Disneyland comes to Hong Kong

It was a case of Mickey Mouse meets Mao Tse-tung as Disneyland, the flag bearer for brash American entertainment, arrived in China this week.

Disney's brand new Hong Kong theme park opened its doors for the first time on Monday September 12th, and put on a spectacular show to go with it.

Celebrities joined Disney's world-famous characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto in unveiling Disney's fifth holiday resort, after California, Florida, Paris and Tokyo.

Hong Kong Disneyland Park contains all the old classics such as Space Mountain, Jungle River Cruise and Mad Hatter Tea Cups, as well as the world-famous live shows such as Festival of the Lion King.

Performing acts from across Asia were invited to perform at the grand opening of this most American of exports.

Emil Chau Waking, the title singer for Disney's Tarzan film, Andy Hui, known to millions as Denahi Bear from Brother Bear, and CoCo Lee, who served as the voice of Mulan in the Disney film of the same name, were among them.

"Hong Kong Disneyland stands before us as a living symbol of the creativity and imagination that are the heart and soul of Disney," said Disney chief executive Michael Eisner.

"With a spirit of goodwill and friendship, we invite the people of Hong Kong, China and all of Asia to share in the magic, imagination and soaring spirit of Disney."

The park has four 'magical lands' set around a recreation of the original Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

For those seeking accommodation near the park, which is set on Lantau Island about 30 minutes from Hong Kong, there are two Disney hotels - Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel.

Disney already has 11 theme parks clustered in five resorts across the world. Disneyland California was the first, opening fifty years ago in 1955, while the Tokyo Disney Resort, which opened in 1983, was the first outside of the US.