LCQ13: Operation of HK Disneyland
********************************* Following is the question by the Hon Fred Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (October 19):
Question:
During the rehearsals of Hong Kong Disneyland (HKD) before its opening, about 30 000 visitors were received on one single day, and many of the visitors on that day complained that they had to wait an excessively long time for the use of the various facilities there and the theme park was overcrowded. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the measures adopted by the HKD to improve crowd control;
(b) of the expansion projects to be carried out by the HKD within the next 36 months, the implementation programme and financial arrangements for these projects, and the amount of expenditure on the works to be borne by the Government; and
(c) of the criteria adopted by the Government, as a shareholder of the HKD, for determining the expansion projects to be supported, and whether the Government's capital injection into such projects is subject to the approval of the Finance Committee of this Council?
Reply:
Madam President,
In the light of observations made during the rehearsal days, Hong Kong Disneyland Management Limited (Management Company) considers that certain areas of the operation of the Hong Kong Disneyland need to be adjusted. For example, the Management Company observed that local visitors tend to stay longer in the theme park and spend more time in the park restaurants. They also like to maximize photo-taking opportunities, including photo-taking inside the attraction and ride areas. The Management Company has therefore implemented a number of measures, e.g., adding more than 600 seats in the restaurants, bringing in additional mobile food and beverage stalls as well as outdoor benches and seats, adding new photo spots, etc. During peak days, the Management Company would closely monitor park attendance to ensure a smooth and orderly flow of visitors.
On further expansion of the theme park, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Government) and The Walt Disney Company (Disney) agree to keep up the momentum to develop the theme park and expand the number of rides and attractions to attract visitors to the theme park. A new attraction, Autopia, will be completed in 2006. Other attractions will continue to be built, having regard to market demand.
The expenditure on the expansion works will be borne by the Hongkong International Theme Parks Ltd (HKITP). The financing arrangement for the HKITP comprises equity injections from both the Government and Disney and also loans from the Government and other commercial institutions. The development and operation of the Hong Kong Disneyland is anticipated to cost HK$14.1 billion. The portion of government equity injection and loans in this sum were approved by the Finance Committee of this Council in 1999.
HKITP will also have operational receipts which can be used for the further development of the theme park. In future, if HKITP cannot finance the park expansion from the operational receipts or other funding sources and requires government equity injection or loans, this will be put to the Finance Committee of this Council for consideration. Besides, the budget of HKITP is subject to the approval of its Board. Through government board members, we will ensure that resources of HKITP are properly used.
********************************* Following is the question by the Hon Fred Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (October 19):
Question:
During the rehearsals of Hong Kong Disneyland (HKD) before its opening, about 30 000 visitors were received on one single day, and many of the visitors on that day complained that they had to wait an excessively long time for the use of the various facilities there and the theme park was overcrowded. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the measures adopted by the HKD to improve crowd control;
(b) of the expansion projects to be carried out by the HKD within the next 36 months, the implementation programme and financial arrangements for these projects, and the amount of expenditure on the works to be borne by the Government; and
(c) of the criteria adopted by the Government, as a shareholder of the HKD, for determining the expansion projects to be supported, and whether the Government's capital injection into such projects is subject to the approval of the Finance Committee of this Council?
Reply:
Madam President,
In the light of observations made during the rehearsal days, Hong Kong Disneyland Management Limited (Management Company) considers that certain areas of the operation of the Hong Kong Disneyland need to be adjusted. For example, the Management Company observed that local visitors tend to stay longer in the theme park and spend more time in the park restaurants. They also like to maximize photo-taking opportunities, including photo-taking inside the attraction and ride areas. The Management Company has therefore implemented a number of measures, e.g., adding more than 600 seats in the restaurants, bringing in additional mobile food and beverage stalls as well as outdoor benches and seats, adding new photo spots, etc. During peak days, the Management Company would closely monitor park attendance to ensure a smooth and orderly flow of visitors.
On further expansion of the theme park, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Government) and The Walt Disney Company (Disney) agree to keep up the momentum to develop the theme park and expand the number of rides and attractions to attract visitors to the theme park. A new attraction, Autopia, will be completed in 2006. Other attractions will continue to be built, having regard to market demand.
The expenditure on the expansion works will be borne by the Hongkong International Theme Parks Ltd (HKITP). The financing arrangement for the HKITP comprises equity injections from both the Government and Disney and also loans from the Government and other commercial institutions. The development and operation of the Hong Kong Disneyland is anticipated to cost HK$14.1 billion. The portion of government equity injection and loans in this sum were approved by the Finance Committee of this Council in 1999.
HKITP will also have operational receipts which can be used for the further development of the theme park. In future, if HKITP cannot finance the park expansion from the operational receipts or other funding sources and requires government equity injection or loans, this will be put to the Finance Committee of this Council for consideration. Besides, the budget of HKITP is subject to the approval of its Board. Through government board members, we will ensure that resources of HKITP are properly used.
Ends/Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:50
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