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Jumat, 04 Februari 2011
Around Hong Kong
Get around Hong Kong
Get around
Hong Kong's public transport system is highly developed, to the point where often the hardest part is choosing your means of transport. Centamap, produced by a local estate agency, is one of the best tools for looking up a location.
Octopus card
The Octopus card is the heart of the public transport system. A contactless smart card, even when placed inside a wallet or bag, you can tap on card readers and the correct amount will be deducted from money stored. Those who are familiar with London Underground's Oyster card or Japan Railway's IC cards will quickly understand the Octopus card. In addition to being used for all forms of public transport (except most of the red-top minibuses and taxis) Octopus is also accepted for payment in almost all convenience stores, restaurant chains like McDonald's and Cafe de Coral, many vending machines, all roadside parking and some car parks. Some housing estates and schools use the card for identification at entry.
When travelling by MTR and some bus routes, payment by Octopus card can sometimes be cheaper than cash, and it's always more convenient. As the Octopus has a fully refundable deposit on the card and on unused credit, there's really no reason not to get one.
Basic adult Octopus cards cost $150, with $100 face value plus $50 refundable deposit. A $7 service charge applies if the card is returned in less than 3 months. The maximum value that an Octopus card can carry is $1,000. The Octopus card also allows the remaining value to go negative once. For example, you may pay for a ride of $5 with a remaining value of $2, but you cannot use the card again until the value is topped up. The negative value of an Octopus card can go as far as $35.
Your Octopus cards' balance is displayed as you exit the gates after each ride, or after each transaction. The balance can also be checked using a small machine near regular ticket machines in MTR stations.
For travellers, there are three convenient ways to refill a card:
Add Value machines, usually located next to regular ticket machines in MTR stations. These machines accept cash only.
Customer service at any MTR or KCR station.
Merchants that accept Octopus (eg. Mcdonalds, Cafe de Coral, 7-Eleven).
In addition to the Airport Express Octopus (see above), you can also buy a 24-hour pass for $50 at any MTR station; however, this is valid only on MTR lines.
By train
Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) underground and overground network is the fastest way to get around the territory, but what you gain in speed you lose in views and (at least for short distances) price. There are ten lines, including the Airport Express, plus a network of modern tram lines operated by the MTR in the North West New Territories. The Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR), including its link to the mainland border at Shenzhen (Lo Wu), was merged into the MTR in 2007 and now operates as a part of it.
The most important line for many visitors is the busy Tsuen Wan Line (red), which tunnels from Central to Kowloon and down Nathan Road towards Tsuen Wan in the New Territories and the Island Line (blue) which runs along the north coast of the Island. The new Tung Chung Line (orange) is the fastest route to Lantau and one of the cheapest ways to the airport when coupled with the S1 shuttle bus stationed at Tung Chung MTR station. The line also provides a link to Hong Kong Disneyland via a change at Sunny Bay station. All signs are bilingual in Chinese and English and all announcements are made in Cantonese, Mandarin and English so tourists should not have a problem using the rail system. Should you get lost, staff in the station control room usually speak some English so they would be able to help you out.
Most underground MTR stations have one Hang Seng Bank branch (except for the massive Hong Kong/Central station, which has two). Since they're a common feature, unambiguous and easy to find, they're a good place to tell people to meet you.
Note that in Hong Kong, a subway is an underground walkway, not an underground railway, as in most English speaking countries outside of North America. While many of the trains travel underground, there are also many stations whose trains travel above on raised platforms.
By tram
Operated by Hong Kong Tramways, the narrow double-decker city trams trundling on the north coast of Hong Kong Island are a Hong Kong icon. Trams are slower, but the route along the length of Hong Kong Island's centre is useful and with a flat fare of only $2, they're the cheapest sightseeing tour around.
In a league of its own is the Peak Tram, Hong Kong's first mechanised mode of transport, opened back in 1888. The remarkably steep 1.7 km track up from Central to Victoria Peak is worth at least one trip despite the comparatively steep price ($22 one-way, $33 return; return tickets must be purchased in advance).
By bus
There are three types of bus available in Hong Kong, operated by a multitude of companies. While generally easy to use (especially with Octopus), signage in English can be sparse and finding your bus stop can get difficult. Buses are pretty much your only option for travelling around the south side of the island and Lantau.
The large double-decker buses cover practically all of the territory, stop frequently and charge varying fares depending on the distance. The first seats of the upper deck offer great views. The franchised bus operators in Hong Kong include Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) (and its subsidary Long Win Bus), Citybus, New World First Bus and New Lantao Bus. Route and fare information can be found on the companies web sites. Fares will depend more on where you board rather than where you get-off which means it is more expensive to board at the earlier stops rather than the later stops.
Van-sized public light buses carry a maximum of 16 passengers (seats only) and come in two varieties, namely red minibuses and green minibuses (also called maxicabs); the colour refers to a wide stripe painted on top of the vehicle. Riding a minibus may not be easy for travellers, as it is customary to call out the name of the stop or ask the driver to stop in Cantonese. Red minibuses do not accept Octopus but will give you change, while green minibuses do accept Octopus payment but can not give you change if you pay in cash. The Hong Kong Island green minibus #1 down from the Peak to Central is particularly exhilarating. Red minibuses tend to have a more Chinese feel than green buses. Prices on red minibuses are often displayed only in Chinese numbers. The price displayed on a red minibus can legally vary according to the market price, so expect to pay more at busy times. Some people argue that the driving standards of red minibuses is lower than green minibuses; Minibus drivers generally drive fast, especially at night. Always use minibus seatbelts where available. You will notice that they all have an extra, large, digital speedometer in the cabin for the passengers to view, this is required by the government after a few fatal accidents due to speeding. Since the introduction of these passenger speedometers mini-bus accident rates have dropped.
Kowloon Canton Railway also maintains its fleet of KCR feeder buses. KCR passengers can enjoy a free feeder service if the payment is made by Octopus. The route K16 is especially useful for tourists who need to go to Tsim Sha Tsui from the New Territories and mainland China by rail.
Note that if paying in cash, the exact fare is required and no change can be given. Paying by Octopus is much more convenient.
Route numbering is independent in six regions: bus on Hong Kong Island/ in Kowloon and in New Territories/ on Lantau Island, green minibus on Hong Kong Island/ in Kowloon/ in New Territories and several exceptional auxiliary buses route (red minibuses does not have a route number). This leads to duplication of routes in different regions. Although the Transport Department of Hong Kong Government has been working on the unifying of the route numbers, it is still a little bit messy at the moment.
Hong Kong's public transport system is highly developed, to the point where often the hardest part is choosing your means of transport. Centamap, produced by a local estate agency, is one of the best tools for looking up a location.
Octopus card
The Octopus card is the heart of the public transport system. A contactless smart card, even when placed inside a wallet or bag, you can tap on card readers and the correct amount will be deducted from money stored. Those who are familiar with London Underground's Oyster card or Japan Railway's IC cards will quickly understand the Octopus card. In addition to being used for all forms of public transport (except most of the red-top minibuses and taxis) Octopus is also accepted for payment in almost all convenience stores, restaurant chains like McDonald's and Cafe de Coral, many vending machines, all roadside parking and some car parks. Some housing estates and schools use the card for identification at entry.
When travelling by MTR and some bus routes, payment by Octopus card can sometimes be cheaper than cash, and it's always more convenient. As the Octopus has a fully refundable deposit on the card and on unused credit, there's really no reason not to get one.
Basic adult Octopus cards cost $150, with $100 face value plus $50 refundable deposit. A $7 service charge applies if the card is returned in less than 3 months. The maximum value that an Octopus card can carry is $1,000. The Octopus card also allows the remaining value to go negative once. For example, you may pay for a ride of $5 with a remaining value of $2, but you cannot use the card again until the value is topped up. The negative value of an Octopus card can go as far as $35.
Your Octopus cards' balance is displayed as you exit the gates after each ride, or after each transaction. The balance can also be checked using a small machine near regular ticket machines in MTR stations.
For travellers, there are three convenient ways to refill a card:
Add Value machines, usually located next to regular ticket machines in MTR stations. These machines accept cash only.
Customer service at any MTR or KCR station.
Merchants that accept Octopus (eg. Mcdonalds, Cafe de Coral, 7-Eleven).
In addition to the Airport Express Octopus (see above), you can also buy a 24-hour pass for $50 at any MTR station; however, this is valid only on MTR lines.
By train
Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) underground and overground network is the fastest way to get around the territory, but what you gain in speed you lose in views and (at least for short distances) price. There are ten lines, including the Airport Express, plus a network of modern tram lines operated by the MTR in the North West New Territories. The Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR), including its link to the mainland border at Shenzhen (Lo Wu), was merged into the MTR in 2007 and now operates as a part of it.
The most important line for many visitors is the busy Tsuen Wan Line (red), which tunnels from Central to Kowloon and down Nathan Road towards Tsuen Wan in the New Territories and the Island Line (blue) which runs along the north coast of the Island. The new Tung Chung Line (orange) is the fastest route to Lantau and one of the cheapest ways to the airport when coupled with the S1 shuttle bus stationed at Tung Chung MTR station. The line also provides a link to Hong Kong Disneyland via a change at Sunny Bay station. All signs are bilingual in Chinese and English and all announcements are made in Cantonese, Mandarin and English so tourists should not have a problem using the rail system. Should you get lost, staff in the station control room usually speak some English so they would be able to help you out.
Most underground MTR stations have one Hang Seng Bank branch (except for the massive Hong Kong/Central station, which has two). Since they're a common feature, unambiguous and easy to find, they're a good place to tell people to meet you.
Note that in Hong Kong, a subway is an underground walkway, not an underground railway, as in most English speaking countries outside of North America. While many of the trains travel underground, there are also many stations whose trains travel above on raised platforms.
By tram
Operated by Hong Kong Tramways, the narrow double-decker city trams trundling on the north coast of Hong Kong Island are a Hong Kong icon. Trams are slower, but the route along the length of Hong Kong Island's centre is useful and with a flat fare of only $2, they're the cheapest sightseeing tour around.
In a league of its own is the Peak Tram, Hong Kong's first mechanised mode of transport, opened back in 1888. The remarkably steep 1.7 km track up from Central to Victoria Peak is worth at least one trip despite the comparatively steep price ($22 one-way, $33 return; return tickets must be purchased in advance).
By bus
There are three types of bus available in Hong Kong, operated by a multitude of companies. While generally easy to use (especially with Octopus), signage in English can be sparse and finding your bus stop can get difficult. Buses are pretty much your only option for travelling around the south side of the island and Lantau.
The large double-decker buses cover practically all of the territory, stop frequently and charge varying fares depending on the distance. The first seats of the upper deck offer great views. The franchised bus operators in Hong Kong include Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) (and its subsidary Long Win Bus), Citybus, New World First Bus and New Lantao Bus. Route and fare information can be found on the companies web sites. Fares will depend more on where you board rather than where you get-off which means it is more expensive to board at the earlier stops rather than the later stops.
Van-sized public light buses carry a maximum of 16 passengers (seats only) and come in two varieties, namely red minibuses and green minibuses (also called maxicabs); the colour refers to a wide stripe painted on top of the vehicle. Riding a minibus may not be easy for travellers, as it is customary to call out the name of the stop or ask the driver to stop in Cantonese. Red minibuses do not accept Octopus but will give you change, while green minibuses do accept Octopus payment but can not give you change if you pay in cash. The Hong Kong Island green minibus #1 down from the Peak to Central is particularly exhilarating. Red minibuses tend to have a more Chinese feel than green buses. Prices on red minibuses are often displayed only in Chinese numbers. The price displayed on a red minibus can legally vary according to the market price, so expect to pay more at busy times. Some people argue that the driving standards of red minibuses is lower than green minibuses; Minibus drivers generally drive fast, especially at night. Always use minibus seatbelts where available. You will notice that they all have an extra, large, digital speedometer in the cabin for the passengers to view, this is required by the government after a few fatal accidents due to speeding. Since the introduction of these passenger speedometers mini-bus accident rates have dropped.
