There's talk about adding three new lands to Hong Kong Disneyland:
Quote from: VarietyHONG KONG - Talks are underway to significantly expand the struggling Hong Kong Disneyland theme park. But a timetable and financing are unclear.
According to the South China Morning Post the Hong Kong government and Disney are now discussing addition of three new themed 'lands' at a cost of some HK$5 billion ($645 million).
A spokesman for Hong Kong Disney Resorts, holding company for Hong Kong Disneyland, declined to comment, saying that these were "negotiations between two private shareholders."
Expansion talks come at a pivotal moment. The Hong Kong government, which owns a 57% majority of the park, is not keen to invest more in the park which has failed to meet attendance targets since its September 2005 opening. But the threat of economic slowdown has made the authorities keener to help job-creating, infrastructure projects.
The park, which opened in September 2005, has been repeatedly criticized as too small and lacking in some of the staple attractions of Disney theme parks elsewhere, notably 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Haunted House.' Park's main segments currently consist of 'Fantasyland,' 'Tomorrowland,' 'Adventureland' and 'Main Street USA.'
In an attempt to boost attendance, the park has been relying on lower cost, parade style attractions that leverage popular Disney properties such as "High School Musical."
Park's poor performance meant that Disney Corp. provided $423 million of loans to replace a similar amount of commercial debt that was due to expire.
Sources: Screamscape / Variety (http://http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117996212.html?categoryid=19&cs=1)
The park needs major expansion or they haven't got a chance at increasing attendances. It just looks too small to make a journey to, especially for tourists who would rather travel further to visit Tokyo Disney Resort.
I've been hearing rumours for a while about a Tiki themed Haunted Mansion which if given the go ahead would be very exciting.
The expansion could easily have a smiliar (if not greater) effect that Space Mountain did for Paris.
Makes you also wonder which three lands they're adding?
Frontierland and Mickey's Toon Town seem to be obvious, but the third?
Quote from: "Kristof"Frontierland and Mickey's Toon Town seem to be obvious, but the third?
maybe something like Disney studios in DLRP
Quote from: "Kristof"Makes you also wonder which three lands they're adding?
Frontierland and Mickey's Toon Town seem to be obvious, but the third?
Other than a Copy of WDW's Liberty Square there is nothing I can imagine... Maybe it could be like Luigi said
Quote from: "Luigi"maybe something like Disney studios in DLRP
It would be a possibility as long as the park doesn't wish to open a Studios in years to come... And Maybe it could be just one Specific Area of the Traditional Studios Layout...
Right Now however My Mind is blank!
Its something that we can maybe envisage in the Workshop... Just like Pixar Land!
It can only bring good things to the Park I would think... Yet At the current economic climate maybe not the brightest idea in the world!
Quote from: "Kristof"Makes you also wonder which three lands they're adding?
Frontierland and Mickey's Toon Town seem to be obvious, but the third?
Critter Country and New Orleans Square, those thinking about the additional lands in DLR.
New Orleans Square would probably fit well in the park with Frontierland and ToonTown, yeah. Although... what attractions would it have? Just Haunted Mansion? On the other hand, a Hollywoodland would be very nice, but I can't imagine where they'd fit it into the park's structure.
Wouldn't be surprised if there was a more modern Toon land (maybe not Mickey's Toontown) alongside a Frontierland and a kind of Pirate sub-land of Adventureland... if you see what I mean. The rumours of this new version of POTC with an outside drop and so on make it sound like this will be equivalent to a small land on its own.
Or... it could be something more along the lines of Toy Storyland or Carsland?
The HK Gov had banned the Pirateland plan :cry:
Quote from: "HKDLfan"The HK Gov had banned the Pirateland plan :cry:
How come? Seems a bit odd to me :-k
Quote from: "The Butlin Boy"Quote from: "HKDLfan"The HK Gov had banned the Pirateland plan :cry:
How come? Seems a bit odd to me :-k
I heard they were a bit worried about the Pirates' image. (I suppose not so much the Johnny Depp-kind of pirate and more the "lets buccaneer a supertanker"-kind :wink: )
Source: http://english.rednet.cn/c/2008/12/23/1670030.htm (http://english.rednet.cn/c/2008/12/23/1670030.htm)
QuoteHK Disneyland to invest HK$4b in expansion
23-12-2008
Hong Kong Disneyland CEO Kam Min-ho said on Dec 22 the company will invest HK$4 billion in expanding its park. Details of the expansion plan are expected to be released next year after discussion with the Hong Kong government. The expansion work is expected to be finished within two or three years.
As planned, the new facilities will comprise three theme zones with an area of about one third the size of the existing park. Some of the new attractions in the proposed extension will be exclusive to Hong Kong Disneyland, said Bill Ernest, president of Asia Region, Disney Theme Park and Resorts Business Unit.
Sounds promising :mrgreen: Happy Christmas HKDL :wink: :P
Exchange rates say that's about $500m or €370m! Merry merry Christmas indeed, Hong Kong Disneyland!
It's interesting they say some of the additions will be unique too. We're always going on about clones being a bad thing, but usually in talking about 2nd, 3rd and 4th gates. Even in a Disney fan view, the 1st gate "needs" a certain set of attractions, so it's brave for WDI to move away from that for the first time...
News in HK said that the investment will be HKD 3.6 billion
3 new lands would be great, but adding a 2nd park would be even better.
Quote from: "mickeysimzac"3 new lands would be great, but adding a 2nd park would be even better.
No, they need to improve and enlarge the first park, and increase their attendance levels before they even begin to think about a second park :)
Quote from: "The Butlin Boy"Quote from: "mickeysimzac"3 new lands would be great, but adding a 2nd park would be even better.
No, they need to improve and enlarge the first park, and increase their attendance levels before they even begin to think about a second park :)
As Butlin Boy says, why commit cash to a new gate if the first one doesn't get the foot traffic?
Without the foot traffic in gate one, gate two has little chance of survival, and as a result could encounter the downfall of closing the entire resort.
Look at DLRP, many still hold concerns over the foot traffic of the Studios, and with rumours of a third gate, WDI gave the Studios much needed attractions and ideas, which I'm led to believe have increased the foot traffic in the park, and now as a result of these attractions and ideas are turning the Studios into an All Day Park, not a five minute here and there like it previously was.
I agree, especially for HKDL. They cant even get enough people into there main Disneypark so they should definatly sort out/improve this before they even start PLANNING another park at there resort.
And dont forget 2nd parks arnt always a good idea, think back to WDS before all the recent improvements and DCA now. There having to spend even more money on them to improve them.
But im not saying 2nd parks never make it because look at WDS now ! And epcot and Tokyo Disney Sea ! :D
Today's rumour is a new attraction mixing Grizzly River Run with Expedition Everest and Big Thunder Mountain...
Quote...the good news is that the time has come for Hong Kong Disneyland to have its own Frontierland with an opening expected in 2010-2011 for the 5th anniversary celebration of HKDL. The two other lands that Mr Kam talked about should open if everything goes fine two years later, in 2013.
