Hong Kong Disneyland Gets Another Expansion

[Chris101]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-disney1-2009jul01,0,6020019.story?track=rss

Three new theme lands "Grizzly Trail," "Mystic Point" and "Toy Story Land,"are going to be added

Also, I was told that Grizzly Trail was going to include a mine train style roller coaster (Big Tunder?)

[Krakatoa_Coo]

awesome! i went to HKDL back in '06. *wonders about expansion*

[Chris101]

awesome! i went to HKDL back in '06. *wonders about expansion*

yeah. as of know only two rides were added since the opening. its great to see that HKDL is going to have a major expansion.

[Cyberleader]

So, is this Toy Story Land going to be similar to what we're getting at Paris?

And is Grizzly Trail going to be similar to Grizzly Peak at DCA?

Then Mystic Point similar to something at TDS? Although there's an equally good chance that it'll be the totally new one.

EDIT: From Screamscape;

Branching off from Adventureland around to the backside of the Jungle Cruise river will be Grizzly Trail, which is themed around an old west frontier gold mine town called Grizzly Gulch. According to the story the town was founded on August 8th, 1888 – the luckiest day / month / year ever to happen… however wild bears have been causing a lot of trouble for the Big Grizzly Mountain Mining Company.
In addition to fun photo opportunities, geysers and scenic props all around the abandoned town area, the major attraction of the area is the Big Grizzly Mountain Coaster, a runaway mine train that passes through the nearby mountain and empty town area. This isn’t just a copy of the popular Big Thunder Mountain concept however, as guests will encounter plenty of life sized Animatronic bears along the way, and the coaster itself may have more in common with Expedition Everest. According to the description the coaster will feature a run backwards down an incline that I assume will twist and turn through tunnels in the mountain before the train hits a launch section that will “blast” it back out of the mountain.
The next land down the park is Mystic Point, where you will encounter Mystic Manor, a large creepy home hidden away in the heart of the dense uncharted rain forest. The home belonged to a very eccentric world traveler and adventurer and serves as a large showcase for all of the various exotic and perhaps magical artifacts he had collected over the years. Thanks to a “mischievous monkey” an enchanted music box is activated and is the cause for the dark ride adventure that follows. Nothing was said about the exact story or what happens within the ride itself, but it was mentioned that it will feature a trackless ride system that will allow the cars to move about anywhere they want inside Mystic Manor. Nearby the Manor is Mystic Point, a garden full of relics and statues that hide a hidden world of illusions. In a move sure to really irritate some Walt Disney World fans, the area will also feature a restaurant with a very interesting theme… The Adventure’s Club. Guests will dine in a restaurant themed around a vast collection of strange and unique artifacts discovered all around the world. Yep… the Adventure’s Club restaurant idea that was once rumored for DisneySea is actually going to Hong Kong.
Last up, which will connect the path back into Fantasyland is Toy Story Land, a pixar themed land that will feature three flat rides and is pretty much being designed based on the same land being built right now for Walt Disney Studios Paris. The rides will include a half-pipe ride themed to RC Racer, a kid friendly parachute drop themed to the Green Army Men and a Slinky Dog themed Music Express style ride.

[tigerlemurguy]

Mystic Manor sounds like Haunted Mansion pretty much. The new plans seems pretty good, but they all seem similar to what is already at other Disney parks. The toy story land sounds a clone of the future Paris area.

[Cyberleader]

'Mystic Manor' sounds like it will use the same technology as Pooh's Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland, or the rumoured Ratatouille attraction at WDS.

[wabigbear]

TIME also had an article on this (HERE) (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1907860,00.html?xid=rss-world)

Something interesting was this: In an attempt to draw more international visitors, the new attractions will include two themed areas — "Grizzly Trail" and "Mystic Point" — which will be exclusive to Hong Kong's Magic Kingdom for their first five years. A third area, "Toy Story Land" — based on the Disney/Pixar Toy Story film — will be exclusive within the Asian region.

Sounds like there's a possibility these may end up in other parks in the future.

[SpaceMt51]

Sounds excellent I'm excited.

[Greatdrift]

I went to HKDL in '06 also with KrakatoaCoo (we're brothers) and i knew they would build an expansion soon.

[tigerlemurguy]

Going a little off-topic but is there any news on development at Paris. The last i knew was the Toystory land still hadn't been confirmed and there is no news of any new attractions at Magic Kingdom. Maybe they are saving up for the 20th anniversary?

[Cyberleader]

I'm very confident that, in the next few years, Paris will be getting; Toy Story Land, the rumoured Ratatouille DarkRide, Ariel's Adventure DarkRide clone from DCA and Soarin', at some point.

[Squid2]

Toy Story Land Paris, (or whatever it's called) is confirmed. In fact, haven't they already started land clearing?

Squid2

[tigerlemurguy]

Construction by the tram tour has started but it hasn't been officially confirmed.

Quote from Mousekingdom blog: Based on the statements, the name of this third new mini-land as well as the concept art it can be assumed that the new land and its attractions will identical or at least highly similar concept-wise to the new “Toy Story Land” to be added to the Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Resort Paris (which, while not announced officially, is already under construction and expected to open in 2010).

[Cyberleader]

I believe John Lasseter let it slip at a film festival.