Kowloon Canton Railway also maintains its fleet of KCR feeder buses. KCR passengers can enjoy a free feeder service if the payment is made by Octopus. The route K16 is especially useful for tourists who need to go to Tsim Sha Tsui from the New Territories and mainland China by rail.
Note that if paying in cash, the exact fare is required and no change can be given. Paying by Octopus is much more convenient.
Route numbering is independent in six regions: bus on Hong Kong Island/ in Kowloon and in New Territories/ on Lantau Island, green minibus on Hong Kong Island/ in Kowloon/ in New Territories and several exceptional auxiliary buses route (red minibuses does not have a route number). This leads to duplication of routes in different regions. Although the Transport Department of Hong Kong Government has been working on the unifying of the route numbers, it is still a little bit messy at the moment.
If you are confused a bit by the numbering of routes, here is a suggestion: just remember the route number of buses in Hong Kong Island/Kowloon/New Territories only whenever it is necessary. In other special circumstances, ask the driver or the station staffs for the Lantau buses and green minibuses and they can answer you.
Generally you need not to mention which district the route belongs to when you are asking for directions (almost all people will assume you will asking for the route which runs in the district you are in, e.g. if you ask for bus route #2, locals will assume you will asking for bus route #2 running in Kowloon if you are in Kowloon), but you really need to mention whether the route is bus or minibus when you ask, since in some cases both bus and minibus can have same route number in the same area which are actually different routes. (e.g. there are both bus route #6 and minibus route #6 in Tsim Sha Tsui, which are actually different routes).
If you are curious enough, you may discover a pattern on the allocation of buses in Hong Kong/Kowloon/NT:
Prefix 1 on hundred digit: routes use Cross Harbour Tunnel.
Prefix 2 on hundred digit: refers to some air-conditioned bus routes.
Prefix 3 on hundred digit: refers to several peak-hour only cross-harbour routes, Hong Kong Island recreational or special bus services.
Prefix 6 on hundred digit: uses Eastern Harbour Crossing.
Prefix 7 on hundred digit: refers to some Island Eastern Corridor routes, New World First Bus West Kowloon or Tseung Kwan O routes.
Prefix 8 on hundred digit: refers to specialized Shatin Racecourse lines.
Prefix 9 on hundred digit: uses Western Harbour Crossing.
Prefix A: Airport Airbus routes.
Prefix E: North Lantau external bus routes.
Prefix K: KCR Feeder Bus routes.
Prefix M: Some bus routes that are terminated at Airport Express station.
Prefix N: Overnight bus routes.
Prefix P: North Lantau peak-hour only routes.
Prefix R: North Lantau recreational bus routes (for Hong Kong Disneyland).
Prefix S: Airport shuttle bus routes.
Prefix T: Recreational bus routes (T stands for tourists).
Prefix X: Express routes for special services.
Suffix A, B, C, D, E, F: Conventional routes.
Suffix K: Mainly connecting to KCR East Rail stations.
Suffix M: Mainly connecting to MTR stations.
Suffix P: Mostly peak-hour only routes.
Suffix R: Recreational bus routes.
Suffix S: Peak-hour only routes or special services.
Suffix X: Buses using highways or express services.
Generally you need not to mention which district the route belongs to when you are asking for directions (almost all people will assume you will asking for the route which runs in the district you are in, e.g. if you ask for bus route #2, locals will assume you will asking for bus route #2 running in Kowloon if you are in Kowloon), but you really need to mention whether the route is bus or minibus when you ask, since in some cases both bus and minibus can have same route number in the same area which are actually different routes. (e.g. there are both bus route #6 and minibus route #6 in Tsim Sha Tsui, which are actually different routes).
If you are curious enough, you may discover a pattern on the allocation of buses in Hong Kong/Kowloon/NT:
Prefix 1 on hundred digit: routes use Cross Harbour Tunnel.
Prefix 2 on hundred digit: refers to some air-conditioned bus routes.
Prefix 3 on hundred digit: refers to several peak-hour only cross-harbour routes, Hong Kong Island recreational or special bus services.
Prefix 6 on hundred digit: uses Eastern Harbour Crossing.
Prefix 7 on hundred digit: refers to some Island Eastern Corridor routes, New World First Bus West Kowloon or Tseung Kwan O routes.
Prefix 8 on hundred digit: refers to specialized Shatin Racecourse lines.
Prefix 9 on hundred digit: uses Western Harbour Crossing.
Prefix A: Airport Airbus routes.
Prefix E: North Lantau external bus routes.
Prefix K: KCR Feeder Bus routes.
Prefix M: Some bus routes that are terminated at Airport Express station.
Prefix N: Overnight bus routes.
Prefix P: North Lantau peak-hour only routes.
Prefix R: North Lantau recreational bus routes (for Hong Kong Disneyland).
Prefix S: Airport shuttle bus routes.
Prefix T: Recreational bus routes (T stands for tourists).
Prefix X: Express routes for special services.
Suffix A, B, C, D, E, F: Conventional routes.
Suffix K: Mainly connecting to KCR East Rail stations.
Suffix M: Mainly connecting to MTR stations.
Suffix P: Mostly peak-hour only routes.
Suffix R: Recreational bus routes.
Suffix S: Peak-hour only routes or special services.
Suffix X: Buses using highways or express services.
By ferry
A vast fleet of ferries plies between the many islands of Hong Kong. The granddaddy of them all and an attraction in itself is the Star Ferry, whose most popular line travels between Kowloon and Central from early morning until late at night, and offers amazing views (especially when coming from Kowloon). Upper deck seats cost $2.20 while the lower deck cost $1.70, both payable with Octopus or cash (change given). The Star Ferry also operates between Kowloon and Wanchai.
Ferries to Lamma, Lantau and other islands depart from a variety of ports, but the largest and most important terminal is at Central adjacent to the Star Ferry. Ferries are usually divided into fast ferries and slow ferries, with fast ferries charging around twice the price for half the journey time, although not all destinations offer both kinds of service. Example fares for trips from Central to Yung Shue Wan (Lamma) are $10/15 slow/fast, and to Mui Wo (Lantau) $10.50/$21. Note that all fares increase by around 50% on Sundays and public holidays.
By taxiTaxis are plentiful, clean and efficient. They were just recently (2003) rated as the cheapest of all big cities in the world. Not good news for the drivers, but good for the tourist. Fares in Hong Kong & Kowloon start at HK $18, and you can ride for 2 km before additional $1.50 per 200m increments start ticking ($1 for fares of $70.50 and above). New fare increases are indicated in writing until the meter is adjusted. Tipping is not expected but nevertheless still welcome, and drivers often round up the fare to the nearest dollar when giving change.
Drivers are required to provide change for $100 notes, but not for higher denominations. If you only have a $500 or $1000 note and are going through a tunnel, let the driver know beforehand and he will change it when paying at the toll booth.
Life is made slightly more difficult by the fact that there are three different flavours of taxi. These can be distinguished by colour: red taxis typically serve the Island and Kowloon, and some parts of the New Territories (for example Shatin), but they are permitted to travel all over Hong Kong except to Lantau Island; green taxis serve the New Territories (only), but with a slightly cheaper fare than red taxis; blue taxis serve Lantau (only). (You are unlikely to ever encounter a blue Taxi, as there are only about 50 of them in existence.) All three types of taxis can take you to the airport. When in doubt, just take a red taxi.
In addition, red taxis are based in either the Island or Kowloon, if they do take you across the harbour, they will charge you twice the bridge/tunnel toll so they can get back! But you can use this to your advantage by picking a homebound taxi from a cross-harbour taxi rank in places like the Star Ferry pier or Hung Hom station. In these cross-harbour taxi stands only single toll charge will be applied to the taxi fare.
There are no extra late-night charges. Baggage carried in the boot ("trunk" if coming from north America) will cost you $5 per piece and all tolls are payable. The wearing of seat belts is required by law.
All taxis are radio equipped and can be reserved and requested via an operator for a token fee of $5, payable to the driver. You are unlikely to need to call a taxi, though, as they are plentiful.
It is good practice to get a local person to write the name or address of your destination in Chinese for you to hand to the taxi driver, as many drivers speak limited English and Mandarin. For example, if you wish take a journey back to your hotel, ask a receptionist for the hotel's business card.
A vast fleet of ferries plies between the many islands of Hong Kong. The granddaddy of them all and an attraction in itself is the Star Ferry, whose most popular line travels between Kowloon and Central from early morning until late at night, and offers amazing views (especially when coming from Kowloon). Upper deck seats cost $2.20 while the lower deck cost $1.70, both payable with Octopus or cash (change given). The Star Ferry also operates between Kowloon and Wanchai.
Ferries to Lamma, Lantau and other islands depart from a variety of ports, but the largest and most important terminal is at Central adjacent to the Star Ferry. Ferries are usually divided into fast ferries and slow ferries, with fast ferries charging around twice the price for half the journey time, although not all destinations offer both kinds of service. Example fares for trips from Central to Yung Shue Wan (Lamma) are $10/15 slow/fast, and to Mui Wo (Lantau) $10.50/$21. Note that all fares increase by around 50% on Sundays and public holidays.
By taxiTaxis are plentiful, clean and efficient. They were just recently (2003) rated as the cheapest of all big cities in the world. Not good news for the drivers, but good for the tourist. Fares in Hong Kong & Kowloon start at HK $18, and you can ride for 2 km before additional $1.50 per 200m increments start ticking ($1 for fares of $70.50 and above). New fare increases are indicated in writing until the meter is adjusted. Tipping is not expected but nevertheless still welcome, and drivers often round up the fare to the nearest dollar when giving change.
Drivers are required to provide change for $100 notes, but not for higher denominations. If you only have a $500 or $1000 note and are going through a tunnel, let the driver know beforehand and he will change it when paying at the toll booth.
Life is made slightly more difficult by the fact that there are three different flavours of taxi. These can be distinguished by colour: red taxis typically serve the Island and Kowloon, and some parts of the New Territories (for example Shatin), but they are permitted to travel all over Hong Kong except to Lantau Island; green taxis serve the New Territories (only), but with a slightly cheaper fare than red taxis; blue taxis serve Lantau (only). (You are unlikely to ever encounter a blue Taxi, as there are only about 50 of them in existence.) All three types of taxis can take you to the airport. When in doubt, just take a red taxi.
In addition, red taxis are based in either the Island or Kowloon, if they do take you across the harbour, they will charge you twice the bridge/tunnel toll so they can get back! But you can use this to your advantage by picking a homebound taxi from a cross-harbour taxi rank in places like the Star Ferry pier or Hung Hom station. In these cross-harbour taxi stands only single toll charge will be applied to the taxi fare.
There are no extra late-night charges. Baggage carried in the boot ("trunk" if coming from north America) will cost you $5 per piece and all tolls are payable. The wearing of seat belts is required by law.
All taxis are radio equipped and can be reserved and requested via an operator for a token fee of $5, payable to the driver. You are unlikely to need to call a taxi, though, as they are plentiful.
