What's Next for Hong Kong Disneyland

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.)

Hong Kong Disneyland: The Little Park That Could

Woefully under built at opening, a Disney park fan could easily pass on visiting Hong Kong Disneyland. There were no landmark, unique to this park big budget attractions, a cheap knock-off castle from the original park in Anaheim, and in general, just not much to make this stand on its own. However...

There were photographs like this one above. (Photographer unknown.) A new twist on the classic Jungle Cruise. With the stunning mountains that surround the island, this Asian Adventureland has on air of authenticity not duplicated in Anaheim or in Tokyo Disneyland. And it was photos like this that made me take a second and third look.

New twists on old favorites.

Then, finally, the expansion began, and the park began to take on a unique personality. First Grizzly Gulch brought something fresh to the park as Imagineers satisfied guest's desire for something new. Granted, it is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad meets Expedition Everest and Grizzly River Rapids, but it looks pretty impressive nonetheless. 

Now that's a showstopping attraction!

Then, Mystic Manor opened, finally putting the little park on the international map.  This very original take on Disney's classic  Haunted Mansion totally redefined the place, creating the park attraction every Disney fan wanted in their home park.  In one swift move, Hong Kong Disneyland became a destination I'd want to see.

Can this little resort hold its own with Shanghai Disneyland opening soon? More surprises are coming with Marvel's Iron Man Experience and beyond. Rumors continue that this park will be receiving some significant investment in the next few years: new attractions, new hotels, and even a new theme park. Things are getting interesting!

(Art and bottom photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A New Attraction for Disneyland Paris

Here is an interesting piece of news! Some mysterious poster on one European discussion board presented this piece of concept art for adding a version of California Adventure's Grizzly River Run to Frontierland at Disneyland Paris.  

Much hunch is this is part of something that was proposed long ago when the suits decided there needed to be something new at the park to drive attendance and before the (correct) decision to totally refurbish the place, bringing this most beautiful of all Magic Kingdoms up to Disney show standards. Perhaps is was even proposed before the bones of the California Adventure attraction became the backbone of the Grizzly Gulch's Runaway Mine Cars of Hong Kong Disneyland. Recycling in the parks is such a common occurrence, but so far, if you've noticed, nothing makes it over to the other parks if it came from Tokyo DisneySea.

Certainly this addition would more appropriate to the theme than Splash Mountain, which is full of cartoon characters and once also proposed for this park.  I'd hate to see the further cartooning of the lands there.  

However, a rapids ride is full of water, much more so than Splash, and Paris has very cold winters. I've been there in late October and in January, and it is already cold and sometimes harsh even in the Fall. So, we shall see how this plays out. However, I bet the Imagineers are on to something new for the park once all the refurbishments are complete. 

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Hong Kong Disneyland's Glacier Bay: The Concept Art

The brilliant old school excellence of Mystic Manor. The Newfangled blend of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Expedition Everest found in Hong Kong Disneyland's recent Grizzly Gulch's Runaway Mine Cars. The upcoming Iron Man attraction. A new evening show, "Disney Paint the Night", with shades of California Adventure's incredible World of Color. What will be next for Hong Kong Disneyland?

How about something old? Something discarded? Something that was planned once upon a time by the Imagineers and cut due to budget restraints of the budgeteers. Let's call it "Glacier Bay", an icy wonderland perfectly designed to cut through the heat of Asia.

Far beyond the ordinary fairground mentality of the bland Toy Story Playland, the beautiful Glacier Bay would be home to a roller coaster, jet skiing, and more.

Is it my imagination or does Glacier Bay remind you of Tokyo DisneySea's futuristic Port Discovery? Regardless, all this work was done for a proposed but abandoned part of the Hong Kong park done by Favilli Studios, one of the relatively new players in the theme park business. 

With nearby Ocean Park ramping up the competition for tourist dollars and Shanghai Disneyland within a couple of years of opening, the suits in Hong Kong are looking for ways to keep the guests coming in. Be it the inevitable second park or a Downtown Disney buildout, my bet is that they look backwards to what was once planned- and give their guests a wintery excuse to get away from it all.

(Art copyright Favilli Studios.)

Rating the Latest Attractions from Disney Imagineering

Could it be? Are we on the verge of a renaissance at Walt Disney Imagineering? There's certainly some new magic spread around in these brand new attractions, but the answer to this question depends on which park and resort you examine!  

Let's look at some of these, and I'll give them a letter grade- just like in school. A few of these, I have seen for myself. Others, well, I'll have to go by a combination of Disney propaganda, on line videos, and just a bit of subjective observation. And lastly, I will not review shows or parades. Still interested? C'mon, everybody, here we go...

Hong Kong Disneyland is on most theme park fans' mind right now, as it's multi-year expansion concludes, so let's start there:

Toy Story Land- You'd think a theme park land focused on the vastly popular movies of the same name would show immense creativity and flair. You'd be wrong. In either Disney Studios Paris or Hong Kong Disneyland, the execution of the concept falls flat, reading just like it is- souped up carnival rides. There's little to be found that's clever. So different than Mickey's Toon Town at Disneyland. Interestingly, Toy Story Mania (or Midway Mania at California Adventure) is not found in either park. That attraction ranks a C+ at best. The rest of the area, I'd give a D. Cheap, cheap, cheap.

