Hong Kong Disneyland Celebrates the Year of the Ox - Chinese new year !

The week-end update of this week is all about Hong Kong Disneyland! The beginning of Chinese new year - one of Asia's most important event - will be next month, but Hong Kong Disneyland already launched the celebration with a colorful parade and new entertainment. Here is the HKDL official press release , great wallpaper pictures as well as a video of the Year of the Ox new parade.



Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox All-new Lucky Offerings for the New Year Season


"Chinese New Year arrived early today as Hong Kong Disneyland launched Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox, bringing an exciting and luck-filled fête to Guests and Hong Kong Residents.

Centered around the core themes of Luck, Energy and Unity, the Resort’s celebration will run from January 16 to February 8, 2009, 10 days before Chinese New Year arrives. Guests will have plenty of time to immerse themselves, their families and loved ones in the joyous atmosphere and collect unlimited blessings through the numerous all-new offerings available at the Park and two Disney themed hotels.

“According to Chinese tradition, it is very important to begin the year with luck and happiness and Hong Kong Disneyland will be the best place to visit during Chinese New Year, as the Resort is filled with even more laughter and joy this Spring season,” said Maple Lee, Vice President, Marketing of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

“To welcome the auspicious Year of the Ox, the Resort has combined Chinese traditions with the creativity, imagination and innovation of Disney, to create a captivating celebration. Guests of all ages will find themselves surrounded by abundant blessings for Happiness, Prosperity, Longevity and other aspects of luck.”

Hong Kong Disneyland spokesperson Jacky Cheung helped prepare for the exciting launch of Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox as well. Jacky filmed an all-new Chinese New Year music video and also stars in a promotional video that will be broadcast on Youtube, the Resort’s official website and on video walls around Hong Kong. What’s more, Jacky along with the main characters from Walt Disney Pictures’ “BOLT” will appear in the Park on January 19, 2009 to help promote the event and bring some festive fun to Guests.

Featuring all-new entertainment offerings, attractions, merchandise, food and beverages, these are the fortune-filled times that Guests can expect during Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox.



LUCK

Auspiciousness is an integral part of Chinese New Year and the Resort will surround Guests in luck throughout the festive season. Filled with Disney-themed and Mickey-shaped flora, the Lucky Trail will be an immersive stroll through the Park to gather Happiness, Love/Romance, Prosperity, Achievement, Wealth, Family/Harmony, Longevity and Study. These flower and plant-filled photo moments are set to help bring about a great start to the year; among the eight sculptures, the tallest will almost reach 12 feet, so Guests should be ready to take some amazing photos. The star of Hong Kong Disneyland, Mickey Mouse, will be decked out in an all-new outfit to welcome Guests at Mickey’s House. Richly decorated, Guests will be surrounded by New Year cheer while snapping that special photo with him. For lucky mementos, Guests can also visit Animation Academy to test their artistic skills by drawing New Year versions of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the Little Green Man.

Guests who visit the Park during Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox will also receive a Lai See (red packet) with a Mickey-themed chocolate gold coin for luck.



ENERGY

Energy will fill Hong Kong Disneyland as Mickey Mouse rolls up his sleeves and beats out a fantastic drum routine, three times a day, with a myriad of Chinese drummers during Celebration in the Street. A glittering golden dragon will glide along Main Street U.S.A., followed closely by a host of splendidly dressed dancers, ready to raise spirits. Minnie Mouse and Goofy will also participate in the festive fun with dazzling performances of their own, to help start the New Year in grand style.

The rest of the Park will also be filled with live entertainment during Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox; with Lion Dance performances in Adventureland, as well as a Chinese Drum Dance on Main Street U.S.A., Guests should prepare for an immersive and luck-filled atmosphere.

What’s more, beloved Disney Characters will be dressed in their Chinese New Year costumes to celebrate. Of course, the Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, Happiness and Longevity will all be in the Park to greet Guests. Making special appearances during the Resort’s festivities will be Bolt and his best pal Mittens from Walt Disney Pictures’ “BOLT”. This will be an exclusive opportunity for Guests to snap some charming photos.



UNITY

Chinese New Year is all about unity and during the Resort’s celebration, Guests will be able to whirl and twirl their way to happiness through ‘unity rides’. With the circle representing unity, attractions such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant and the Orbitron will maximize luck. Guests should be sure to collect the special stickers at nearby locations.