It is good practice to get a local person to write the name or address of your destination in Chinese for you to hand to the taxi driver, as many drivers speak limited English and Mandarin. For example, if you wish take a journey back to your hotel, ask a receptionist for the hotel's business card.
Talk in Hong Kong
Cantonese is the language spoken by 95% of the people in Hong Kong. Due to British influences from the colonial era, colloquial Cantonese in Hong Kong tends to incorporate some English words and slang, which may sound strange to Cantonese speakers from mainland China. Though Hong Kong is a former British colony, the degree of English proficiency is limited among non-professionals in those districts where more locals visit than tourists. Also, some locals, even if they can understand English well, do not feel comfortable speaking it. However, others including most taxi drivers, street vendors, salespeople etc. are fluent enough for sufficient communication, especially at tourist destinations such as hotels and certain restaurants. English is spoken fluently among the business community. English language education usually starts in kindergarten. To ensure that local people understand you, it is a good idea to speak in short sentences, use standard English and avoid slang or colloquial expressions.
Hong Kong also has several minority communities, such as the Teochews (Chiuchow in Cantonese) and Shanghainese who fled to Hong Kong when the mainland fell to the communists in 1949. Some of them still speak their respective dialects, though most of them are also fluent in Cantonese. There are also non-Chinese resident communities in Hong Kong, largely originating from the Indian subcontinent, and among them, various South Asian languages are spoken, though it should not cause much of a problem as almost all of them are fluent in English and many are fluent in Cantonese as well.
Most locals are not fluent in Mandarin, but can comprehend it to a certain degree. Mandarin proficiency is increasing, especially after the reunification with the Mainland. Due to the increasing number of tourists from mainland China, most (if not all) shops and eateries in the city centre and more touristy areas will have at least one staff member who can speak Mandarin.
All official signs are bilingual, in both Chinese (Traditional) and English. However, Chinese only signs have become more common in recent years, e.g. at minibus stops. Most shops and restaurants also have English signage, though don't expect this from the more local or obscure establishments. Under the "one country, two systems" policy, Hong Kong continues to use traditional Chinese characters and not the simplified Chinese characters used in Mainland China.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Get in HongKong
Hong Kong maintains a separate and independent immigration system from that of mainland China. This means that unlike mainland China, most Western and Asian visitors do not need to obtain visas in advance. However, it also means that a separate visa is still required to enter mainland China from Hong Kong. Macau residents may enter using their identity card while other PRC passport holders and residents of Taiwan holding ROC passports need to apply for a separate visit permit. Detailed visa requirements are available from the Immigration Department. Those who require visas should apply for one at a Chinese embassy, but note that the Hong Kong visa has to be applied for separately from the mainland Chinese one. Anyone arriving at Hong Kong International Airport who requires an onward visa for mainland China, will find a kiosk in the foyer in the arrivals area that issues them. A photograph will be required and the staff will be happy to accommodate you.
By plane
Hong Kong International Airport
The Hong Kong International Airport which is also known as Chek Lap Kok (named after the small island it was built over), is the main port for visitors to Hong Kong by air. The architect for the impressive airport terminal was Sir Norman Foster. This modern and efficient building opened in July 1998, and it has since been named the best airport worldwide by Skytrax for five years.There are many direct flights to Hong Kong from every continent in the world. Most major cities in Oceania, Europe and North America are all served with at least one daily flight. Sydney has 6 daily flights, Melbourne 5, London 10, Frankfurt 2, Paris 3, Amsterdam 2, Los Angeles 4, San Francisco 3, Vancouver 3, New York 3, Chicago 2 and Toronto 2.
Flights between Hong Kong and other major Asian cities are also frequent: up to 40 flights per day connect Hong Kong with Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Tokyo, Shanghai, Manila, Seoul, Bangkok and Beijing. Other routes may be cheaper, however. For destinations within China, it is often cheaper to fly from Shenzhen than from Hong Kong, as flights from the mainland to Hong Kong are considered to be international flights and therefore, priced as such. For elsewhere in Asia, consider Macau. The discount airlines land there because it has lower fees than Hong Kong. There are also less frequent flights between Hong Kong and several mid-Pacific islands and nations including a twice-weekly service from Guam.
Cathay Pacific and its subsidiary airline Dragonair are Hong Kong's main carriers, with Hong Kong Express providing some welcome competition.
There are two terminals, creatively called T1 and T2. Signs on approach to the airport by car/taxi list the terminals and check in zones. The station is located between the two terminals, so follow the signs when you exit the station. Once checked in you can clear security at either terminal, there is an underground shuttle bus Outside the security area. There are probably more shopping opportunities before security at T2 before security, but the shops close earlier. There are lots of shopping opportunities after security as well. Travellers will find an efficient post office in the airport which provides boxes, wrapping material, scissors and tape.
There is a public lounge inside the airport with prices as follows (in HK Dollars):
• Shower Only $80.
• 2 Hours Lounge Use $250.
• 5 Hours Lounge Use with Seated Massage (15 mins) or Nap (2 hrs) $300.
• 10 Hours Lounge Use with Seated Massage (15 mins) or Nap (2 hrs) $350.
• Overnight Package with Shower + Nap (8 hrs) + Breakfast $450.
• Whole Day Package with Lounge Use + Nap (8 hrs) $600 .
• Shower Only $80.
• 2 Hours Lounge Use $250.
• 5 Hours Lounge Use with Seated Massage (15 mins) or Nap (2 hrs) $300.
• 10 Hours Lounge Use with Seated Massage (15 mins) or Nap (2 hrs) $350.
• Overnight Package with Shower + Nap (8 hrs) + Breakfast $450.
• Whole Day Package with Lounge Use + Nap (8 hrs) $600 .
Airport Express
The Airport Express is a fast and environmentally friendly form of passenger transport to and from the airport. The clean and efficient train speeds you on a journey that takes only 23 minutes, and there are plenty of baggage handling officers to help you get heavy bags on and off of the train. There is no need to tip them. Each way costs $60-$100, or a round trip for $110-$180, depending on the distance travelled. If you buy your ticket from a machine you will have to pay the standard fare, however, if you travel with other people you can get a discount from the staff at the counter. If in doubt, ask the staff for advice before you hand over your money. After arrival, free shuttle buses connecting to major hotels in Kowloon and Central are provided, or you can continue onward by the MTR or by taxi.
The Airport Express is a fast and environmentally friendly form of passenger transport to and from the airport. The clean and efficient train speeds you on a journey that takes only 23 minutes, and there are plenty of baggage handling officers to help you get heavy bags on and off of the train. There is no need to tip them. Each way costs $60-$100, or a round trip for $110-$180, depending on the distance travelled. If you buy your ticket from a machine you will have to pay the standard fare, however, if you travel with other people you can get a discount from the staff at the counter. If in doubt, ask the staff for advice before you hand over your money. After arrival, free shuttle buses connecting to major hotels in Kowloon and Central are provided, or you can continue onward by the MTR or by taxi.
• The Airport Express Tourist Octopus 3-Day Hong Kong Transport Pass gives you an Octopus card (see Get Around) good for 3 days of unlimited MTR travel, plus one ride on the Airport Express (for $220) or two (for $300). In effect, you're paying $70 for 3 days on the MTR, which is a fair bit of travel but might be worth it if you're planning to visit the Lantau Island or the New Territories. You can return the card after use to get back $50 deposit, or keep it for your next trip — any leftover value will remain valid for 3 years [you can also add money to the card, which you can use for payment for the busses, the tramway, at many vending machines, some stores, and when taking the Star Ferry]. Around 50% of the trip will be underground and at least 20% of the "above-ground" travel is through "covered" tracks.
Airbus
If you want to enjoy the view while going to the city, then you should consider taking a bus.
Taking a bus to the airport is cheaper, but slower than the train. For example, the A21 ($33) bus will take you down Nathan Road, the main artery of Kowloon, stopping outside many hotels and hostels. Lines A10, A11 and A12 go to Hong Kong Island ($48, $40 and $45 respectively). Alternatively, take bus S1 to Tung Chung ($3.50) and connect to the ordinary MTR for a cheap ride to the city (Kowloon $17, Hong Kong $23). The free Airport Express shuttle buses connect Kowloon and Hong Kong airport express stations to various hotels in each area.
If you want to enjoy the view while going to the city, then you should consider taking a bus.
Taking a bus to the airport is cheaper, but slower than the train. For example, the A21 ($33) bus will take you down Nathan Road, the main artery of Kowloon, stopping outside many hotels and hostels. Lines A10, A11 and A12 go to Hong Kong Island ($48, $40 and $45 respectively). Alternatively, take bus S1 to Tung Chung ($3.50) and connect to the ordinary MTR for a cheap ride to the city (Kowloon $17, Hong Kong $23). The free Airport Express shuttle buses connect Kowloon and Hong Kong airport express stations to various hotels in each area.
For a full listing of buses available at HKIA refer to the Hong Kong airport website.
If you are on a budget, take an "E" route bus rather than the "A" routes bus, they take about 20 minutes longer (50-60 min instead of 35-40 min) and are about half price (e.g. $21 for the E11 from Central). These 'External' buses are aimed more at airport workers, so they make several detours around Tung Chung. They will give you a nice tour around the airport island. However, E21 (Kowloon KCR Station to Airport) takes about an hour to the airport comparing to A21 (as E21 tour around not only airport island but Kowloon peninsula).
Taxi
A taxi from the airport to the city (Central/Mid-levels) will cost you around $350 depending on your exact destination. If you have three or more people travelling together, it is generally cheaper to travel by taxi than by Airport Express, but you may have a problem fitting so many bags into the taxi. Use a red taxi for destinations to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, Green taxis are restricted to the New Territories and blue taxis are for Lantau Island.
There is a large chart at the exit to the taxi stand, on the approximate fares to most destinations. The law is strict on taxi drivers who must charge according to the meter. The meter fare does not include the luggage fee, toll fee, waiting fee, pet fee.
Taxis from the airport to downtown Kowloon do not suffer from much traffic congestion. If you are going to Hong Kong Island, tell the taxi driver to use the "Western Harbour Crossing" to avoid congestion, but it will attract an additional surcharge.
From the airport there are private cars and vans operating illegally as taxis. Do not take these as they are not licensed and in case of accidents, your insurance will not cover you.
A taxi from the airport to the city (Central/Mid-levels) will cost you around $350 depending on your exact destination. If you have three or more people travelling together, it is generally cheaper to travel by taxi than by Airport Express, but you may have a problem fitting so many bags into the taxi. Use a red taxi for destinations to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, Green taxis are restricted to the New Territories and blue taxis are for Lantau Island.There is a large chart at the exit to the taxi stand, on the approximate fares to most destinations. The law is strict on taxi drivers who must charge according to the meter. The meter fare does not include the luggage fee, toll fee, waiting fee, pet fee.
Taxis from the airport to downtown Kowloon do not suffer from much traffic congestion. If you are going to Hong Kong Island, tell the taxi driver to use the "Western Harbour Crossing" to avoid congestion, but it will attract an additional surcharge.
From the airport there are private cars and vans operating illegally as taxis. Do not take these as they are not licensed and in case of accidents, your insurance will not cover you.
