Mickey, Cheung get ready to spread a little magic

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post/Hong Kong

Christmas came early to Hong Kong and its neighboring countries this year.

Even with his trademark red shorts, Mickey Mouse certainly is not Santa Claus, but during its 60 years in entertainment business, the Disneyland icon has succeeded in restoring the child in all.

At least 600 journalists from all over the world have gathered at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on Lantau island, just 15 minutes' drive from the territory's international airport, as celebrities featured in Walt Disney productions began arriving on Saturday to witness the grand opening of the fifth Disney theme park on Monday.

In addition, the Monday event is a landmark one that coincides with the 50th anniversary of the birth of Disneyland in Anaheim, California -- from which the Hong Kong park draws its design.

Hong Kong Disneyland is the first theme park to open in China, and is a major effort in Hong Kong's aim to gain acclaim as a gateway to Asia for businesspeople and holidaying families, said Hong Kong Special Administrative Region financial secretary Henry Tang.

"We're at the seventh top now... The theme park presents a unique opportunity for Hong Kong to reposition itself as a premier destination for family tourists," he said in a media briefing on Saturday.

The territory's Commissioner for Tourism, Eva Cheng, added that an estimated 23.4 million visitors were expected this year and 27 million in 2006 as more theme parks and tourist attractions were on the way to support the country's global campaign, 2006 Discover Hong Kong.

With 21.8 million visitors last year, Hong Kong made some US$11.8 billion in tourism alone.

The first phase of the park and two Disney-themed hotels occupies about 126 hectares and overlooks rolling hills on one side and the South China Sea on the other. The Hong Kong government and the Walt Disney Company shared the park's development cost of $1.8 billion; the government holds 57 percent of shares in the park, and Disney 43 percent.

Despite criticism from local media over the lack of Chinese elements in the park and an investigation into alleged food poisoning cases during a sneak-peek for the public last week, both the government and park management assured improved services.

"Hong Kong Disneyland is expected to attract over 5 million visitors. ...One-third from overseas, one-third from the Mainland and the remaining visitors are Hong Kong residents," Tang said.

With Disney tour packages reportedly nearly fully booked until New Year's Day, all critics must sit back, as the so-called greatest show in Asia is to go on.