Things haven't been easy for Hong Kong Disneyland since the start, with revenue and attendances failing to meet targets in its first three years.
The government, which is the majority stakeholder with 57 per cent equity in the park, continues to put a positive spin on the venture, but the positive stories have been in short supply. So it would appear that the last thing it needs is a major regional competitor.
But that is what it is going to have as Singapore opens the latest chapter in its long-standing rivalry with Hong Kong by launching a hugely ambitious theme park.
In less than two years, the mega Resorts World at Sentosa will open. Its aim is quite simple - to corner the Asian family tourism market.
Resorts World will feature a dizzying array of attractions, including Universal Studios Singapore (Southeast Asia's first, which will house the world's first Shrek castle, offering a '4D' experience), and the world's largest marine park, spanning 8 hectares, which will be home to as many as 700,000 aquatic animals. And that's not all. A separate 30 million litre lagoon will house whale sharks among its marine attractions.
There will also be a studio for Mark Burnett Productions Asia (which created the Survivor TV show), a Hard Rock Hotel, ESPA spa, a maritime museum, and a water theme park. There will be six hotels, along with convention and exhibition facilities, and an array of dining and shopping outlets. Its backers say it will be a one-stop shopping, entertainment and family destination that will take about five days to get around.
It would appear to be a formidable challenge for Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park.