[JayAC.]

Personally, I absolutely hate the Toy Story (Play)Land concept. I think it's complete rubbish. What's with all the cheap looking carnival rides? And how does it relate to the theme of the park (particularly for the Paris version)?

I think Mystic Point and Grizzly Peak look rather good though. Good to see the Imagineers creating something unique that isn't based on a Disney/Pixar movie.:)

I'm very confident that, in the next few years, Paris will be getting; Toy Story Land, the rumoured Ratatouille DarkRide, Ariel's Adventure DarkRide clone from DCA and Soarin', at some point.
Splash Mountain has been talked about as well, but in the end, it'll probably come down to what's cheapest. :( I'd like to see Toy Story Playland cancelled, Splash Mountain built, Ratatouille built, and a load of placemaking projects for the Walt Disney Studios.

[Cyberleader]

I also predict Paris won't get a Pirates update, but will get a Star Tours update, though they'll be the last to get it. :)

I don't see Splash Mountain sadly, though I'd love to see that Raft-Ride concept from Disney's America built! Or perhaps a new Indiana Jones Adventure.

[Squid2]

Anyone have any of the concept art for this one? I'd love to see Mystic Point.

Squid2

[tigerlemurguy]

Personally, I absolutely hate the Toy Story (Play)Land concept. I think it's complete rubbish. What's with all the cheap looking carnival rides? And how does it relate to the theme of the park (particularly for the Paris version)?


Your right. I've always admired how the park has kept with the theme of movies, even with the new addition Tot. I suppose the only connection is that its based on a film. Out of interest is there any concept art for this yet or is Disney still keeping all the details to themselves? (Paris i'm on about here!)

Anyone have any of the concept art for this one? I'd love to see Mystic Point.

Squid2

Have a look here, its not a detailed sketch but it gives you a good idea.

http://blog.mousekingdom.com/2009/06/30/hong-kong-disneyland-to-receive-3-mini-lands/

[Squid2]

Hmmm.... very interesting. Looks like some twists are being added to classic attractions. A reversing version of Big Thunder Mountain, similar in style to Expedition Everest, but not in size. It doesn't appear to be that tall, for example. And a lot of the coaster is outside. The building on the far right of Grizzly Point is where the train reverses and it reverses again somewhere in the mountain. I wonder what sort of "show" they'll be using?

And, for the 1st time, a land solely devoted to Haunted Mansion. That should prove very interesting, indeed... after all, the concept of a ghost varies wildly from the Americas to Asia, with very different styles and appearances.

There appears to be a new train station in Mystic Point, but no bridges or land connections to Frontierland or the main hubs. So, in what order are these going to be built? Each end, then Mystic, or from one end to the other? It looks like HKDisneyland is going to be well worth a visit in a few years.

Squid2

[JayAC.]

Your right. I've always admired how the park has kept with the theme of movies, even with the new addition Tot. I suppose the only connection is that its based on a film. Out of interest is there any concept art for this yet or is Disney still keeping all the details to themselves? (Paris i'm on about here!)
Apparently the art for the Hong Kong version is just the Paris art flipped and edited a little.

So the Paris version will look more like this:
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/jacoaster/4cdac_toystory.jpg

Disneyland Paris haven't officially announced it, for some reason. It has to be one of the worst-kept Disney secrets ever. :rolleyes:

[Squid2]

I think you'll find out that Paris' layout is different from Hong Kong's. While they are both supposed to have the same rides, the Paris version is going to have them more clustered together instead of in a line like HK. The interesting thing to note is that they're not adding in a Toy Story Mania ride to either park... you would think TSM would be a natural fit for either new land.

I don't know about Paris, but according to the concept map, HK had enough room to put one in, if just barely. It all depends on how much room they have available in that large whiteout area to TSL's north. Also remember that this park was designed to be expanded... there's plenty of room still inside the perimeter to put in new rides. Fantasyland in particular has room for at least two more rides.

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/Squid720/MiniLandsconceptmap-HKDL.jpg

Squid2

[jaybuoy]

Whats Disneys obbsesion with this stupid Toy Story theme. Im sorry but its not Disney enough for me. And why to god have they decided to pick three small lands. There should only be two, Grizzley Trail & Mystic point. With them both being a lot larger. Im now assuming the pirates of the carribian attraction is now being ditched cause of this toy story area. Cause theres no way they will be able to theme this to merge with fantasy land. Stupid idiots!

[-Bolt-]

Finally, somebody expands on the Grizzly Idea. I've been in love with that style since GRR opened at DCA, so an entire land with a redwood feel would be absolutely delightful for any park! :D

Bolt

[Squid2]

Whats Disneys obbsesion with this stupid Toy Story theme. Im sorry but its not Disney enough for me. And why to god have they decided to pick three small lands. There should only be two, Grizzley Trail & Mystic point. With them both being a lot larger. Im now assuming the pirates of the carribian attraction is now being ditched cause of this toy story area. Cause theres no way they will be able to theme this to merge with fantasy land. Stupid idiots!

No, but they'll probably build the POTC ride in that lower left corner section of the map, just below Grizzly. This park was designed from the get go to be expanded. Remember, these designs weren't just Disney's ideas... this is what the Hong Kong goverment wanted or would allow.

Squid2