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Disney opens its first theme park in China
(AFP/AP)
Updated: 2005-09-12 14:51
The public has generally embraced the park, which began construction in 2003. But environmentalists protested the park's now-aborted plan to serve shark-fin soup at banquets. Neighbors have complained about the noise and smoke from nightly fireworks shows. And social critics have been worried about the influence of American culture.
A visitor hugs Mickey Mouse after the grand opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland Monday, Sept. 12, 2005. It is Disney's first-ever vacation resort in China. [AP] |
But the biggest complaint among some of the thousands who got a sneak peak at the park during a soft opening period in the past month has been that Hong Kong Disneyland is too small. It's Disney's smallest park at 40 hectares (about 100 acres).
The entire attraction -- including the two hotels -- is 121 hectares (298 acres) -- and there's room to expand to 200 hectares (494 acres).
When asked what he didn't like about the park, Chinese tourist Zhang Wei said, "It's way too small."
But Zhang predicted it would be a big hit with the mainland Chinese.
"Disney has a big name and it will definitely attract people and be a success," said the 38-year-old businessman from Beijing as he finished watching the daily parade of floats carrying a waving Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland and Buzz Lightyear.
Hong Kongers have a reputation for being brusque and unsmiling, but the Disneyland staff -- including cleaners and guards -- have been trying to master the Disney tradition of giving guests a warm smile and friendly "Hello!" or "Nei hou!" in Cantonese or "Ni Hao!" in the mainland's Mandarin.
The greetings were Hong Kong visitor Evie Chan's favorite thing about the park. "The staff here is very friendly," said Chan, an employee of a marketing firm in her late 20s. "It's like we've known each other for a long time."
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