Hong Kong Disneyland falls short

HONG KONG —  Hong Kong Disneyland’s first two years of operation were unsatisfactory, and the government -- which holds a majority stake in the $3.5-billion theme park -- will push for improvements, an official said Wednesday.

The theme park, which opened Sept. 12, 2005, missed its attendance target for the second year in a row, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Frederick Ma said without disclosing any exact figures.

“The government will continue to urge the park management to formulate cost-effective business strategies and improve the park’s operational efficiency,” Ma told lawmakers.

In its first year, Hong Kong Disneyland fell 400,000 short of its target 5.6-million audience. Park executives have been secretive about second-year numbers, but local reports estimated that as many as 4.8 million visited.

Hong Kong Disneyland has been criticized for being too small and lacking the high-profile rides of its sister parks.

Burbank-based Walt Disney Co.’s earnings showed that Hong Kong Disneyland’s operating income dropped in the first and second quarters this year, curtailing overall growth for Disney’s park and resort division.