Ocean Park will adjust ticket prices for its new Water World facility
- Entry prices for the water park, set to open on Tuesday, will change based on the season and public holidays
- The theme park will undergo a massive overhaul and shift its focus to education and conservation to make up for losses during the pandemic
Ocean Park’s newest attraction, Water World, will open on Tuesday after being delayed for four years. Photo: SCMP/ May TseHong Kong’s Ocean Park has announced that it would adjust its entry prices for its Water World facility to accommodate for increased seasonal demand, with its chairman saying tickets for the new park were “selling well”.
The new water park opened on Tuesday.
Tickets for assigned slots in the coming weekends and public holidays are sold out or nearly sold out, said Lau Ming-wai, the Ocean Park Corporation chairman, during the grand opening ceremony on Monday.
“The sales [of tickets] are good and within expectations,” Lau said, without giving an exact number.
Take a ride down the Rainbow Rush water slide
“You can check the ticket prices on our website for the next two months. We will adjust prices in the future, according to the season and whether there are public holidays.”
After a four year delay, the theme park will finally open its aquatic-themed Water World on Tuesday, the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Online ticketing began at 5pm on Monday, with entry priced at HK$320 for adults and HK$225 for children, subject to seasonal adjustments. The elderly and people with disabilities will be able to enjoy a discounted price of HK$150.
A day in the life of an otter caretaker at Ocean Park
Entry is limited to around 4,000 people per day due to health measures.
“The opening of Water World means a lot to Ocean Park, as it marks the first step in our transformation into a world-class resort for discovery, learning and fun,” said Lau.
Authorities have pinned their hopes on the facilities to boost the economy in the district.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, financial secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, and secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah attended the opening ceremony on Monday.
“[The water park] will be an important element in the Invigorating Island South initiative and a new driving force for the Southern district’s economy,” said Lam. There are hopes that the facility will breathe new life into the debt-ridden theme park, which has relied on government funding for the last two years.
She believes the park will become a favourite local destination for young people and families who cannot currently travel under the “new normal”, and added that she was looking forward to Ocean Park’s revamp, which will shift its focus to conservation and learning.
A look at the Little Meerkat and Giant Tortoise Adventure
The water park, which spans more than 55,740 square metres on a hillside in Tai Shue Wan in the Southern district and overlooks the South China Sea, offers a total of five themed zones with 27 attractions, including “lazy rivers”, an infinity pool, wave pools and rainbow-coloured slides.
The estimated cost for the water park was HK$2.29 billion eight years ago, and it was initially meant to open in 2017. However, years of delays and cost overruns ballooned the project’s price tag to HK$4 billion.
Ocean Park, which has been a part of Hong Kong for 40 years, will undergo a massive overhaul after suffering back-to-back losses worsened by the plunge of tourism amid Covid.
Lau said a briefing was held last week for developers and entertainment companies interested in taking part in the park’s revamp. Proposals for new business models and designs are expected to be submitted by mid-October.