Hong Kong Disneyland Closed for Fourth Time

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

January 7, 2022

 

Hong Kong Disneyland will be closed from January 7 to January 20 in response to Hong Kong’s anti-coronavirus measures.

 

According to a Hong Kong Disneyland statement: “As required by the government and health authorities and in line with prevention efforts taking place across Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland Park will temporarily close from Jan. 7 to 20, 2022. The resort hotels will remain open with adjusted level of services. Service at restaurants and recreation facilities in hotels will be adjusted according to the latest regulations.”

Source: Hong Kong Disneyland website

This lines up with an assortment of other steps being taken by authorities in Hong Kong, including a 14-day ban on major events and nonessential gathers, from indoor dining to museums, and no flights being allowed into Hong Kong for two weeks from Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the U.K. and the U.S. starting on January 8.

 

This is the fourth time that the pandemic has led to a temporary closure of Hong Kong Disneyland. The park had reopened on February 19, 2021.

 

At this point in time, few expect that this closing to be a harbinger for forthcoming closures at Disney’s U.S. parks. But one thing we all have learned since March 2020 is to expect the unexpected.

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Get more out of 2022 with The Disney Planner 2022: The TO DO List Solution! It combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more. Also, “The Disney Planner 2022: The TO DO List Solution” comes with a handy spiral binding for easy use. 

 

Keating has three new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13^th thriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

Hong Kong Disneyland To Close for Third Time

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

December 1, 2020

 

COVID-19 has brought the fun at another Disney Park to a grinding halt.  For the third time, Disney’s Hong Kong park will close due to rising COVID numbers, beginning tomorrow (December 2, 2020). 

According to Disney, “As required by the government and in line with preventative efforts taking place across Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland park will temporarily close beginning December 2. We are in close contact with health authorities and the government about the situation, and will announce a reopening date once they determine it is advisable.” 

 

Following their initial closure in January 2020, Hong Kong Disneyland reopened in June, but then closed again in July, reopening yet again in September. Hong Kong was one of the Disney parks cited at the Q4 earnings call in early November as being a net positive for Disney’s bottom line. Christine McCarthy, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Walt Disney Company, reported at the earnings call, “Walt Disney World, Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland all achieved a net positive contribution in the quarter, which means we generated revenue that exceeded the variable costs associated with re-opening.”

 

This is the second Disney Park to re-close because of COVID-19. Disneyland Paris, after re-opening in mid-July, closed for a second time in late October, with a hopeful re-launch date of Feb. 12, 2021. Disneyland California remains closed for the foreseeable future, and Disney Cruise Lines are sitting at the docks awaiting future sailing dates, having extended suspension of all departures through at least January 31, 2021.  Sailings are cancelled on board the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder and Disney Dream through February 1 and the Disney Fantasy through February 6. 

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Pre-order The Disney Planner 2021: The TO DO List Solution today!

 

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“Castle of Magical Dreams” To Debut in Hong Kong November 21

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 4, 2020

 

Hong Kong Disneyland may have marked its official 15^th Anniversary on September 12 with a virtual celebration, but the party will really get started on November 21, when the resort unveils its reimagined “Castle of Magical Dreams.”  The resort is also launching a 15-day countdown to the anniversary on its official Hong Kong Disneyland website, beginning November 6.  

While most of Disney’s castles are the residences of a particular princess -  such as Cinderella in Disney World and Sleeping Beauty in Disneyland California – Hong Kong Disneyland’s new “Castle of Magical Dreams” will reflect the personalities and stories of 13 Disney Princesses.   (It formerly was the overseas home to Sleeping Beauty.) The newly redesigned, now larger castle’s “architectural elements embrace the characteristics of each heroine through the interpretation of colors, icons, patterns, and cultural features, with uniquely designed towers, turrets, and spires dedicated to their respective stories,” according to Hong Kong Disneyland. It is the first time that Disney has undertaken such a complete overhaul on one of its iconic castles.

 

The castle redesign is part of the multi-year expansion currently underway at the park, including a first of its kind Frozen-themed land scheduled to open in 2021. The redesign has become even more significant now that the government of Hong Kong - the majority owner of the property at 53% to Disney’s 47% - has turned down Disney’s request to develop an additional adjacent parcel in order to expand Hong Kong Disneyland.  

