Entertainment Brings Hong Kong Disneyland to Life As VIPs, Media 'Experience the Magic' on Preview Day

Entertainment Brings Hong Kong Disneyland to Life As VIPs, Media 'Experience the Magic' on Preview Day

HONG KONG, September 11/PRNewswire/ -- On the day before Hong Kong Disneyland officially opened to the public,
an invited audience of political and business leaders and media were special
guests for a Preview Day on Sunday, enjoying an advance look at some of the
spectacular shows and attractions in the first Disney theme park in the
region.

Highlights of the day included preview ceremonies for several of the
park's most eagerly anticipated shows and rides.

Robert A. Iger, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive
Officer-elect, The Walt Disney Company, welcomed the special guests to the
majestic Theater in the Wild in Adventureland for a preview performance of
"Festival of the Lion King," a unique live theatrical experience created
especially for Hong Kong Disneyland.

The joyous high-energy spectacle uses song, dance, puppetry and stunning
visual effects to create an African savannah setting filled with lions,
giraffes, birds and gazelles. In this theater environment, "Festival of the
Lion King" retells the story of the lion cub Simba, from the Disney animated
feature film "The Lion King," and his struggle to regain his kingdom
following the death of his father. The show features the award-winning music
from the movie, written by Elton John and Tim Rice.

"When 'The Lion King' debuted in 1994, it became an instant classic,
capturing the imagination of the world with its unforgettable characters,
soulful rhythms and timeless story," said Iger. "The tradition of 'The Lion
King' continues today as we share with you our latest, original
interpretation of this classic tale with 'The Festival of The Lion King.'"

Hong Kong Disneyland also presents a second live show, "The Golden
Mickeys," in the Storybook Theater in Fantasyland. Modeled on a Hollywood
awards show, "The Golden Mickeys" brings favorite Disney stories to life with
song, dance and special effects.

Main Street, U.S.A. was the stage in Hong Kong Disneyland for the
celebratory "Disney on Parade," also previewed for the Sunday guests. The
parade features more than 100 performers and nine fantastic, larger-than-life
floats. It showcases the history of Disney from the early classic Mickey
Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons to the fairy tale stories of Snow White,
Sleeping Beauty and the Little Mermaid to recent classics like "Toy Story," a
Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film.

Earlier that day, Hong Kong actor-singer Eason Chan joined Iger for a
preview of one of Hong Kong Disneyland's most exciting attractions, Space
Mountain. Combining special effects, pulsating lights and a high-speed trip
through near-total darkness, the space-themed indoor roller coaster has
become one of the most popular thrill rides at Disney theme parks worldwide.
Since the first Space Mountain opened in 1975 at Walt Disney World Resort in
Florida, other versions have opened at Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disney
Resort in Japan and Disneyland Paris in France.

"Space Mountain is one of the most popular theme park adventures ever
created and is a truly iconic Disney attraction," said Iger. "Experiencing
the thrill of these high-speed rockets has become a tradition for countless
guests every time they visit one of our parks, and I know the same will be
true here at Hong Kong Disneyland."

The latest Disney theme park innovation was roaming at large in Hong Kong
Disneyland on Sunday. Nine-foot-tall Lucky the Dinosaur walks freely and
interacts with children and families, even signing his own distinctive
four-leaf-clover "autograph."

Sunday's Hong Kong Disneyland preview culminated with an after-dark party
that was both elegant and exotic. The "Enchanted Evening" began with food and
drinks served along the jungle trials of Adventureland to the accompaniment
of reggae music and hard-driving rhythm from village drummers. After dinner,
the guests moved to the fairy tale setting of Sleeping Beauty Castle. There,
majestic Chinese dragons appeared and were joined by spectacular Chinese
acrobats and drummers to announce a sensational concert which mingled East
and West, combining Asian and American musicians and singing stars to present
well known Disney songs.

The international lineup of stars was headlined by Hong Kong Disneyland
spokesperson Jacky Cheung, and also starred Emil Chau, multiple platinum
album Hong Kong recording artist; Andy Hui, Hong Kong singer and film star;
singer-actor Eason Chan; 13-year-old piano virtuoso Rachel Cheung; Brad Kane,
the American voice of "Aladdin"; Coco Lee, Chinese pop star; Paige O'Hara,
voice of Belle in "Beauty and the Beast"; Lea Salonga, Broadway musical
theater star and the voice of "Mulan"; and Joey Yung, award-winning
Cantonese/Mandarin singer.

For a final burst of light, color, music and special effects, the
evening's entertainment concluded with the dazzling "Disney in the Stars"
fireworks show. The night sky is the staging area for "Disney in the Stars,"
and Sleeping Beauty Castle comes to life with dreamlike images projected onto
its walls. "Disney in the Stars" is a spellbinding experience in which
fireworks are choreographed to music like dancers in a ballet, and it was the
perfect "good night" ending for the very special Preview Day.

About Hong Kong Disneyland

Located on lush Lantau Island overlooking Penny's Bay, Hong Kong
Disneyland Resort is a brand-new, world-class family entertainment and
recreation center consisting of a magical, Disneyland-style theme park of
shows and attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel (400 guestrooms), Disney's
Hollywood Hotel (600 guestrooms) and Inspiration Lake, a public area
featuring boat rentals and a 3.5 hectare arboretum. Offering guests of all
ages a full day immersed in imagination and creativity uniquely Disney, Hong
Kong Disneyland is home to Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Mulan and other Disney
characters beloved the world over.

A joint venture of The Walt Disney Company and Hong Kong SAR Government,
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort employs 5,000 cast members. The HKSAR Government
estimated 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.

The project was announced in 1999 and construction began in 2003.

For additional information and to book a magical vacation at the Hong
Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney's Hollywood Hotel, guests can contact:

Hotel Reservations Hotline
Hong Kong Disneyland Reservation Center
Telephone: +852-1830-830
Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Hong Kong time), daily

To purchase Hong Kong Disneyland park tickets, guests should visit
http://www.hongkongdisneyland.com .

Web site: http://www.hongkongdisneyland.com

Source: Hong Kong Disneyland

Betty Law of HKDL Publicity, +852-3550-3370

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