Magic happens at Hong Kong Disneyland

Magic happens at Hong Kong Disneyland

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Hong Kong

We were warned, but there was no way we could have been prepared
for our sojourn to the Magic Kingdom.

In a briefing for eight Indonesian media companies held three
days prior to the grand opening of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
and Park -- the fifth Disney theme park -- we had been told that
we should wear light clothing (but not tank-tops because
government officials might pop in to check the 11th-hour
preparation) and sneakers during the trip.

We might as well expect the unexpected to welcome us there,
the organizer said.

But we were still surprised to find that everything was
arranged and ready for us, as well as 600 other journalists from
around the world.

A reliable media host who arranged our interviews kept
newspaper, magazine and TV media updated on any changes in the
itinerary and gave us hand-out after hand-out of press releases
from the organizer and the sponsors -- even waking us up early in
the morning.

A fully equipped media center with an endless supply of
snacks, fruit salad and soft drinks was provided in Disney's
Hollywood Hotel, where we stayed on the first two days, and at
the theme park on the remaining two days.

Raised platforms for cameramen and photographers, as well as
special sites for live broadcasts had been erected in the theme
park.

With all the facilities provided, covering the preparation and
the opening ceremony on Sept. 12 was a piece of cake, but only if
one could endure the scorching sun and dense humidity -- the park
is on reclaimed land -- amid a tight schedule that required
moving from one venue to the next on foot.

And it was a surprise to find Disney pals accompanying us
during lunch that some of us, especially those who are parents,
were moved to tears: "Our children should be here instead of us,"
a daily reporter said between sniffles.

Another woman reporter made a solemn oath to bring her husband
and 13-month-old baby to the park next year.

It was not only the stardust and magic of Disneyland that made
all of us walk jovially no matter how tired we were, although the
park was smaller than the first Disney theme park in Asia, Tokyo
Disneyland.

The orderly rows of shops and park benches, the clean
pavements and the smiling faces of the staff was worth the long
queue to each of the attractions.

Luckily, we were provided a fastpass, which gave us special
scheduled rides -- and so a shorter queue.

The magic even brought a Hong Kong man, who identified himself
only as Mak, to propose to his long-time girlfriend -- a Disney
cast member -- when Hong Kong Disneyland threw open its doors to
the public on Sept. 12.

He brought with him a bouquet of roses and, in the middle of
dozens of curious onlookers, media and park staff in Fantasyland
-- the realm of Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella --
popped the question.

And swept up in his arms and the spirit of the moment, she
said yes.

Meanwhile, die-hard Disney fans realized their dreams to snap
up limited-edition pins and to trade pins among themselves. Some
of them braved crossing the continents to be the first one in
line to the park -- one such fan stood in line as early as 4
a.m., even knowing that the gates would not open until 1 p.m. and
not a minute before then.

Bedtime stories and childhood dreams came to life for the
child in us all, affecting each and every one of the visitors and
park staff -- even if only momentarily.

And in the end, we received a bag full of collectibles -- a
small bag of that Disney magic -- to take home.

How to get there

* Hong Kong Disneyland can be reached on the specially designed
Disneyland Train, which will take visitors right to the front
gate. The train takes only 3.5 from Sunny Bay, the station
closest to the park, and 56 minutes from Wan Chai, the furthest.

* Buses and taxis can drop visitors off at the interchange
station, only a three-minute walk to the park.

* Those arriving on private vessels, yachts and tour vessels will
call port directly at the Disneyland Resort Pier.

* Further information, including ticket and hotel reservations,
is available at www.hongkongdisneyland.com or call +852-1830830
during office hours.