The awaited Chinese New Year won't be before next Sunday, February 14th, but at Hong Kong Disneyland the celebration already began four days ago! Here is the official press release with full details and great pictures!
"To welcome the arrival of Chinese New Year, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is presenting the Year of the Tiger Celebration to media today Feb 4th. From February 5 to 28, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals in their stylish new costumes are ready to greet visiting Guests from across the region. Hong Kong Disneyland Managing Director Andrew Kam, along with singer Kelly Chen joined Mickey to present the first showing of the all-new Disney’s Jumping Jam.
Managing Director Andrew Kam hopes to bring a truly relaxing family vacation to Hong Kong residents and tourists this Chinese New Year. “The Lunar New Year is one of the most important festivals for the Chinese community. Our entire Cast is dedicated to providing our Guests with unique festivities presented in Disney’s truly creative style. We also want to ensure everyone will enjoy their visit and bring home the very best holiday memories, no matter how old you are,” he said.
Guests can take a leisurely walk along Main Street U.S.A and be immersed in the festive spirit as they meet their favorite Disney Friends in new costumes; take photos along the lucky trail; check out the new merchandise in the stores or enjoy delicious traditional cuisine. There are multiple shows of the all-new Disney’s Jumping Jam and the popular Celebration in the Street ready for Guests to enjoy throughout the day. Flower lovers will be delighted with the all-new Lucky Trail.
In the all-new Disney’s Jumping Jam, a 360 degree stage has been placed in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle for the first time ever, allowing Guests to view the show from all angles. The various levels of the stage are filled with Chinese drums in different sizes, the drum which takes pride of place at the centre of the stage is 2.5 meters tall and 7 meters wide.
Mickey leads over 30 drummers, acrobats and cast members in their festive costumes to show off their talents in this one-of-a-kind performance, inviting everyone to join and clap along.
The Park’s Entertainment Team has invited a renowned percussion group based in Xian, China, to collaborate in this new show. Led by An Zhi Shun, an 80-year-old percussion master who has received great acclaim internationally and is known as the “Beethoven of Chinese Percussion” in mainland China, the group has arranged and will perform the percussion part of the Jumping Jam show together with other dynamic performances by acrobats, dancers and everyone’s favorite Disney characters. While Disney is well-known for its attention to details, the whole show is a feast for the eyes and ears with its unique combination of stage design, musical arrangement, art direction and costume design.
Lisa Tsang, Senior Producer at the Park feels that it is a fabulous opportunity for her team to work with An Zhi Shun’s percussion group. “We are thrilled about this collaboration as it has brought a new dimension to our production. Mr. An told me that he is delighted to see how the percussion group and all performance elements are weaved seamlessly into the show. As they usually perform on a theater stage, the experience to perform on a 360 degree audience facing stage while enjoying the interactive experience with Guests has become one of his most memorable productions.”
The popular Lucky Trail will bring even more good luck with its brand new look this year. Eight Disney Character figurines made with over 18 types of flowers symbolizing Happiness, Wealth, Longevity, Romance, Success in Studies, Harmony, Achievement, and Prosperity are featured in gorgeous settings. Before embarking on the journey along the lucky trail, Guests can pick up a Lucky Trail Sticker Card at the Sticker Card Collection Counter. After playing games at each stop on the Lucky Trail, Guests can return to the Sticker Card Collection Counter and redeem special edition stickers.
Mickey and Minnie will be capturing the spotlight this year with their stylish Year of the Tiger outfits, specially designed by superstar Kelly Chen thanks to her inspirational taste in fashion. The themes of their outfits are prosperity and luck, with gold as the main color. Mickey’s outfit is tastefully decorated with lucky traditional Chinese symbols such as plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo with jade green patterns. With fine gold-colored plum detailing, Minnie’s lovely dress (qi pao) is embroidered with a large, red plum blossom. Disney Friends including Donald Duck, Daisy, Pluto, and Chip & Dale will also dress in the festive spirit with new costumes. And Goofy will appear as the God of Fortune on Main Street U.S.A. to take photos with Guests and wish them a happy Chinese New Year.
Mickey will be the ‘maestro’ leading the Celebration in the Street on Main Street U.S.A twice every day. This colorful procession includes Chinese Drummers in an energetic drum routine, and also features a magnificent golden dragon along with an elaborate display of giant puppets, fantastic costumes, and many more. Guests will get into the New Year spirit as Minnie presents a beautiful fan dance and Goofy dresses up as Disney’s God of Fortune!
Main Street U.S.A. will also be filled with other live entertainment throughout the day, with traditional and modern Chinese New Year-themed performers including Drummers and Lion Dancers spreading joy and happiness all around.
Guests can bring home the best of luck with 88 “Mickey Family in the Year of Tiger” merchandise items, and 18 exclusive items from the “Hong Kong Disneyland Exclusive KxM collection” designed by Kelly Chen including unique clothing and accessories for women. The Park will also offer a range of Valentine items to celebrate the season of love! The Park will transform into the Happiest Land of Fortune with decorations in colors that symbolize good luck. The Gods of Prosperity, Happiness and Longevity will be in the Park to wish everyone a good beginning to the Year of the Tiger. (end of press release)
One more thing (as Steve would say): May be you've noticed the young chinese singer Kelly Chen standing with Mickey and Andrew Kam on one of the pictures above. Apparently the park released a series of merchandise items (T-Shirts, bags) called K&M (Kelly and Mickey) and even did a photo shooting with Kelly Chen. Here is one of the publicity pictures...
...And yes, I agree, she's HOT!
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All pictures: copyright Disney - Hong Kong Disneyland
