It's a chi world, after all
Disney accomodates local flavors
But for their new home at Hong Kong Disneyland, which opens its doors to the public Sept. 12, these things are part of a framework in which food and language were perhaps the biggest adjustments.
Disney organized its target market into three categories: local Hong Kong Chinese, Mainland Chinese and then tourists from the rest of Asia and the world.
Doing each show in three languages -- Cantonese, Mandarin and English -- wasn't possible. "It gets too long," says Wing Chao, Disney's vice chairman for Asia Pacific Development Wing Chao.
So each attraction is different.
The Jungle River Cruise in Adventureland is organized by preferred language and offers all three. In the "Golden Mickeys" show in Fantasyland, however, the MC speaks only Cantonese, but the songs performed from the Disney cartoons are sung in their original English.
"We try to minimize dialogue for our live entertainment shows," Chao says. "The act, the show itself will tell the story."
Local fare
For food, the emphasis is more local.
Focus groups in Hong Kong and China were very clear about their preference for Chinese fare. As a result, local Cantonese as well as other Chinese fare, such as Shanghainese, will be available along with Indian, Thai and Japanese food, Chao says.
There will also be Western fare such as burgers and fries with a local mango pudding option for dessert (in the shape of Mickey's ears).
Even with a definite Asian tilt, it's still difficult to deny the old-town America vibe while walking down Main Street USA at the entrance of the park with music ringing in your ears from a marching band or lone pianist.
But take a step inside any one of the shops and it soon becomes clear that Americana is also a façade in this Special Administrative Region of China.
The jewelry shop sells 24-karat gold trinkets -- everything from mini castles and characters to Mickey Mouse rings -- that are popular in Asia.
Auspicious
Red, considered an auspicious color, is predominant.
While the red was "pumped up" a bit on Main Street, other colors were cooled down because of the hot climate here, says Tom Morris, veep and exec producer, Walt Disney Imagineering, Hong Kong Disneyland Park.
The colors for the Plaza Inn restaurant, which is normally yellow, were changed to lilac and pink. The interior is completely different with a "turn of the century flavor" as a Chinese restaurant, he adds.
The a-la-carte and dim sum restaurant where food is chosen in small portions off trolleys or a menu -- showcases the Disney character Mulan with murals that are from the cartoon's pre-production scenes.
Feng shui
While food is definitely an important factor, another that could not be overlooked was the park's rating on the feng shui scale.
Literally translated as "wind water," feng shui is an ancient Asian tradition that helps balance the flow of positive and negative energy. Not only is this supposed to help bring wealth and good fortune to a company, but also to ensure the staff feel balanced and happy.
Disney hired a feng shui master to take a look at the plan once the layout of the park was settled according to operational and land limits the curve and final arrival spot of the Mass Transit Railway, for example, Chao says.
Some of the tweaks included tilting the main entrance a few degrees to have it face northeast and adjusting the doors of retail shops for better energy flow. Rocks also have been placed in some corners of the park to help anchor it and "make sure all the positive chi will remain" in the park, Chao says.
The opening date of Sept. 12 was also set after consultation with a feng shui master, who deemed it an auspicious day.
For kids and grown-ups' child within, there are some new attractions at the fifth Disneyland theme park. They include a Storybook Theater, a 1,000-seat indoor venue (for reprieve from the hot, humid weather) where the Golden Mickeys takes place, and Fantasy Gardens for photo opportunities with favorite characters.
Some older attractions got a new spin. Tomorrowland was unique because Hong Kong and other Asian cities "represent the future from the West's eyes," Morris said. As a result, "we really took a science-fantasy approach" and emphasized exploration, particularly space exploration," he says.
