The Walt Disney Company, Disney Parks Issue 2010 Corporate Citizenship Reports
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The Walt Disney Company today released its second Corporate Citizenship report detailing Disney’s progress on environmental and social impacts. The report also includes the Company’s first set of comprehensive citizenship commitments and goals, aligned around three core principles:
- Act and create in an ethical manner and consider the consequences of our decisions
- Champion the happiness and well-being of kids, parents and families in our endeavors
- Inspire kids, parents, employees, and communities to make a lasting, positive change in the world
“Being a respected global citizen isn’t just good for our employees and the communities in which we operate, it is critical to the growth and success of our business,” said Robert A. Iger, Disney President and CEO. “Our next step is to build upon our existing programs and initiatives by clarifying our commitments and expanding our efforts to track and measure our progress.”
Highlights of the 2010 Report include:
- Announcement of a comprehensive set of commitments and metrics that address Disney’s worldwide business impacts and opportunities.
- Global expansion of programs aimed at inspiring kids, parents, and communities to make a difference in the world. Disney Friends for Change, now in 19 countries, has rallied 2.5 million kids to take pledges for the environment. Disney Magic of Healthy Living, launched in September, partners with parents and kids to make healthy choices simple and fun.
- Investment of $15.5 million in carbon offset projects around the world as part of Disney’s Climate Solutions Fund, the Company’s internal carbon pricing program.
- Release of Disney’s Human Rights Policy Statement, with the aim of more clearly articulating the Company’s commitment to respecting human rights.
- Detailed data and progress updates on Disney’s supply chain and environmental footprint
- Corporate charitable contributions of $198 million, and more than 548,000 hours of VoluntEARS service contributed by Disney employees.
The interactive multimedia report, now available online only at www.disney.com/citizenship2010, includes comprehensive coverage of eight key areas: family entertainment, inspiring kids and communities, nature conservation, environment, community, workplaces, supply chain, and human rights. An interactive map provides insights into Disney’s activities around the world. The report follows the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
The citizenship report anchors a broader suite of publications. Six additional reports provide information on local impacts of our Parks & Resorts segment.
TEA Issues 2009 Theme Park Attendance Report: Disney Parks Dominate Globe
Despite a weakened economy and virtually all other parks in North America seeing a decline in attendance in 2009, most of Disney’s 11 theme parks worldwide saw improvement in performance according to the 2009 annual TEA/AECOM theme park attendance report issued today. All totaled, approximately 119.1 million guests visited Disney Parks worldwide last year.
Ranking the top 25 parks worldwide, the top 8 spots went to Disney Parks, with number one being — with no surprise — the Magic Kingdom with an annual attendance of about 17.2 million, a relatively minor increase over 2008. Ten of Disney’s theme parks ranked in the top 25, the only absentee being the Walt Disney Studios at the Disneyland Paris Resort.
The Disneyland Resort saw the largest percentage in attendance increase with Disneyland gaining 8% to 15.9 million guests and Disney California Adventure with a whopping 9.5% increase to slightly over 6 million.
Conversely, the Tokyo Disney Resort saw a slight decrease in attendance over 2008 but as we pointed out earlier, 2008′s increase was due primarily to the Resort’s 25th anniversary and, in fact, 2009 was Tokyo Disneyland’s second best year ever in attendance.
Arguably the best news, however, comes from Hong Kong Disneyland, which — despite highly publicized troubles — is closing the gap on perennial rival Ocean Park. With only 200K visitors separating the two in 2009, Ocean Park’s attendance dipped by 4.6% while Hong Kong Disneyland’s actually grew 2%.
When further broken down into geographic regions, all six North American Disney Parks take the top spots while Disneyland Paris takes the #1 spot in Europe and Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea take the top two spots for Asia.
The report also covers water parks around the globe in which Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, both located at the Walt Disney World Resort, commanded the top two spots with virtually zero change in attendance over last year. In North America, Sea World’s Aquatica and Universal’s Wet’n'wild took the following two spots.
For more information, you can access the report directly here. Note that attendance figures are not reported directly by the theme parks and are estimated based on several factors and formulas.
Categories: Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Theme Parks, Tokyo Disneyland, Walt Disney World Tags: Attendance, Report, TEA
The Magic Continues as Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion Breaks Ground
To celebrate a significant step in the expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland, a groundbreaking ceremony was held today at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. John Tsang, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts officiated the ceremony with representatives from the Government, The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong community in attendance.
The ceremony represents a major milestone in the Resort’s expansion plan. The expansion will bring the total number of attractions, entertainment and interactive experiences at the Park to more than 100, create 3,700 jobs during the construction phase and 600 new full-time jobs after expansion.
“Today marks the beginning of another exciting phase for Hong Kong Disneyland,” said Mr Rasulo. “The new themed areas will showcase the best in creativity, technology and story-telling. The planned attractions and rides will position our youngest Disney theme park for future growth and success.”
Mr. Tsang said that a larger park with more attractions will continue to draw the crowds and provide even more fun and excitement for visitors.
Categories: Business, Hong Kong Disneyland, Theme Parks Tags: HKDL
The Hong Kong SAR Government and The Walt Disney Company Applaud Approval of HKDL Expansion Plan
HONG KONG (July 10, 2009) – The Hong Kong SAR Government and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) today applaud the Legislative Council’s approval of the financial arrangement relating to the Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL) expansion plan. Three new themed areas will be added to HKDL, bringing the total number of attractions, entertainment, and interactive experiences at the resort to over 100 by 2014 and further establishing Hong Kong as one of the world’s premier international family tourist destinations.