Shenzhen International Airport
Because flying from Hong Kong to the mainland is considered an international flight, flying around mainland China using Shenzhen Airport (IATA: SZX) is often significantly cheaper. There is a new convenient bus connection from Kowloon to Shenzhen Airport. It is not cheap as foreigners need visas at $1040 single entry 2-3 days in HK, and most flights leave late. In the recently completed Elements shopping centre above the Kowloon MTR station on the Tung Chung and the Airport Express line, there is a shop front waiting room where you can check-in and receive your boarding pass, and then board a bus direct to Shenzhen airport. This in-town check-in is completely separate from the in-town check-in provided for Hong Kong International Airport. Take the escalators up from the AE/MTR station to 1/F of the Elements Mall, turn right, and then look for Starbucks. It is opposite Starbucks. The bus uses the new western passage immigration facilities where both Hong Kong SAR and Chinese immigration formalities are completed under one roof. The cost of the service is $100 and the bus is advertised to take 75 minutes (more like 90 minutes in reality). Buses currently run every half an hour from 7:30am to 5pm at Hong Kong side, and from 10am to 9pm at Shenzhen side.
Because flying from Hong Kong to the mainland is considered an international flight, flying around mainland China using Shenzhen Airport (IATA: SZX) is often significantly cheaper. There is a new convenient bus connection from Kowloon to Shenzhen Airport. It is not cheap as foreigners need visas at $1040 single entry 2-3 days in HK, and most flights leave late. In the recently completed Elements shopping centre above the Kowloon MTR station on the Tung Chung and the Airport Express line, there is a shop front waiting room where you can check-in and receive your boarding pass, and then board a bus direct to Shenzhen airport. This in-town check-in is completely separate from the in-town check-in provided for Hong Kong International Airport. Take the escalators up from the AE/MTR station to 1/F of the Elements Mall, turn right, and then look for Starbucks. It is opposite Starbucks. The bus uses the new western passage immigration facilities where both Hong Kong SAR and Chinese immigration formalities are completed under one roof. The cost of the service is $100 and the bus is advertised to take 75 minutes (more like 90 minutes in reality). Buses currently run every half an hour from 7:30am to 5pm at Hong Kong side, and from 10am to 9pm at Shenzhen side.
Macau International Airport
Because of higher fees at Hong Kong International Airport, it is often cheaper to fly out of Macau International Airport (IATA: MFM). Air Asia has set up a hub at Macau and flies to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Sydney among others. Macau International Airport is easily reached by ferry from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Hong Kong International Airport. Before completing immigration formalities at the ferry terminal in Macau, one can take a direct bus to Macau Airport without going through Macau immigration.
By ferryHong Kong is only a 1 hour hydrofoil ride away from Macau, and there are good connections to mainland China as well. The main terminals are:
Because of higher fees at Hong Kong International Airport, it is often cheaper to fly out of Macau International Airport (IATA: MFM). Air Asia has set up a hub at Macau and flies to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Sydney among others. Macau International Airport is easily reached by ferry from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Hong Kong International Airport. Before completing immigration formalities at the ferry terminal in Macau, one can take a direct bus to Macau Airport without going through Macau immigration.
By ferryHong Kong is only a 1 hour hydrofoil ride away from Macau, and there are good connections to mainland China as well. The main terminals are:
Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier, 202 Connaught Road (Sheung Wan MTR exit D), Central.
o TurboJet, 24 hours a day to Macau plus 6-8 times a day to the Shenzhen airport.
o Cotai Jet, every hour to/from Macau from 0700 to 1700.
o TurboJet, 24 hours a day to Macau plus 6-8 times a day to the Shenzhen airport.
o Cotai Jet, every hour to/from Macau from 0700 to 1700.
Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal, 33 Canton Road (Tsim Sha Tsui MTR exit A1), Kowloon.
o Chu Kong Passenger Transport, to Zhuhai and various points in Guangdong.
o New World First Ferry, every 30 min to Macau.
o Xunlong to Shekou in Shenzhen.
o TurboJet to Shenzhen airport.
o Chu Kong Passenger Transport, to Zhuhai and various points in Guangdong.
o New World First Ferry, every 30 min to Macau.
o Xunlong to Shekou in Shenzhen.
o TurboJet to Shenzhen airport.
Tuen Mun Ferry Pier
o Hong Kong North West Express Limited offers trips to Zhuhai and Shekou, Shenzhen.
o Hong Kong North West Express Limited offers trips to Zhuhai and Shekou, Shenzhen.
By cruise
The Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the hubs of Star Cruises. Cruise ships leave from here for various cities in Vietnam, mainland China and Taiwan. There are even long haul service all the way to Singapore via various points in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
The Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the hubs of Star Cruises. Cruise ships leave from here for various cities in Vietnam, mainland China and Taiwan. There are even long haul service all the way to Singapore via various points in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
By landCrossing the border to Mainland China puts you in Shenzhen, a well-developed boomtown. Please note that there are special visa regulations if you plan to visit Shenzhen.
There are six land checkpoints between Hong Kong and mainland China, namely Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Ko and Shenzhen Bay. Lo Wu is a train and pedestrian crossing; Lok Ma Chau spur line is a pedestrian crossing; Lok Ma Chau and Sha Tau Kok are road, cross-boundary bus and pedestrian crossings; while Man Kam To and Shenzhen Bay bridge are road and cross-boundary bus crossings.
There are six land checkpoints between Hong Kong and mainland China, namely Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Ko and Shenzhen Bay. Lo Wu is a train and pedestrian crossing; Lok Ma Chau spur line is a pedestrian crossing; Lok Ma Chau and Sha Tau Kok are road, cross-boundary bus and pedestrian crossings; while Man Kam To and Shenzhen Bay bridge are road and cross-boundary bus crossings.
• Lo Wu: This control point can only be accessed by the MTR East Rail Line and the crossing can only be done on foot (unless you take a through-train from Hung Hom where the train will not stop at all. See "By train" section below). It is often congested with travellers during weekends and holidays, so if you want to avoid for the long queues, please use the other control points on holidays. Visa-on-arrival can be obtained on the Chinese side.Getting there/away: Trains from Tsim Sha Tsui East to Lo Wu run every five to eight minutes. Shenzhen city centre lies just beyond the Chinese immigration checkpoint.
• Lok Ma Chau Spur Line: This crossing can be accessed by the MTR East Rail Line, by bus/minibuses or by taxi, and the crossing can only be done on foot. Using the double-decked Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang pedestrian bridge, passengers will find themselves at the FuTian immigration checkpoint of the PRC. The control point is not popular and thus less crowded than at Lo Wu. Travellers should note that its opening hours is slightly shorter than that of Lo Wu. Getting there/away: While 1 out of 2/3 northbound East Rail Line trains terminates at that station, the control point can also be reached from Yuen Long by KMB bus number B1 or by minibus number 75. On the Shenzhen side, Huanggang metro station is just after the immigration checkpoint.
• Lok Ma Chau: This crossing consists of separate facilities for pedestrians which is accessed by bus and for road vehicles, and is the only border control point which offers 24-hour immigration services. A shuttle service, known as the "Yellow Bus", operates between the Lok Ma Chau Public Transport Interchange located at San Tin and Huanggang Port of the PRC side. Alternatively, travellers can board the express buses from urban areas of Hong Kong which will carry their passengers directly to the control point. For both modes, passengers after passing through Hong Kong Immigration control has to board the same bus at the other side of the control point, which will then carry them to Huanggang port of Shenzhen side, where they need to get off again and pass through PRC immigration control. Getting there/away: The Lok Ma Chau Public Transport Interchange is served by KMB buses 277, N277, 76K, and 276B, and passengers can board the "Yellow Bus" shuttle there. Alternatively, passenger can board the buses to the port at urban areas in Hong Kong (See "By bus" section below). Over in Shenzhen, a large taxi stand and a bus terminus is right outside the control point but its no where near the Huanggang metro station .
• Man Kam To: This crossing is mostly used by private vehicles and cross-boundary buses. See "By bus" section below.
• Sha Tau Kok: Located furthest east, this control point can be accessed by taking the cross-boundary coach. It is quite a distance from the centre of Shenzhen and is relatively quiet. There are no Chinese visa-on-arrival facilities. See "By bus" section below.
• Shenzhen Bay Bridge: This control point links Hong Kong directly with Shekou, Shenzhen. It can be used by private vehicles and cross-boundary buses. See "By bus" section below.
• Lok Ma Chau Spur Line: This crossing can be accessed by the MTR East Rail Line, by bus/minibuses or by taxi, and the crossing can only be done on foot. Using the double-decked Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang pedestrian bridge, passengers will find themselves at the FuTian immigration checkpoint of the PRC. The control point is not popular and thus less crowded than at Lo Wu. Travellers should note that its opening hours is slightly shorter than that of Lo Wu. Getting there/away: While 1 out of 2/3 northbound East Rail Line trains terminates at that station, the control point can also be reached from Yuen Long by KMB bus number B1 or by minibus number 75. On the Shenzhen side, Huanggang metro station is just after the immigration checkpoint.
• Lok Ma Chau: This crossing consists of separate facilities for pedestrians which is accessed by bus and for road vehicles, and is the only border control point which offers 24-hour immigration services. A shuttle service, known as the "Yellow Bus", operates between the Lok Ma Chau Public Transport Interchange located at San Tin and Huanggang Port of the PRC side. Alternatively, travellers can board the express buses from urban areas of Hong Kong which will carry their passengers directly to the control point. For both modes, passengers after passing through Hong Kong Immigration control has to board the same bus at the other side of the control point, which will then carry them to Huanggang port of Shenzhen side, where they need to get off again and pass through PRC immigration control. Getting there/away: The Lok Ma Chau Public Transport Interchange is served by KMB buses 277, N277, 76K, and 276B, and passengers can board the "Yellow Bus" shuttle there. Alternatively, passenger can board the buses to the port at urban areas in Hong Kong (See "By bus" section below). Over in Shenzhen, a large taxi stand and a bus terminus is right outside the control point but its no where near the Huanggang metro station .
• Man Kam To: This crossing is mostly used by private vehicles and cross-boundary buses. See "By bus" section below.
• Sha Tau Kok: Located furthest east, this control point can be accessed by taking the cross-boundary coach. It is quite a distance from the centre of Shenzhen and is relatively quiet. There are no Chinese visa-on-arrival facilities. See "By bus" section below.
• Shenzhen Bay Bridge: This control point links Hong Kong directly with Shekou, Shenzhen. It can be used by private vehicles and cross-boundary buses. See "By bus" section below.
Please note that all the crossings, save for Shenzhen Bay Bridge, are located in the Frontier Closed Area and everyone is required to have a permit to be there unless crossing the border. Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau can be easily reached by train, but if you are just there to look around, be ready for some security questioning. It is also not easy to directly access the train departure area from the arrivals area.
By bus
There are some Cross Boundary coaches operating from the business districts in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island to the Chinese side of the checkpoint. If you take these coaches, there is no need to change for the yellow shuttle bus and hence it is a good choice for boundary crossing to avoid the queues. There are 6 lines of short trip cross boundary coaches serves the port,
1. Jordan, Kowloon departs from Scout Centre, Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (5 mins walk from Jordan MTR).
2. Mongkok, Kowloon departs from Portland Street, near Metropark Hotel Mongkok (exit from Prince Edward Hotel).
3. Wanchai, HK Island departs from Wanchai Ferry Bus Terminus.
4. Kwun Tong, Kowloon departs from Lam Tin MTR, stops at Kwun Tong APM Shopping Plaza and Kwun Tong Rd, Kowloon Bay MTR.
5. Tsuen Wan departs from Discovery Park Bus Terminus (10 mins walk from Tsuen Wan MTR).
6. Kam Sheng Road departs from Kam Sheung Road West Rail Station.
There are some Cross Boundary coaches operating from the business districts in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island to the Chinese side of the checkpoint. If you take these coaches, there is no need to change for the yellow shuttle bus and hence it is a good choice for boundary crossing to avoid the queues. There are 6 lines of short trip cross boundary coaches serves the port,
1. Jordan, Kowloon departs from Scout Centre, Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (5 mins walk from Jordan MTR).
