Hong Kong Disneyland expects 30,000 on opening day
Hong Kong Disneyland is expected to draw its daily maximum of 30,000 visitors on its opening day, with a third of the guests coming from mainland China.
Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Tourism Eva Cheng told reporters at a news conference to outline the details of the opening that the park was expecting to welcome 30,000 visitors when it opens on September 12.
Concerns about crowd control have led officials to consider setting up signs near mainland border checkpoints showing ticket availability for the park.
Some of the immigration lines at the Lo Wu border which handles rail and bus passengers from the mainland will be reserved exclusively for Chinese Disneyland tour groups, said Simon Peh, assistant director at the Immigration Department.
Peh said a third of the park’s guests were expected to come from the mainland.
A two-mile dedicated rail line that links up with Hong Kong’s existing subway and supports roads and bus services, will be opened in phases starting in August, the government said in a statement.
Select guests will be invited to test the park itself from August 16 until opening day, it said.
The theme park, built on reclaimed land on the outlying Lantau island, is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong government.
Hong Kong taxpayers are footing the bulk of the construction bill for Hong Kong Disneyland, and critics question whether the government got a good deal. Officials have said the park will boost employment and tourism.
