Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL) Discussion Thread

[Kyle Coleman]

Seriously amazing display of what disney can do when they really want to. Would love to see somthing like this come stateside someday.

[Sir Clinksalot]

I personally don't have an issue with franchise tie-ins for rides but I'm really trying to think of the last time Disney made a dark ride/attraction that didn't have some kind of movie tie-in. And now HKDL has two such attractions in the same year. I guess technically ToT in Tokyo would count as the last one and Mission:Space before that? So two every decade?

[CoasterFEV]

I personally don't have an issue with franchise tie-ins for rides but I'm really trying to think of the last time Disney made a dark ride/attraction that didn't have some kind of movie tie-in. And now HKDL has two such attractions in the same year. I guess technically ToT in Tokyo would count as the last one and Mission:Space before that? So two every decade?

 

And not a single new attraction with Gary Sinise !?!?!?!?!

[gisco]

Pretty cool addition to the park.

[RCFreak]

LOVING the soundtrack by Danny Elfman!

[Jew]

I personally don't have an issue with franchise tie-ins for rides but I'm really trying to think of the last time Disney made a dark ride/attraction that didn't have some kind of movie tie-in. And now HKDL has two such attractions in the same year. I guess technically ToT in Tokyo would count as the last one and Mission:Space before that? So two every decade?

 

Expedition Everest.

[azza29]

I personally don't have an issue with franchise tie-ins for rides but I'm really trying to think of the last time Disney made a dark ride/attraction that didn't have some kind of movie tie-in. And now HKDL has two such attractions in the same year. I guess technically ToT in Tokyo would count as the last one and Mission:Space before that? So two every decade?

 

I'm sure we'll see a Mystic Manor film series soon enough.

 

Still a great example of what the Imagineers can come up with when the brief is for an original concept, rather than having to rely on a franchise. Mystic Manor's story is simple and supports the "ride" medium, and the designers were able to craft something to meet the budget/space/time constraints. Contrast this with DCA's Little Mermaid, where an 80 minute film had to be condensed into 4 minutes of ride. Still a good ride (and some amazing animatronics!) but just has to cover too much story in a short timeframe.

[Dinnwitted]

I'm most surprised with the fact that at the end they did not do a rendition of "Grim Grinning Ghosts". In PM at EuroDisney, they completely rewrote the song to make it fit the setting. However, the music really makes the attraction a true winner in my opinion.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Because it's Mystic Manor, not Haunted Mansion.

 

And Phantom Manor in Paris is, more or less, a sort-of copy

of the two originals in the states. But with a plot line... of sorts, lol.

Also, no omnimover used here, like in the other four HMs.

 

But as for "Grim Grinning Ghosts", there seems to be some kind of

"song" in the MM armor room with the helmets singing along?

What I noticed in the videos.

 

This is a true original for Haunted Mansion fans.

[SoCalCoasters]

I'm most surprised with the fact that at the end they did not do a rendition of "Grim Grinning Ghosts". In PM at EuroDisney, they completely rewrote the song to make it fit the setting. However, the music really makes the attraction a true winner in my opinion.

 

The Music was written and composed by Danny Boyle (Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman '89, Oz TG&P). This gave the soundtrack a unique feel from all the HM Clones.

 

I think it's important for people to understand that this is NOT Haunted Mansion, and should not be compared to them.

[Nrthwnd]

 

The Music was written and composed by Danny Elfman (Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman '89, Oz TG&P).

 

Fixed.

[burningstroller]

I think it looks fantastic and I may very well be the first fool to fly to Hong Kong for a dark ride. Although, my inner accountant tells me to wait until Shanghai opens and make it a combo trip. But really, how awesome is this...a unique story (even a story linked with other unique stories at other parks), awesome effects, and great music. I wonder how long it will take for Disney to make an S.E.A movie?

[Nrthwnd]

^ That's what I believe TPR is waiting for too, for the next China tour.

 

Word is, 2016 "might be" the return visit to China and Hong Kong Disney

(yes, and Ocean Park, of course) and the new Shanghai Disney as well.

