LPWire: MTR Disneyland Resort Line Train Unveiled
Smiles all round as beloved Disney characters Donald Duck and Daisy Duck joined
MTR Corporation CEO, CK Chow (left) and Hong Kong Disneyland Group Managing
Director, Don Robinson (right). In the background the special Disneyland Resort
Line train made its first public appearance.
The MTR Disneyland Resort Line Train - Where the Magical Journey Begins
Hong Kong Disneyland and the MTR
Corporation today unveiled the first Disneyland Resort Line train, which will
bring guests to the heart of the magic at China's first Disney theme park, set
to open on September 12, 2005.
The MTR Disneyland Resort Line, which comprises two new stations - Sunny Bay
Station and Disneyland Resort Station - and whimsical Disney-themed trains, were
exclusively designed by the MTR Corporation in conjunction with Disney's
Imagineers.
Today's Disneyland Resort Line train unveiling at Sunny Bay Station marks the
very first dedicated train line for a Disney theme park anywhere in the world
and will offer Hong Kong Disneyland guests an exciting and convenient journey -
at just 23.5 minutes from Central.
The MTR Disneyland Resort Line project is one of the Hong Kong SAR Government's
key infrastructure initiatives to support the city's growing inbound tourism
industry and will further boost Hong Kong's position as a world class family
vacation destination in the region.
Hong Kong Disneyland Group Managing Director, Don Robinson (right) presented a
special souvenir to MTR Corporation CEO, CK Chow (left) as a keepsake of the
momentous occasion.
"Since Disneyland Resort Line trains
serve a single destination, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, we thought it was
important that they incorporate 'Disney' touches into the trains to begin the
transition from the real world of Hong Kong to the magical realm of Hong Kong
Disneyland," Mr. Don Robinson, Group Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland
said. "The MTR Corporation team has done a terrific job of creating trains that
are fun and exciting, in keeping with the spirit of Hong Kong Disneyland
Resort."
The trains themselves are sleek and modern, but their colors and fanciful
details, including Mickey Mouse-shaped windows trimmed in red that look out over
gold ribbons and sparkling pixie dust, provide a classic look that enables them
to appear equally at home in either of their destinations: the futuristic Sunny
Bay Station and the Victorian-themed Disneyland Resort Station.
This feeling of enchantment continues inside the trains, which are painted in
vibrant hues of blue, red, yellow and violet, and boast ceilings that look like
star-filled skies. Each car highlights classic photos illustrating Walt Disney's
own fascination with trains, and feature bronze figurines depicting many of the
classic characters he created, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald
Duck, Chip 'n' Dale, Tinker Bell, Pluto, Snow White and Jiminy Cricket.
All of these details combine to create a sense of playful anticipation for
visitors as they make their way to the magical kingdom of Hong Kong Disneyland.
All aboard! (from left) MTR Corporation General Manager - Marketing and Station
Business, Jeny Yeung; MTR Corporation Project Director, Russell Black; MTR
Corporation CEO, CK Chow; Hong Kong Disneyland Group Managing Director, Don
Robinson; Hong Kong Disneyland Vice President Marketing and Sales, Roy Tan
Hardy; and Hong Kong Disneyland Executive Director, Planning and Architecture of
Walt Disney Imagineering, Christopher Crary; joined Disney characters Donald
Duck and Daisy Duck for the unveiling of the Disneyland Resort Line train.
Mr. C K Chow, Chief Executive
Officer of MTR Corporation said, "The 3.5-minute train journey is not to be
missed for Hong Kong Disneyland guests wishing to enjoy the full theme park
experience. The Disneyland Resort Line takes visitors on a journey through time
from Hong Kong's modern MTR network to the Victorian-themed Disneyland Resort
Station. It will be a ride to enjoy and remember."
Passengers riding the MTR can reach Sunny Bay Station from anywhere in Hong
Kong. After arriving at the Station, passengers take only a short walk across
the platform to begin their magical journey to Disneyland Resort Station which
is just in front of Hong Kong Disneyland. From Tsing Yi Station, the journey
will be 9.5 minutes for a fare of HK$12.6 using the Octopus card. From Kowloon
Station, it will take just 20.5 minutes for a fare of HK$18.1 and from Hong Kong
Station, the journey time will be 23.5 minutes for a fare of HK$23.1.
The two stations of the new line, namely Sunny Bay Station and Disneyland Resort
Station, feature open-air designs providing natural ventilation and the best
utilization of natural lighting. Station platforms are fitted with platform
gates like the platform screen doors installed in most MTR stations in Hong
Kong. Facilities for passengers with special needs including lifts, tactile
guide paths, and wide gates are also provided.
The MTR Disneyland Resort Line will operate using an advanced signaling system
that allows fully automatic train operations. The technology has been proven
around the world and is a common mode of operation particularly for tourism
attractions in many different world cities.
--Posted April 26, 2005
Source: Hong Kong Disneyland