It won't be as big as the one we have in Paris or even in Anaheim, but it will be a nice little Frontierland and will also be build in the land available on the other side of the HKDL railroad track . Of course, if you say "land" it means "attraction" inside it, and when you think about Frontierland, which attraction is the most "attached" to it? Big Thunder Mountain? Right, except that there won't be any Big Thunder Mountain at HKDL. Instead, HKDL guests will discover a brand new attraction - one of those "exclusive attractions" that Bill Ernest was talking about - called: "Grizzly Mine Show". Yes, a new Mine Train coaster is coming to a Disney theme park.
And how will be this Grizzly Mine Show, you ask? Well, no rendering available yet, but from what i've been told, think about a rock mountain who should look like the Grizzly mountain at DCA - without the sculpted Grizzly head, and for the ride track itself, think about Expedition Everest. It will be more or less a mix of both, although less high than Expedition Everest, but may be as fast as EE can be with tunnels, exterior lift and great scenery, all of this in a "north woods" vegetation theme. In the front of the Grizzly Mine Show mountain, you'll find some typical wooden Frontierland buildings like those you have around an old mine.
And when you'll know that part of the WDI team of imagineers who built Grizzly River Run at DCA were asked to work on this new Grizzly Mine Show mountain, you'll understand why the two mountains may have "something in common" when this future HKDL attraction will open.
Source (//http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/01/hong-kong-disneyland-coaster-to-rescue.html)
It's not a bad rumour apart from that name. What do you think?
I'm not a fan of Grizzly Peak at California Adventure buts its a more unique idea than a bog-standard Big Thunder Mountain. I'd prefer a new mountain though and like you said Anthony the name is a bit rubbish.
I saw an overhead image of Hong Kong Disney Resort the other day and the room for expansion they have is huge! Enough to almost double the Disneyland area and then room for a Disney Village, more Hotels and a huge 2nd park.
The resort is tiny at the moment but it looks like it has a bright future ahead of it, I just hope that Shanghai Disneyland doesn't scupper the plans.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/03/ ... b-Cuts.php (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/03/17/business/AS-Hong-Kong-Disney-Job-Cuts.php)
JOB LOSS DUE TO EXPANSION!!
This is awful news. I'm not sure of the latest attendance figures, but it's now beginning to look like Hong Kong is in a worse state than Paris ever was. At least because Euro Disney had huge backing from banks it could provide worthwhile expansions, because they wanted a return. I have zero financial knowledge, but why on earth did they ever think partnering with a government would be a good way to run a theme park?
Makes me even more glad to see Toy Story Playland begin.
I think its really sad, nothing seems to be going in HKDL's favour right now :( I really hope the resort manages to improve, it could be a really beautiful resort if money was spent in the right places. Stupid economic downturn...
Quote from: "Anthony"This is awful news. I'm not sure of the latest attendance figures, but it's now beginning to look like Hong Kong is in a worse state than Paris ever was. At least because Euro Disney had huge backing from banks it could provide worthwhile expansions, because they wanted a return. I have zero financial knowledge, but why on earth did they ever think partnering with a government would be a good way to run a theme park?
Makes me even more glad to see Toy Story Playland begin.
and Anthony I totally agree, I also have zero financial knowledge, but I think to part-own a park with Hong Kong's government was a huge error on Disney's part.
Well hind site is a wonderful thing. Partnering with the government seemed to make sense at the time becasue of all the civic infrastructire requirements HKDL required. Just like the deal with the French government is partially what swung it for EDL to be built near Paris instead of the UK or Spain.
But Disney did not do their homework thoroughly enough, or indeed their risk management matrix was off.
hey ya guy´s,
i was reading somewhere that the TWDC will spend $1.1bln into an
expansion to HKDL. i´m so sorry but i can´t find this article again,
i can´t remember where i was reading it. but at this time i was thinking
why DCA and HKDL gets $1.1bln and DLP not, cause our studios need this
money too...
but it hink it would be the best to spend all this money to HKDL cause this park
really need some new rides.
Why doesn't TWDC spend some money on DLRP too? Sure HKDL really needs the expansion, but DLRP could use some money, too.
exactly
Hong Kong needs more money than Paris at the moment.
The park is too small, its needs a lot of expansion.
Something finally happening.
QuoteBreaking, from Reuters, also reported by the Wall Street Journal:
QuoteHONG KONG, June 25 (Reuters) – Hong Kong has reached a deal with the Walt Disney Co (DIS) to expand the local Disney theme park, seen as necessary to bolster the park's long-term prospects against a Shanghai rival, a newspaper reported on Thursday.
The agreement is expected to be announced by June 30, with details of the deal to be laid out to local legislators in a special meeting, the Hong Kong Economic Times reported.
A spokeswoman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, which oversees the Disneyland project, confirmed to Reuters that a special meeting had been called, but disclosed no specifics.
The report said the deal was expected to be worth HK$7 billion ($903.3 million) of which HK$4 billion would be used for expansion.
The size of Hong Kong Disneyland, the smallest of Disney's magic kingdoms, is expected to almost double, with construction to begin within a year, pending approval from the city's legislative council in July, the newspaper reported.
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang travelled to Los Angeles in May, where he met senior Disney executives. The trip is seen to have paved the way for the breakthrough after Disney earlier said it would stall any expansion amid the credit crunch.
There was no immediate response from Tsang's office.
When contacted by Reuters, a Disney official in the United States said discussions are ongoing, without giving any specifics.
The Walt Disney Co (DIS) earlier indicated it would likely invest more capital in Hong Kong Disneyland and allow the Hong Kong government to convert its loans to equity to maintain its majority share of the theme park, a source involved in their talks told Reuters earlier.
The Hong Kong government, which owns 57 percent of the underperforming resort, desperately needs the expansion to boost flagging attendance, with a much larger rival Disneyland expected to be built in Shanghai in 2014 that could draw much visitor traffic from the burgeoning mainland China market.
"At this stage, we have to support the expansion otherwise it will be very difficult to compete with Shanghai in five to six years time," said legislator Fred Li of the Democratic Party, who said his party backed the expansion as long as Disney boosted its financial transparency in future on attendance figures.
(Additional reporting by Gina Keating in Los Angeles) (Reporting by James Pomfret; Editing by Chris Lewis and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Well, that's exciting. Now I want details! What expansions are we really getting? That rumored north woods version of Frontierland? The voodoo-themed Haunted Mansion? The flume-ride Pirates of the Caribbean? Hopefully we'll find out on the 30th.
It'll also be interesting to see what the HK$3 billion that isn't going towards expansion will be used for.
I just can't believe that the deal is finally done. Remember that this back and forth has been going on for years now, and just a few short months ago Disney fired the Imagineers working on the project because the Hong Kong government had stalled the project once too many.
And let's not overlook one intriguing aspect of the article – it seems that the idea of an impending Shanghai Disneyland has become common and accepted knowledge. 2014? Would it be too much to ask that they finish the existing parks first?
From Progress City USA blog (//http://progresscityusa.com/archives/at-last-deal-signed-for-hong-kong-expansion).
