The impacts of COVID-19 have wreaked havoc on the theme park industry, with Disneyland Hong Kong being the latest amusement park to suffer a devastating blow.
In 2017, Hong Kong Disneyland unveiled grand plans to expand the park through an ambitious £1 billion development. However, the local government who owns 53 per cent of the theme park has withdrawn from the proposed Phase Two expansion.
A representative cited the government intends to focus on the development of the existing resort rather than a geographic expansion, as a safe option for boosting Hong Kong’s struggling tourism economy through the COVID-19 crisis.
The 15-year-old theme park currently owns a 28 hectare site, which features a variety of enchanted lands, Main Street USA and the new Castle of Magical Dreams.
An agreement was set 20 years ago which would allow Disney to buy a spacious plot of land located next to the theme park to house more characters, rides and shows. However, the contract expired September 24 leaving Hong Kong Disneyland’s dreams of an extension in tatters.
Hong Kong Disneyland has been one of the hardest hit Disney parks throughout the pandemic. The attraction has been forced to close twice due to outbreaks in the local area. It reopens today (September 25) with ramped up safety measures in place, including visiting groups capped at just four people.
We hope the new Castle of Magical Dreams will spread some much-needed joy at the theme park.
