As the new Hong Kong Disneyland officially opens on September 12, Ocean Park, once the only game in town, is determining not to be outdone with a HK$5.5 billion (US$700 million) redevelopment plan.

Due to start in 2006, redevelopment of the fun park should be completed in 2010. The new-look park will be divided into two major areas -- the Waterfront and the Summit, which together will boast more than 70 distinctive attractions.

Ocean Park may draw the crowds now that it is the only amusement of its kind in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, but its attractions as they stand are bound to pale into insignificance when compared with the glitz of Disneyland.

"We expect the redevelopment to help the park withstand the clash brought about by Disneyland," said Thomas Mehrmann, chief executive officer of Ocean Park.

Mehrmann's ambitious claims are that about 6 million visitors a year will visit Ocean Park after the project.

In every itinerary of Hong Kong in the region's travel agencies, Ocean Park is already a "must see" attraction. About 80 per cent of the park's external visitors are from the mainland. In 2004, visitors totalled 4.1 million, the highest number in the park's 28-year history.

"Mainland visitors are a major source of Ocean Park's income," said the CEO, and the park will try every means to maintain this market.

Not only will a major facelift take place, the park is saying it may not have to raise ticket prices, according to Mehrmann.

Current tickets are HK$185 (US$23) for an adult and HK$93 (US$11) for a child.

Mehrmann said prices were set according to the contemporary market situation.

"It is premature to discuss whether the price will increase or drop in 2010," said Mehrmann.

"But it must be lower than Disneyland's."

An adult ticket to Disneyland is HK$350 (US$43), a child's HK$250 (US$31).

Ocean Park's star attractions are dolphin shows, cable cars, and thrill rides.

The Hong Kong government-owned park has received millions of tourists from the mainland in the past three decades.

(China Daily July 26, 2005)