Not long to wait now... :mrgreen:
On Micechat Forum member keithlee83 has posted some concept art about the expansion.
http://micechat.com/forums/hong-kong-di ... t-art.html (http://micechat.com/forums/hong-kong-disneyland-resort/118897-hkdl-expansion-concept-art.html)
Note the Toy Story Playland concept art.
The concept art can also be found here: http://blueskydisney.blogspot.com/ (http://blueskydisney.blogspot.com/)
Press release:
With the addition of more than 30 new attractions, play and entertainment experiences, Hong Kong Disneyland's total number of rides and attractions will increase by almost 50 percent and top one hundred. When completed, the expansion will increase HKDL's physical footprint by approximately 23 percent; broaden the park's appeal by adding more experiences for young adults; and place increased focus on universally-understood stories. Using Guest feedback as a guide, these three new themed areas will create memorable guest experiences, drive strong word of mouth and repeat visitation, and offer many unique only-available-in-Hong-Kong attractions that feature Disney's immersive storytelling and innovative technology.
(//http://www.imgdash.com/uploads/71136_grizzly.jpg)
Grizzly Trail
Grizzly Gulch, Frontier Gold-Mining Town
The path along Grizzly Trail offers high-spirited frontier fun in an abandoned mining town called Grizzly Gulch, set amidst mountains and woods. The town was founded August 8, 1888 – the luckiest day of the luckiest month of the luckiest year – by prospectors looking to discover gold. Bears have now started causing havoc at the Big Grizzly Mountain Mining Company.
Key Technology and Creative Elements
• Guests visiting Grizzly Gulch are part of the action, experiencing hands-on water features, massive geysers and various leaking structures in the abandoned town.
• Life-size Audio-Animatronic® bears set the story in motion on Big Grizzly Mountain Coaster, an adventure aboard a runaway mine train through town. Guests careen backward down an incline that propels them through twists and turns, before a launch sequence "blasts" the mine train out of the mountain.
• A Wild West stagecoach, an old time Jail House, and the world's largest nugget of gold provide fun photo opportunities.
• Guests can relax with a Wild West refreshment at the old Saloon or shop for mining supplies and souvenirs at the Bear Necessities merchandise stand.
(//http://www.imgdash.com/uploads/3e27f_mystic.jpg)
Mystic Point
Mystic Point is the site of mysterious forces and supernatural events in the heart of a dense, uncharted rain forest.
In Mystic Manor, home to an eccentric world traveler and adventurer and his collection of exotic international artifacts, strange things are afoot as an enchanted music box releases its magical powers, thanks to a mischievous monkey.
Key Technology and Creative Elements
• Inside Mystic Manor, a trackless ride system enables vehicles to move "freely" about the attraction as the story unfolds. Audio-Animatronic® figures and special visual and audio effects help tell the story of mystical phenomena.
• Within Mystic Point lies a beautiful garden full of relics and mythological figures, where guests discover a hidden world of illusions and mysteries that trick the eye.
• Guests can dine at the Adventurer's Club amid a vast collection of unusual artifacts from around the world or purchase exclusive curiosities and collectibles at the Archive Shop.
(//http://www.imgdash.com/uploads/4cdac_toystory.jpg)
Toy Story© Land
Disney·Pixar-themed Play Area for Kids of All Ages
Andy, the young boy from the Disney·Pixar Toy Story films, has left his toys unattended in this immersive and highly themed environment, based on one of Disney·Pixar's most popular film series. While Andy is away, the toys come to life and play...and Guests are invited to join!
Key Technology and Creative Elements
• Oversized outdoor rides and photo opportunities allow Guests to experience the different perceptions of scale, and shrink to the size of a toy.
• One attraction includes a shuttle coaster which propels Guests along a U-shaped style track.
• A drop-style parachute attraction lets Guests join a "training mission," plunging from a 25m tall tower.
• Guests will enjoy fun, immersive and interactive environments with life-size toys.
• A themed food kiosk provides a barrel of fun snacks and refreshments and Guests can shop for Toy Story inspired collectibles at the merchandise location.
Press release source and images posted on Micechat by bennettshiu
Grizzily Trail sounds basically like Expedition Everest 2.0. Much better than a Big Thunder Mountain clone.
Mystic Point sounds very interesting, it could turn out to be a modern Phantom Manor/Haunted Mansion.
Toy Story Land sounds familiar.
And people were scared about seeing toy story playland from Disneyland Park, imagine it being a land inside Disneyland park in paris ! :lol:
I've always wanted to go to all of the Disney parks around the world, but I've always at the same time said that it isn't worth going to HKDL at the moment. Now I have changed my judgement, and by the end of this expansion, I would be willing to travel all the way there :)
The expansion plan release well and truly starts off with a bang with the new Grizzly Trail area. The whole zone looks amazing. HKDL may not have a classic Frontierland, but this more than makes up for it. Of course, most attention here is on the new coaster; Big Grizzly Mountain Coaster, which in my opinion looks sensational. They've clearly taken the classic BTM concept and modernised it by throwing it Expedition Everest and the Grizzly River Rapids. This combination just looks incredible, and a lot of people will travel there just to ride it I'd imagine; I know I would. Could this be HKDL's equivalent of DLP's Space Mountain oppenning? I think so! :P
The Mystic Point area also looks brilliant. Like Grizzly Trail, I love how they have gone all out to create some brand new experiences. I cannot wait to see what this modernised version of Haunted Mansion will be like, and I cannot wait to see how they will incorporate the trackless system either, I can imagine that it will only make it a lot scarier and amazing to ride.
Toy Story Land. This is another thing that I was excited to see, not as a HKDL fan, but as a DLP fan, because as we already know, we will be seeing this in the Studios next year. I'll share my full opinions on it in the topic for the Paris version, but I will say that I am not sure about it's location here. Firstly, it isn't really what I'd expect to see in a Magic Kingdom Park. However, considering HKDL's situation, I do feel that it will be a good investment. I do also think that it would make more sense, and look a lot better if they opened it behind Fantasyland somewhere, not part of Fantasyland, but as a sub land like Toon Town is. It wouldn't be a huge difference, but it would seem more logical to me to find the entrance of it at the back of Fantasyland, than in the middle of a jungle in Adventureland. I'm also not terribly fond of the name either; it should either be something like Toy Story Playland, or Toy Land. I don't like how they've just called it Toy Story Land, it comes across so bland :|
Overall, this plan seems incredible, especially for HKDL. Hopefully, this is all that is needed to get the park back on track :)
I have to say that the new attractions, except TSPL, are very interesting.
I don't know why, but I don't like the idea that the Disneyland Park will be changed from its classic layout. In my opinion every Disneyland Park should have a classic PM/HM and a classic PotC like Walt Disney envisioned it.
And I also think that there should be a Frontierland with BTM and not a Grizzly Trail. I would have preferred when they would use the money to build a Frontierland with BTM and PM/HM.
Does anyone know the time line as to when each of these lands and attractions will be opening? :)
Grizzly Peak and Mystic Point sound alright to me. The attractions are unique, they're highly themed, they tell a story, and there's no toons. Good. :)
But why are all the new lands bunched up in the corner, beyond the railroad tracks? Not really going to be much room to expand in the future now, is there? :?
