Hong Kong Disneyland is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Indian tourists and film-makers. The relatively short travel time of around six hours as well as Hong Kong’s visa-on-arrival facility make it a convenient choice, said Ms Wendy Chu, Director, Marketing.

Film shoot

Speaking to a group of Indian media persons visiting HK Disneyland at the invitation of Disney Channel, she said it most recently played host to a Tamil film shoot. (An Internet search reveals that Poda Podi , starring Simbu T. Rajendar and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, was shot there earlier this year.)

Of the visitors to the amusement park, 25 per cent are foreigners, and mostly from countries nearby. Indians account for a growing portion.

A collaboration between the Walt Disney group and the Hong Kong government, the park was set up in 2006 on 25 hectares on Lantau Island. HK $3.6 billion ($460 million) is being spent on adding to the attractions and facilities, Ms Wendy Chu said. Last year saw the opening of Toy Story Land, based on the movie Toy Story 3 , while the Grizzly Gulch theme park, set in an American Western town during the Gold Rush of the 19{+t}{+h} century, opened last week. More expansion is slated for next year.

Hong Kong Disneyland aims to give a complete Hong Kong experience with all the characters dressed in HK style costumes, Ms Wendy Chu said. It employs 5,000 people, who are called ‘cast members’.

The most popular attractions among Indian visitors are the Space Mountain ride, the Jungle Cruise, the ‘4D’ Mickey’s Philharmagic show and Autopia, she added.

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