When the going gets rough…
Originally I thought I’d leave the reporting about Hong Kong Disneyland to Andy till I get something positive to write … but the latest news came as a surprise so I thought I’d publish it anyway, even so it is negative … so here we go … another negative posts about Disney’s latest theme park (which I still look forward to visiting at some not too far off point):
Hong Kong Disneyland slowly but surely turns out to be a nice example for the old saying, that once something goes wrong it goes wrong as spectacular as it can. Adding to the whoes of the theme park (including financial underperformance, guest numbers way below original targets, attacks by environmentalists for serving shark fin soup - then dropped of the menues - and using light bubls not energy efficient enough, spreading word of mouth that the number of attractions is too small, according to the unions unhappy cast members and more) is now a closure of Autopia, one of the few attractions added to the theme park after opening hours and desperately needed.
According to an AP story published by CNN Money Autopia was closed upon order of the Hong Kong government’s Electrical and Mechanical Services Department past Saturday after an incident involving of the cars “derailed” from the track and the “driver, a young woman, hit one of the barricades surrounding the track”. The driver was not harmed but the ride was closed nevertheless for inspections by the government department. No word yet, whether the ride has re-opened in the meantime.
As Screamscape (where I stumbled upon this news) rightfully points out, such closure seems strange. Autopia cars jumping off the guide rail has been common in all Autopia versions in Disney theme parks (as well as in similar rides at other parks). Most times this occurs when a car gets bumped by another driver. So why the closure here? Sure, Autopia at HKDL is a different ride from a technical point of view, as it operates on electrical motors, but that shouldn’t have too much of an impact on the described incident. Anyone out there knowing more or having a good guess??