According to Hong Kong's Oriental Daily, after six years of preparation and construction, the Hong Kong Disneyland has started the 100-day countdown to its opening.

Yesterday the Hong Kong Disneyland spent 600,000 HKD and prepared a "Thanksgiving Day" to entertain for free 2,000 guests, which consisted of Disneyland's dream team of engineers and their family members. All the guests enjoyed themselves in the park for seven hours and were reluctant to leave until dusk.

This is the first time the Hong Kong Disneyland opened to guests. The whole operation was smooth except for brief malfunctions of three types of facilities which were dealt with in no time. The park said that it would take this experience as reference and get fully prepared for the one-month trail operation beginning on August 16th.

US painter Albert kept enjoying delicacies and buying souvenirs in the Disneyland. He spent HK,000 on various hats, T-shirts and jeans for his two children.

He believed that his children living in the US would love these clothing and accessories with the signs of Hong Kong Disneyland. Graphic designer Michael said that Hong Kong Disneyland was small, but it was in a perfect location with hills at the back and sea in the front.

It would be an ideal place to set off fireworks at dark. Mr. Hsu from Hong Kong said that the park's staff were so friendly that they took the initiative to greet guests. Some guests said that the staff were influent in English.

Mr. Tsao, accompanied by his girlfriend, said that Hong Kong Disneyland was characterized with local features and Chinese traditions. For example, the pavilions at the Fantasy Gardens have traditional Chinese architectural appeal.

Mickey Mouse and his girlfriend Minnie, dressed in traditional Chinese long gown and cheongsam (traditional Manchu dress) respectively, posed for group photos with guests.

(Chinanews.cn June 13, 2005)