Feng Shui at Hong Kong Disneyland

The grand opening of Hong Kong Disneyland is providing the launching pad for the next 50 years of creating Disney entertainment experiences for new audiences in new places. Bringing Disney to families in new markets always begins with classic storytelling and imagination -- and an understanding and respect for local traditions and culture.

"When guests visit a Disney park, they are immersed in fantasy and a magical world, created by unique attention to detail and storytelling," said Wing Chao, master planner of architecture and design for Disney parks. "Our parks combine beloved Disney characters and world-renowned stories with respect for local cultural elements to ensure guests feel at home and fully enjoy the Disney entertainment experience."

Honoring Feng Shui

Feng Shui (literally "wind water") is part of an ancient Chinese philosophy of nature related to the belief that living with rather than against nature benefits both humans and their environment. The five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water have been incorporated into the design of Hong Kong Disneyland, and a feng shui master gave guidance on placement and balance.

Building a Park for Success and Energy

• Disney designers and master planners created the overall plan for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort based on a set of Disney planning criteria, guidelines and the experience of developing ten Disney parks worldwide. When the detailed design phase of the overall park and resort began, a feng shui master was consulted, and some specific adjustments were made.
• The placement of the Hong Kong Disneyland Park is carefully oriented to make sure it can take advantage of the surrounding topography, including the auspicious hill formations "green dragon" and "white tiger."
• A landscape area east of the park was oriented to ensure the main entrance into the resort is along the north-south direction. Large entry portals have been placed at the north and south ends of this landscape area to further reinforce the north-south entrance direction.
• The orientation of the Hong Kong Disneyland Park entrance is adjusted to maximize energy and guest flow, which normally translates into success. Similarly, entrances of individual attractions have been placed for the best advantage.
• Tomorrowland was themed with an awareness that Hong Kong is something of a "Tomorrowland" itself, and required adjustment to present a more fantasy view of the future.
• The locations of the hotels had been carefully selected, to have water southwest of the hotels to insure prosperity. The hotels have been positioned to feature waterfront views out onto the ocean and the South China Sea, with beautiful courtyards on the other side.
• Each hotel has its entrance, as well as entrances of major public spaces, oriented to maximize good energy flow, as well as promote good fortune and well-being for Disney guests and cast members.
• The convention center main ballroom, for weddings and large meetings, was designed to be 888 square meters, a lucky number.
• There is no fourth floor in either of Hong Kong Disneyland's resort hotels, because four is considered an unlucky number.
• The opening date for the park, September 12, is considered a lucky day.

Dining With Global Flavor and Decor

• The park's eight restaurants (with 2,900 seats) serve a variety of Asian and Western cuisine -- from roast pork, dim sum and pineapple boomers to laksa, sushi, hamburgers and Indian curries.
• The Crystal Lotus restaurant in Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel features a unique, virtual koi pond created specifically for Hong Kong. When guests step onto the pond, the fish dart away, splash and ripples spread out throughout the flowing "water." The pond incorporates the five elements needed for balance and fortune.
• The lotus flower, one of the national flowers of China, is prominently featured in the Crystal Lotus restaurant. The lighting is a gentle lotus shade, and the chandelier, carpet and décor incorporate the design of this peaceful and beautiful flower.
• The Plaza Inn incorporates a 1911-era "East meets West" interior, capturing the essence of Eastern and Western cultures' mutual fascination. Beautiful murals inspired by Disney's "Mulan" grace the walls of the restaurant.
• Stoves and burner locations in the parks and hotel restaurants have been placed in fortuitous locations to ensure healthy food and the well-being of the kitchen cast.
• Backstage and operational areas and facilities were carefully placed to insure smooth operation and well-being of cast members.

Creating a Special Garden and Park Environment

• Water is an important element throughout the park, both as a geographic feature (lakes, streams) and ornamentally (waterfalls, fountains, special effects).
• A large character fountain is located at the intersection of the landscape area and the park entrance to accumulate the flow of guests and wealth. Fountains have also been placed in additional plazas to accumulate good fortune.
• Hong Kong Disneyland Park emphasizes environmental appeal, so walking the park is in itself a great attraction -- this was felt to be especially important to local audiences living in a populous city
• Fantasy Gardens, a unique feature found only in Hong Kong Disneyland Park, provides a beautiful open garden space for relaxing, picture-taking and meeting Disney characters in special pavilions. In the urban environment of Hong Kong, this large landscaped area of trees and flowers offers a special place to make memories with friends and family members.
• The park lavishly utilizes the extraordinary selection of Asian plant materials and uniquely fertile growing conditions to provide a lush and mature landscape, much of it used to provide shade.
• The theme park has two boulders strategically located to promote stability. Each hotel also has a feng shui rock in the landscaped courtyard/pool area, along the centerline of its entrance, for stability. This boulder also ensures that good fortune does not flow out the backs of the theme park and resort hotels.
• Colors and finishes were specifically selected for the quality of light, sun and weather in Hong Kong.
• The park comes to life after sunset with magnificent lighting to enchant guests accustomed to the nighttime Hong Kong skyline.

Multiple Languages Help All Guests Feel Welcome

• Three languages will be spoken by cast members throughout the park: Putonghua, Cantonese and English. Signs and audio-recorded messages are also in several languages.