It's official and the announcement is just phenomenal! HKDL gets a $1.4 Billion development plan: new castle in 2019, two Marvel attractions in 2018 and 2023 and a Frozen land In 2020! ALL WDI artwork is on the D&M Facebook page HERE and below the full HKDL press release and the park map showing the upcoming additions and changes!
HONG KONG (Nov. 22, 2016) – Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) announced a multi-year development plan to take the park to a new level of excitement, leveraging some of the most beloved and successful franchises of The Walt Disney Company. Plans include new themed areas, attractions and entertainment, launching almost every year from 2018 through 2023.
Guests will experience Marvel and “Frozen” like never before as HKDL leverages the best of Disney to bring both these world-renowned franchises to life in their own immersive areas. The centerpiece of the park and the gateway to Fantasyland – the castle – will also be transformed to create spectacular entertainment experiences for guests.
“We are more excited than ever about the future of Hong Kong Disneyland,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We are bringing the best of The Walt Disney Company to this wonderful tourist destination, giving guests from around the world an experience only Disney can deliver and an experience they can only have with us at Hong Kong Disneyland.”
Some highlights of the new experiences that will delight Disney fans and guests from around the world include:
An epicenter of Marvel Super Heroes that will continue to unfold. From the launch of Iron Man Experience, the Marvel universe continues to grow at HKDL. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will be reimagined into a brand new experience for guests to fight alongside the icons of the Marvel Universe. Further, another thrilling attraction dedicated to one of the most popular Marvel franchises will be added to expand the epicenter of Marvel Super Heroes as exciting events unfold in phases. These experiences will replace the Buzz Lightyear and Autopia attractions.
An exciting new “Frozen” themed area where characters and stories from the kingdom of Arendelle will come to life in ways guests have never experienced before at a Disney park. Guests will enjoy two new attractions and be immersed in Arendelle with uniquely themed dining, shopping, and entertainment.
A completely transformed Castle and Hub area to showcase brand new daytime and nighttime shows and entertainment offerings that will celebrate every prince and princess who ever wished upon a star and dared to follow a dream. An “Adventureland Show Place,” which invites guests to “Moana’s Village Festival” through a series of daytime entertainment offerings anchored around a lively stage show in a new interactive entertainment environment. In addition to experiencing live shows and immersive Disney storytelling, guests can meet Moana, heroine of the new Disney animated film that will be released globally starting November 2016.
The major development plans extend the excitement and amazing growth at HKDL, as the resort is set to open the eagerly anticipated Iron Man Experience officially on January 11, 2017 and the richly themed Disney Explorers Lodge resort hotel later in the first half of the year.
HKDL has continued to grow since its opening in 2005 and has broadened its appeal to families and young adults as well as diverse markets, including local, mainland China and overseas guests.
The three themed areas launched between 2011 and 2013, Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point, have enhanced the park’s attractions and entertainment offerings and boosted the park’s attractiveness to different market segments. In 2013, Mystic Manor was awarded the prestigious Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction, the equivalent of the Oscar in the theme park industry. In the following year, the nighttime parade “Disney Paint the Night” was launched and subsequently honored with a Thea Award.
In celebration of HKDL’s 10th Anniversary in 2015, the new stage show “Mickey and the Wondrous Book” and a new walk-through experience “Fairy Tale Forest” were introduced. This past summer, “Star Wars: Tomorrowland Takeover” presented attractions and offerings themed after another classic Disney franchise.
“The all-new developments will further reinforce HKDL’s position as a world-class tourist destination for everyone, including families and young adults, and help build lifelong memories across generations of families,” said Samuel Lau, executive vice president and managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland.
HKDL’s two shareholders – The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government – have agreed on the development plans, subject to funding approval by the Company’s Board of Directors and Legislative Council for their respective share of investment.
This is absolutely phenomenal! This will transform HKDL into a totally unique park. I love the concept art of the castle. It looks absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish they would annouce such news for Disneyland Paris.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame....
Wow, that looks amazing. It's a shame though that they have to replace two attractions, rather than add to them.
ReplyDeleteI can't work out what's currently in the location of the adventure land stage show? Is it replacing something?
I think it will replace the lion king show!
DeleteI am so happy about this. This is a major transition from being lame clone to Disneyland and slowly turning into its own identity. The castle is sheer proof of this astonishing feet. Everything Disneyland, while holding tradition in various degrees, must retain a self-identity that makes going to them a particularly "unique." Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThis is Exciting news!! love it! When I saw the headline my heart skippped a beat!!!
ReplyDeleteBut as I always do I have a concern, that the dimensions of the new castle seem off! Almost seems as extremely vertical as the original castle seemed too horizontal!
Suffice it to say that the original castle stays pretty much intact according to the artists rendering! It seems there will be a "simple" vertical overlay! Not to much demolition!
If I'm being honest I think it's a little heavy on the onion domes, ala St. Petersburg! But in fairness I have never really been a fan of that particular architectural detail on any structure!
I'm still SO excited with the plans to improve the park!
When I first set out to visit all the Disney parks in the world, I honestly thought I would never visit the Eastern parks a second time! Mostly because of the very long travel time and expense from the USA! But I'm already planning a second trip to Tokyo, and with this news I can definitely see a return to Hong Kong in a few years if I'm around this earth!
I applaud to the change of the castle in HK. If it works in California, the mountains backdrop really dwarf the small building here. My mother was stuned by the "doll house" effect. ^^
ReplyDeleteIt looks like we can expect the size of DLP castle, no ?
It's still strange they don't add the mountains to the conceptual drawing though...
As for design, it's still the mixmash of styles that is wondefull on Mystic Manor (what a great ride !) but not realy tasteful for the central iconic castle... Another missed opportunity for Snow White or Belle to get their own castle. ;-)
And I more reserved for the central pound in front the castle. I really enjoy the dynamic experience to go directly thru the castle. Not boing sideways like in Florida or Shangai.
I may be wrong, but I understand that Tokyo finaly pass on the Frozen port ? So WDI was abble to forward the cancel land to another resort, right ?
The funny thing is that they switch "Iron Man Exp." & Marvel attraction on the map. Iron Man is definetly inside the berm.
The poor attraction that won't reopen soon is Autopia. Already removed from the current park map (except the inside loop), it will be closed LONGER than open since it's opening !
While it'a not really "snow whites" castle in Shanghai, The walk through attraction is Snow White! Just thought I'd note that!
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