Hong Kong Disneyland
Topic: This Week in Hong Kong Disneyland...

#	Author	Message
71	gurgitoy2 Mon 5/21/2007 2:35p	"As far as I know... Disney's take on Mulan is not that well liked in China, so going that way would have been somewhat ill conceived. Don't you think?" This is what I've heard as well. Since Mulan (the movie) was a mishmash of different parts of Asian cultures, it's not truly reflective of China. I agree with Superdry, in that Disney isn't the best when it comes to representing cultures accurately, so I think it could backfire if they tried to develop attractions or lands based on local cultures. Heck, you see how they can't even do it that well at home with DCA. I do agree that the park should have unique offerings and maybe exclusive characters though. I know some people say that cloning attractions is fine because the locals probably have not seen the other worldwide parks, but still...
72	WorldDisney Mon 5/21/2007 5:41p	<<WD, I have to say I think you may have had one too many Tsing Tao's when posting #68 :-). The last thing China needs is some American company coming in and developing a theme park based on its take on Chinese history. Disney does not have the reputation or experience with going into a foreign market and developing content based on local history, customs, or culture.>> No, my apologies if you meant I was saying the ENTIRE park, no not at all. I mean, just LITTLE things, a ride here, maybe a land there, but SOMETHING that connects with the Chinese audience as well. And while I agree it may look as a problem as representing the culture in the best light, well, that's why they should bring in Chinese historians, consultants, artists and etc just like they do for most of their films anyway. Rely on the country you are building the theme park in to help you explore the culture more. But again, the idea I'm thinking about HKDL is not new for a Disney park at all. It's already been done with DLP. It's the reason why I thought of HKDL in the first place. Again, just look at that park. There is European/French influence everywhere!! The castle for starters, Tomorrowland, an ENTIRE land based on a FRENCH writer!!! 'Timekeeper' attraction which took place in France (and then of course thrown in WDW and TDL). Fantasyland is obvious with the way that area was designed while Frontierland is very American. THAT'S what I'm talking about, just little influences, characters and famous people from THEIR history to infuse with the rest of the park. That's what bothers me SOOO much about HKDL. With DLP, yes, they built basically an American park, but they manage to add European touches and concepts here and there, to bring it a little closer to 'home'. And in reality, most Europeans were well aware of Disney at the beginning anyway, but it was still a great touch nevertheless. But, do we see ANY of that in HKDL?? No! Why couldn't they make a new 3D movie adventure based in China somewhere and put it in AL? Why can't they include Chinese architecture, the same archetecture that influenced half of Asia as it is and infuse it with AL as well? Of course, they throw a Buddha head in AL and pat themselves on the back for it. I would have love to see what a Chinesed influenced Frontierland would've looked like. I mean, ironically, the Chinese were JUST as responsible for Frontierland thanks to their woking on the railroad tracks, wouldn't it have been cool to have seen a 1800's Chinatown San Francisco AS Frontierland??? That could've still been very American while exploring a little of the Chinese history at the same time (and we could've gotten BTM too ;)). But yeah I know, we NEED a Frontierland to even begin with lol. But, things like that, that's what I'm talking about. But they didn't even TRY!!! They are aiming at a new market that doesn't understand why Mickey Mouse is such a big deal. Add a few things they know while introducing all the other stuff, they might get into it more. DLP proved that they can still make a very Disney park without the entire thing without shouting AMERICA at every corner of it. The same could've been said for this park as well, but we're not dealing with the same company who built DLP and built a park out of pure love. We are talking about a company that thought it could build the smallest, blandest and uninteresting MK park they can make without giving any real concession to the audience they built it for and as they have the same castle that sits in Anaheim, that's very obvious.
73	Witches of Morva Mon 5/21/2007 6:02p	ORDDU: Actually, much of what's already within Hong Kong Disneyland IS original--to THEM--but not to many of the rest of us. So, my sisters and I don't believe the Imagineers were wrong to create what they created for this particular park. It's mainly that they didn't create ENOUGH of what the rest of us love about Disney theme parks. ORWEN: From what I understand, Tokyo Disneyland had an attraction called Meet the World that didn't go over so well for them--even though it was supposed to be about the history of Japan. ORDDU: For the same reasons that locals in California don't particularly like DCA, we would argue that it would actually be a mistake to try and build a Disney park in Hong Kong that focused on the local culture. ORWEN: Just give those poor Hong Kong guests more DISNEY attractions--that's what they were expecting all along. If you build enough of them so that they HAVE to keep coming back, then they WILL come back. ORDDU: That's why it's a shame they've decided to cancel plans for a Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, etc.
74	TDLFAN Mon 5/21/2007 9:23p	Great points Witches... and honestly... the reason why DLP has become succesful is because they started selling wine. Otherwise... that resort would have closed by now.
75	WorldDisney Tue 5/22/2007 4:39a	^^^LOL, I think the beer is also what keeps DCA open as well ;D. <<ORDDU: Actually, much of what's already within Hong Kong Disneyland IS original--to THEM--but not to many of the rest of us. So, my sisters and I don't believe the Imagineers were wrong to create what they created for this particular park. It's mainly that they didn't create ENOUGH of what the rest of us love about Disney theme parks.>> I agree with that 100%, but IF the Chinese aren't getting what's so special about the place and the issue is not ONLY a lack of things to do, I think it would do some good to add other Chines elements just like what DLP with European elements. I definitely don't think this is why people aren't showing up, but maybe selling such a completely American isn't the way to go for this market yet either. But, I know, it's a marathon, not a sprint, we'll just have to see ;). <<ORWEN: From what I understand, Tokyo Disneyland had an attraction called Meet the World that didn't go over so well for them--even though it was supposed to be about the history of Japan.>> Take it from someone who seen it---it SUCKED!!!!! That's why it didn't go over well. An outdated film of two bad acting kids in 70's clothes talking to a animated sea otter for what felt like FOREVER presenting the White washed version of Japanese history in the dullest way possible is not how one makes an interesting cultural attraction. It is how one can find a place to grab a quick nap before hitting Splash Mountain though ;).
76	Loomis Tue 5/22/2007 5:03a	My policy with selling local products to the locals is tready lightly. We have all seen that California failed to respond to 'The World of California...Today!', and there is a similar danger in HKDL I believe. Still, Disney clearly don't "get" the Chinese market yet, and these show clear steps at attempting to do something. However, I tend to agree with the consensus - Disney isn't brilliant at repackaging cultures for the masses, and often comes off as patronising when they do so.
77	WorldDisney Tue 5/22/2007 6:10a	Alright, alright, got it fellas ;). But, I don't understand, the stuff that was done at DLP seem to have went off without a hitch and quite sucessful, I don't understand why they couldn't bring these same elements into China as well. They are still selling an American Disney park with just Chinese influences here or there and frankly, I don't know how well an all American one is doing with the masses since I read somewhere there is actually a program coming where they have to explain who the characters are lol. Really, who ARE these people??? I been to mainland China a few times and you have no problem finding a Mickey Mouse knock off t-shirt in some drab outdoor market somewhere in Beijing. I don't see the harm of creating SOME theming of Chinese culture and places in some aspects just like TDS obviously didn't see the harm in having Arabian (while cartoony) or Italian theming there. Epcot did QUITE well with it's China pavillion in World Showcase (but not talking about ANYTHING like that maganitude--again, INFLUENCE, not direct remakes of something like--there's a difference). So, are people saying if it's about someone ELSE, it's okay because it's far away, but if it's about the culture the park reside in, it's too risky? NOT making an argument, I'm actually just curious now :).
78	WorldDisney Tue 5/22/2007 7:11a	<<So, are people saying if it's about someone ELSE, it's okay because it's far away, but if it's about the culture the park reside in, it's too risky?>> LOL, I guess I know the answer already: DCA ;). Of course, I dont't think anyone would care if they based it off of bigger elements like AMERICA instead of a stupid state (just like no one would ever think of building something specific as'Hong Kong Adventure' for the 2nd theme park, when, IF they did that, they would probably focus it on Asia in general--but it's early ;)). And oh yeah, if it didn't SUCK, then people probably wouldn't have cared either lol.
79	gurgitoy2 Tue 5/22/2007 8:08a	I think with DLRP, the imagineers were trying to make sure not to ruffle too many French feathers. They knew that they were putting a very American theme park into a very proud country, so they needed to do something to soften it a little. I believe that's why there were more European influences through the park. The Castle itself was also a problem because there are so many real castles, that they needed to do something unusual so that people didn't just do a collective yawn when they saw it. As for HKDL, there aren't any castles like that, so it makes more sense. If they had built a temple, that might have been hard because there are so many already that how can you make it fanciful and unlike any other temple in the country? I'm with you about having more culture there, but Disney needs to tread lightly there. You mentioned a film...what about the new one at EPCOT? They created a new circlevision film for the China pavilion a few years ago, that might work...it's a least tasteful and respectful. Although...like DCA, it might not be that interesting to the people who live there, but who knows? Americans still visit the American Adventure at EPCOT...well, maybe not as much as they used to, but that's because it's been there for years...like Hall of Presidents.
80	TDLFAN Tue 5/22/2007 2:03p	HKDL already sells 100% of merchandise created in China and 96.8% of the food served at the park is chinese cuisine. Even the Plaza restaurant is a chinese restaurant with heavy chinese decor... Do we have to compromize more of the Disney feel to sell this product to the masses??? AS for DLP... everything was very american in execution... and that rubbed the french unions the wrong way, because Disney was trying to change the way workers did their thing to the very foreign Disney Way of doing business. Most of the changes done at DLP were NOT about the product, but more about cultural sensibilities... Selling wine, allowing CMs to go berseck, not cleaning the park as much... etc etc etc... (joking but you get my point of view).. so that both euro guests and CMs were more in their "atmosphere".

