LPWire: Places Everyone! Curtain About to Rise on Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Places Everyone! Curtain About to Rise on Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Dumbo gleams. Brass fittings sparkle
on the horseless carriages of Main Street, U.S.A. Mickey Mouse's tux is pressed
to perfection. Even the rocket ships of Space Mountain are poised for the
stars.All is in eager readiness for the dawning of a new frontier in family
entertainment in China. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is about to open.
Disney's 11th theme park and first-ever in China, Hong Kong Disneyland has its
grand opening Monday, bringing Disney's brand of wholesome family fun to an
exciting new corner of the world and the fastest growing tourism market
anywhere.
Guests will be treated to a theme park of four magical ''lands'' radiating from
Sleeping Beauty Castle, a loving re-creation of the original at Disneyland in
Anaheim, Calif. Two dramatically themed hotels -- Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and
Disney's Hollywood Hotel -- flank the theme park on Lantau Island, about 30
minutes from Hong Kong by car, bus or the MTR, Hong Kong's sleek, far-flung rail
system.
On Friday, just days away from opening, landscapers pruned, musicians tuned and
shutters got a final coat of paint as the resort's 5,000 cast members (Disney
parlance for employees) readied the resort for its first official guests.
''You can feel the excitement building all across the resort as our cast members
add the finishing touches in preparation for our grand opening,'' said Don
Robinson, group managing director.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, a joint venture of The Walt Disney Company and the
Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), offers a full
day's and evening's entertainment. ''We are beginning what we hope will be a
lifetime relationship with our guests full of memories that will touch the
hearts of millions,'' said Jay Rasulo, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
''This resort is a great example of how The Walt Disney Company combines
cutting-edge technology with fantastic storytelling to create unique
entertainment experiences,'' Rasulo added.
Artfully themed Disney hotels continue the magic outside the park. With dramatic
views of the park and sea, each is a showplace, from the dramatic facade of the
Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel to the fun icons of Disney's Hollywood Hotel.
On Monday, dignitaries will join officials of The Walt Disney Company,
celebrities and Disney's world-famous characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie
Mouse, Pluto and Mulan in unwrapping the first true family vacation destination
in Hong Kong, ushering in a new era.
Disney's fifth vacation resort (others are in California, Florida, Paris and
Tokyo) offers attractions new and classic, exciting live shows, a treasure trove
of shopping and cuisine with a focus on the flavors of China.
When Hong Kong Disneyland Park grand-opens Monday, the curtain rises on such
classics as Space Mountain (with new and exciting special effects), Jungle River
Cruise and Mad Hatter Tea Cups. Joining the lineup are latest hits such as
''Mickey's PhilharMagic'' (a 3-D magical musical spectacular starring Mickey
Mouse, Donald Duck and friends), live shows such as ''Festival of the Lion
King'' inspired by Disney's smash-hit animated feature film "The Lion King,''
and all-new Fantasy Gardens where guests may meet, take photographs with and get
autographs from cherished Disney characters. It's the most elaborate Disney
character meet-and-greet location at any Disney theme park in the world.
Disney magic rooted in creativity and imagination fills the rest of the park --
from the fun-filled, float-filled "Disney On Parade" rolling daily down Main
Street, U.S.A. to whimsical ''streetmosphere'' (including a harmonizing
barbershop quartet) to a nightly fireworks spectacular painting the skies above
Sleeping Beauty Castle with China's ancient mountains for a backdrop.
Thoughout the gala, grand opening weekend festivities, stars won't be just in
the skies. The event has attracted top-name performing acts from all across
Asia. Among those scheduled to perform for invited guests:
Emil Chau Wakin -- Best known as the title singer for the Disney animated
feature film hit ''Tarzan,'' Emil's many talents came into play when he recorded
the film's score in both Mandarin and Chinese.
Andy Hui -- a well-known pop male vocalist throughout Hong Kong, Andy is known
to millions as the voice of Denahi Bear in Disney's award-winning, animated
feature film, ''Brother Bear.'' In addition to his voice-talent work, Andy also
recorded the title song for the film.
Joey Yung -- an award-winning Hong Kong singer and actress, Joey was named Best
Female Singer during the Hong Kong Music Awards in both 2003 and 2004. Joey's
ties to Disney date back to the release of a Walt Disney Pictures presentation
of the Pixar Animation Studios film ''Toy Story 2,'' where she recorded the
theme song for the computer-animated hit movie. Later Joey recorded the theme
song for Disney's animated film ''Atlantis.''
Eason Chan -- This famed actor-singer from Hong Kong was voted ''Best Selling
Male Artist'' for 2003. He has also been the voice of Milo in the full-length,
Disney animated feature film, "Atlantis."
CoCo Lee -- This well-known contemporary singer served as the voice of Mulan in
the Disney animated feature film of the same name. Coco also recorded the main
title track for Disney's ''Mulan'' -- the song ''Reflections.''
Jacky Cheung -- A multi-talented Hong Kong performer and entertainer, Jacky is
the official spokesperson for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and can be seen as the
host of the ''Magical World of Disneyland'' on TVB. He was named the official
spokesperson for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in July 2004 and became the newest
member of the Disney family.
--Posted September 9, 2005
Source: Hong Kong Disneyland