The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is currently being built by The Walt Disney Company and Hong Kong Government. It is located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, the northeastern tip of Lantau Island (approximately two kilometres from Discovery Bay), in Hong Kong. Its opening is scheduled for September 12, 2005.

Construction

Plans for the project include a Disney theme park, two hotels (Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel), and retail, dining and entertainment facilities stretching over 1.3 km² (310 acres) on Lantau Island. The park will feature four themed lands (Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland) similar to those at other Disney parks, and nightly fireworks.

Transportation will be served by its own rail network, with specially-designed trains, linking to the Yam O station currently under construction on the MTR Tung Chung line.

The Hong Kong government will own 57% of the US$1.8 billion park project, and expects it to provide 18,400 jobs on opening and up to 35,800 jobs over the following 20 years. The total economic benefits amount to an estimated HK$ 148 billion (US$19 billion), or about six percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

The park is projected to attract five to six million visitors in its opening year, mostly locals, tourists from mainland China and nearby Asian countries.

Land is available nearby for hotels, a second theme park and a shopping complex like Tokyo Disney Resort's Ikspiari, Disneyland Resort Paris's Disney Village etc.

Progress

On the 18th of November 2004, the tallest turret of the Sleeping Beauty Castle was put into place. The Walt Disney Company held a celebration attended by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Tung Chee Hwa and the president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, James Rasulo , who is also currently serving as the temporary president of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

As of February 2005, the park's major attractions are completed and only themeing is needed on these. Scenery and decorations in the park are still yet to be completed, as are building façades. The gardens are to be laid in late-March.

See also

• Tourism in Hong Kong
• List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong

External links

• Hong Kong Disneyland official site
• Government web site about the project