 

Among the special events helping to kick-off the anniversary celebration on November 21 is  “Building a Dream: The Magic Behind a Disney Castle,” an exhibit where guests can see for themselves how Walt Disney Imagineering embarked on the process of transforming the castle for its debut, or the “Glimpse into the Magic” tour of the Castle of Magical Dreams. The immersive, audio-narration tour gives guests an up-close look at the architectural designs and cultural features of the new castle. “A Disney Christmas” also premieres on November 21.

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Pre-order The Disney Planner 2021: The TO DO List Solution today!

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

 

Hong Kong Disneyland Reopening, Again

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

September 22, 2020

 

Hong Kong Disneyland announced today that it will reopen on September 25 on a five-day-a-week schedule, with the park on Lantau Island being closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays (except for public holidays).

Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland

 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong Disneyland had been closed from January 23 to June 18. It then reopened, only to have to close once more on July 15.

 

Hong Kong Disneyland’s statement said:

 

“In alignment with the latest guidance from health and government authorities, the resort will continue its measured approach with health and safety measures such as capacity control, health screenings, temperature checks, requiring face masks, social distancing, and increased cleaning and sanitization… The online reservation system will remain in place, with all guests being required to reserve their visit date with valid tickets or membership cards through the Hong Kong Disneyland Park Visit Reservation website prior to arrival.”

 

Regarding the pandemic, Variety reported, “The territory has now largely tamed the third wave. On Tuesday, Hong Kong reported six additional confirmed cases of coronavirus, of which four were imported. That took the number of cases to 5,039 in Hong Kong so far, including 103 fatalities.”

 

Regarding the state of tourism in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post noted, “Hopes of a rebound in tourism were also gloomy as the city’s tourism board showed that fewer than 4,500 people visited in August, a 99.9 per cent year-on-year slump, and a 78 per cent drop from the nearly 20,600 people who visited in July.”

 

The Walt Disney Company owns 47 percent of Hong Kong Disneyland, with the Hong Kong government being majority owner at 53 percent (the ownership make-up originally was 57 percent Hong Kong and 43 percent Disney). Disney handles all of the operations.

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

Also, get the paperback or Kindle edition of Ray Keating’s new book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York.

 

Hong Kong Disneyland Reopening Announced

by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 15, 2020

Today, Hong Kong Disneyland announced its reopening, and little time is being wasted. The official reopening will be on June 18 – operating at reduced capacity, under a new reservation system, and with requisite health and safety protocols.

Courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland

As for those reservations, Magic Access members will be able to make a reservation beginning eight days prior to their visit (beginning on June 15), and general guests seven days before their visit (starting at 12 p.m. Hong Kong time on June 16).

In a statement, Disney noted, “During this initial reopening phase, all guests, including park ticket holders, Magic Access members and complimentary ticket holders, will be required to make a reservation for their visit date with their valid tickets or membership cards through the Hong Kong Disneyland Park Visit Reservation website.”

At the start of the reopening, the “majority” of attractions, shopping and dining locations will be open at controlled capacity. Meanwhile, social distancing will be established at queues, restaurants, attraction vehicles, and elsewhere in the park, and character close interactions and close-up photos will be suspended. 

Here are Hong Kong Disneyland’s specific instructions:

We ask for guest understanding of and compliance with the following requirements when Hong Kong Disneyland reopens. Guests must:

1) purchase their ticket in advance and reserve a visit up to seven days in advance of their visit online via the Hong Kong Disneyland reservation process. Magic Access members must also make a reservation prior to visiting, while they can enjoy the benefit of reserving eight days in advance.

2) make a required health declaration as part of the Hong Kong Disneyland reservation process. 

3) undergo temperature screening procedures upon arrival.

4) wear a mask during their visit, except when enjoying food and beverage at catering premises.

It also was noted, “The resort is also gradually resuming its hotel services.”

Disney pointed out: “Our cast members cannot wait to welcome guests back to the park. Guests will get a sneak peek of the magic in the making with the transformation of the Castle of Magical Dreams, a magnificent centerpiece of the park. The Castle now enters its final stage of transformation before opening later this year bringing new magic to Hong Kong Disneyland.”

This announcement came along with a wide array of news reports from early on June 15 about stepped-up COVID-19 concerns in China, the U.S. and elsewhere. In addition, serious questions – regarding self-governance, protests, and Hong Kong’s relationship with Beijing – continue to hang over Hong Kong. All of these concerns obviously promise to weigh on park attendance.

