EPCOT: Hong Kong Disneyland Preview

[DL_CRAZE]

Wasnt Epcot suppose to get a preview center about the upcoming Hong Kong Disneyland Park around the 50th anniversary celebration? If so, where will they put it?

[DLRP_bopazot]

last december i went to Epcot's guest relations and they said that the Preview Center of HOng Kong Disneyland will be on Sept 12th . I'm not sure about that date but it's around Sept 10th .

[FigmentJedi]

It's open now, they got coverage at Laughing Place now as well.

[figment1986]

I know it is open.. (missed it..) and i know Hong Kong CMs are training at the resortts and parks... Their were quite a few working the Registers at Pop centery....

[captsmith84]

It isn't yet open as of April 1st... I was just there.

[WDW1974]

It's supposed to be open now ... and like the new park, there really isn't all that much to see.

[TDLFAN]

It's supposed to be open now ... and like the new park, there really isn't all that much to see.

:lol: But I am sure it's got to be pretty... at least.

[Crispy]

I looked at the preview posted on another website. I was just thinking with the minimal number of actual rides, that they could have spent the money on the preview center on adding a Snow White's Adventures to Fantasyland in Hong Kong or something. I mean, how much could it have cost to put in a Snow White or Pinocchio?

Cris

[WDW1974]

:lol: But I am sure it's got to be pretty... at least.

I'm waiting for your first-hand report. I won't be able to check it out until April 14th or 15th.

[TDLFAN]

I'm waiting for your first-hand report. I won't be able to check it out until April 14th or 15th.

You mean 2006?

[WDW1974]

Actually, I was asking you for a report on the preview center. THAT I won't see until next week. As to the Hong Kong park, I'd like to see it this fall, but it could be next year before I actually get there ...

[TDLFAN]

Oh I see... I am on my way to EPCOT later today, and MK in the evening... even though I am still a bit jetlagged from my EXPO trip to Nagoya.

[Labuda]

It's amazing, TDL. I both love you AND hate you! lol

Will email you soon to try to firm up plans for a Labuda/TDL meet in May.

[TDLFAN]

It's amazing, TDL. I both love you AND hate you! lol

G-Fan feels the same way, so don't worry.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

I looked at the preview posted on another website. I was just thinking with the minimal number of actual rides, that they could have spent the money on the preview center on adding a Snow White's Adventures to Fantasyland in Hong Kong or something. I mean, how much could it have cost to put in a Snow White or Pinocchio?

Cris

CULTURE SHOCK kids: China is not a middle class democracy like the US.

It's literally 1955 over there people. They don't have a 3 generation love affair with Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. They arent Japan, which glorifies and adores all things American... (Check the Pasadena swap meet some time, its all 2nd hand store BUYERS collecting Americana for TOKYO.)

They are more likely to know NEMO or something released in this century, as I dont think Disney films are widely distributed and available in China yet. It is just beginning to develop a middle class that can afford the disposable income on a Disney vacation. They are likely going to need to tailor this to local tastes more than Japan and more than France. Those countries have seen Disney movies over the decades and were at least familiar with the concepts and characters of the Disney library.

[WDW1974]

Hong Kong is NOT Mainland China. It also is NOT in 1955 nor are its residents. It's one of the most modern cities anywhere

[TDLFAN]

Funny... Shanghai and Peking sure don't look 1955 to me... especially Shanghai (and i go there quite often on business), and certainly not Hong Kong.

[RichardRiga]

I was l00king for it yesterday at EPCOT after the PH preview of Soarin'.. I couldn't find it. I thought it would be in Japan, then China, then... I gave up and went to dinner at Marrakesh.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Funny... Shanghai and Peking sure don't look 1955 to me... especially Shanghai (and i go there quite often on business), and certainly not Hong Kong.

Uh, the government can build skyscapers in Shanghai and Beijing, that doesnt mean China is a land of two car families with suburban track homes color televisions, regular trips to the movies and road trips in their convertibles accross China 3 weeks in the summer.

I mean, much like the post WWII prosperity that transformed America in the late 40s and 50s shaped America's middle class, CHINA is just now opening up to foreign movies and theme parks and their citizens are just now getting the disposable income to be able to support such a park.

Or do you think theres some other reason 2 billion people cant support a Chinese owned park / movie / animation industry?

Oh, and sure Hong Kong itself was British colony and the population there is more Westernized and democratic and open and well off. But HKDL is going to need to bring in guests from outside the city to be profitable. It has to draw from a good chunk of the surrounding provinces.

[TDLFAN]

True that.