 

So start saving for this, hmm? TPR Tours are awesome tours!

[jray21]

I like the soundtrack! The ride looks and sounds amazing. I'm always impressed with what Disney does.

 

Also, I want to see more of the food!

Edited April 25, 2013 by jray21

[rubysparkles]

Ok, so I got to visit Mystic Point today. I have to say I was extremely impressed with the Mystic Manor, there are so many different details on the ride and in the queue. The whole area is amazingly themed. The POV has already been posted but I took a load of photos of the queue and the whole area. I have loads more on my computer so if there's a photo of something specific that you want to see, then I might have it.

 

I went on the ride 4 times, there was hardly any queue at all. There are slight differences depending on the cars but you don't really miss out on anything, you just see it from a different perspective depending on the car. Cameras are allowed on the ride but no flash photography (not that the rules stop people from doing it). There is so much detail in each room I found new things each time.

Some of the theming in the queue line.

There's a miniature model of the whole land in the queue. So cute. I think they had one of these at a conference when it was announced a few years back.

The cars and the loading platform.

Maestro D Elfman, nice little nod to the guy behind the music on the ride.

In the shop,. Just the wallpaper is awesome, with monkeys all over the place.

This is in the shop still.

Exterior of the shop.

L@@k so arty ohmigod.

There's just stuff EVERYWHERE. And all of it is immensely detailed.

Ride entrance.

This photo op will probably have a longer queue than the ride when the crowds come in.

From the Garden of Wonders. There's only 3 different photo ops/optical illusions.

The Adventurers Club, the restaurant in Mystic Point.

Indian dining room.

China (there was no chairs and tables in there yet). This looks like the best one to me.

Russia.

Where you buy the food and beverages of your choosing, fancy.

The Russian dining room.

Indian dining room.

Sign for the Garden of Wonders.

[cfc]

Thanks for the photos--the detail work around this ride and in the restaurant looks great. I particularly like the nod to Danny Elfman.

[Nrthwnd]

Mmmm, everything looks so richly detailed. And I love of course, all the

'extra stuff' there to look at and enjoy. This reminds me of the waiting areas

in Tokyo Disney Sea's Tower of Terror "storage basement," before boarding

the elevators.

 

And there's a Russia Room? Are these separated dining rooms

having any foods and beverages themed to that particular country?

Or is it you buy whatever you want, and then eat in the room you want to?

>curious<

 

Thanks for the great photo tour, rubysparkles!

[cfc]

And there's a Russia Room? Are these separated dining rooms

having any foods and beverages themed to that particular country?

Or is it you buy whatever you want, and then eat in the room you want to?

>curious<

 

 

I was wondering this, myself. The dining rooms look very nice.

[rubysparkles]

It's whatever you want. However there's actually no Russian, Indian, Morrocan or Egyptian food. The four different stations are: Korean, Japanese, South East Asian and Indonesian Spice.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Ah,that's too bad. Egyptian "food" sounds totally interesting,

As does Russian and Moroccan too, heh heh.

 

Thank you for letting us know.

(And, Indonesian Spice does sound interesting.)

Edited April 30, 2013 by Nrthwnd

[jray21]

That place looks amazing! The details are incredible and remind me of Disney Sea!

[cfc]

It's whatever you want. However there's actually no Russian, Indian, Morrocan or Egyptian food. The four different stations are: Korean, Japanese, South East Asian and Indonesian Spice.

 

I think I'd enjoy eating my Indonesian Spice entree in the Egyptian Room.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

I just found this really cool video of the ride with all paths and even an animated ride layout map! Take a look.

 

[youtu_be]

[/youtu_be]

[Nrthwnd]

^ It's fascinating to watch how they co-ordinate the four vehicles through MM.

And this beats "Pooh's Hunny Hunt" in TDL by one vehicle, lol!

 

Makes me wonder how many vehicles at a time, they're going to plan for,

in the Ratatouille attraction at WDS.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

I would love to see similar POVs done with the other Disney trackless rides!