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution (now available at a deep discount) and the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

Get the paperback or Kindle edition of Ray Keating’s new book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York.

Disney and Its Brand Face Increasing Uncertainty in China

by Ray Keating

Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 3, 2020

In recent decades, seemingly countless U.S. businesses have done balancing acts when it comes to decisions about doing business in China. But few U.S. companies have gone in on China to the extent as has The Walt Disney Company. And the uncertainties regarding this choice are mounting.

American businesses have had to weigh considerable risks and uncertainties of dealing with the communist regime in Beijing that has a grim history in terms of gross human rights abuses, including state-committed murder on a vast scale (see the Tiananmen Square massacre, for example), other wide-ranging forms of oppression, lying, and deception, along with violations of property rights. 

The hope – shared by many policymakers and economists – has been that engaging with China as it partially opened parts of its economy to international markets would benefit the Chinese people. And as economic growth raises living standards, pressure would mount on the regime for increased political freedoms. 

That would require China to follow the path of political opening experienced in places like Taiwan and South Korea. But while many in the media fail to recognize the differences between authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, differences in fact do exist. Authoritarianism is about one person or party having political control, while totalitarianism is about one person or party having control over all aspects of life – private and public. Taiwan and South Korea were authoritarian, while China is totalitarian. The hope has been that China would react to pressure for greater political freedom as did Taiwan and South Korea, but it has been only a hope. Indeed, it has very much been an open question if totalitarian communists would react positively.

The latest signals point to the Chinese communists acting as the totalitarian oppressors they are, especially under President Ji Xinping. Beijing recently violated the “one country, two systems” agreement (achieved when the British handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997) by imposing “national security” laws on Hong Kong. The clear intent was to crush dissent, free speech, and gut Hong Kong’s self-governance, which was supposed to last until 2047. 

For good measure, China has stepped up its provocations directed at Taiwan. And then there’s China’s lying and deception regarding the coronavirus outbreak. (See my  recent Keating Files column on these points).

All of this obviously raises additional questions about doing business in China, including how other countries might change governmental policies directed at China.

Disney is uniquely exposed to these China uncertainties. After all, Disney isn’t just another Hollywood studio with an eye on potential box office numbers from China’s substantial middle-income earners. Disney entered into partnerships with the government on two theme parks.

In 1999, Disney entered into an agreement with the Hong Kong government to open, under joint ownership, Hong Kong Disneyland. At the time, the Michael Eisner-led Disney was seen as cutting an amazingly lucrative deal with Hong Kong. The park opened in 2005. Disney owns 47 percent of the park, and the Hong Kong government 53 percent (originally, it was 57 percent Hong Kong and 43 percent Disney). Disney handles all of the operations. But if things continue in the dire direction that they have been pointed in recently, Disney will be de facto in partnership with the communists in Beijing.

But that would not be new for Disney. After roughly a decade of negotiating, it was announced in November 2009 that Shanghai Disney was approved. Ground was broken in April 2011, and the Shanghai Disney Resort – brought to fruition under CEO Bob Iger – opened in June 2016. The resort is 43 percent owned by Disney, and 57 percent by the Chinese government. And the company operating the park is 70 percent owned by Disney and 30 percent by the Chinese government.

Being in a partnership with the Chinese communist regime is a unique situation to say the least, particularly for a company whose brand – which Disney normally is hyper-defensive about guarding – is overwhelmingly about family fun, wholesomeness and togetherness. That doesn’t exactly line up with the reputation of the Chinese communist government, with recent actions providing grim, stark reminders to people around the world.

As for Disney’s business, Shanghai Disney had 11.8 million guests in 2018, and Hong Kong Disneyland had a record 6.7 million visitors in 2018. Prior to the pandemic, Hong Kong attendance had suffered due to the pro-democracy protests, with The Wall Street Journal calling Hong Kong Disneyland a “ghost town.”

Again, more than most U.S. firms, Disney made a big bet on China continuing to move in positive directions in terms of expanding economic and political freedoms. That bet is in jeopardy more so than at any other point since the House of Mouse invested in the Hong Kong and Shanghai parks. It remains to be seen if the situation grows even more troubling or veers in a more positive direction – for the Chinese people and for Disney.

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution (now available at a deep discount) and the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

Get the paperback or Kindle edition of Ray Keating’s new book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York.