Hong Kong Disneyland Facts & Figures

Location
Lantau Island, located in Penny's Bay on the northeast end of the island, 10 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport and less than 30 minutes by train, ferry or motorway from downtown Hong Kong.

Construction
Construction of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort began in January 2003. Site preparation, land reclamation, initial layout of roads and infrastructure, and public park landscaping by the HKSAR Government preceded construction. The project was announced in 1999. Up to 5,000 workers were on the job at one time.

Opening
Sept. 12, 2005

Cast
5,000 cast members.

Parking & Transportation
Spaces for 1,000 autos and 300 coaches in main parking area, additional parking at hotels. Disney-themed MTRC-Disneyland Resort Line trains connect the resort with the Hong Kong train system at Sunny Bay Station. Ferry service is planned to Disneyland Resort Pier. Franchised buses available to connect to the Hong Kong bus network.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is Disney's first theme park in China. It is the 11th Disney theme park worldwide, joining parks and resort locations in California, Florida, Tokyo and Paris. The project was announced in 1999 and construction began in 2003. Opening Day is Sept. 12, 2005.

Hong Kong Disneyland showcases the most elaborate character "meet-and-greet" area at any Disney theme park around the globe. Fantasy Gardens Presented by Kodak is a quaint, park-like setting within Fantasyland that brings to life the legacy of storytelling made famous by Walt Disney through his films, television shows and theme parks. Favorite Disney characters shake hands, pose for photographs and sign autographs for guests in five themed gazebos. Characters appear daily in Fantasy Gardens, each eager for pictures, hugs and handshakes with guests of all ages

Walt Disney Imagineering designed dramatic lighting to illuminate the theme park and attractions in the evening hours. As the sun falls behind the majestic mountains that surround the theme park, the night lights up with lanterns, specially created lighting fixtures and fiber optics. "It's among the most ambitious lighting ever designed for a Disney theme park to 'wow' guests who are accustomed to elaborate nighttime celebrations," says Tom Morris, vice president, executive producer of Hong Kong Disneyland Park for Walt Disney Imagineering.

Main Street, U.S.A. at Hong Kong Disneyland Park is built upon a backstory that exemplifies the "American Dream." The land which greets guests to the new park features a "melting pot" of immigrants who came to small-town United States to follow their dreams. Guests will notice subtle references -- the town's crystal and glass blower is Spanish, the baker is Austrian and the jeweler is Russian.

Two of the world's most popular attractions -- Space Mountain and Jungle River Cruise -- are featured at other Disney theme parks in the world and now at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Just for Hong Kong Disneyland guests are special "surprise" elements and endings to both attractions. Space Mountain features a spectacular "re-entry" effect for the rocket pods, and Jungle River Cruise has a Hong Kong Disneyland-exclusive finale involving fire, steam and geysers.

Hong Kong Disneyland boasts more plants and trees, from more locations, than any Disneyland-style park in the world.

The MTR Disneyland Resort Line, which comprises two new stations -- Sunny Bay Station and Disneyland Resort Station -- and whimsical Disney-themed trains, were exclusively designed by the MTR Corporation in conjunction with Disney's Imagineers. The trains themselves are sleek and modern, with colors and fanciful details including Mickey Mouse-shaped windows trimmed in red that look out over gold ribbons and sparkling pixie dust.

As guests make their way to the park entrance, they enter the theme park's Grand Plaza. This area boasts a large whimsical fountain featuring bronze statues of the six most famous Disney characters -- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck. Moving with the waves, Mickey rises while riding his surfboard on a huge spout of water from a whale.