HK Disneyland unfazed by Ocean Park ranking news,HK Standard News, 2006-6-3

[HongKongDisneyland]

Hong Kong Disneyland has reacted cautiously to news that Ocean Park has been ranked the world's seventh most popular amusement park in a survey by Forbes magazine, urging critics to wait and see before passing judgment on Disneyland.

Wendy Leung

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Hong Kong Disneyland has reacted cautiously to news that Ocean Park has been ranked the world's seventh most popular amusement park in a survey by Forbes magazine, urging critics to wait and see before passing judgment on Disneyland.


With its 4.03 million record- breaking year in 2005, Ocean Park ranked the seventh best-attended park in the world.

If Hong Kong Disneyland reaches its first year projected attendance of 5.6 million visitors, it will rank fifth this year.

"We're confident of reaching 5.6 million this year. The next four months this summer, with the school vacations, are critical," Disney managing director Bill Ernest said Friday.

Ocean Park chairman Allan Zeman said: "It is difficult to believe they will, but who knows? I hope they do."

Several Chinese-language newspapers have made comparisons between the two theme parks.

"It's unfair to compare this year," said Ernest, noting Hong Kong Disneyland was only open for 3 months in 2005. "After a full-year's operations, the real story will come out."

It is the first time Ocean Park has been listed in the Forbes ranking, Zeman said, adding the park had not enjoyed good attendances in recent years. "It was a huge surprise when I got the call," Zeman said. "I am also happy for Hong Kong, because Forbes is a worldwide magazine, so it's a great honor. It puts Hong Kong on the map."

Given that Ocean Park is a home- grown theme park, the honor was a tribute to Hong Kong people's innovative spirit, Zeman said. He agreed that Hong Kong Disneyland has the potential to get on the list before long.
"Hong Kong Disney is a new park. It has just opened, so it's too early to tell. Disney parks in the US, Tokyo and Paris are all on the top of the list. It's good news for them too," he said.

"I won't predict figures for next year, because it depends on many factors, such as the weather and economy. But we will have many attractions to help us stay in the running."

An article published in Forbes on Thursday, titled "The World's Most Popular Amusement Parks," said Ocean Park's new rides, discounts and other incentives helped pull in summer crowds.

Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World in Florida, Tokyo Disney and Disneyland Paris ranked the top three parks this year.
Forbes.com worked with trade publication Amusement Business and consulting firm Economic Research Associates to rank the top 10 international amusement parks by attendance last year.

Source: HK Standard News

[tloolgb]

Well since the Forbes report left out too many world player parks that did FAR more than 4.3 million it doesn't count so no wonder HKDL doesn't care.

[MickeyMania]

I'm still confused as to how they compiled that list. They seemed to decide that only one park from WDW should be on there, but rather than add up the WDW numbers as a whole they just listed MK on there, said it costs $24 to get in (WHAT!!! if the MK really cost half as much as DL then some people here would say it was appropriately priced ), and then they left Disneyland off it entirely with the 50th campaign reaching fever pitch for it's final summer.

I don't know if they were afraid of Park Hoppers outweighing things in favor of WDW or what, but to leave DLR off the list entirely and put up DLP during the 50th is an odd move at best. Perhaps Forbes is the latest in a long line of media that can't remember the difference between Disneyland and Disney World? You know the shows and stories, the ones who show you pictures of the Orlando castle while they talk about Disneyland.

[lazyboy97O]

yeah, this just seems wierd. Even in 2005 Disneyland ranked high than Tokyo Disneyland and Parc Disneyland.

Coaster Grotto, using Amusement Business' numbers, has Ocean park ranked #17 in the world.

[pancakesaregood]

http://www.forbes.com/travel/2006/05...01feat_ls.html

Their report is confusing.
First of all HKDL has been only open since Sept 2005, and in the first 2 months they already had 1 million guests, which isn't enough to make the list, but is still alot of people. So HKDL really didn't need to worry

The report left off Disneyland (CA) completely. In 05, I thought it recieved 15 million guests which would make it number two behind MK, and didn't Epcot, AK, MGM, DCA get quiet a few visitors, along with the Universal Studios, Six Flags, Busch Gardens, and Sea World parks? Or they just picking and choosing

[lazyboy97O]

http://www.coastergrotto.com/theme-park-attendance.jsp