Hong Kong Disneyland is “back on a trajectory of growth,” via operators on Tuesday, even though losses last year doubled to $44.4 million (HK$345 million) as of September 2017, up from 22 million (HK$171 million) in the 2015-2016 year.
Disney shares 47% of the Asian theme park, who opened its door last year to a 3% increase in park visitors, which reached a steady 6.2 million visitors in 2016-2017. As well as visitor growth, the park saw an ‘in-park’ spending increase, lifting overall revenue by 8% totaling to $656 million (HK$5.1 billion).
Hong Kong Disneyland said this in a statement, “The results were driven by the launch of Iron Man Experience, Disney Explorers Lodge and other marvelous seasonal offerings, as well as targeted marketing and sales efforts, further cementing the resort’s position as a premier family-friendly tourist destination in the region. Net loss was larger than last year, which was mainly caused by the depreciation of new projects, expansion, operating expenditure.”
Breaking down ticket sales, we see that 41% of visitors were locals, 34% sold to mainland Chinese visitors, and the leftover 25% went to international visitors; the highest on record for international, with local attendance being the second highest. Shanghai, opened in June 2016, is Disney’s largest Asian theme park.
“HKDL is confident of the market outlook and new guest offerings to be launched in 2018.”, the company said in a statement. New activities are helping launch a stronger first quarter of the current financial year. In 2018, new attractions include:
- An 8-minute “We love Mickey!” projection show on Main Street U.S.A. (March)
- launch of the African-themed “Karibuni Marketplace” in Adventureland (March)
- new stage show “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration” in Adventureland (May)
- Summer special event with new Disney-Pixar themed “Water Play Street Party!” (June)