2. Mongkok, Kowloon departs from Portland Street, near Metropark Hotel Mongkok (exit from Prince Edward Hotel).
3. Wanchai, HK Island departs from Wanchai Ferry Bus Terminus.
4. Kwun Tong, Kowloon departs from Lam Tin MTR, stops at Kwun Tong APM Shopping Plaza and Kwun Tong Rd, Kowloon Bay MTR.
5. Tsuen Wan departs from Discovery Park Bus Terminus (10 mins walk from Tsuen Wan MTR).
6. Kam Sheng Road departs from Kam Sheung Road West Rail Station.
Except the route to Kam Sheng Road, 24 hour services are provided with half hourly or hourly departure in midnight and around 10-20 mins per bus during the day and evening.
Lok Ma Chau is a around-the-clock border crossing ; visa-on-arrival can be obtained on the Chinese side (subject to nationality, at the present, applications from USA passport holders are not accepted).
Lok Ma Chau is a around-the-clock border crossing ; visa-on-arrival can be obtained on the Chinese side (subject to nationality, at the present, applications from USA passport holders are not accepted).
Man Kam To control point can be accessed by taking the cross-boundary coach on the bus interchange under the shopping centre of West Kowloon Centre, Sham Shui Po (near Sham Shui Po MTR)in Kowloon, which costs $35, the bus calls at Landmark North also, which is just adjacent to Sheung Shui KCR Station, with section fare of $22. It is seldom crowded with travellers even during holiday periods. You can also enjoy the free shuttle service outside the Chinese checkpoint, which takes you to the central area of Shenzhen. However, no visa-on-arrival can be obtained on the Chinese side, which means you need to arrange for your visa in advanced before arrival.
It is the best route to go to the downtown in Shenzhen especially during holidays.
Sha Tau Kok control point can be accessed by taking the cross-boundary coach on the bus interchange at Luen Wo Hui in Fanling and Kowloon Tong. It connects the eastern boundary of Hong Kong and Shenzhen and it is a bit remote from the central part on Shenzhen. As a consequence, only very few passengers choose to cross the boundary using this checkpoint. No visa-on-arrival can be obtained on the Chinese side.
Coaches departs from Kowloon Tong MTR from 7:00 to 18:30 every 15 minutes which costs $20, which is also the cheapest direct coach to Shenzhen.
Shenzhen Bay control point links Hong Kong directly with Shekou, Shenzhen, and can be accessed conveniently by public buses. Route B2 departs from Yuen Long Railway Station via Tin Shui Wai Railway Station to Shenzhen Bay, while B3 departs from Tuen Mun Pier. There is also a express coach service departing from Sham Shui Po to Shenzhen Bay.
It is the best route to go to the downtown in Shenzhen especially during holidays.
Sha Tau Kok control point can be accessed by taking the cross-boundary coach on the bus interchange at Luen Wo Hui in Fanling and Kowloon Tong. It connects the eastern boundary of Hong Kong and Shenzhen and it is a bit remote from the central part on Shenzhen. As a consequence, only very few passengers choose to cross the boundary using this checkpoint. No visa-on-arrival can be obtained on the Chinese side.
Coaches departs from Kowloon Tong MTR from 7:00 to 18:30 every 15 minutes which costs $20, which is also the cheapest direct coach to Shenzhen.
Shenzhen Bay control point links Hong Kong directly with Shekou, Shenzhen, and can be accessed conveniently by public buses. Route B2 departs from Yuen Long Railway Station via Tin Shui Wai Railway Station to Shenzhen Bay, while B3 departs from Tuen Mun Pier. There is also a express coach service departing from Sham Shui Po to Shenzhen Bay.
By train
MTR Corporation runs regular Through Train service between Guangdong Province, Beijing and Shanghai. The through train terminus is Hung Hom Station on the Kowloon side, while the current terminus of the domestic service is East Tsim Sha Tsui station.
The destinations of the Intercity Passenger Service are Guangzhou (East), Dongguan, Foshan and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province, as well as Beijing and Shanghai.
The online directory of MTR Corporation provides information on the timetable and fare information of the Intercity Passenger Service.
Train service between Hong Kong and Mainland China stops before midnight as the border, at Lo Wu, is closed at midnight.
MTR Corporation runs regular Through Train service between Guangdong Province, Beijing and Shanghai. The through train terminus is Hung Hom Station on the Kowloon side, while the current terminus of the domestic service is East Tsim Sha Tsui station.
The destinations of the Intercity Passenger Service are Guangzhou (East), Dongguan, Foshan and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province, as well as Beijing and Shanghai.
The online directory of MTR Corporation provides information on the timetable and fare information of the Intercity Passenger Service.
Train service between Hong Kong and Mainland China stops before midnight as the border, at Lo Wu, is closed at midnight.
When to visit HongKong
Weather— For those who are seeking warm, dry and sunny weather, the ideal time is October to December. Those who are wanting to escape the humidity of tropical climates will appreciate the cooler months of January to March. The temperature ranges from 9°C to 24°C during winter, and ranges from 26°C to 33°C during summer. The humidity is typically high in the spring and worse in the summer, when high temperatures (usual maximum of 32-34°C) are often recorded.
Events — During Chinese New Year, whilst there are some extra celebratory events such as a lion dances, fireworks, and parades, many shops and restaurants are closed for three days to 5 days. Official public holidays last 3 days.
Culture lovers will be able to feast on a multitude of cultural activities from February to April. The Hong Kong Arts Festival, a month-long festival of international performances, is held in February and March. The Man Literary Festival, a two-week English language festival with international writers as guests, is held in March. The Hong Kong International film festival, a three-week event, is held in late March to early April.
Rugby fans, and those wishing to party, should come during the weekend of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
There is a second round of cultural activities in the autumn lasting till the end of the year.
Christmas is also a nice time to visit as many shops and shopping centres are nicely decorated and the festive mood is celebrated across the city.
Events — During Chinese New Year, whilst there are some extra celebratory events such as a lion dances, fireworks, and parades, many shops and restaurants are closed for three days to 5 days. Official public holidays last 3 days.
Culture lovers will be able to feast on a multitude of cultural activities from February to April. The Hong Kong Arts Festival, a month-long festival of international performances, is held in February and March. The Man Literary Festival, a two-week English language festival with international writers as guests, is held in March. The Hong Kong International film festival, a three-week event, is held in late March to early April.
Rugby fans, and those wishing to party, should come during the weekend of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
There is a second round of cultural activities in the autumn lasting till the end of the year.
Christmas is also a nice time to visit as many shops and shopping centres are nicely decorated and the festive mood is celebrated across the city.
HongKong Festivals
• Chinese (Lunar) New Year
Although this may seem like an ideal time to go to Hong Kong, many shops and restaurants close down during the Chinese New Year. However, unlike Christmas in Europe where you can hardly find shops open on this big day, you can still get food and daily products easily during the Lunar New Year period. The week or two leading up to the Chinese New Year as well as the period just after the third day up to the fifteenth day are good times to soak up the festive mood and listen to Chinese New Year songs being played in the shops.
Although this may seem like an ideal time to go to Hong Kong, many shops and restaurants close down during the Chinese New Year. However, unlike Christmas in Europe where you can hardly find shops open on this big day, you can still get food and daily products easily during the Lunar New Year period. The week or two leading up to the Chinese New Year as well as the period just after the third day up to the fifteenth day are good times to soak up the festive mood and listen to Chinese New Year songs being played in the shops.
• Spring Lantern Festival
If you go to Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, you will be able to experience this traditional Chinese festival. A number of beautiful lanterns can be found in the park at this time.
• Ching Ming Festival
This festival in Spring is also known as grave sweeping day. To show respect to the deceased, family members go to the grave of their ancestors to sweep away leaves and remove weeds around the grave area. Paper offerings are also burned, such as fake money.
• Cheung Chau Bun Festival
This is takes place on the tiny island of Cheung Chau. In the past the festival has involved competitions with people climbing bun towers to snatch buns. After the unfortunate collapse of a bun tower in 1978, due to an overload of people, the competition was abandoned. It was resumed again in 2005 with better safety measures.
• Tuen Ng Festival
This is a festival in memory of a national hero from the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. Dragon boat races are typically held during this festival and glutinous rice dumplings, usually with pork fillings, are eaten by many.
• Hungry Ghost Festival
This festival runs throughout the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the gates of hell open during this period and hungry ghosts are allowed to roam freely into our world. Though not a public holiday, this is the time where one can see many people perform various rites to appease the wandering ghosts, such as offering food and burning joss paper. One can also see traditional performances such as Chinese opera which are held to appease these ghosts.
• Mid Autumn Festival / Moon Festival
This festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. Moon cakes which contain lotus seed paste and duck egg yolks are a popular delicacy. Many Western people will find the traditional mooncake hard to appreciate, so you might like to try the ice-cream version as well. The festival is also known as the lantern festival and various parts of Hong Kong will be festooned with decorative lanterns which set the night scene ablaze with colour.
• Chung Yeung Festival
Is a day also known as Autumn Remembrance, which is similar to Ching Ming in spring, where families visit the graves of their ancestors to perform cleansing rites and pay their respects. As the weather cools down during this part of the year, hiking is a good activity to do during this holiday.
• Halloween
Halloween has grown rapidly in popularity and many people dress up to party till late. Trick or treat is not common but most restaurants and shopping centres are decorated and have special programmes. It is not a public holiday.
• Christmas
Christmas is celebrated Hong Kong style. The city is adorned using traditional Western Christmas decorations. Many shopping centres, such as Pacific Place, offer ample opportunities for children to meet Santa. Most shops and restaurants remain open throughout Christmas. You should expect large crowds out shopping for the Christmas sales.
• New Year's EveNew Year's Eve in Hong Kong is something to check out if you are seeking a carnival experience. Hundreds of thousands of people out on the streets to celebrate the New Year is truly an unforgettable time. There are all-night services on the MTR, night-buses, and of course, many taxis. Fireworks go off on the harbour front, which a lot of people attend to watch on both sides of the harbour: Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon side) and Central (Hong Kong Island). The young adults and older adults decide to party with the rest of Hong Kong at the hot-spots such as Causeway Bay, Lan Kwai Fong and Tsim Sha Tsui. Many people dress up and attend private parties and others flock to the streets to enjoy the atmosphere. Police patrol around popular areas to make sure the city is a safe party-zone. Hong Kong people are not great drinkers and most of them stay dry for the night. Drinking alcohol on the street is uncommon. So visitors who drink should moderate their behaviour or risk being screened out by the police as the only drunks in the crowd.
Walt Disney Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres (546,000 m²) in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s. The third park built at the resort, it opened on May 1, 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios.
In 2007, the park hosted approximately 9.51 million guests, ranking it the fourth-most visited amusement park in the United States, and seventh-most visited in the world
Park development
The idea that led to Disney’s Hollywood Studios began at its sister park, Epcot. A team of Imagineers had been given an assignment to create two new pavilions for the park's Future World section. The fruits of the brainstorming sessions were the Wonders of Life pavilion and the Great Movie Ride pavilion. The second of the two was to have sat between the Land pavilion and the Journey Into Imagination pavilion, and was to look like a soundstage backdrop, with a movie theater-style entrance in the middle. The actual attraction is very similar to the plans for the equivalent at Epcot, only it should be surrounded by a brand new theme park which extended the showbiz, Hollywood and entertainment theme.
