Mickey Sunday, July 17, 2005  
  Press Release
 



25 families from all over Hong Kong showed off their specially designed outfits as Hong Kong Disneyland searches for its First Family.
25 families from all over Hong Kong showed off their specially designed outfits as Hong Kong Disneyland searches for its First Family.
A sneak peek at the wide variety of costumes that guests will encounter as they journey through Hong Kong Disneyland.
A sneak peek at the wide variety of costumes that guests will encounter as they journey through Hong Kong Disneyland.
The final 15 families who will go on to compete for the honor of being Hong Kong Disneyland's First Family. Joining them on stage are Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong, Dr David J Pang, (left of Goofy) and Hong Kong Disneyland Vice President Marketing and Sales, Roy Tan Hardy, (right of Goofy). Beloved Disney friends Goofy, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse joined in congratulating the finalists.

Hong Kong Disneyland's "First Family" Contestants
Compete for Finals in Vibrant Fashion Show

(HONG KONG, July 17, 2005) - Hong Kong Disneyland came a step closer in the search for its First Family today as 25 local families competed in a vibrant fashion show for one of 15 coveted invitations to the grand final.

Staged at Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Disneyland treated special guests, celebrities and members of the public to a whirl of family fun and costume spectaculars as the contestants vied for the ultimate honor of becoming the First Family to officially represent the people of Hong Kong at the Park's grand opening on September 12.

Today's fashion show signified the second stage in the First Family competition. Contestants were invited to show-off their creative outfits on the catwalk, which were designed to reflect the energy, fun and unique personality of each family.

"The First Family competition is about inviting the people of Hong Kong to become part of the magic of Hong Kong Disneyland and to join our Disney family as after all, the Park belongs to everyone in our city," Hong Kong Disneyland Vice President Marketing and Sales Roy Tan Hardy said. "Once appointed, the Hong Kong Disneyland First Family will carry on a time-honored tradition that has been a part of every Disney theme park grand opening around the world since 1955. Our First Family will take their place in history as the next chapter of the Walt Disney Company's story magically unfolds."

A highlight of the event was a sneak peak at the vast array of Hong Kong Disneyland costumes that guests will encounter in Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, and the two Disney-style hotels. Celebrity co-hosts Stephanie Cheung, Wilfred Lau, Gina Lin and Rammie Guo added a touch of glamor to the catwalk as they introduced the costumes that are designed to bring the timeless and classic Disney stories to life inside the Park.

Special guest adjudicators at today's First Family event included Hong Kong Disneyland senior executives and Mr. Hans Bakker, Commercial Director of the Airport Authority Hong Kong.

Hong Kong International Airport was selected as the preferred venue as it shares the Park's commitment to promoting Hong Kong as a world-class family tourism destination. For many Hong Kong Disneyland guests, Hong Kong International Airport will be their gateway to the magic.

"We are glad to join hands with Hong Kong Disneyland to promote Hong Kong. As industry leaders, both Hong Kong Disneyland and Hong Kong International Airport share a vision in providing an enjoyable and memorable experience to our customers. The opening of Disneyland will strengthen Hong Kong's position as Asia and the Mainland's centre of service excellence," said Dr David J Pang, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong.

"Being a major entry point to Hong Kong, HKIA will extend the warmest welcome to patrons of the theme park and ensure that their journeys start in a joyful mood," he added.

During today's event, the adjudicators selected 15 families as First Family finalists, who will enter the final stage of the competition by participating in a game show to be broadcast on TVB on Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 8:30pm. The game show will be filmed on location at Hong Kong Disneyland and finalists will undertake a series of fun Disney-inspired challenges to ultimately take the honor of become the Hong Kong Disneyland First Family.

The First Family grand winner will enjoy the privilege of participating in the Hong Kong Disneyland Grand Opening day on 12 September 2005, while at the same time receiving a Walt Disney Company Red Pass allowing each family member one-year free access into Disney theme parks including Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Resort (California), Walt Disney World (Florida) and Disneyland Resort Paris (France), plus two night's accommodation at either the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney's Hollywood Hotel, including a Disney-character breakfast.

The first runner-up family will receive one night's accommodation at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and a Disney-character breakfast, while the second runner-up family will also receive one night's accommodation at the Disney's Hollywood Hotel plus a Disney-character breakfast.

The Hong Kong Disneyland First Family competition was announced on June 14 inviting families in Hong Kong to submit their happiest photos for the chance to take the honor. The response was most encouraging with many families staging a special photo shoot for their entry submission by dressing up in Disney character costumes and other creative outfits.

The First Family program is a time-honored tradition that has been a special part of every Disney theme park grand opening dating back to the original Disneyland in 1955. The competition captures the essence of Hong Kong Disneyland, which encourages family togetherness through a magical and immersive entertainment experience.

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About Hong Kong Disneyland
The Hong Kong Disneyland project was announced in 1999 as a venture between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong SAR Government. With the completion of reclamation for Hong Kong Disneyland Phase I by the Hong Kong SAR Government, theme park and resort construction began in January 2003, with the project now scheduled to open on 12th September, 2005. At opening day, Hong Kong Disneyland will comprise a theme park and two Disney-themed 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 SAR 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.

To book a magical vacation at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel, please contact:
Hong Kong Disneyland Reservation Center
Telephone: 852-1830-830
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm (Hong Kong time), 7-days a week

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