Is Iger's Disney Losing its Magic in Hong Kong?

[Kellie19891992]

LONDON - "We can tell you it's been very, very strong...we are very happy with the way things are going."

The emphatically positive words of Roy Tan Hardy, vice president of marketing and sales for Hong Kong Disneyland, perhaps hint at the challenges that the $3 billion theme park is trying to overcome, just two months after it was constructed.

Poor attendance is the latest issue to swipe the magic kingdom of The Walt Disney Co., after local journalists tallied the numbers of people entering the park. In two days they counted an average of 12,185 visitors--the local government expects a daily attendance of 15,342.

Roy Tan Hardy promptly came on local radio to dismiss the claims. "We are actually very happy with the attendance over the last couple of weeks," he said, "so we are not at all concerned." He declined to reveal the actual attendance figures, though.

If attendance really is a problem, then it perhaps comes as no surprise. Remember the challenge of Euro Disney back in 1992--and the cries of "cultural imperialism" that roused hundreds to employees to walk off the job? The Chinese public doesn't seem to be too accommodating either--a recent survey found a quarter didn't like the park. The local press, meanwhile, has disclosed titillating accounts of enraged pop stars, antagonized labor leaders and a disgruntled employee who threatened to jump off of Space Mountain.

It could certainly be a long haul for Disney's Chief Cxecutive, Robert Iger. At the park's opening on Sept. 23, 2004, Iger stood grinning for a photo op and was flanked by a motley crew of costumed Disney characters and Chinese dragons. The image of the striking contrast of western and eastern culture might be at the heart of Iger's challenge in collaborating with the local government, which owns a 57% stake in the resort.

[The_Heat]

things are still bad with the employees as well

**section from**
Hong Kong Disney not quite the happiest place, yet
By PAUL WISEMAN
USA Today
11/14/2005

A Disney official refused to let government food inspectors onto the premises until they took off their caps and badges, apparently so they wouldn't be noticed by park visitors. That started a public furor.


"They are trying to make Hong Kong a colony of Disney," says labor leader and legislator Lee Cheuk-yan. The Hong Kong government declared Disney's behavior "unacceptable" but rejected calls by local politicians to bring charges against the company for obstructing the inspectors.

Disney has apologized and vowed that "this kind of incident would not happen again," spokeswoman Chan said by e-mail.

Labor activists charged Disney is forcing staff to work 11- and 13-hour days, providing inadequate breaks and rewriting daily work schedules without notice. "Their management is very backward," says Elaine Hui of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, which is trying to organize Disneyland workers into a union. Disney doesn't believe a union is needed: "We believe it is more effective for us and our cast alike to work and communicate directly with each other," Chan says.
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Joyce had another 13 hour day yesterday.... many of the cast members there really want the union, but the higher ups are doing everything they can to get rid of it....

[dzney4lyf]

Don't people realize that sometimes things just don't do well in other countires/governments...

[The_Heat]

I understand it, I just wish that they would treat the HK employees better.