HKOP Chairman Allan Zeman is worried about HKDL when Shanghai Disney Theme Park opens

[HongKongDisneyland]

盛智文戥港迪士尼擔心

另一方面，作為香港迪士尼樂園主要對手的海洋公園並不擔心被搶客，因園方正進行全新發展計劃，景點將由現時 四十多個增至逾七十個。主席盛智文反而擔心香港迪士尼會受上海新樂園打擊，「即使香港迪士尼擴建後，仍比上 海迪士尼小很多，那旅客為甚麼要選香港迪士尼？」他又寄語上海迪士尼，須吸取香港迪士尼的教訓，要了解當地 的文化，認為東京迪士尼營運模式較有自主權，值得借鏡。

Source : oriental daily news

Translation:

HKOP Chairman, Allan Zeman is worried about HKDL once Shanghai Disney Theme Park opens its door in 2014

On the other hand, as the main rival of Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park is not worried about another Disney Theme Park in Shanghai, because HKOP is now undergoing major facelift and redevelopment plan, total number of attractions at HKOP will be increased from 40 to more than 70. Chairman Allan Zeman is worried that Hong Kong Disneyland will be subject to Heavy blow by Shanghai Disney Theme Park, "even if Hong Kong Disneyland is expanded, it is still much smaller than the Shanghai Disney, so why would people pick Hong Kong Disneyland?" He advises Shanghai Disney to learn lessons from Hong Kong Disneyland, that is to understand the local culture and they should adopt the mode of operation of Tokyo Disneyland for more autonomy.

[Asa]

He is exactly right. HKDL will face survival problems once SHDL opens. Hong Kong and Chinese citizens are very fickle and the people will lean towards the better product en masse, leaving the lesser product to die.

[HongKongDisneyland]

Yes HKDL needs to be worried if there is a bigger and better Disney Park at Shanghai.

I do think that HKDL still has its own competitive edge, not its size, but the Winter Climate is definitely milder in Hong Kong due to its subtropical climate than Shanghai, Hong Kong is more suitable for the operation of Theme Park business and more enjoyment for tourists. Secondly, Hong Kong, the city itself is already the biggest attraction.

It all depends how HK Gov and WDC play their cards. There is one important card that HKDL could play, that is, "Macau", the new gambling capital of the world, is right nearby Hong Kong, Macau is already attracting millions and millions of Chinese Tourists. Once the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Mega Bridge is completed (around 2015 or 2016), Hong Kong Plus Macau could be marketed as one single destination for Mainland Tourists, and this is an advantage that Shanghai won't have.

If HKDL do nothing now, it won't survive.

So competition is not a bad thing.

[josh_kslow]

I think SDL should be seen as a catalyst to HKDL to get things going at a faster pace and shouldn't be seen as a competitor.

With the announcement of SDL, HKDL said they will open the expansion in 2011-2012 instead of 2014.

To me, with SDL, HKDL will perform better.