Hong Kong Disneyland ready to open Monday
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-11 15:27

Mickey Mouse was busy Sunday spiffing up Hong Kong Disneyland on the eve of the park's official opening _ a bold move for the U.S. entertainment company seeking a stronger foothold in China's massive market, AP reported.

About 1,000 reporters from around the world flew in to cover the opening of the Walt Disney Co.'s 11th theme park _ an attraction with two resort hotels on a bay surrounded by mountains on Lantau, Hong Kong's largest island.

A young guest smiles at Hong Kong Disneyland September 11, 2005, a day before its official opening. [Reuters]

Disneyland held a "rehearsal day" on Sunday that gave thousands of guests a sneak peak of the park. The day's festivities included a fireworks show and a party featuring a concert with some of the biggest Chinese-language pop stars, including Coco Lee, Joey Yung and Jacky Cheung.

"Now we're poised to begin the next chapter of Disney history when Hong Kong Disneyland will officially open to the world," said Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said Saturday.

Disney's characters Seven Dwarfs perform during the "Disney On Parade" show at Hong Kong Disneyland September 11, 2005, a day before the grand opening of the theme park. Disney officially opens its new Hong Kong theme park on Monday, bringing a slice of the Magic Kingdom to the Middle Kingdom with a careful blend of American showmanship and Chinese characteristics. [Reuters]

"Hong Kong Disneyland is (our) first theme park in China. It's also the first Disney theme park that's modeled so closely to the first Disneyland in California," Rasulo said.

The park features a pink Snow White Castle and the popular rides found at the U.S. Disneylands, including Space Mountain, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and the Jungle River Cruise. It also features the Broadway-style show "Festival of the Lion King" and daily parades with Disney characters on Main Street, USA _ the park's main strip lined with shops and restaurants.

Page:

1

2

Close

2005 World Model Contest in Northeast China Paris Hilton turns happy homemaker Olympics themed jetliner ascends into the sky

Today's Top News     Top Life News
305,000 evacuated as typhoon nears East China         China, Canada to build strategic partnership         China's diplomacy enters golden age         Katrina costs could approach those of wars         Hong Kong Disneyland ready to open Monday         Dengue plunges Singapore into health crisis	Doctor sued for online dating lies       Chinese teachers face great pressures: survey       World's fastest blind driver..       A child in charge of '6 babies'       'Super Girls' smash ticket sales record for Shanghai show       US officer acquitted in beating of Chinese tourist