Grizzly Gulch- The Runaway Mine Cars certainly earn their A rating. Every on-line video seems to show an attraction that packs a first class punch. Take one part Expedition: Everest, one part California Screamin' and throw in huge doses of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for atmosphere, and you've got a family friendly thrill ride worth its wait. Even with its namesake peak stolen from California Adventure, cute but mischievous Audio-Animatronic bears and a great thrill provide a dynamic storyline. The rest of this water-logged Frontierland is fairly boring, earning a B- rating at best.

Mystic Point- Almost as if to punctuate the build out plan, Disney Imagineers saved the best for last. Taking on an original look at Disney's chestnut Haunted Mansion, Hong Kong's Mystic Manor is so excellently done, it may in fact become the centerpiece of the entire park. Who can resist a mesmerizing adventure in an exotic location, with enchanted objects, and a unique ride system guaranteeing return riders? This stunning attraction is everything the New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom should be but isn't. A+

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom reveals its own new land, a Fantasyland that never was. It's full of different flavors and experiences, even if it is only partially complete.

Let me say this up front- there's plenty to like in the New Fantasyland if you're satisfied by environments rich with detail, varied textures, and plenty of first class dining and shopping options. That piece ranks a clear, strong A from the fans appreciative of what the Imagineers built into this revamp of a tired space. When we take a close look at each individual attraction, it doesn't look all that great...

Enchanted Tales with Belle. If we look at this as solely a new generation meet and greet, it's a pretty solid A.  There's a compelling story, rich detail, beloved characters effectively brought to life through Audio-Animatronics and wonderful special effects. However, since Disney is looking at this story space as an attraction, I will as well. Therefore, the rating drops to a shaky C, on par with other smaller attractions found at the flagship kingdom.

Journey of the Little Mermaid- As discovered by many others before me, there was much more potential for an "E Ticket" attraction than what actually materialized. Smaller budget or was it smaller mindsets of those in charge, thinking this downsized attraction could compete with Universal's Harry Potter? Either way, Ariel deserves better than this. Although the queue stuns, the attraction itself rates a B, reminding us of what could have been. Another missed opportunity.

The last piece now opened is Storybook Circus.  Much like the rest of the reimagined land, the attractions are secondary to the atmosphere. A revamped Dumbo and kids' coaster earn a C, but exploring the area is bound to make me think more was planned and less was achieved. 

Let's move on to the West Coast, where Anaheim's second Disney park completed its own multi-year "expansion".

California Adventure has seen its own renaissance of sorts, turning an ugly duckling into an emerging swan. As with Florida's Fantasyland redo, some parts satisfy and others fall short. But the effort has done its trick. Turnstiles are spinning like never before. 

Buena Vista Street- Detail upon detail creates an opening act every bit as successful as Disneyand Paris' Main Street. That is saying a lot! The scale just feels right with Disneyand right next door, providing a sense of place and charm the park sorely needed. It's an instant classic- warm, inviting, and Disney-esque. I downgraded the original A rating to an A-, mostly due to the inclusion of only one attraction, the Red Car Trolleys. 

Paradise Pier Redo- Sorry, Imagineers and pencil boys, this quick and dirty carnival is much better then its predecessor, but the land is still only worthy of a C rating.  With the B rating of Mermaid, a tepid remake of a few carnival rides, and a C+ arcade shoot 'em up, only the evening show of World of Color makes the land a must see. The area that is a success is the revamp of the eateries and the buildings that house them. Elegant and very worthy of what the old school Imagineers would have built. 

Cars Land- I'd be a harsh fool intent on just dissing Disney if I gave this land and its premier attraction, Radiator Springs Racers anything but an A+. Disney has not created anything this spectacular since Tokyo Disney Sea. Sure, two smaller attractions round out the land, but the environment is so rich, so convincing, so mesmerizing, that it satisfies as well as an afternoon in Disneyland's New Orleans Square. Every nook and cranny has to be seen to be believed. Worthy of a trip west to see it for yourself!

Well, that about does it for this round of the Rating of Disney's recent attractions. If I know anything about the suits, or at least the accountants, these parks will remain stagnant for awhile. But the future could be bright if the Imagineers are allowed to really dig in and do what they do best.

(Photographs and art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Before Hong Kong Disneyland Got It's Bear Hug

Howdy! Yep, those Runaway Mine Cars in Grizzly Gulch at Hong Kong Disneyland look putty snazzy! So does that up and coming Mystic Manor which will be open to the public in 2013. Those Disney Imagineers did some great work there!

You might know that these were unknown and unplanned additions when the park first opened. In fact, one of the original pieces of art made the park look entirely different than what guests found when it first opened. From the latest Disney  Imagineering book, here is an early concept for the park.

It looks small, but just click on it and see it full size. What will you see? A very interesting variety of attractions and a very different layout for the park's Fantasyland. The castle is at the back, but it is the rest of the park that looks just as unique!  Way back is a lagoon for an evening show to the east side of Main Street. An early version of World of Color from California Adventure? Maybe Fantasmic? There's also a big chunk of land for the Indiana Jones Adventure. Would this older plan or the newer one we are seeing have been a better competitor to Shanghai Disneyland? 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)