Trade partners optimistic of business outlooks buoyed by the launch of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!
HONG KONG — Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) hosted recently the annual Celebration of Sales Excellence (CSE) 2018 to honor top-performing travel trade partners for bringing an ever-growing number of guests from around the world to enjoy the resort’s magical experiences. Rewarded with a staycation to experience first-hand the resort’s latest Marvel attraction just launched on March 31, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, the resort’s travel trade partners were optimistic that the resort’s appeal as an ultimate Marvel hub in Asia and the year-round “Play. Shop. Dine. Stay” offers would attract more guests from around the Asia Pacific region to the resort.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort managing director Stephanie Young took the first opportunity to greet travel trade partners at the CSE 2018 Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner, after assuming office in February. She thanked the travel trade partners for their ongoing contribution to the resort’s remarkable results: “It’s always important to recognize and celebrate excellence. Your success is very much our success. On behalf of the entire Disney team, I’d like to sincerely thank you for your ongoing support and contribution.”
Trade partners excited by rosy business prospect brought by Marvel action
At CSE 2018, the Sales Excellence Awards were awarded to 20 distinguished trade partners, while five trade partners received the AdvanceEAR Awards. The Top Sales AchievEAR of the Year Award went to Lvmama.com.
Edward Goh, vice president, commercial strategy of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort said: “As we celebrate our trade partners’ outstanding achievements, we reaffirm our commitment to build on our win-win trade partnerships. We held a series of travel trade briefings from January to April and engaged about 2,000 travel trade and MICE partners in 12 major cities in our most important markets across Asia. Trade partners were excited by the launch of ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!’. This is the second of the resort’s trilogy of Marvel attractions after Iron Man Experience, and also the second attraction to launch in our current multi-year expansion project. With one more Marvel themed attraction in the pipeline, the resort will cement its status as Asia’s unrivalled hub for Marvel Super Hero action.”
Qinghua Hong, Founder of Lvmama.com, said: “We are honored to have achieved the Top Sales AchievEAR Award for the third consecutive time. The resort’s Marvel attractions will appeal to young adult guests. With the improved transportation links between Hong Kong and mainland China, we are seeing mounting interest from our customers in making more frequent visits to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. We look forward to another rewarding year in our partnership with the resort.”
At the CSE 2018 evening, HKDL demonstrated its exceptional capabilities in filling events with immersive Disney entertainment and creative food and beverage delights. Reflecting the close collaboration and partnership of HKDL and the winners, beloved Disney characters including Mike and Sulley of Monster University and the Disney Band made a special appearance to congratulate winners. Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the Green Army Men of Toy Story came on stage too, along with Wreck-It-Ralph and Vanellope from Ralph Breaks the Internet, who made their debut at the park this spring. A spread of artfully made desserts themed after the three Disney franchises completed the elaborate food and beverage lineup for the gala dinner.
Latest Marvel attraction impresses with technology, storytelling and humor
During their staycation, the travel trade partners and their family and friends went all in and joined Ant-Man and The Wasp in battling against Hydra and the Swarmbots. With an explosive story and immersive media, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! is a one-of-a-kind interactive adventure. It is the first attraction ever to feature the iconic characters Ant-Man and The Wasp, and is also the first-ever Marvel attraction in a Disney Park to feature a female Super Hero as a title character.
In this high-tech, high-energy ride, guests can go all-in fighting alongside Ant-Man and The Wasp as they are shrunk down to the size of an ant! Featuring an entirely new Marvel story with the first Hong Kong-specific Marvel character, Leslie Lam, guests will join the battle against the evil artificial intelligence Arnim Zola and his army of Swarmbots.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! is the second Marvel-themed attraction at HKDL, continuing the park’s growth as an ultimate Marvel hub in Asia.
An authentic Marvel experience featuring Hong Kong elements
HKDL and Walt Disney Imagineering worked closely with Marvel Studios in the production of this new attraction. Director Peyton Reed and his production team lent their full support, while the stars of the film, Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, joined the action by reprising their roles. As a result, guests will be immersed in a truly authentic Marvel experience.
A new Marvel character named Leslie Lam was created for this attraction. A Hong Kong native, Leslie is the Chief Engineer of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Science and Technology Pavilion who oversees all of the pavilion’s research and development. She will train guests to use state-of-the-art EMP Blasters as well as provide important information throughout the battle. Leslie is played by Jessica Hsuan who is the first Hong Kong artist to be invited to play a Marvel character.
During the battle, guests will receive comments from both Ant-Man and The Wasp. They may also catch some humorous local references by the two heroes. Be sure to keep a sharp eye out for hidden Marvel details — otherwise known as Easter eggs — during the ride.
To make the attraction even more immersive, the Secure Storage Vault for Alien & Weapon Technology inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. pavilion showcases 14 types of artifacts and research items from Marvel movies, TV shows and comics. Some of these are unique and exclusively exhibited at HKDL.
Cinema-quality show elements and design elevates experience
Leveraging innovative technology, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! implements cinematic appeal into this captivating dimensional battle where everyone will be shrunk down to the size of an ant. The ride features an original score by Christophe Beck, the composer for the Ant-Man movies, along with special visuals and sound effects that take the experience to the next level of immersion.
There are 150 targets, shown in many different shapes and sizes, that provide guests different levels of gaming challenge. The D/AGR’s onboard computer keeps track of guests’ hits and accuracy, and the scores are accumulated and shown on the vehicle displays. Scores are awarded based on the number of target hits and the size of those targets. The smaller the target, the more it is worth. Extra scores can be earned for finding secret combos and special sequences. Using their EMP Blasters, guests should try to shoot and disable as many Swarmbots as possible to help Ant-Man and The Wasp defeat Zola. They can also compete with their family and friends to see who can earn the highest score!
New Marvel attraction enriches MICE event assets
The launch of “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!” has also enriched the library of Disney elements for creating unique MICE experiences. With two Marvel attractions, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle! and Iron Man Experience side by side, the resort is able to offer “Marvel Party” theme for a Tomorrowland Buyout. The buyout option gives a corporate group exclusive access to the resort’s two Marvel attractions as well as exclusive greeting with Marvel Super Heroes in a single event. Corporate event guests will be able to discover the magic of teamwork or engage in friendly competitions comparing scores and accuracy rate at vanquishing Swarmbots.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Business Solutions & Events director, Karen Kwan said: “As the resort becomes Asia’s epicenter of Marvel action, and the ongoing expansion of the resort set to bring more and more attractions and entertainment offerings to guests, the resort will offer a greater diversity of distinctive Disney attractions and entertainment for creating memorable MICE events.”
Extending travel trade partnerships with staycation and MICE sales
HKDL is working closely with travel trade partners in the Asia Pacific region to introduce comprehensive staycation packages inclusive of accommodation at one of the resort’s themed hotel, discounted 1-Day or 2-Day Park Admission. The packages are available for booking at designated travel trade partners. The resort is also working closely with travel trade partners around the region to bring MICE groups to the resort in an endeavor to create more opportunities for partnerships with all travel trade counterparts.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
