Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) continues to attract tourists with developments that guarantee that a visit to Hong Kong will not be complete without a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland.
A round table press conference with selected international travel trade media by HKDL executives was held last April 12, with a revelation that the theme park received 6.7 million visitors last year. It was the second year of growth highlighted by 60 percent international tourists with strong visitations from Japan (+44%), South Korea(+34%), and the Philippines (+12%).
The strong showing of the Philippines reflects the age-old love affair of Filipinos with everything Disney, now reinforced with the Marvel Super Heroes.
Edward Goh, Vice-President, Commercial Strategy of HKDL Resort, said, “The Philippines has always been a strong market for us and we will continue to promote and develop the market there further, in fact, we have been going deeper in the secondary cities to try and broaden our reach with bundle and product opportunities.”
To stay competitive, the resort never stops growing and expanding and more new attractions are being developed. The transformed Disney Castle that takes inspiration from 13 Princess stories featuring new daytime and nighttime shows will be launched next year in time for the theme park’s 15th anniversary.
According to Polly Kong, Sales Strategy and Operations of HKDL Resort, Moana: A Homecoming Celebration was launched last year as the beginning of HKDL’s multi-year expansion plan with a series of developments for the coming years.
“This year HKDL will continue to bring incredible experiences and offerings to our guests to include the marvel attraction and The Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! which was just opened in March 31 this year. We are unveiling the new boutique in the castle area this summer, a new children’s playroom called Nemo’s Recreation Reef will also be unveiled also this summer,” Kong added.
The Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! Experience
The second Marvel-themed attraction, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, Is an interactive dark ride experience where guests will embark on a high-energy, high tech immersive adventure.
Guests will be “shrunk” to the size of an ant to battle alongside Ant-Man and The Wasp against long-time adversary Armin Zola and his army of Swarmbots. New HK Agent Lesli Lam will equip guests with the latest S.H.I.E.L.D. technology of EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) blasters that can disable the enemy by penetrating the heavily armored targets.
From the exclusive experience, participants from the media learned that it is not an ordinary shooting game.
There are 150 targets, in different shapes and sizes, providing guests with different levels of challenge while onboard a moving vehicle. The onboard computer keeps track of guest’s hits and accuracy, and the scores that can go from thousands to millions, are shown on each of the vehicle displays. This is a ride that you will keep on going back to especially if you are with friends or family.
Fans will also have the opportunity to own over 70 Ant-Man and The Wasp-themed merchandise items (40 items exclusive to HKDL). There are also themed food and beverage choices for guests in both the park and the hotels. The dinner buffet at Chef MIckey in Disney’s Hollywood Hotel is where guests can also partake of a series of Ant-Man and The Wasp desserts and have a great time making their own themed Easter eggs.
What to expect in the near future
Goh related that Moana was launched last year as the 1st phase, Ant-man and the Wasp this year.
“Next year we are looking forward to the Castle transformation, 13 princesses and one queen as Anna is the princess and Elsa is a queen. That castle has a lot of design elements as each princess has a flower motif that is reflected in the castle design unique to the character of the princess. Then in two years, it will be followed by another major Marvel experience.”
Celebration of Sales Excellence Awards
HKDL also hosted the annual Celebration of Sales Excellence Awards 2018 last April 12 in honoring 25 top-performing travel trade partners. 20 of distinguished awardees received Sales Excellence Award and 5 awardees received the Sales AdvanceEAR Awards. The Top Sales AchievEAR of the Year Award went to online partner Lvmama.com.
The awardees were treated on a staycation along with their families and friends in exploring the new interactive attraction Ant-Man and The Wasp. Travel trade partners are optimistic that the resort’s appeal as an ultimate Marvel hub in Asia and the year-round “Play.Shop.Dine.Stay” offers would attract more guests from around the region. HKDL is working closely with trade partners in the Asia Pacific to introduce comprehensive staycation packages inclusive of accommodation at one of the resort’s hotels, discounted 1-Day or 2-Day Park Admission. The packages are available for booking with designated travel trade partners.