HK Theme Parks Get Ready for Chinese New Year

HONG KONG (People’s Daily) – Splendid decorations, exciting games, wonderful performances, all will be included in the two theme parks in Hong Kong to celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year with visitors.

• The Hong Kong Ocean Park announced here Monday that a Lunar Lucky Fiesta with 38 new lucky attractions will be launched on Jan. 29 to welcome the Chinese New Year. According to Chairman of the park Allan Zeman, the 15-day Fiesta will combine local and international elements including the highlight event – the spectacular Ice Mystique MegaShow and a string of other activities which help boost the traditional Chinese New Year spirit. The world-class cast of ice skaters and acrobats will bring the house down with breathtaking stunts and height-defying acts, on the dazzling stage or up in the air, right above the audience. Embodying the spirit of Chinese New Year will be the traditional fa-vorites of lion and dragon dances and kung-fu demonstrations at Fanfare Bazzar. A professional drum troupe from the Mainland will ensure visitors to feel high spirits and emotions of the drum beats. For good fortune, visitors can stop in at Checkpoints of Great New Year to be greeted by the Gods of Health and Lucky Stars of Wealth, Prosperity and Health. They can also try the luck by participating in the Fortune Bonaza lucky draw at the checkpoints for a chance to win prizes worth a total of three million HK dollars (about 400,000 US dollars). Visitors can enjoy making memories in the real-snow wonderland, featuring the red-hot backdrop of Chinese New Year decorations, and also be thrilled by the rides on the Snow Tube and play with family and friends in the Snow Playground. Zeman said that the Park's Lunar Lucky Fiesta last year attracted a total of 260,000 visitors and with more attrac-tions this year, he would be happy to have the number to reach 300,000.
• This will be the first time Hong Kong Disneyland will celebrate Chinese New Year. From Jan. 29 to Feb. 12, a series of special activities will take place throughout Hong Kong Disneyland to welcome the start of the New Year. Every day, the park will come alive to the sound of drum rolls, cymbals and gongs and a wave of bright color as dragons, lions, dancers and musicians dance their way around a specially designed stage in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Special guests will be chosen to bring the three lions to life in an eye dotting ceremony. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other Disney friends will look elegant in their new Chinese outfits offering their Chinese New Year greetings to an excited crowd before welcoming one lucky family to receive a special gift. Adding to the Chinese New Year atmosphere, blossoming plants will welcome guests as they enter the park and stroll along Main Street USA. In Town Square, a delicate plum blossom tree will flower throughout the first 15 days of Chinese New Year. Inside the many stores at Disneyland there will be plenty of special Chinese New Year-inspired gifts available. Outdoor vendors will be dotted the Park selling an assortment of Chi-nese New Year snacks including savory turnip cake, corn in sweet honey butter sauce and deep fried fish skin chips. Traditional Chinese meals can be enjoyed at restaurants throughout the park.