Toy Story Land... I don't want to talk about. Shame this expansion could be ruined by it.
Strange, strange group of lands. I suppose there's something for everybody?
I liked the idea of having lands that are a bit more fully-realised beyond the berm, so that the railroad sits inside the park and has interest on both sides, but this doesn't seem right. I don't really like the layout of one single path trailing through these areas. I suppose it means there are no dead-ends like in Paris, but then here they're actually a good thing, they let you get immersed in the land rather than it just being one stop on a constant through-road of mis-matched themes.
How on earth Mystic Point leads to Toy Story Land I have no idea... In fact, what's the "point" of Mystic Point? A land just for one attraction, stuck in the middle there? Clearly, not expanding the Adventureland with a full Pirateland didn't leave many good options. I do love the design of the house though, and the trackless idea. Such a smart choice for a new Haunted Mansion.
Hopefully the Grizzly Trail area will at least eventually expand downwards into that obvious empty patch next to the Lion King theatre. There's still so much empty land around that theatre, in fact. Look at the plan of the park and they could fit another land entrance leading off the hub, once the Lion King gets old...
Edit: Oh, none of us have mocked that they're advertising this as "30 new attractions"! What are they on?! Is every single water fountain or bench now an "attraction"? Looking at the concept art, it seems like the park is getting another 3 water play areas...
yeah the layout of the new lands is a lil bit odd, they just need to change
this grizzly land with the mystic manor thing and on the land that will be available
for a future expansion could be perfect for this piratesland...
so the way from this grizzly land to toystory playland and
from this maybe future piratesland to mystic manor. this would
be the best choise they could do. but as always there is something
that don´t seem right :P
The full PDF from HK government: http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr08-09/english ... 90-1-e.pdf (http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr08-09/english/panels/edev/papers/edev0630cb1-2090-1-e.pdf)
And a few interesting articles worth reading:
http://progresscityusa.com/archives/ins ... tment-here (http://progresscityusa.com/archives/insert-pithy-reference-to-my-hong-kong-disneyland-disappointment-here)
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/ ... -plan.html (http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/07/hong-kong-disneyland-expansion-plan.html)
http://progresscityusa.com/archives/more-eastern-winds (http://progresscityusa.com/archives/more-eastern-winds)
So Toy Story Playland going to Hong Kong really was pretty much Disney saying "Oh you don't want to pay for development of a new land? Well, let's see what we've got... we'll just throw this in then."
Which means the concept art definitely is the Paris concept art, mirrored last minute.
New concept art has been released:
(//http://www.imgdash.com/uploads/bf047_hkdl_grizzly.jpg)
(//http://www.imgdash.com/uploads/61f2e_hkdl_haunted.jpg)
(//http://www.imgdash.com/uploads/3fe95_hkdl_toystoryland.jpg)
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/ ... twork.html (http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-hong-kong-disneyland-artwork.html)
The Grizzly Trail trains look sad without a locomotive in front of it.
Quote from: "Kristof"The Grizzly Trail trains look sad without a locomotive in front of it.
I presume it will have a locomotive at the back like Expedition Everest.
Its probably going to be more like Expedition Everest than Big Thunder Mountain.
I'm still loving the look of Grizzly Trail and Mystic Point. The monkey in Mystic Manor reminds me a lot of Shiriki Utundu from Tokyo DisneySea.
Quote from: "Willow"Quote from: "Kristof"The Grizzly Trail trains look sad without a locomotive in front of it.
I presume it will have a locomotive at the back like Expedition Everest.
Its probably going to be more like Expedition Everest than Big Thunder Mountain.
Or not???
(//http://www.imgdash.com/uploads/71136_grizzly.jpg)
Quote from: "Kristof"Quote from: "Willow"Quote from: "Kristof"The Grizzly Trail trains look sad without a locomotive in front of it.
I presume it will have a locomotive at the back like Expedition Everest.
Its probably going to be more like Expedition Everest than Big Thunder Mountain.
Or not???
(//http://www.imgdash.com/uploads/71136_grizzly.jpg)
ooooh, that image looks a bit on the wide side [-X Better fix it before Kristof sees.......oh wait, nevermind :wink:
From the magicforum hints 'n' tips (//http://www.photosmagiques.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5583): :P
Quote• Maximum image width: 800px
Images larger than this will "stretch" the message board layout, making posts hard to read and causing trouble for visitors with slow internet connections. Use a thumbnail if available or, if you can't resize your images, just post the URL to the image.
Back on topic now! :mrgreen:
Quote from: "Kristof"From the magicforum hints 'n' tips (//http://www.photosmagiques.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5583): :P
Quote• Maximum image width: 800px
Images larger than this will "stretch" the message board layout, making posts hard to read and causing trouble for visitors with slow internet connections. Use a thumbnail if available or, if you can't resize your images, just post the URL to the image.
Back on topic now! :mrgreen:
Rule No#1 : Never play cards with someone named after an American City
Rule No#2 : Dont try to mess with Kristof :D
I would have thought that they would have gone for a locomotive at the back, hmm.
The trains are pretty small as well.
I'd rather have this than Big Thunder Mountain, purely because Expedition Everest is epic.
I have mixed feelings about this expansions. It looks a bit as they try to get a WDS kind of parc. With totally new sets at every corner.
Beeing in Toy Story Playland, one step later at a spooky house and again one later at big thunder moutain seems to be very hmm....mixed. Without a big master plan. Just some attraction with theme next to another attraction with theme.
Maybe if they expand this grizzly area some years in the future to a proper frontierland. But at the moment it looks a bit like toon studios and that for me something that didn´t fit into Disneyland. It´s more something for a studio park;-)
Model of Mystic Point/Manor, at D23.
http://twitpic.com/h7iom (http://twitpic.com/h7iom)
And a general model of the expansion.
http://img25.yfrog.com/img25/8618/hkds.jpg (http://img25.yfrog.com/img25/8618/hkds.jpg)
QuoteHong Kong Disneyland reportedly adds to expansion plans
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Hong Kong Disneyland aims to further expand the theme park, on top of the expansion approved earlier this year, because of the planned opening of the Shanghai Disneyland park, the Hong Kong Economic Times reported Monday, citing an unnamed source.
The theme park, 52%-owned by the Hong Kong government and 48% by Walt Disney Co. /quotes/comstock/13*!dis/quotes/nls/dis (DIS 30.35, -0.26, -0.85%) , aims to complete the second expansion by 2015, when the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is scheduled to be completed, the paper reported the source as saying.
In July, the city's legislature approved a plan by Walt Disney and the Hong Kong government to expand the park in phases over five years.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hong-k ... 2009-11-29 (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hong-kong-disneyland-reportedly-adds-to-expansion-plans-2009-11-29) Via Progress City.