In 2007, the park hosted approximately 9.51 million guests, ranking it the fourth-most visited amusement park in the United States, and seventh-most visited in the world
Park development
The idea that led to Disney’s Hollywood Studios began at its sister park, Epcot. A team of Imagineers had been given an assignment to create two new pavilions for the park's Future World section. The fruits of the brainstorming sessions were the Wonders of Life pavilion and the Great Movie Ride pavilion. The second of the two was to have sat between the Land pavilion and the Journey Into Imagination pavilion, and was to look like a soundstage backdrop, with a movie theater-style entrance in the middle. The actual attraction is very similar to the plans for the equivalent at Epcot, only it should be surrounded by a brand new theme park which extended the showbiz, Hollywood and entertainment theme.
AttractionsThe park consists of six themed areas. Unlike the other Walt Disney World parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios does not have a defined layout; it is more a mass of streets and buildings that blend into each other, much like a real motion picture studio would. The layout of the park, however, did have an interesting design characteristic. If you look at an older version of a park map and turn it upside down (or look at an old aerial photo oriented due north), you will see a Hidden Mickey in the overall layout of the park. Recent construction and changes to the park have eliminated much of this image.
Hollywood BoulevardHollywood Boulevard serves as the park's main entrance and is lined with venues selling Disney merchandise. Parades such as the Pixar Block Party Bash travel down Hollywood Boulevard on their route through the park, and live street entertainment can be found here throughout the day.
The Great Movie Ride, a dark ride paying homage to several classic films, including Casablanca and The Wizard of Oz is located at the end of Hollywood Boulevard inside of a replica of the famous Hollywood icon, Grauman's Chinese Theater.
A.T.A.S. Hall of Fame Plaza, which features busts of past and present icons of the television era, such as Oprah Winfrey and Walt Disney.
The American Idol Experience, inspired by the popular television series American Idol, is an interactive stage show to be constructed in the former Superstar Television theatre, which will open in January 2009.
Echo LakeAction on the set of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!Echo Lake is the park's small oval-shaped lagoon. Surrounding it are numerous attractions and services, some in structures designed to mimic the "California Crazy" form of architecture from Hollywood's Golden Age.
Star Tours, a motion simulator ride set in the Star Wars universe.
Jedi Training Academy, a live-action stage show where children are selected to become padawan learners and receive "lightsaber training" from a Jedi master. This show originally was a special event during the annual Star Wars Weekends, but it has since been added to the park's daily entertainment schedule.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, a live-action performance showing how movie stunts are done. The show re-enacts various scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Sounds Dangerous!, a 3-D audio presentation featuring comedian Drew Carey.
Streets of AmericaOriginally the New York Street backlot set that was part of the park's original Backlot Studio Tour, the section was later opened to pedestrian traffic. More recently, additional architectural treatments were added to create street sets resembling San Francisco and Chicago.
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D, a 3-D movie experience featuring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and other Muppet characters.
Studio Backlot Tour, showing how movie special effects are created. Guests see a movie scene set on the Special Effects Water Tank filmed using volunteers from the audience and various special effects. The audience sees this final sequence edited all together in an action sequence called Harbor Attack. Guests board trams and are taken through Catastrophe Canyon, to see fire and water effects, and are driven past large-scale movie props.
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D, a 3-D movie experience featuring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and other Muppet characters.
Studio Backlot Tour, showing how movie special effects are created. Guests see a movie scene set on the Special Effects Water Tank filmed using volunteers from the audience and various special effects. The audience sees this final sequence edited all together in an action sequence called Harbor Attack. Guests board trams and are taken through Catastrophe Canyon, to see fire and water effects, and are driven past large-scale movie props.
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, a behind-the-scenes look at how vehicle action sequences are created for films, adapted from a similar show at Walt Disney Studios Park.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, an oversized playground based on the movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, an oversized playground based on the movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
Animation Courtyard
This section of the park originally was the starting point for the tours of the park's active production studios. Its entrance is marked by a square "studio arch," much like a real Hollywood studio lot entrance might be marked. In the spring of 2008, Animation Courtyard was expanded to include portions of the former Mickey Avenue section of the park.
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream, a museum-like walkthrough attraction that explores the life of Walt Disney and his legacy through photos, models, rare artifacts and a short biographical film narrated by Julie Andrews as well as archival audio of Walt himself.
Journey Into Narnia, a walk-through interactive attraction featuring props from the movie series. The attraction currently contains elements from the series' second film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
The American Film Institute Showcase, a rotating exhibit of movie props and memorabilia.
Voyage of The Little Mermaid, a live performance using puppets, lasers, movies, human actors, and water (mist) to re-create the animated Little Mermaid movie, in a condensed form.
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!, a live performance featuring puppet characters from the Playhouse Disney block of programming on The Disney Channel. Currently, this show features characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, and Little Einsteins.
The Magic of Disney Animation, an attraction that examines the development process of an animated character. It also includes interactive games and exhibits, along with meet-and-greet areas for the Disney and Pixar characters.
Pixar PlaceThe park's newest section includes many of the original soundstages used when the park hosted actual production facilities. Today, Pixar Place resembles the Emeryville, California campus of Pixar Animation Studios.
Toy Story Midway Mania!, an interactive attraction inspired by classic carnival midway games and featuring popular Pixar characters.
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard was the first expansion to Disney's Hollywood Studios, opening in July 1994.
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, a stage show featuring highlights of the film.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, an indoor roller coaster in the dark with three inversions and a high-speed launch.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a thrill ride that drops guests in an elevator in a randomized set of four sequences each involving multiple high-speed drops and ascents. In addition, special effects including scents, lighting and sound enhance the experience.
Fantasmic!, a nighttime show with characters and fireworks held in the adjacent Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.
Sunset Boulevard was the first expansion to Disney's Hollywood Studios, opening in July 1994.
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, a stage show featuring highlights of the film.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, an indoor roller coaster in the dark with three inversions and a high-speed launch.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a thrill ride that drops guests in an elevator in a randomized set of four sequences each involving multiple high-speed drops and ascents. In addition, special effects including scents, lighting and sound enhance the experience.
Fantasmic!, a nighttime show with characters and fireworks held in the adjacent Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.
Live EntertainmentDisney's Hollywood Studios has featured numerous forms of in-park entertainment throughout its history. During its early years, the park featured the "Star Today" program, with a daily celebrity guest. The celebrity would often be featured in a motorcade along Hollywood Boulevard, or would take part in a handprint ceremony at the Great Movie Ride's entrance, or even participate in an interview session.Today, guests are treated to a wide array of characters and performers, many of which make their only Walt Disney World appearances at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Similarly, characters from new Disney and Pixar animated features will make their Walt Disney World debuts at the park, such as those from Meet the Robinsons and Pixar's Ratatouille.
Like the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios also runs daily parades down Hollywood Boulevard. The "Pixar Block Party Bash" parade features Pixar film characters performing in a street party along Hollywood Boulevard and near Echo Lake. Several times each day, the "High School Musical 2 : School's Out!" show will travel Hollywood Boulevard before performing a live street show in front of the Sorcerer's Hat.
Annual EventsDisney's Hollywood Studios hosts a number of events during the year that often draw thousands of fans to the park.
ESPN The Weekend (late winter) features commentators from the Disney-owned cable sports channels as well as sports celebrities.
Imperial Stormtroopers parade near the Sorcerer's Hat during Star Wars Weekends.Star Wars Weekends (June) bring Star Wars fans and celebrities together for special park events. Running Fridays-Sundays throughout June, they feature the 501st Legion (a worldwide Star Wars costuming group) parading through the park in Stormtrooper costumes, two (or more) Star Wars actors appearing each weekend for photos and autographs, Jedi Lightsaber Training classes for kids, and other activities.
Night of Joy (September), a two-night after-hours celebration of contemporary Christian music, will move to Disney's Hollywood Studios from the nearby Magic Kingdom for its 26th annual visit in 2008. The next scheduled event is September 5-6, 2008.
ABC Super Soap Weekend (November) pays tribute to the legions of fans of soap operas from ABC. Guests can meet stars from All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital. The next scheduled event is November 15-16, 2008.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (November-January) take over the Streets of America during the holiday season. The display features over five million Christmas lights on more than 350 miles (560 km) of wire.
MGM litigationDisney was contractually prohibited from using the Disney-MGM Studios name in certain marketing contexts like the free Walt Disney World vacation-planning kit; in those instances the park was called The Disney Studios.
Walt Disney Studios Park
Disney's Hollywood Studios has a sister park at the Disneyland Resort Paris called Walt Disney Studios Park.
The two parks share the same basic theme (the entertainment industry) and have provided attractions to each other. The French park debuted with a Backlot Tour that included a version of Catastrophe Canyon, and a re-themed version of Florida's Rock N Roller Coaster. For the Happiest Celebration on Earth in 2005, a state-side version of Walt Disney Studios' popular auto stunt show was built at the Florida park, now known as Lights! Motors! Action!.
Disney's Hollywood Studios has a sister park at the Disneyland Resort Paris called Walt Disney Studios Park.
The two parks share the same basic theme (the entertainment industry) and have provided attractions to each other. The French park debuted with a Backlot Tour that included a version of Catastrophe Canyon, and a re-themed version of Florida's Rock N Roller Coaster. For the Happiest Celebration on Earth in 2005, a state-side version of Walt Disney Studios' popular auto stunt show was built at the Florida park, now known as Lights! Motors! Action!.
Disney-pedia
Disney's Blizzard Beach
Blizzard Beach is a water park located at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The park opened on April 1, 1996 and was the third WDW water park after River Country and Typhoon Lagoon. The theme of the park is the "Disney legend" of a freak snowstorm in the area, leading to the construction of Florida's first ski resort. Naturally, the snow didn't last long, leaving behind a collection of waterlogged but snow-less ski jumps and chair lifts.
The failed resort was in the process of closing for good when an alligator was seen sliding down a flume and splashing into a pool of water, screaming "Yahoo!" Thus the "ski resort" was reborn as a water park, with the alligator (named "Ice Gator") as mascot.
The majority of the major attractions at the park are hosted atop of Mount Gushmore, an artificial hill with an elevation of 90 feet (27 m), making it the fifth highest point in Florida. Mount Gushmore is split into three colored slopes to aid guests navigating around the park: Green, Red and Purple.
All water areas are heated (at approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit) with the exception of the melting snow in the ice cave of Cross Country Creek.
Green Slope
The Green Slope attractions (all are single track water slides, and as such are not meant for racing,) are found at the uppermost point of Mount Gushmore. They can be accessed by foot, or by chairlift. The chairlift is a one-way ride, except for guests with disabilities.
Summit Plummet is the flagship attraction at 120 feet (36 m) tall, it's also the second tallest and fastest free fall slide. The world's tallest and fastest water slide is the "Insano", with 135 feet (41 m) tall and 65 miles per hour (105 km/h). Riders can sometimes, depending on their position and physiology, reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour (about 89 km/h). This slide has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for being the highest free fall slide in the world, until the opening of Insano. There is a minimum height requirement of 48" (122 cm).Teamboat Springs is the world's longest "family white-water raft ride" at 1,400 feet (426 m) long. This attraction sends guests down a twisting series of rushing waterfalls. Water Park guests sit in large blue rubber rafts, which can hold a minimum of 4 and maximum of 6 persons, equipped with handles to hold on while the gushing water takes you down the slide. No infants and other Health Restrictions are advised.
