HK Disneyland illuminates trade with new attractions

Hong Kong Disneyland held a special travel trade preview of its spectacular new light show on Thursday, as part of its on-going efforts to raise industry awareness.

The theme park unveiled its new ‘Disney Paint the Night’ parade to hundreds of Asian travel trade partners and media.

Open to the public from 1 October 2014, this new after-dark attraction features seven floats decked out with more than 740,000 LED lights. More than 80 cast members are employed to entertain guests, with the floats depicting characters from new Disney productions including Toy Story, Cars and Monsters Inc, alongside classic characters like Mickey Mouse, Tinkerbell and the Little Mermaid.

And according to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s vice president of sales & distribution marketing, Terruce Wang, the trade preview marks part of a concerted effort to target the region’s travel agents, including trade briefings in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong Disneyland Resort treasures the mutually beneficial relationship we have with our trade partners,” said Wang. “By introducing the new parade and other festive celebrations, we hope to inspire partners to develop new products that will appeal to guests.

“Over 700 trade partners and tour guides joined the ‘Disney Paint the Night’ premier preview, immersing themselves in this all-new night-time experience so they can recommend it to guests,” he added.

The new night parade marks the latest in a series of new offerings at Hong Kong Disneyland. In recent years, the theme park has launched three brand new zones – Toy Story Land, Mystic Point and Grizzly Gulch – significantly expanding and modernising its range of attractions and rides. A third hotel is also being planned for the park, to cater for the rising visitor numbers.

Following the night parade, Hong Kong Disneyland will also roll-out its annual ‘Disney Haunted Halloween’ celebrations on 2 October, followed by its ‘Disney Sparkling Christmas’ on 13 November.