Bangkok--8 Sep--Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Happy Haunts Highlight First-Ever Halloween Celebration - Fun for Everyone! Far from bone-chilling fright and the shrills of shrieks, Hong Kong Disneyland this year introduces a new event — “Disney’s Halloween” a fanciful, month-long celebration replete with happy haunts, grinning villains and trick-or-treating. It’s a “spook-tacular” spectacular for adults and families with kids and is included with regular admission to Hong Kong Disneyland theme park. From September 30 — October 31, 2006, Hong Kong Disneyland park lights up in the spirit of the season, joining other Disney theme parks around the world that annually celebrate Halloween in fun-filled fashion. It’s a way for guests with friends and family — who are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes - trick-or-treating in a safe and Halloween-themed environment that is whimsically spooky. Here’s a rundown of the Halloween happenings taking place throughout Hong Kong Disneyland during the inaugural “Disney’s Halloween” celebration.Themed Environment Like No Other: Guests entering Hong Kong Disneyland are greeted by scores of Halloween decorations. Patches of pumpkins pepper Main Street, USA as Jack-O-Lantern-draped lampposts line the turn-of-the-century storefronts. After the sun falls behind the mountains that surround the picturesque park, special effects make moonlight shadows dance as Hong Kong Disneyland takes on a never-before-seen — and eerily entertaining — look. Making their way down Main Street, USA and toward the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, guests spot the familiar smiling face of Mickey Mouse superimposed on a giant Jack-O-Lantern — or “Mick-O-Lantern,” in this case — while two pumpkins form his famous ears. At night, the Main Street U.S.A. lights up with special effects-driven, kinetics images of bats, spider webs and other ghostly delights. Disney Friends Dress Their Best: Getting into the Halloween spirit, Mickey Mouse and his Disney character pals plan to debut Halloween costumes never-before-seen at Hong Kong Disneyland during the celebration. Instead of his familiar yellow-bow-tie tuxedo, Mickey Mouse wears a “Zorro” Halloween costume while Minnie Mouse dresses as a good witch. Donald Duck “dons” a giant pumpkin costume as his sweetheart Daisy Duck spins her web in a spider-inspired dress and hair ribbon. The Disney dog duo of Goofy and Pluto get into the worldwide “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie craze with special, swashbuckling Halloween costumes while chipmunks Chip ‘n’ Dale play a game of “Cops and Robbers” in their police- and convict-inspired costumes. Guests are able to get autographs and pose for photographs with Mickey and his pals throughout the event.Halloween Mini-Parade: A costume mini-parade is featured each day with everyone taking part in the dress-up fun. The Hong Kong Disneyland Marching Band and Hong Kong Disneyland Dancers will display new Halloween costumes and the famous Disney characters will be riding atop a special graveyard parade float. Guests in costume are encouraged to join in the mini-parade fun.Villains’ Lair - Disney Villains Immersive Experience: Some of the world’s most famous villains from Disney’s animated feature films make their grand “Disney’s Halloween” debut in an immersive meet-and-greet experience and photo opportunity inside the theme park’s “Villains’ Lair”. Starring in the rogues’ gallery are larger-than-life stars from the animated world of Disney villainy. Guests can get up-close and personal with the creatively coiffured Cruella De Vil (from “101 Dalmatians”); the craggy-faced Witch from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”; Jafar, the sinister sorcerer from “Aladdin,”; Captain Hook, the one-handed pirate nemesis from “Peter Pan,” Hades, the powerful underworld god from “Hercules”; “Pain” and “Panic,” who both serve as Hades’ bumbling minions in “Hercules”; and the mean-spirited monarch Queen of Hearts from “Alice in Wonderland.” During the Disney Villains’ “temporary takeover” of the Opera House and turn it into a “Villains’ Lair”, guests will enter a themed environment around every corner. Fun house mirrors, a bubbling cauldron, a “Nightmare Before Christmas” Maze and a tyke-sized Hades’ Playground are a few of the fun frights in store for guests. As an early Halloween treat, Summer Pass holders will have access to a special sneak peek of The Villains’ Lair September 23 to 28 during normal park operating hours.Mickey’s Halloween Treat and Kids’ Zone: One of the most anticipated annual Halloween traditions worldwide — trick-or-treating for handfuls of sweets — flourishes at Hong Kong Disneyland with dedicated trick-or-treating and “Kids’ Zones” throughout the theme park. Sweets and stickers will be given to children at the dedicated trick-or-treat spots while the Kids’ Zones offer hat- and mask-making activities. Kids also can take part in Mickey’s Halloween Treat, rewarding guests with a special treat after they collect Disney character stickers at various park locations.Take Home a Piece of the Magic: Guests wanting to take home a bit of their Disney’s Halloween magic will rejoice as the theme park rolls out a series of over 60 themed merchandise, including: plush toys of Disney characters in their Halloween costumes, “A Nightmare Before Christmas”-inspired collectibles as well as special “Stitch” Halloween caps, fashion accessories and charms.More Fun at Disney’s Hotels: The Halloween fun doesn’t stop at the gates of Hong Kong Disneyland theme park. Disney’s two hotels in Hong Kong — Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel — also are celebrating as part of “Disney’s Halloween.” A stay in one of the Disney hotels immerses guests in the Halloween fun all day and into the evening. Halloween-themed “photo corners,” decorated with a Disney flair, are being created at each hotel. Also on tap are recreational activities including seasonal arts and crafts, trick-or-treating, nighttime story-telling, a Halloween “fun zone” for kids and the “Not-So-Scary Haunted House.” Special menus are featured in hotel restaurants.Disney Dining: Disney dining takes on a tasty trend for the season with special “Disney’s Halloween” menus being created for the theme park and hotel restaurants. Over 30 creatively themed treats are being created by Disney’s culinary wizards and some of the mouth-watering items include Halloween Pumpkin Soup, Mickey’s Vampire Chocolate Truffle Cake with Spider Blood Coulis, Witch’s Soup, Dark Angel Magic Mousse, French Spider Pastries, Seafood and Pumpkin Bisque, Braised Devil Duck, Donald’s Cherry and Bat Tarts and Devil Spring Chicken. More Information: For more information about “Disney’s Halloween” celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland theme park, Disney’s Hollywood Hotel and Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, guests may go to hongkongdisneyland.com or call 852-1830-830.For group bookings, guests can call 852- 3550-3369.About Hong Kong Disneyland Opened on September 12, 2005 and located on lush Lantau Island overlooking Penny’s Bay, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is a brand-new, world-class family entertainment and recreation center consisting of a magical, Disneyland-style theme park of shows and attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel (400 guestrooms), Disney’s Hollywood Hotel (600 guestrooms) and Inspiration Lake, a public area featuring boat rentals and a 3.5 hectare arboretum. Offering guests of all ages a full day immersed in imagination and creativity uniquely Disney, Hong Kong Disneyland is home to Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Stitch, Mulan and other Disney characters beloved the world over.Editors please note: For the latest news and photos from Hong Kong Disneyland, please visit our media website at: www.hongkongdisneyland.com/news username: disney password: magic For more information please contact: Surasa KhlaiAksorn ( [email protected] ) Pantita Hengtrakulsin ( [email protected] ) Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Ltd. Tel. 0 2205 6626, 0 2205 6610 Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net