All times are Pacific Time (US)

Note: Information on the discussion boards is sometimes based on rumors or incorrect information and should not be assumed true. Messages do not necessarily reflect the opinion of LaughingPlace.com or its editors.

More messages:	1-10	11-20	21-30	31-40	41-50
	51-60	61-70	71-80	81-90	91-100
	101-110	111-120	121-130	131-140	141-150
	151-160	161-170	171-180	181-188

< Previous Topic

Next Topic >

You must be a registered user to post messages.
Click here to register.
After registration you will automatically be brought back to this topic

Laughing Place Podcast
This week on the LPP - Disney's 2008 Thea awards, Disney's Imax and 3D announcements, Bolt walkarounds and the crew's favorite Animal Kingdom attractions plus reader mail, Brent's Corner, the Captain's Challenge, Stump the Crew and 50 words or less on the new Bond.

What's on
The Latest
Group RCI and Disney Vacation Club Members to Receive Benefit of New Multi-Year Relationship
NetDragon and Disney to Launch First MMORPG 'Disney Fantasy Online'
Disneyland Thanksgiving Day Parade pictures
New Disneyland Resort Video and Audio podcasts available
Video of dogs visiting Santa Paws at WDW's Downtown Disney
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Schedule for Fiscal Year 2009
TCM Presents: The Family Classics With All-New Original Special and Nostalgic Holiday Festival
Kids go free to Disney on Broadway
Innoventions Dream Home featured on MSN.com
Disney Store Responds to Inaccurate Information in Widely Circulating Email

Click here for The Latest