A re-Imagined castle. A new Frozen themed area that looks to be long on detail but shorter in substance. These are recently completed or in progress projects for the constantly improving Hong Kong Disneyland. But what is next?
Maybe nothing. Or perhaps something as brilliant as the very old school excellence of Mystic Manor, the wonderful new story that revisits the classic Haunted Mansion in a whole new way. Then, there was the excellently executed design of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad meets Expedition Everest found in the more recent Grizzly Gulch's Runaway Mine Cars. Just maybe the Imagineers will go way back and dig into this older inspired concept.
Once upon a time a frozen land of a different sort was planned by the Imagineers and cut due to budget restraints of the budgeteers. Call it "Glacier Bay", an icy wonderland perfectly designed to cut through the sweltering heat of Asia. Be it Tokyo or for Hong Kong, the suits had an idea to provide an area that was cool and refreshing. A nice contrast to humidity and scorching sun.
It was lightyears beyond the ordinary fairground mentality of the bland Toy Story Playland, the beautiful Glacier Bay would be home to a thrilling roller coaster, jet skiing (!), and more. Perhaps a more real life take on Florida's Blizzard Beach. This project will remain as a concept never built now that the wintery theme is replaced by Elsa and Anna ands friends.
Glacier Bay reminds me of Tokyo DisneySea's futuristic Port Discovery.
With competitor Ocean Park ramping up the competition for tourist dollars, the suits in Hong Kong are looking for ways to keep the guests coming in. COVID showed things down but they are still on task to make the park profitable and attractive to tourists. It may never be on par with Shanghai Disneyland if China's government gets its way- and it will. They just wouldn't want the former British colony to outshine the mainland's tourist park. Yet, all this work was done for a proposed but abandoned part of the Hong Kong park done by Favilli Studios, shows there are always new concepts being worked on and the pursuit of money will rule the theme park business. Just look at Disney Genie Service!
(Art copyright Favilli Studios.)
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