Financial Secretary, Mr. John C. Tsang commented that, “HKDL, as an important tourism infrastructure, has brought substantial economic benefits to Hong Kong. With the proposed expansion and realignment of the financial arrangements, we believe that HKDL would rise up to the keen competition in the region on the tourism front, attracting more family visitors from round the world. This will generate streams of benefits to our tourism and related sectors, further reinforcing the tourism industry’s contribution as a major pillar of Hong Kong’s economy.”
“We are pleased that the financial agreement relating to the HKDL expansion has been approved and we are eager to begin work on this exciting new chapter for Hong Kong Disneyland,” said Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. “This substantial investment represents our continued commitment to and confidence in Hong Kong Disneyland and solidifies our partnership with the Hong Kong government helping assure the resort’s long-term success.”
Categories: Hong Kong Disneyland, Theme Parks Tags:
Disney Releases Posters Advertising New Lands at Hong Kong Disneyland
Disney has just provided us with the following posters advertising the new Grizzly Trail, Mystic Point and Toy Story lands. Click on each thumbnail to view a larger version.
Categories: Hong Kong Disneyland, Theme Parks Tags: Grizzly Trail, HKDL, Mystic Point, Toy Story Land
Hong Kong Government Approves Expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong lawmakers approved a government plan on Friday to spend HK$3.63 billion ($468 million) expanding the city’s Disneyland theme park with Walt Disney, boosting the smallest of Disney’s five resorts.
With attendance falling short of targets, the government has been seeking ways to boost the number of visitors in the long term, given the threat from a rival Disney theme park planned for Shanghai.
Hong Kong will convert a significant amount of its HK$6.89 billion outstanding loan to the park into equity, while Walt Disney will invest HK$3.5 billion to help finance the construction cost and also convert its outstanding HK$2.76 billion loan to the theme park into equity.
After Disney’s new investment and Hong Kong’s debt-to-equity swap, Hong Kong’s stake in the park will fall to 52 percent from 57 percent.
(Reporting by Nerilyn Tenorio and Alison Leung; Editing by Dan Lalor)
Categories: Hong Kong Disneyland, Theme Parks Tags: HKDL
HK Disneyland Expansion is On – Disney to Invest $452M for 30 New Attractions, 3 New Lands
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong on Tuesday said the Walt Disney Co will invest $452 million to expand its Hong Kong theme park, seen as necessary to bolster the park’s long-term prospects against a planned rival park in Shanghai.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Hong Kong would not invest more capital in the joint venture but would convert a substantial part of its loan to the project into equity.
After Disney’s new investment and the government’s debt to equity swap, Hong Kong will see its stake in the underperforming park fall to 52 percent from 57 percent.
“If there is no expansion, the attraction of the theme park will fall over time, government economist Helen Chan said at a media briefing to announce details of the expansion.
The Hong Kong government desperately needs the expansion to boost flagging attendance, with a much larger rival Disneyland expected to be built in Shanghai in 2014 that could draw much visitor traffic from the burgeoning mainland China market.
“To help deleverage the joint venture the government will convert a substantial part of its loan to equity, retaining a balance of not less than HK$1 billion,” the government said in a statement.
The expansion, which will cost about HK$3.6 billion, will include 30 new attractions and three new theme areas, and will see the total area of Hong Kong Disneyland increase by 23 percent over five years.
The total net economic benefit of the expanded theme park over 40 years would range from HK$64.7 billion to HK$117.3 billion, the government said in a statement.
Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary John Tsang traveled to Los Angeles in May, where he met senior Disney executives. The trip is seen to have paved the way for the breakthrough after Disney earlier said it would stall any expansion amid the credit crunch.
Disney earlier indicated it would likely invest more capital in Hong Kong Disneyland and allow the Hong Kong government to convert its loans to equity to maintain its majority share of the theme park, a source involved in their talks told Reuters earlier.
(Reporting by James Pomfret / Editing by Chris Lewis)
Categories: Business, Hong Kong Disneyland, Theme Parks Tags:
Report: Disney Close to Investing More Capital into Hong Kong Disneyland
HONG KONG/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The Walt Disney Co is close to agreeing to invest more capital in Hong Kong Disneyland and allow the island’s government to convert its loans to equity to maintain its majority share of the theme park, a source involved in the talks said.
If Disney and Hong Kong’s government, which now owns 57 percent of the underperforming and much-maligned resort, can close a deal, it could pave the way for an expansion that is estimated will cost HK$3 billion ($387 million) and boost flagging attendance.
(Reporting by James Pomfret and Gina Keating in Los Angeles; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Categories: Hong Kong Disneyland, Theme Parks Tags: HKDL
Disney ‘Driving a Hard Bargain’ with Hong Kong
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s top financial official will meet Walt Disney Co. management in Los Angeles later this week to discuss the stalled expansion of the struggling Hong Kong theme park.
Disney and the Hong Kong government have been embroiled in protracted discussions over financing for a second phase of the world’s smallest Disneyland which could cost a reported HK$3 billion ($387 million).
Categories: Hong Kong Disneyland, Theme Parks Tags:
Themed Entertainment Association and Economics Research Associates Post International Theme Park Numbers for 2008
The TEA/ERA Attraction Attendance Report identifies the top commercial theme parks and waterparks around the world and reflects their performance in 2008. Global attendance data is broken down by geographic region, by chain and by type of venue. This vital report is issued annually and jointly produced by the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) – the leading international trade alliance for the creators of compelling experiences and places – and ERA (Economics Research Associates) – a top international consulting firm providing economic analysis for the entertainment and leisure industry worldwide.
Burbank, Calif. USA — April 16, 2009 — The TEA/ERA Attraction Attendance Report for 2008 is now posted on the TEA and ERA websites. It reveals 2008 visitation totals for top theme parks and waterparks worldwide.
The report summary is included here (see below). To access the full report including attendance charts, visit:
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