Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: My sisters and I recall a time before Hong Kong Disneyland was built, when there were articles written which claimed the locals there weren't familiar enough with Disney characters way back then, predicting that the park wouldn't be something easy for them to relate to. ORWEN: Then the park opened and guess what? Winnie the Pooh's dark ride turned out to be one of the most popular attractions! Toy Story characters are also being reported as being popular. ORDDU: Therefore we maintain that any articles written to imply that Disney characters and movies aren't popular enough in China to warrant a Disney theme park remains to be seen. That's all we're saying. ORGOCH: Cain't argue with that! Well, ya could but ya'd be wastin' yer time.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Didnt HKDL underperform initially and struggle to find an audience? I seem to recall that it got hammered by competition from a well established local theme park for the first few years. I don't keep up with the Asian parks, but I seem to remember it hasn't been easy sailing for HKDL.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Winnie the Pooh's dark ride turned out to be one of the most popular attractions!<< It's also one of the lowest capacity attractions and the only darkride in the park. I'm sure that some of popularity was because of familiarity with the characters (there's no other way to defend a 25 minute wait for Pooh when Space Mountain is sending out half-empty trains), but there are also other factors to consider If Pooh was truly so popular because of the character connection, why haven't they built another darkride in the space originally constructed for Peter Pan? And why are there never any waits for the Fantasy Gardens meet & greets? >>Didnt HKDL underperform initially and struggle to find an audience?<< Yes, it did. Given what was in the park on opening, it was decently popular, but it was clear that it also wasn't performing up to Disney's hopes. They pumped a lot of money in for quick fixes early on (Autopia/Stitch/UFO Zone, Animation Academy, Mickey's House, iasw, seasonal promotions) before approving the mini-lands, which appear to have finally 'stuck' with the crowds.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< And I know it's standard practice in China and Hong Kong, but I like how the scaffolding is made out of bamboo >>> I didn't realize it was still standard practice in the mainland, but bamboo scaffolding definitely is in Hong Kong. They use it for everything, including skyscrapers!
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< There is a shopping cnetre planned next to SDL. So maybe this mall is connected with the ferry? >>> From the maps I've seen, the park's main entrance, the metro station, DtD equivalent, and the bus terminal are all right next to each other. The only thing on the other side of the lake (for now) is the SDLH. Perhaps they'll have ferries for hotel guests, but they would not need to be very high capacity.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Yes HKDL DID underperform in the beginning. But that was because of bad press for several different reasons. By now things have improved. But none of this had anything to do with Disney movies or characters not being popular enough. ORWEN: Remember how they over-sold on tickets and made guests mad by not being organized enough in how they were running the park? ORDDU: As for why there aren't more dark rides in Fantasyland--since Winnie the Pooh is so popular over there--we've asked this very same question too. The answers we got varied from how the Hong Kong government wasn't sure what they wanted to them not being willing to spend the money. ORWEN: But at least the park is doing a lot better than when it first opened so they must be doing something right by now. ORDDU: The point is, Disney movie and character tie-ins aren't adversely affecting this little park.
Originally Posted By dagobert According to Disney & More this is a picture from SDL, probably the lobby from SDLH. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/302042929839518/photos/a.408006435909833.89949.302042929839518/849051338472005/?type=1&theater">http://www.facebook.com/302042...&theater</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert I guess I have to see it in real life, but judging from the picture, I don't like it that much. It doesn't look bad, but it just doesn't look good either. Maybe I don't like it, because I expected a Victorian style, like at DLP or HKDL.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I haven't been overly impressed with the concept art of that hotel either; for some reason it just doesn't quite seem as nice as the other ones that Disney's done in the past This image reminds me of the atriums on the cruise ships, where they can't have a real hanging chandelier because the ship is moving. It seems strange to have that large of an open space on land with a focal point lighting fixture that doesn't actually use up the space And the crazy neon sunset outside the windows reminds me of some of the sunsets I saw in LA. They're really amazing to look at, until you realize that the crazy colors are because of all of the pollution...
Originally Posted By dagobert Here's a new video about SDL's construction. (via D&M Facebook) <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://v.ifeng.com/news/society/201503/01e4ef35-9c22-420c-88d4-861cbd5bde50.shtml">http://v.ifeng.com/news/societ...50.shtml</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert Here are some pictures of the Walt Disney Theatre at SDL. (Via D&M FB) <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://jsfarchs.com/project/shanghai-disneyland-walt-disney-theatre/">http://jsfarchs.com/project/sh...theatre/</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I think those might be computer renderings, but it looks like it will be a nice space It's interesting that the text says it will be used for theme park shows during the day and Broadway-type shows in the evening. It will be interesting to see how that works in reality, since it seems like there would be a lot of logistical issues (rehearsal space, storage/switching props and sets, cleanliness of audience areas, etc)
Originally Posted By dagobert The SDL castle is really big. Here's a new picture posted on the themeparx board. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.themeparx.com/shanghai-disneyland/?p=6078#post6078">http://www.themeparx.com/shang...post6078</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros It took me a while to figure it out, but it looks like this is the 'back' side of the castle, with Fantasyland on the right of the photo (Tron coaster can be seen in the background to orient everything) While the castle is pretty huge, it's the other details in the photo that really catch my eye, like the concrete shapes to the right of the walkway. Are those going to be water features? They look too sturdy to just be a simple planter, but too close together to be much else And what about the random stairs all by themselves in the middle of the photo? What will be in that area? Presumably there will be access up to the castle, but even that doesn't seem like it's close to completion And the show building appears to be getting a nice storybook village façade like other Fantasylands, but I'm wondering about the building with the giant hole in the roof. It seems like that could either be for a theater or large preshow gathering space, or perhaps a skylight over a food court space (like the Royal Banquet Hall at HKDL or Casbah Food Court at TDS). Given how few details we really know about the lineup at this park, it could really be almost anything
Originally Posted By dagobert >>> And what about the random stairs all by themselves in the middle of the photo? What will be in that area? Presumably there will be access up to the castle, but even that doesn't seem like it's close to completion<<< I don't know the concept art very well, but could the stairs be leading to the load and unload area of the boat ride?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros That could be! They've been really vague on details of the boat ride, and I don't think we've actually seen any concept art that shows what's going on behind the castle
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: As big and impressive as this newest Disney castle is, I still prefer all the other castles that were built before. At least they had identities. ORWEN: The original Sleeping Beauty Castle that Uncle Walt built still has an eternal charm that still inspires me to dream more than any other. ORGOCH: That's cause yer so dang LAZY ya relates best ta anything that gives ya an excuse ta SLEEP all day long!!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert Is SDL getting a Jet Pack ride? <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.screamscape.com/html/shanghai_disneyland.htm">http://www.screamscape.com/htm...land.htm</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros That was one of the 'new' concepts that was mentioned early on for the park. I don't remember hearing much detail or seeing any drawings, but those patents look pretty much like what I pictured for this. It seems like it could be a lot of fun, and provide a very different experience from the other similar spinners, but I would worry about a high height requirement for a pretty tame ride. I would definitely be in favor of it coming to the US eventually, since it looks like a lot of fun!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: You all need to learn how to fly broomsticks like us cauldron girls do. Then you'd know what REAL fun is!!
