Mickey Tuesday, August 16, 2005  
  Press Release
 



Mickey Mouse greets the first guests in a gazebo on Main Street USA inside the theme park soon after the turnstiles opened this morning.
Minnie Mouse escorts Gina So (left) and Jeff Chan (right) through the entrance turnstiles. So and Chan were among the first guests into the theme park today.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse welcome Carmen Ching (left) and Ming Wong (right), both of Hong Kong, inside the new park on Main Street, U.S.A.
Today marked the first rehearsal rollout of 'Disney On Parade,' the lavish moving spectacle in the Hong Kong Disneyland Park. Nearly 100 performers and technicians, plus articulated puppet figures, are part of the colorful parade which comes to life and winds throughout much of the theme park. The parade stars Disney celebrities including Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Ariel, Chip 'n' Dale and the Cheshire Cat.

'Rehearsal Days' Begin at Hong Kong Disneyland
Invited Guests Will Experience Practice Operation of New Park

(HONG KONG, August 16, 2005) - Hong Kong Disneyland commenced a month of Rehearsal Days today in the lead up to the theme park's opening on September 12, 2005.

Rehearsal Days have been a long-standing tradition at Disney theme parks and resorts around the world and present an opportunity for Cast Members - Disney's term for employees - to practice and adjust their performance to ensure that every guest enjoys the most magical and immersive Disney experience possible from the moment the park officially opens. They also offer invited guests an opportunity to experience the park and learn how it operates so that the Disney magic can touch all visitors.

At Hong Kong Disneyland, Cast Members are always on stage when interacting with guests, and just like a Broadway-style show, they need to rehearse in front of a live audience to perfect their performance before opening night. Rehearsal Days provide them with this opportunity and are also a way for Hong Kong Disneyland's business associates to further understand the magical experience from an operational standpoint.

The Rehearsal Days period at Hong Kong Disneyland will last for approximately four weeks prior to the Grand Opening. Specially invited guests including business affiliates, travel trade associates, contractors, consultants, alliance partners, government officers who have been involved in the Hong Kong Disneyland project, and certain charitable organizations who can enjoy a full day of Disney magic while Cast Members put Disney's legendary guest service into practice.

Operating hours during the Rehearsal Days will be the same as those after opening: opening at 10 a.m. and closing anywhere between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The Park will host guests during these days: August 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 and September 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. The rest of the days will be closed for operational adjustments. Among the guests to be welcomed during this first Rehearsal Day on August 16 will be Hong Kong Disneyland Cast Members.

Invitation to guests to experience the park range from several thousand to 30,000 on a daily basis.

Specifically, Rehearsal Day guests will be able to experience the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and the many exciting offerings of the park which will be in full operation. Modeled after Disneyland in Anaheim, California, the park features four themed lands including Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Adventureland and Fantasyland.

Cast Members are still practicing operations during this time. Hong Kong Disneyland will make every effort to ensure that guests can experience as much of the magical park experience as possible.

Meanwhile, tickets for Hong Kong Disneyland's Grand Opening Day and the first 90 days after its opening have been on sale since July 1st.

Hong Kong Disneyland Fireworks Show Times

Please note that the fireworks show will be scheduled for the following dates:

August 16 - 26, 2005 at 8:00pm
(Except August 19 as there will be no fireworks show on this evening)

August 27 - September 8 at 9:00pm
(Except August 22, 25, 29 and September 1 & 5)


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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

Guests can also purchase park tickets online.

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