Prices to rise at Hong Kong amusement parks

Visitors to Hong Kong's two theme parks face ticket price hikes of about 10% after the (northern hemisphere) summer holidays.
The increases have been approved by the boards of Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland almost simultaneously.
Ocean Park said ticket prices will rise from 1st September but will come with sweeteners. Disneyland said it has no plan to announce fee increases for now but a source said a price hike is coming in two months.
Ocean Park Chairman Allan Zeman recently said that the park had no immediate plans toraise ticket prices for now, but has since explained "we don't want to raise the price, but if we open new attractions and take loans from the bank, we have to pay back the loans.
"If we don't raise the price and we lose money, the Government will have to put in more money. The taxpayers will have to pay for it."
The park will raise ticket prices by 12%, from HK$250 to HK$280 for adults, and from HK$125 to HK$140 for children aged three to 11. Annual passes will rise by between 11.3 and 13%. At HK$305, the SmartFun Silver Pass for children - which sells for HK$270 now - will see the highest percentage increase.
Ocean Park's last raised admission fees in 2009 but has borrowed HK$5.55 billion of loans for redevelopment.
Since 2006, Hong Kong residents have been able to visit Ocean Park for free on their birthdays. From 1st September to 31st August next year, one friend will enjoy half price. Other special offers launched include night tickets for locals from 6pm to 10pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout July, August and the first two weekends of September at HK$150 for adults and HK$75 for children.
The expansion, of which the first phase will be completed in 2013, will add three attractions to the theme park. The first of these, Toy Story Land will open later this year, one year ahead of schedule.
The Hong Kong Economic Times has reported that preliminary discussions on further expansion have begun with the Hong Kong SAR Government.
The Hong Kong Government owns a 52% stake and Walt Disney Co. the remaining 48%, in Hong Kong Disneyland which wants to expand further to prepare for competition from Shanghai Disneyland, which could open as early as 2015.