With the arrival of the Year of the Ox, the Resort will present over 70 all-new merchandise items to help Guests commemorate Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox. With plenty of gift ideas, as well as 300 Cute Mickey and Minnie in the Year of the Ox Limited Edition Pin Sets available beginning January 16, 2009, finding that perfect present or keepsake will be a pleasure. Guests will also be able to indulge their palates as the Resort presents 80 scrumptious dishes in the Park and at the two Disney themed hotels. From delectable buffets to tasty snacks such as turnip cakes, this will be the perfect opportunity for family, friends and couples to spend some quality time together.

The two Disney themed hotels will also be offering Chinese New Year activities; the moment Guests enter the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, they will be surrounded by the exciting New Year spirit, lucky flowers and decorations.

To ensure that Guests have a magical time during Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox, January 26 to 31, 2009 and February 1, 2009 have been designated as Special Days. Guests must purchase Special Day tickets to enter the Park on these days.

Tickets for Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox can be purchased through the following convenient channels: the ticket booths at the Main Entrance of the Hong Kong Disneyland park, the front desks of the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, online at www.hongkongdisneyland.com, the Hong Kong Disneyland Ticket Express at MTR Hong Kong Station, at selected travel agents and Circle K outlets and at The Magic of Hong Kong Disneyland Store at the Hong Kong International Airport.

In order to further celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Ox with Hong Kong Residents, the Resort’s festivities will go beyond the Park and two Disney themed hotels. From now until February 15, 2009, the Resort will fill MegaBox with a myriad of large scale Disney-themed decorations. Mall guests will not only be able to purchase tickets for Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox, there will also be festive activities and special promotions to spread some luck and joy."

Here is the video of the "Year of the Ox" parade, filmed by billionwins



Right after this chinese new year celebration will begin the "Celebration of Love," the Resort's first-ever Valentine's Event which will run from February 7 to 15, 2009. Here is the press release for this other special event.



"Hong Kong Disneyland is set to bring romance to an all-new level, as it presents the Celebration of Love, a week long event that will fulfill Valentine’s wishes like never before.

From February 7 to 15, 2009, the Resort will be filled with an ultra romantic atmosphere, making it the best location to celebrate the true meaning of love. With charming and immersive entertainment offerings, attractions and decorations, Guests of all ages will be able to create their very own fairytale love story or express their affection for loved ones.

A dreamy ambience will fill the Park, as Main Street U.S.A. and the Sleeping Beauty Castle Forecourt are delightfully decorated with colorful ornaments and lanterns. To add to the Valentine’s fun, each lantern at the Park hub will feature intricate yet whimsical riddles that are sure to create some fantastic times, as Guests and their loved ones try to solve them. Almost 12-feet tall, a heart-shaped Peach Blossom sculpture will decorate the Sleeping Beauty Castle Forecourt, making it the best photo location for couples. In order to attain good fortune and romantic luck, Guests can fill out wish-cards and hang them around the sculpture.

Classic Disney couples will also be sharing their romantic spirit as they appear in the Park to create some truly enchanting moments. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Sleeping Beauty and Prince Philip, as well as Snow White and Snow Prince will help Guests create some everlasting memories.

During the season of love at Hong Kong Disneyland, Guests will be able to easily create a special itinerary to woo their beloved. Guests can embark on an immersive boat ride at “it’s a small world” and explore a multitude of cultures from around the world; this can be followed by a romantic session on top of Tarzan’s Treehouse in Adventureland, watching the sunset; and finally, Guests can indulge in a world of imagination and dazzling music during the Disney in the Stars fireworks spectacular.

Of course, exclusive Hong Kong Disneyland limited edition Valentine-themed merchandise will be available throughout the period. From pink and fuzzy heart-shaped cushions to consumables as well as pins and key chains, finding a gift for that special someone will be a pleasure.

Romantic meals that will warm the heart, comprising buffets, set menus, scrumptious desserts and exquisite Valentine’s cookies and cakes are not far off; and Guests will be able to indulge their appetites at the Park or at the two Disney themed hotels, after a day of fun.

Relaxing spa packages will also be available at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel to complete any Valentine’s celebration. With luxurious offers such as the Victorian Wrapture priced at HK$1,980 per Guest that comes with a complimentary Valentine Gift Set worth HK$490, this will be the perfect way for Guests to declare their love."

Text and pictures: copyright Disney

Youtube video: Many thanks to billionwins!