Slush Gusher is a 90 feet (27 m) tall, 250-feet (76 m) long snow-banked mountain gully body slide attraction that reaches speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 km/h). It has two places where it almost levels off, only to drop back down again. As such, it is one of only a few water slides where "air time" is achieved. If you want to reach maximum air, raise your crossed-legs just before you reach the second hump and keep straight.
Purple SlopeAccess to the Purple Slope attractions (all of which have at least two nearly identical tracks, and as such are designed for racing,) is from a pathway next to the catch pool of Downhill Double Dipper.
Downhill Double Dipper is one of the world's only side-by-side racing slides. It is located next to Snow Stormers on Mount Gushmore. This adrenaline pumping attraction's slides are 50 feet (15 m) high and are 230 feet (70 m) long. Guests travel up to speeds of 25 mph (40 km/h) on these twin inner tube runs as they race past internationally recognized ski racing graphic elements and flags. Time clocks count-off each downhill heat and the runs are outfitted with automated audio equipment that signals the start of each race.
This attraction has a minimum height requirement of 48" (122 cm).
Snow Stormers is a "mat slide" consisting of three flumes (350 feet long) between Downhill Double Dipper and Toboggan Racers on Mount Gushmore. The attraction descends from the top of the mountain and follows a switchback course through ski-type slalom gates. Guests lay on their stomach on the toboggan style mat as they ride down the flumes.Toboggan Racers is an 8-lane, 250-foot (76 m) water slide next to Snow Stormers on Mount Gushmore. The attraction sends guests racing over exhilarating dips as they descend the "snow" slope along the side of Mount Gushmore. Guests lay on their stomach on the toboggan style mat as they race to the finish line.
Red Slope
The Red Slope is found at the very rear of the park, containing only one attraction (a multi-slide attraction, but not designed for racing, due to the slides being so different).
Runoff Rapids is a 600-foot (180 m) inner tube run featuring two open and one enclosed tube slides. This attraction careens guests down twisting, turning flumes, passing through corrugated steel pipes. Tubes available at the bottom of the attraction. The Red slope stairs are the only way to access this attraction.
Ground LevelMeltaway Bay is a 1-acre (4,000 m2) wave pool nestled against the base of Mount Gushmore. This attraction is constantly fed by "melting snow" waterfalls creating "bobbing" (short) waves.
The Cross Country Creek is a 3,000-foot (910 m) slow-moving water attraction commonly known as a "lazy river," that travels around the perimeter of the water park. The attraction carries floating guests (in inner tubes) through a bone-chilling ice cave. Once inside the mysterious cave, guests will be splashed with the "melting" ice from overhead. There are 7 entrances and exits located throughout the park for this attraction, and any of these locations guests may pick up tubes and leave them as they exit the creek. The journey takes between twenty and thirty minutes to complete depending on crowd levels.
Ski Patrol is an area for pre-teenage children.-Leisure Pool- The pool contain "icebergs" on which guests under 12 can walk across.
-Fahrenheit Drops - Commonly known as the "T-Bar", this attraction is a rope drop that deposits guests that are under five feet tall into eight and a half feet of water.
-Freezin' Pipe Springs - This attraction is a short body slide. It deposits guests in the same water area as Farenheight Drops, but has no height restriction.
-Cool Runners- a wide-open slide (inner tube) area created by rapidly melting snow mounds (moguls).
Tike's Peak features gentle slides designed to resemble scaled down versions of attractions at Blizzard Beach. Also included is a snow-castle fountain play area with pop (water) jets. Picnic benches also provided. Footwear is suggested due to hot pavement. The attraction is limited to children under 48" (122 cm).
The Chairlift carries up to 3 guests over the craggy face of Mount Gushmore, from its base at the beach, to its summit. The chairs carrying guests feature wooden-bench seats, colorful overhead umbrellas and snow skis on their underside. The Chairlift was converted from ski-resort to beach-resort use after a freak snowstorm hit Florida and soon after melted forming the perfect site for a water park. This is a one-way ride to the top of Mount Gushmore providing access to most attractions depending on the number of guests present in the park. A Gondola is also provided for disabled guests to access the top of Mount Gushmore. Minimum height requirement of 48" (122 cm) to ride alone.
Food and beverage
Avalunch: Offers light snacks and refreshments. Located next to the entrance of the Chairlift.
Frostbite Freddie's: Bar located adjacent to Snowless Joes in the Village.
Lottawatta Lodge: Ski lodge providing outdoor covered seating and is the main counter service area.
Polar Pub: Bar located on the beach by the wave pool.
‘I. C. Expeditions: Offers ice cream, deserts and refreshments. Located near the Chairlift.
The Cooling Hut: Offers light snacks and refreshments. Located in the Village
The Warming Hut: Offers snacks, lunch and dinner. Located near the bottom of Downhill Double Dipper.
Coolers are allowed in the waterparks. The only restricted items are glass and alcohol.
MerchandiseNorth Pearl: Jewelry store featuring pearls. Located in the Village across from the changing rooms.
Snowless Joe's: Rental location offering locker and towel rentals and complimentary lifejackets. Located in the Village next to the changing rooms.
The Beach Haus: Main merchandise store offering souvenirs, swimwear, footwear, etc. Located in the Village in-between the Main Entrance and Lottawatta Lodge.
Jumat, 12 Desember 2008
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Typhoon Lagoon is a water park located at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The park, which opened on June 1, 1989, is home to the world's largest outdoor wave pool. The theme of the park is the "Disney legend" of a typhoon that wreaked havoc upon a formerly pristine tropical paradise. Ships, fishing gear, and surfboards are strewn about where the storm flung them. The centerpiece of the park is "Miss Tilly," a shrimp boat impaled upon a mountain named "Mount Mayday" that erupts a 50-foot (15 m) geyser of water every half hour, right before the bells of the watch sound on Miss Tilly. The parks’ mascot is named “Lagoona Gator” who is related to Blizzard Beach’s mascot Ice Gator.
Mount MaydayMount Mayday, located behind the surf pool, features “Miss Tilly” as well as many of the park's waterfalls and slides.
Attractions
Humunga Kowabunga: Three enclosed "speed slide" flumes that hurtle riders downward five stories in seconds (Height Restriction: 48” or taller).
Storm Slides: Three body slides (Jib Jammer, Stern Burner and Rudder Buster) that send riders from a height of three stories down twisting, winding channels to a splash pool at the bottom.
Gang Plank Falls: Family raft ride featuring large four-person inner tubes.
Mayday Falls: Tube slide flume with winding "rough rapids" feel.
Keelhaul Falls: Tube slide flume with smoother ride, spiraling down through a water fall and cave.
Forgotten Grotto: A cave walkway through Mt. Mayday
Overlook Pass: A walkway across the slope of Mt. Mayday, with small waterfalls.
Hideaway BayHideaway Bay, formerly “Out of the Way Cay”, is a sandy beach area located behind the dressing rooms. It is in the most hidden part of the park and features the newest attraction at Typhoon Lagoon.
Attractions
Crush 'n' Gusher: Water coaster where two to three person rafts are propelled by water jets through hairpin turns and drop-offs. This attraction includes your choice of the water coaster slide "Banana Blaster", "Coconut Crusher", or "Pineapple Plunger" (Height Restriction: 48” or taller).
The park, which opened on June 1, 1989, is home to the world's largest outdoor wave pool. The theme of the park is the "Disney legend" of a typhoon that wreaked havoc upon a formerly pristine tropical paradise. Ships, fishing gear, and surfboards are strewn about where the storm flung them. The centerpiece of the park is "Miss Tilly," a shrimp boat impaled upon a mountain named "Mount Mayday" that erupts a 50-foot (15 m) geyser of water every half hour, right before the bells of the watch sound on Miss Tilly. The parks’ mascot is named “Lagoona Gator” who is related to Blizzard Beach’s mascot Ice Gator.
Mount MaydayMount Mayday, located behind the surf pool, features “Miss Tilly” as well as many of the park's waterfalls and slides.
Attractions
Humunga Kowabunga: Three enclosed "speed slide" flumes that hurtle riders downward five stories in seconds (Height Restriction: 48” or taller).
Storm Slides: Three body slides (Jib Jammer, Stern Burner and Rudder Buster) that send riders from a height of three stories down twisting, winding channels to a splash pool at the bottom.
Gang Plank Falls: Family raft ride featuring large four-person inner tubes.
Mayday Falls: Tube slide flume with winding "rough rapids" feel.
Keelhaul Falls: Tube slide flume with smoother ride, spiraling down through a water fall and cave.
Forgotten Grotto: A cave walkway through Mt. Mayday
Overlook Pass: A walkway across the slope of Mt. Mayday, with small waterfalls.
Hideaway BayHideaway Bay, formerly “Out of the Way Cay”, is a sandy beach area located behind the dressing rooms. It is in the most hidden part of the park and features the newest attraction at Typhoon Lagoon.
Attractions
Crush 'n' Gusher: Water coaster where two to three person rafts are propelled by water jets through hairpin turns and drop-offs. This attraction includes your choice of the water coaster slide "Banana Blaster", "Coconut Crusher", or "Pineapple Plunger" (Height Restriction: 48” or taller). Sandy White Beach: Beach area with lounge chairs as well as a wading pool area adjacent to Crush 'n' Gusher.
Typhoon LagoonThe largest section of the water park houses the feature attraction as well as many shaded, white sandy beaches to relax and recuperate.Attractions
Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool: Wave pool, which alternates on a 90-second surf (6 foot high) waves/30-second bobbing waves cycle.
Bay Slides: Beginner slide designed to send toddlers down gentle slopes that end in a secluded corner for the “Surf Pool” (Height restriction: 60” or under).
Blustery Bay: Zero depth entry tidal pool near the clock tower, adjacent to the “Surf Pool” and is surrounded by sandy beaches.
Whitecap Cove: Zero depth entry tidal pool near “Surf Doggies”, adjacent to the “Surf Pool” and is surrounded by sandy beaches.
Learn to Surf: Hosted by “Craig Carroll’s Cocoa Beach Surf School” a two and a half hour surf lesson before the park opens (additional cost). All needed surf gear provided.
Shark Reef
Two saltwater reefs separated by a sunken tanker provide guests with an experience with Caribbean sea creatures.
Attractions
Shark Reef: Hosted by NAUI, snorkel through an unheated, saltwater reef populated with stingrays, bonnethead, leopard sharks and tropical fish. Snorkels, masks and lifejackets (if needed) provided free of charge. An adult must accompany children under 10 years of age.
Sunken Tanker: Underwater viewing area of the reefs. Viewing provided through tankers portholes.
S.A.S Adventure: A 30-minute “Surface Air Snorkeling” experience. Using a “pony” tank, a small regulator, and a buoyancy vest experience the “Shark Reef” in a different way (additional cost). All participants must be at least 5 years of age.
Hammer Head Fred’s Dive Shop: Snorkels, masks, lifejackets and unheated showers provided.
Castaway CreekContinuous flowing, 2,100-foot (640 m) "lazy river" that slowly circles the entire park, passing through gentle waterfalls, lush rainforests, mist screens, and Mount Mayday itself. Riders can float on their own or in inner tubes provided. Think of this as the "water metro line" for the park: you can get on or off at several "stations" or "landings" convenient to the various rides. It takes some experience to learn which entrances are most convenient to the ride you want, but there are large maps at each landing to aid navigation through the river. If you wish, you can ignore the rest of the park and make a day of floating down the river.