A Groundbreaking Ceremony has taken place to mark the expansion of the park, that will begin immediately. Read the full Press Release below
http://news-en.hongkongdisneyland.com/P ... aa1a6ff2de (http://news-en.hongkongdisneyland.com/PressReleases/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?AssetId=035f469b-1ca8-4146-ac2e-85aa1a6ff2de)
Interesting to note Grizzly Trail is now titled Grizzly Gulch, and that both Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Peak will be exclusive to the park for the first five years of opening. While Toy Story Land will also be exclusive but only for Asia.
QuoteInteresting to note Grizzly Trail is now titled Grizzly Gulch, and that both Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Peak will be exclusive to the park for the first five years of opening. While Toy Story Land will also be exclusive but only for Asia.
The whole land is Grizzly Gulch and the coaster is Grizzly Trail, it was known a long time..
Well it can't have been known that long a go because all the original annoucements including concept art and even the attraction poster listed the land as Grizzly Trail.
QuoteWell it can't have been known that long a go because all the original annoucements including concept art and even the attraction poster listed the land as Grizzly Trail.
Grizzly Trail
Grizzly Gulch, Frontier Gold-Mining Town
The path along Grizzly Trail offers high-spirited frontier fun in an abandoned mining town called Grizzly Gulch, set amidst mountains and woods. The town was founded August 8, 1888 – the luckiest day of the luckiest month of the luckiest year – by prospectors looking to discover gold. Bears have now started causing havoc at the Big Grizzly Mountain Mining Company.
this post is from kristof on page 2, it was posted in june 2009!
as i said it was known for a while, the coaster is Grizzly Trail and the
complete land is Grizzly Gulch!!
That information does not state anywhere that the ride is called Grizzly Trail. Grizzly Gulch going by the information provided is the name of the town not the land. Kind of like Thunder Mesa being the mining town located inside Frontierland at Disneyland Paris. The name of the ride is being reported by many respected Asia media sources as Big Grizzly Mountain. And that name is also referenced in the quote you gave
QuoteBears have now started causing havoc at the Big Grizzly Mountain Mining Company.
RandySavage on Micechat hast posted some very interesting concept art of Adventureland as it was supposed to be.
Go and take a look: (you have to scroll down)
http://micechat.com/forums/hong-kong-di ... nsion.html (http://micechat.com/forums/hong-kong-disneyland-resort/128663-groundbreaking-ceremony-hkdl-expansion.html)
The castle looks a little bit like the one in Paris, but in my opinion not as beautiful as DLRP's.
As many of you know Paris has to start consulting on a third theme park by 2017 or lose the land, but I've read for Hong Kong it is as early as 2013 to start consulting on a second park or lose the land! Of course 2013 is when the last of the three new lands will open so it could be interesting.
Over in Micechat it is reported that budget cuts are made to Mystic Manor, HKDL's Phantom Manor. It is said that the trackless ride system is gone. If this rumour is true, thanks Disney. Another cheap product!
I would have prefered to get rid of TSPL and use the money for the other two lands that will get built at HKDL.
Agreed. It also makes me nervous about what might happen to Ratatouille. My understanding was they were going to build the Mystic Manor and Rat ride systems at the same time to save money. Scary thought.
About HKDL, this was the main reason I wanted to go. Not so compelling now.
I just read your comments about the budget cuts and the effect they can have on Ratatouille on Micechat. I really, really hope that you aren't right, that Disney will also make budget cuts on Ratatouille and that the trackless ridesystem will stay.
But wouldn't an omnimoover-system be better, because it can handle more guests, or am I wrong on this?
Well it is true that an omni mover could handle more people quickly, so that would be a godsend, but Pooh's Hunny Hunt is amazing. I am not sure of it's capacity though.
Could this have an affect on our Ratatouille ride? What if Disney were doing a two-for-one on the trackless ride system, with Mystic Manor and Ratatouille both using it?
Quote from: "Alan"Could this have an affect on our Ratatouille ride? What if Disney were doing a two-for-one on the trackless ride system, with Mystic Manor and Ratatouille both using it?
That's the reason why I think it doesn't look good for Ratatouille. But at the moment it is just a rumour and hopefully it is really just a rumour.
If you look at other forums, all want to get rid of TSPL in HKDL, but not Disney. Disney wants to create cheap rides with horrible ride capacity. Why does it have to get built in a Magic Kingdom style park? Please Disney axe TSPL, it shouldn't get built in Disneyland, and use the money for the ride system of Mystic Manor. Mystic Manor is the only attraction currently built that gives me hope that WDI can do better than TSPL. Okay the attractions built in DCA are also fine.
After seeing all the concept arts of MM I would be disappointed if it will be another clone of HM, although HM/PM is one of my favorite Disney attractions.
I have to say I am very angry and disappointed to read about possible budget cuts to the Mystic Manor project. Its very difficult to form an opinion on something like this when the rumour originally started by the folk over on LaughingPlace.com and doesn't state what sort of budget cuts are being talked about. If Disney are looking at wanting to cut the trackless system for a omnimover-system that may not be such a bad move. Looking at the train wreck from last weeks opening of TSPL with 120 minutes waits. HKDL may now realise how much of a flawed concept this land actually is on crowds. While I tend to favour the choice of scrapping TSL at Hong Kong. I would imagine the carni rides were ordered in bulk to save on cost and the parts are waiting for shipment to Hong Kong. So it maybe to late to pull back on TSL unfortunately :( It may be that the park is needing a ride system that can handle thousands in an hour and not just hundreds. I really hope no cuts are being made on the show scenes or theming.
I do have another fear being that Mystic Point was scheduled to open last out of the three expansion areas. A Imagineer explained to me that Mystic would be last to open because it was the most technically advance attraction out of the three. It could be that Management are cutting back in order to get this attraction open sooner rather than later. Is the park concern with the negative press the Asian Media will give Toy Story Land and want to rush development on Mystic Point. Remember the global media have been far more critical on this park than what European counterparts currently seem to be on Disneyland Paris.
I'm not sure how far concerns over media coverage would influence a decision like this, has there been any particularly negative media coverage of the Paris TSPL?
The European media seem to take a much softer approuch when it comes to Disneyland Paris and its new offerings. Look at the Studios park. It has rarely seen a bad word said against it in the press, despite its poor theming and weak offerings. The same can not be said for Hong Kong Disneyland which has faced harsh criticism over its poor attendance, size and limited attractions. Media coverage has calmed down for now. But all eyes are waiting for the park to finish expansion. Toy Story Land is possibly the most cheap and tacky crap Disney has come up with in a while. And 120 minute waits will not go down well with either Guests or the Media. Especially since attendance at the park is slowly improving, thanks to the special events put on though out the year.
Quote from: "Malin"The European media seem to take a much softer approuch when it comes to Disneyland Paris and its new offerings. Look at the Studios park. It has rarely seen a bad word said against it in the press, despite its poor theming and weak offerings. The same can not be said for Hong Kong Disneyland which has faced harsh criticism over its poor attendance, size and limited attractions. Media coverage has calmed down for now. But all eyes are waiting for the park to finish expansion. Toy Story Land is possibly the most cheap and tacky crap Disney has come up with in a while. And 120 minute waits will not go down well with either Guests or the Media. Especially since attendance at the park is slowly improving, thanks to the special events put on though out the year.
