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Hong Kong Disneyland Supports Stamp Collecting in Hong Kong, Brings its Disney Pin Trading Tradition to the Local Community

HONG KONG (January 31, 2004) - Hong Kong Disneyland embraces stamp collecting in Hong Kong and Asia with participation in the "Hong Kong 2004 Stamp Expo".

Echoing the "Tourism" theme of this year's international stamp event, Hong Kong Disneyland will present members of the public with a glimpse of the magic to come when the theme park opens in 2005/06. Creative renderings together with stamp chops featuring the four themed lands at Hong Kong Disneyland will be displayed in the exhibition area at the Expo in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

"The Walt Disney Company has a long tradition of supporting philately and on behalf of Hong Kong Disneyland, we are honoured to be part of the Hong Kong 2004 Stamp Expo in partnership with the Hong Kong Post," said Roy Tan Hardy, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Hong Kong Disneyland.

"Hong Kong Disneyland's first stamp collection, launched during our Groundbreaking Celebration in early 2003, has enjoyed tremendous popularity. Building on this success, we will be partnering once again with the Hong Kong Post to issue a stamp pack in celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary in July of 2004 for the community to collect and enjoy.

"As we approach the grand opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005/06, we will offer stamp enthusiasts another exciting new collection to celebrate this magical event.

"Through these activities, we hope to cultivate the pastime of stamp collection among visitors young and old to the Expo," said Mr Tan Hardy.

The Disneyland 50th Anniversary Stamp Pane and Pin Commemorative Set to be released in July 2004 will feature a commemorative stamp collection to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Disneyland in the world and the next 50 years of the Disney magic starting with the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005/06. The set will also include a commemorative pin, wrapped in delightful packing for souvenir collection.

Also new to the visitors of the Expo will be the introduction of the Disney Pin Trading Tradition which is being brought to Hong Kong for the first time.

Introducing the Disney Pin Trading Tradition, Mr Tan Hardy said, "The Disney Pin Trading Tradition has been very well received at Disney's theme parks around the world. Now thousands of Guests trade each day with our Cast Members as well as our other Guests throughout the parks and resorts.

"Disney Pin Trading is an exciting, interactive experience where our Guests can trade Disney pins with our Disney Cast Members and other Guests in our theme parks. It's fun for the whole family and creates cherished 'pin pals' to last a lifetime."

Visitors to the Hong Kong Disneyland exhibition area at the Stamp Expo will be able to share the fun of pin trading. Just locate a Cast Member wearing a lanyard with Disney pins and find a pin you'd like. Then present another Disney pin to the Cast Member in trade. Bringing home the magic is that simple.

To commemorate the first year of the construction of Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland is also presenting a special Hong Kong Disneyland pin as a gift to 4,500 students visiting the Stamp Expo from more than 1,800 primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong 2004 Stamp Expo, also known as the 17th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, will be held from 30 January to 3 February 2004 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Stamp Expo will be open to the public free.

The Hong Kong Disneyland project was announced in November 1999 as a venture between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government. With the completion of reclamation for Hong Kong Disneyland Phase I by the Hong Kong Government, Disney has begun construction in January 2003 with the project scheduled to open in 2005 or 2006. The opening day program for Hong Kong Disneyland will include a Disneyland-style theme park and two hotels. The Phase I build-out includes a projected 10 million annual visitor Disneyland-style theme park, 2,100 hotel rooms, and an area for retail, dining and entertainment. The project is estimated to create 18,000 new jobs at opening (both Disney and other employment) growing to 36,000 once the first park reaches build-out. The Hong Kong Government estimated that the first phase of the project will generate a present economic value of HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period.