Disney Fires Back at Hong Kong Disneyland Critics

HONG KONG (Los Angeles Business) – The Walt Disney Co. is shrugging off claims of low attendance at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, saying that the park has attracted more than 1 million guests in its first 100 days. The figure was the first actual attendance number released by Burbank's Disney since the park opened on Sept. 12. Rumors had circulated that attendance had been less than expected at the company's first foray into the Chinese market. The South China Morning Post reported Monday reported that its staff reporter counted far less than the expected average of 15,342 per day during two days in November. Disney fired back at the allegations in a statement. "The bottom-line is this: attendance is ramping up well, which continues to give us confidence that we are on track to achieve our long-term attendance goals. Average daily attendance calculations by the media, especially over a short period of time, have resulted in misleading and faulty con-clusions, and paint an oversimplified picture that doesn't reflect either performance or guest enjoyment of the Disney entertainment experience," Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo said in the statement. The park's attendance has been spotlighted due to its unique investment structure, with the Hong Kong govern-ment chipping in roughly HK$25 billion, or US$3 billion, toward the park's construction. It has a 57 percent ownership stake in the park.