From the end of January to early February season ticket holders were not admitted to the theme park because its capacity was filled. The Hong Kong Tourists Association, including the Hong Kong Government who has a stake on the theme park, were perturbed by the miscalculation on Disney’s part. The surge of visitors after the Lunar New Year came as a surprise to the Disney management. Most of the visitors were from the nearby provinces such as Guangdong and Jiangxi. Some were there for only a day trip. Undoubtedly, this mishap created a negative effect more on Hong Kong’s image than on Hong Kong Disneyland.
Apart from the miscalculation by Disney, what is rather daunting is the action chosen by the displeased visitors. Live imagines on the evening news of Hong Kong’s Jade TVB showing visitors helping each other climbing over the guarded Disney gate were disturbing. There was much bravado among the visitors who climbed over the gate as onlookers cheered on. Though it is too much to ask for any visitors to understand the concept of licensee verses invitee, opting for self-help is seldom a good alternative.
So, Mickey’s first Lunar New Year did not go so well. Apologies from Disney’ CEO aside, who is still trying to grapple with Chinese culture, the attitude of the visitors has shed some light on the differences on how one view authority. On July 2003 in Hong Kong, 500,000 protested against the passage of "anti-subversion" laws in order to protect civic freedoms, and again about the same number turned out in 2004 to express their desire to advance the democratization process. As recently as December 25, 2005, tens of thousands went to the street for a peaceful demonstration to demand a fully democratic political system. Violence was absent in all these demonstrations. Perhaps that is the approach and mentality that Hong Kong people take toward their government. Though they are discontent with the current administration, actions such as violence and self-help are not an option. It is worth the effort to further understand how the average Mainland Chinese perceives the HKSAR government, how they see themselves among Hong Kong people. Would they do the same if one day Shanghai Disneyland refuses admission? “One country, two systems” is an intriguing concept that has been working well for Hong Kong on a policy level. As Mainland China continues to increase the entry visa quotas for visiting Hong Kong, more Mainland Chinese will experience Hong Kong and hopefully learn more about the essence of one country, two systems.