I'm too young to remember the media coverage for opening of DLP in 1992, but wasn't it very bad, especially in France? But you are right the coverage isn't bad at the moment or, like here in Austria, you don't here anything about the resort. If you are lucky you get a small report about the annual report and that's it.
There was a bigger report about the 15th birthday in 2007 in an Austrian Newspaper and it was positive, but there was nothing about TSPL. Maybe that's better anyways, because most people here think that DLRP is just for kids and if the media does an article about the carnival rides, people will never think DLP is for adults, too.
QuoteI'm too young to remember the media coverage for opening of DLP in 1992, but wasn't it very bad, especially in France?
Well I was quite young myself back during the early years, about 10-11 years old. But I do recall some very negative press for Disneyland Paris back in those days. Even in the United Kingdom things got quite ugly. But now days the only time the Resort is mentioned is during financial results. And even these are located in the small cuts of the business section. The last piece of negative press involved the recent unfortunate suicide's of some Cast Members. Which both the union and several media sources insinuated it was down to working conditions. Completely in poor taste in my view and disrespectful to both family and friends. Most of the press now days is fairly positive, except for a recent Independant article which I will share a link too in the right section.
Screamscape.com has posted an interesting picture about the Grizzly Coaster:
(//http://www.screamscape.com/assets/images/HKDL_Grizzly_layout_web.jpg)
I think that this will be a great attraction. It seems the the launch system n the middle of the ride will be similar to Rock'n'Roller Coaster and a part of the ride will be backwards.
http://www.screamscape.com/html/hong_ko ... eyland.htm (http://www.screamscape.com/html/hong_kong_disneyland.htm%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
Hmmm, it does sound like fun, though it seems like far more of it is outside then I originally thought it would be. Hopefully it will be more highly themed than the outdoor secions of Expedition Everest.
I think that the ride will be fun, but I wouldn't expect such a rich theming like BTM. The ride reminds me a bit of Maverick at Cedar Point. Maverick has a lunch system in the middle of the track, too, but it's not going backwards.
I liked EE a lot, it's my favorite Disney coaster. I was lucky enough to see a working Yeti. The Grizzyl coaster seems to have a bigger part of the ride that's going backwards. I can imagine that it us thrilling to go such a long distance backwards. Indiana Jones was a lot of fun backwards.
The Nightmare Continues!!!!!!
Bennettshiu of Micechat.com has posted some pictures about the construction of HKDL's TSPL:
(//http://a367.yahoofs.com/hkblog/X__DOT__ta35uQFRlh98bErGygo4QkTl7fCcA-_95/blog/ap_20110215094652110.jpg?ib_____DaIvRBosQ)
(//http://a367.yahoofs.com/hkblog/X__DOT__ta35uQFRlh98bErGygo4QkTl7fCcA-_95/blog/ap_20110215094620839.jpg?ib_____D7cjgf6a1)
(//http://a367.yahoofs.com/hkblog/X__DOT__ta35uQFRlh98bErGygo4QkTl7fCcA-_95/blog/ap_20110215094632805.jpg?ib_____D1.oRIx01)
http://micechat.com/forums/hong-kong-di ... 1056436788 (http://micechat.com/forums/hong-kong-disneyland-resort/139856-hong-kong-disneyland-construction-6.html#post1056436788%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
I'm so sorry for HKDL that these structures get built in the Disneyland Park. :shock:
Grrrrr. It is a bad enough view from Fantasyland, imagine how out if place it might look if you can see it from Mystic Point. Walt would be rolling in his grave. :evil:
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Grrrrr. It is a bad enough view from Fantasyland, imagine how out if place it might look if you can see it from Mystic Point. Walt would be rolling in his grave. :evil:
But it is from Disney, so it fits everywhere! :lol: :lol: Sorry for being sarcastic! No it looks terrible. I still don't get it why Disney is building it in the Disneyland Park.
Gleich fangst du fueur :D
There does seem to be that mentality arising, it scares me.
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Gleich fangst du fueur :D
There does seem to be that mentality arising, it scares me.
:D :D
I'm wondering what's going to happen in Shanghai? On another forum there is the same discussion about that mentality. There it is about how Universal is doing a better job than Disney at the moment. People moan about the streamlining of merchandise and about cheap attractions, while other companys doing the opposite way.
Quote(//http://a367.yahoofs.com/hkblog/X__DOT__ta35uQFRlh98bErGygo4QkTl7fCcA-_95/blog/ap_20110215094652110.jpg?ib_____DaIvRBosQ)
I realy don´t like this orange trees, oh hold on is that RC Racer :lol:
Damn that looks so, hmm don´t find the right word. can´t wait to see
a post of someone who likes it :twisted:
QuoteGrrrrr. It is a bad enough view from Fantasyland, imagine how out if place it might look if you can see it from Mystic Point. Walt would be rolling in his grave.
Oh am sure walt is doing it allready, but i think his soul wanders in all the fans who complain about the wrong
decisions, WDI making these days :P
I really dislike the fact that this park has an expansion which doesn't follow the classic hub and spoke layout of all of the other Magic Kingdoms. I appreciate that the train cannot lap the park due to regulations there, but this design makes it a divided park, with 3 lands on one side and the rest on the other.
RC Racer does not fit here at all, especially when the view of the Castle there has such a beautiful background with the mountains. Why ruin that with orange pillars of low budget Disney?
It's such a shame because the amount of investment being put into this park is great, but this area almost makes the design and investment into the other two areas void!
agreed Scissorboy when it comes to the horrid TSPL so many fans seem to defend in Paris (vomit), but HKDL is not the only one developed like this. At Disneyland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Toontown are not on the hub (you walk under the train tracks to get to Critter Country and toontown). At the MK, Frontierland is not on the hub. At Tokyo Disneyland, Toontown and Critter Country are not on the hub and the train only goes around Frontierland and Adventureland. even in the DLP master plan, Toontown was going to be on the bit between Fantasyland and Discoveryland, and you go under the tracks to reach Storybookland. So that part is not unprecedented.
Bennettshiu over at Micechat.com has posted a park map including Mystic Point, Grizzly Gulch and the "popular" TSPL.
(//http://a367.yahoofs.com/hkblog/X__DOT__ta35uQFRlh98bErGygo4QkTl7fCcA-_92/blog/ap_20110121104657493.jpg?ib_____DYXblGNlH)
http://micechat.com/forums/hong-kong-di ... ion-5.html (http://micechat.com/forums/hong-kong-disneyland-resort/139856-hong-kong-disneyland-construction-5.html%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
Doesn't the park have ToonTown? I'm sure a ToonTown similar to the one in Cali would be much more fitting than tspl.
Quote from: "15MagicalYears"Doesn't the park have ToonTown? I'm sure a ToonTown similar to the one in Cali would be much more fitting than tspl.
No HKDL doesn't have a Toon Town, only the Disneylands in Tokyo and Anaheim have a Tonn Town. The Magic Kingdom at WDW features a similar land called Mickey's Toon Town Fair, but is a very badly themed area and can't really compared to the other Toon Towns. Mickey's Toon Town Fair will be removed to make place for the Fantasyland expansion.
