, which is also at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
The Tokyo park has seven, such as Western Land, Toontown, World Bazaar and Critter Country, the last of which is also part of the park in Anaheim, California.