I like Mickey Mouse house in toon Town in WDW so much! So much details and funny things! :) Love it! //http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FtVdpDpIbA
Screamscape.com has posted a new video about the construction of Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point and TSPL. The expansion is really huge.
[youtube:1yw9zjxb]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOUDjDRjaGQ[/youtube:1yw9zjxb]
http://www.screamscape.com/html/hong_ko ... tm#General (http://www.screamscape.com/html/hong_kong_disneyland.htm#General%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
The word "big" comes to mind. You can really see the scale of this expansion!
...And then I saw TSPL. :(
Lol. Yep, HKDL is getting 2 awesome areas and Disneyland with Star Tours 2, TSMM, World of Colour, Little Mermaid, Buena Vista Street and Carsland, both awesome. even the swamps of Florida are getting a remake of Fantasyland.
And yet here we are, with some that still love TSPL, and people salivating over Earl of Sandwich and World of Disney. As much as I love living in europe, I do not much love being a Disney fan in Europe :(
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Lol. Yep, HKDL is getting 2 awesome areas and Disneyland with Star Tours 2, TSMM, World of Colour, Little Mermaid, Buena Vista Street and Carsland, both awesome. even the swamps of Florida are getting a remake of Fantasyland.
And yet here we are, with some that still love TSPL, and people salivating over Earl of Sandwich and World of Disney. As much as I love living in europe, I do not much love being a Disney fan in Europe :(
Here in Europe we are facing difficult times in terms of Disney Parks. There is notheing to be happy about at the moment. No wonderful new attractions, no expansions, no good food, no good merchandise, a bad financial situation, no Star Tours II, no Little Mermaid and even no confirmation for Ratatouille. Instead we got TSPL.
But there is some light at the end of a huge black tunnel: The parks are getting a desperately needed refurbishment. And maybe a nicely themed family dark ride for WDS. Since there is really nothing to be excited about in Paris, I'm happy to see at least something new, like the WoDS.
I know. It is so frustrating. But after 19 years of being a shareholer, and 12 years of being an APer, as well as having the vacation club membership, I am sooooo frustrated.
I am loving the refurbs, but again, it shouldn't have taken this long. I hate the fact that the most beautiful and well thought out Disney resort on the planet is a laughing stock. I want it to be the best. The problem is, as a business, it is not a success. I really wish they would sort it.
I thought TSPL looked out of place in WDS, let alone a Disneyland Park. The rest looks so promising, but this is a dreadful step :S
Alain Littaye from Disneyandmore.blogspot.com has posted a picture of a model of the expansion:
(//http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz352/loaloauk/IMG_8696.jpg)
TSPL looks so out of place. I don't understand why Disney is building it there. Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point look fantastic, but TSPL is terrible.
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2011/ ... video.html (http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2011/05/hong-kong-disneyland-update-video.html%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
I agree!
Here's a new video about the HKDL espansion:
[youtube:3nj938o4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhkIDbtOFBE[/youtube:3nj938o4]
I can't wait to see Grizzly Gulch finished, the area seems to be huge.
TSPL is so out of place. You walk trough two highly themed areas and suddenly you rae standing in front of this huge and ugly green steel structure.
I keep wondering, wouldn't it be cool if Disney brought this Grizzly Gulch coaster to Disneyland Paris, replacing the Temple of Peril, but changing the theme to match Adventureland? It could have an Expedition Everest asian theme, like a flatter mini version of it.
Sounds like a great idea, Alan, but I prefere the Indiana Jones Adventure as a new ride added to Adventureland in Paris. They could create an Indiana Jones miniland as a subland from Adventureland.
They COULD create an Indiana Jones mini-land in Adventureland, and that would be nice. But it wouldn't change the fact that the Temple of Peril is a crappy, rough, painful, non-family coaster. I want it replaced by an attraction a whole family can experience together, not something so intense it separates them.
I get what you mean and totally agree. They could combine the Indiana Jones Adventure and an Indy rollercoaster. Weren't there plans before Temple of Peril was built for such an attraction?
Quote from: "dagobert"I get what you mean and totally agree. They could combine the Indiana Jones Adventure and an Indy rollercoaster. Weren't there plans before Temple of Peril was built for such an attraction?
Yes,there were, and antoher plan was to have the Indy Coaster and a Jungle Jeep ride using Indy's tech. I actually quite like the temple of Peril, it just needs more effects. I prefer it backwards however.
That sounds really interesting.
In the current D23 magazine there is an article about George Lucas. When Disney asked him to do an Indy attraction, Mr. Lucas wanted to transform the whole Adventureland including the Jungle Cruise into an Indy themed land.
The Themepark Guy has posted some great pictures of HKDL. Take a look:
http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/park/hon ... isneyland/ (http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/park/hong-kong-disneyland/%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
I'm gonna say I'm not sure about the whole exapansion area, not just TSPL but the other two also. On those construction photos it looks more like a series of attractions than three areas. How are they going to get enough theme and transition between these areas? Or will it each 'land' just feel like an attraction with theme nailed on?
Quote from: "Kristof"There's talk about adding three new lands to Hong Kong Disneyland:
Quote from: "Variety"HONG KONG - Talks are underway to significantly expand the struggling Hong Kong Disneyland theme park. But a timetable and financing are unclear.
According to the South China Morning Post the Hong Kong government and Disney are now discussing addition of three new themed 'lands' at a cost of some HK$5 billion ($645 million).
A spokesman for Hong Kong Disney Resorts, holding company for Hong Kong Disneyland, declined to comment, saying that these were "negotiations between two private shareholders."
Expansion talks come at a pivotal moment. The Hong Kong government, which owns a 57% majority of the park, is not keen to invest more in the park which has failed to meet attendance targets since its September 2005 opening. But the threat of economic slowdown has made the authorities keener to help job-creating, infrastructure projects.
The park, which opened in September 2005, has been repeatedly criticized as too small and lacking in some of the staple attractions of Disney theme parks elsewhere, notably 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Haunted House.' Park's main segments currently consist of 'Fantasyland,' 'Tomorrowland,' 'Adventureland' and 'Main Street USA.'
In an attempt to boost attendance, the park has been relying on lower cost, parade style attractions that leverage popular Disney properties such as "High School Musical."
Park's poor performance meant that Disney Corp. provided $423 million of loans to replace a similar amount of commercial debt that was due to expire.
Sources: Screamscape / Variety (//http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117996212.html?categoryid=19&cs=1)
Kristof's idea is the best
A new construction update from the railroad:
[youtube:38vaifr1]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuMxsrmhRPA[/youtube:38vaifr1]
Grizzly Gulch is looking like a more western Splash Mountain. Like the old Bear Country at DL?
Is Grizzly Gulch the name of that new coaster in the mountain? From what I've read, the ride itself is called Big Grizzly Mountain.
I've said this before, but I really think it would be cool if Disney demolished the Temple of Peril in Paris, and built Big Grizzly Mountain in its place with an Everest/Asia theme. It would be a flatter (and hopefully cheaper) version of Expedition Everest. I think all of the snowy rocks and Himalayan scenery would fit so well with Paris' grey skies.
(//http://screamscape.com/assets/images/HKDL_Grizzly_layout_web.jpg)
Since we have already BTMRR, I don't want another coaster there. I would prefer to keep this one and add the Indiana Jones Adventure.
Grizzly Gulch is opening 14th July isn't it? Also the facade of Mystic Manor is now being built or has been built.
From the pics I've seen of Grizzly Gulch it looks really good.
Looks great so far..!
Now just waiting the last few days and we will get a Daytime version i think.!
[youtube:2khe6gn9]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwqcx-aGzN8&feature=player_embedded[/youtube:2khe6gn9]
Yes it does look great. I think Disney are at the top of their game at the moment with Grizzly Gulch, Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Toy Story Mania/ Toy Ville Trolley Park at DisneySea.
Oh wow that was really cool. :mrgreen: Thanks for posting that. Hopefully soon more pics will emerge of the surrounding area etc.
From what I've seen so far, it's got a really clear story. Plus, they've combined a lot of thrill elements whilst still not making it too extreme for kids.
But the best bits have got to be the bears. They add loads of humour to the ride. XD Most of the coaster rides have a serious tone, so this is a nice change. :)
Is there a connecting story for Grizzly Gulch and its rides like there is for Thunder Mesa at DLRP? Just wondering.
There's only one ride in this land, so there's not much of a connected story. But it's still really immersive, from what I've seen. :D It's got a similar story to our Big Thunder Mesa, where the Big Grizzly Mining Company has started mining there, and a town has grown around it. But sadly, Lord Henry Mystic at Mystic Point next door doesn't own the mine.
Ah okay, thanks for the information! :D I've seen a few pics myself and the area looks amazing. I didn't know it only had one ride though, maybe they can expand on that at a later date. The coaster looks great however.
Seems like Mystic Point isn't connected to Grizzly Gulch then story wise. I really want to know what the story will be there though, Mystic Manor is so... mysterious. :mrgreen: I hope they're going to use the same system in the ride as the Mansion and Manor.
The Manor will use the same trackless ride system as Ratatoullie and two rides at Tokyo Disney. ;) I'll see if I can find a recent article about it on Disney and More.
OK, found one:
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.co.uk/201 ... manor.html (http://disneyandmore.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/hkdl-grizzly-gulch-and-mystic-manor.html%22%20target=%22_blank%22%20rel=%22nofollow)
Oh thanks for the link! Seems very interesting. I still hope though that there are at least references to the other Mansions. But I'm rather excited about it anyhow. :mrgreen:
Click [url="http]here[/url] for a slight backstory to the area. It seems quite simple with a "this happened, then this happened, the result is what you see!" storyline.
As for the area, I'm unsure, the actual coaster area for me doesn't look as beautiful as Big Thunder, there's too many occasions of the track passing by itself again so that there is at one point 3 tracks in the same tunnel.. it's not quite there. But I'll give it a while to grow in, and wait for a better quality daytime video of it.
It certainly needs a secondary attraction to boost the theme a little more, thankfully the theming there is in the area looks to be of a great quality! I'm just waiting impatiently for Mystic Point now! So excited for that!
One thing that seems strange is the chunky fencing that's all over the land in certain places. It probably looks better when you're there, but it just seems to be everywhere!
//http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz352/loaloauk/Disney%20Planets/IMG_9642.jpg
What does everyone think of the streetmosphere? It seems funny that the lead presenter is English, but it seems like a great show. XD
[youtube:2ckzb4u8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IMVV1XaNKY[/youtube:2ckzb4u8]
I like the streetmosphere, it's pretty cute and a nice addition to the area. Would love to see them do the same in Frontierland!
I know people don't like the two lands meeting, but Mystic Manor peeping above the treeline actually fits well in my opinion. It's very Phantom Manor, but the style is just different enough that it makes you want to explore outside of Grizzly Gulch to find out what that building is.. sadly I doubt I'll ever visit, but if I do I don't think the area would let me down.
Ah again thanks for the links guys. At the moment the story doesn't seem as big as Thunder Mesa's but I'm glad they have a story for the town at least. I think the area looks great but yeah... I do prefer Thunder Mesa. Would love to visit here though!
And the entertainment seems fun. :) I agree that Frontierland should have something like this too; adds more character to the town, and maybe they could expand on some of the stories and personalities around Thunder Mesa.
As for Mystic Manor... I'm very excited to know more about that ride. :D
Maybe if the land was bigger and they had more rides, it would have a more interesting story. I guess that they didn't have much of a reason for a bigger story, since they only wanted to make a setting for one E-ticket ride.
It's not a Land it's a Gulch and the setting for one E-ticket ride as you say. But I like it because it is different and not the same as Frontierland which we might compare it to.
I've always wondered if they could incorporate three three new lands into Adventureland, so that they represent adventures in different parts of the world. What I think is strange about Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom is how they have three lands next to each other with no transition between them; like Frontierland, Liberty Square and Critter Country. It's nice to have it kept simple with about four or five big, immersive lands.
HKDL doesn't look as good as other Magic Kingdoms and definitely not as good as DLP. But at least Disney have created something different for HKDL with Grizzly Gulch and Mystic point, I do see some merit in that and it does make discussing the parks more interesting. However I'm not keen on Toy Story Land in the Magic Kingdom.
Anyone know if there's any more news on Mystic Point? Has Mystic Manor's facade been finished yet?
Quote from: "Ezra"Anyone know if there's any more news on Mystic Point? Has Mystic Manor's facade been finished yet?
Did a quick google on it, and this is what i found from 28/08/2012: //http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-1355.asp
(//http://s231432788.onlinehome.us/lotion/pics/SS20120830-HKDL/P06-0003.jpg)
(//http://s231432788.onlinehome.us/lotion/pics/SS20120830-HKDL/P07-0004.jpg)
Ah, thanks. :) Its looking good, the facade is going to look great.
Quote from: "Josh"It's nice to have it kept simple with about four or five big, immersive lands.
I completely agree. Just like Disneyland Paris.
I love new Orleans square and critter country but it does seem like those areas were added in just for one E-ticket ride. I hope any new attractions at DLP have their own unique feel within the area but also aren't too different from the overall theme of the land, keeping the experience immersive like you said. Don't want any miniland growths in DLP (although I'd be ecstatic with any new attraction)
A first PoV video has been posted on youtube.
It's, of course, a SPOILER
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[youtube:35afb1gd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEApcS_kVqM[/youtube:35afb1gd]
As I don't plan on going to HKDL to experience Mystic Manor for myself, I thought I would watch the video. The ride looks fantastic as does the show building, 100% the sort of ride I go to Disney theme parks for. Hopefully Ratatouille in the WDS will be as good with effects. Mystic Point may not be part of a bigger land like we're used to such as Adventureland, but I like it because it's unique for HKDL.
This is probably the first ride since Journey Into Imagination that a new ride has a new dark ride theme song running all the way through it. I'm so glad WDI haven't forgotten the way they used to do things.