Other attractionsKetchakiddee Creek: a play area for young children featuring small slides and fountains. There are water features that spray everywhere including a tugboat and a mixture of whales and seals throughout the play area. A small sandy beach is also provided (Height restriction: 48” or under).
Food and beverage
Leaning Palms: Previously the Placid Palms resort, the main counter service restaurant. Surrounded by shaded seating areas. Located near the main entrance.
Typhoon Tilly’s: Offers snacks, lunch and dinner. Located near the “Shark Reef”.
Happy Landings Ice Cream: Offers ice cream and refreshments. Located in between “Getaway Glenn” and “Castaway Creek”.
Let’s Go Slurpin’: Bar located on the beach by the wave pool.
Surf Doggies: Classic car with hot dogs, pretzels and beverages, on the beach by the wave pool.
Picnic areasThere are 2 designated picnic areas located in the park. However there are no restrictions as to where to have a picnic.
Getaway Glenn: Located behind "Happy Landings" near the front of the park.
Hideaway Bay: Located near Crush 'n' Gusher and the dressing rooms.
Coolers are allowed in the waterparks. The only restricted items are glass and alcohol.
Merchandise
North Pearl: Jewelry store featuring pearls. Located in “Hammer Head Fred’s Dive Shop”.
Singapore Sal’s: Main merchandise store offering souvenirs, swimwear, footwear, etc.
High ‘N Dry Towels: Rental location offering locker and towel rentals and complimentary lifejackets.
Rabu, 03 Desember 2008
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. The fourth park built at the resort, it opened on April 22, 1998, and it is the largest single Disney theme park in the world, covering more than 500 acres (2 km²). It is also the first Disney theme park to be themed entirely around animal conservation, a philosophy once pioneered by Walt Disney himself. Disney's Animal Kingdom is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, meaning they have met and exceeded the standards in Education, Conservation and Research.Shortly after the park opened, Disney advertised the park using the fictional word "nahtazu". Pronounced "not a zoo," the word emphasized that the park was more than animal displays found in a typical city zoo. Disney stopped using the phrase in January 2006.
In 2007, the park hosted approximately 9.49 million guests, ranking it the fifth-most visited amusement park in the United States and eight-most visited in the world.
Themed areasThe park is made up of seven themed areas. However, the original plans called for another area called "Beastly Kingdom".
Oasis
Upon entering the park, guests must walk through this area to get into any of the other lands in the park. The Oasis consists of different paths leading to Discovery Island which walk guests past animal habitats such as muntjac, cavy, spoonbills, ducks, fish, turtles, wallabies, giant anteaters, babirusa, Hyacinth Macaws, and others. A Rainforest Cafe is also located at the entrance of the Oasis.
Upon entering the park, guests must walk through this area to get into any of the other lands in the park. The Oasis consists of different paths leading to Discovery Island which walk guests past animal habitats such as muntjac, cavy, spoonbills, ducks, fish, turtles, wallabies, giant anteaters, babirusa, Hyacinth Macaws, and others. A Rainforest Cafe is also located at the entrance of the Oasis.
Discovery Island
The main land in the park (previously known as Safari Village), Discovery Island is the center island in the park and has paths to all six of the other lands. It is also the home of The Tree of Life.
Here you'll see kangaroos, flamingos, axis deer, West African crowned cranes, vultures, porcupines, lemurs, macaws, ducks, Galapagos tortoise, small-clawed otters, saddlebill storks, and more.
The main land in the park (previously known as Safari Village), Discovery Island is the center island in the park and has paths to all six of the other lands. It is also the home of The Tree of Life.
Here you'll see kangaroos, flamingos, axis deer, West African crowned cranes, vultures, porcupines, lemurs, macaws, ducks, Galapagos tortoise, small-clawed otters, saddlebill storks, and more.
It's Tough to be a Bug - At the roots of The Tree of Life, Flik from A Bug's Life shows a 3-D Film about bugs and their daily lives.
Camp Minnie-Mickey
This land is the home of one show and four character greeting spots where guests can meet characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and others.
This land is the home of one show and four character greeting spots where guests can meet characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and others.
Festival of the Lion King - A high-energy musical performance featuring songs and characters from the film The Lion King.
Africa
Set in the fictional village of Harambe, the Africa section contains a number of animal adventures.
Set in the fictional village of Harambe, the Africa section contains a number of animal adventures.
Kilimanjaro Safaris - Guests climb aboard an open-sided safari vehicle for an expedition seeing many African animals. Animals from Africa freely roam through acres of savanna, rivers and rocky hills. The guests can see giraffes, hippos, elephants, rhinoceroses, lions and other animals, while later embarking on a mission to stop some ivory poachers.
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail - The guest treks into the forest in search of gorillas. Along the way, the guest goes on a nature walk through a verdant African valley filled with Nile hippos, birds and fish and enters an exotic bird aviary, a research centre with naked mole-rats and various rodents and reptiles, an underwater hippo viewing area, a savanna overlook, and has an intimate up-close encounter with a magnificent troop of gorillas.
Rafiki's Planet Watch
Accessible by train only, this area, hosted by Rafiki, contains small animals, a petting zoo with domesticated goats, and exhibits teaching about conservation efforts. The veterinary hospital's viewing window allows guests to watch medical procedures conducted by the veterinary staff.
Wildlife Express Train - Guests ride the rails on this rustic African train that travels the savanna for a behind-the-scenes journey through several animal housing and care areas of the park. On the return trip, the train passes near the Asia section of the park.
Habitat Habit! - Guests see endangered cottontop tamarin primates up close, trekking down an adventure trail and learning of novel ways to help animals.
Affection Section - This attraction is an animal encounter with goats, sheep, pigs, chicken, llamas and more. Some of the park's friendlier animals make special guest appearances.
Conservation Station - At the trail's end, guests can visit the center of Disney efforts to promote wildlife conservation awareness. Inside are a variety of wild animal experiences, interactive games and shows.
Asia
Asia was the first expansion land added to Disney's Animal Kingdom, first opening in 1999. Like Africa, the section's attractions are part of a fictional village, Anandapur.
Flights of Wonder - Guests join a trainee bird handler and a wayward tour guide who teach each other about the delicate state of nature and see birds such as vultures, hawks, colorful macaws, crowned crane and the American Bald Eagle up close.
Kali River Rapids - Guests raft down the turbulent waters of the Chakranadi River aboard a 12-passenger raft through an enchanting Asian rain forest. Guests ride past a blazing inferno, a rushing waterfall, and geysers. Guests will get wet on this ride.
Kali River Rapids - Guests raft down the turbulent waters of the Chakranadi River aboard a 12-passenger raft through an enchanting Asian rain forest. Guests ride past a blazing inferno, a rushing waterfall, and geysers. Guests will get wet on this ride. Maharajah Jungle Trek - Guests trek into the lush forests for an unparalleled adventure into the wilds of the mystical Anandapur Royal Forest of Southeast Asia and respective ancient ruins, having up-close encounters with Komodo dragons, fruit bats (the largest species in the world), tapirs, birds, and tigers.
Expedition Everest - In this runaway-train roller coaster, Himalayan trekkers board refurbished steam trains on their way to the base camp of Mount Everest, using a shortcut that passes through the "forbidden mountain" guarded by the legendary yeti.
Expedition Everest - In this runaway-train roller coaster, Himalayan trekkers board refurbished steam trains on their way to the base camp of Mount Everest, using a shortcut that passes through the "forbidden mountain" guarded by the legendary yeti.
DinoLand U.S.A.
The Boneyard - Guests slip, slide, slither and slosh through a play maze filled with fun fossils. "Exploration. Excavation. Exultation." is the motto of the Dino Institute and nowhere is this truer than here. Would-be paleontologists young and old play amidst a world of dinosaur discoveries like a Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex, and Wooly Mammoth.
DINOSAUR (formerly Countdown to Extinction) - Guests whoosh back to primeval times for a wild ride of an expedition to complete a dangerous mission. Guests have mere minutes to rescue a stray dinosaur, and must beware the hungry clutches of one large meat-eating predator and the devastating power of an impending asteroid.
Finding Nemo - The Musical - Officially the park's newest attraction, the show debuted on November 12, 2006. This original stage show was developed by Walt Disney Creative Entertainment and tells the story of the Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo. The production combines dancers, acrobats, animated backdrops, and theatrical puppetry. Marlin, Dory and Nemo are depicted by actors holding large puppets while other characters are portrayed through a variety of puppetry styles. The show performs several times daily.
Dino-Sue - Disney's oldest "cast" member, clocking in at 67 million years, Dino-Sue is a painstaking reproduction of the largest, most complete T-Rex ever found. The length of a four-story building, the mighty T-Rex is available to pose for pictures with guests at the Dino institute.
Cretaceous Trail - Cretaceous Trail is a walking tour amidst plant and animal survivors that have outlived the dinosaurs. Guests play with a Pachycephalosaurus, encounter living animal species that have survived since prehistoric times and discover fossil dig sites.
Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama - part of Dinoland U.S.A., this portion is an area made to look like a tacky 1950s roadside attraction built on an old parking lot.
Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama - part of Dinoland U.S.A., this portion is an area made to look like a tacky 1950s roadside attraction built on an old parking lot.
Primeval Whirl - Guests ride a spinning time-machine themed roller-coaster with sudden dips, hairpin turns and tight curves. Each colorful car spins independently.
TriceraTop Spin - Guests ride a whirling, twirling, four-person flying dinosaur.
Beastly KingdomDisney's Animal Kingdom focuses on three broad classifications of animals: those that exist today; those that did exist, but are now extinct (i.e., dinosaurs); and, those that exist in legend and mythology. In the original design for the park, the animals of legend were to have their own section.
Beastly Kingdom was to have featured mythical animals such as unicorns, dragons, and sea monsters. The land would feature realms of both good and evil creatures. The evil side would be dominated by Dragon Tower, a ruined castle home to a greedy fire-breathing dragon who hordes a fabulous treasure in the tower chamber.
The good side of this land would be home to Quest of the Unicorn, an adventure which sends guests through a maze of medieval mythological creatures to seek the hidden grotto where the unicorn lives. Finally, the Fantasia Gardens attraction would be a musical boat ride through the animals from Disney's animated classic, Fantasia.
Due to budget constraints of the Walt Disney Company, Beastly Kingdom never came to fruition and Camp Minnie-Mickey was built as a temporary tenant of the Beastly Kingdom's land.
Even now, hints of a mythological land still exist, including:
The Unicorn parking area
The original Animal Kingdom logo, which prominently features the silhouette of a dragon, and still appears throughout the park
The dragon-shaped stone fountain near Camp Minnie-Mickey
The detailed dragonhead statue which sits atop one of the ticket booths at the park's entrance (the other two are topped by an elephant head and a triceratops head).
Restaurants and shops
The park contains three table service restaurants:
Rainforest Cafe, located just outside the main entrance (also accessible from inside the park);
Yak & Yeti, an Asian-themed restaurant located in the park's Asia section (operated by Landry's Restaurants) that opened on November 14, 2007; and
Tusker House, located in Africa and one of the park's original quick-service restaurants, was converted into a buffet restaurant and re-opened on November 17, 2007.
Tusker House hosts "Donald's Safari Breakfast," a character-dining event where guests enjoy a breakfast buffet while meeting Donald Duck and other Disney characters.
There are four quick-service restaurants located throughout the park:
Flame Tree Barbecue, on Discovery Island near DinoLand USA;
Pizzafari, also on Discovery Island, near Camp Minnie-Mickey;
Restaurantosaurus, in DinoLand USA; and,
Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café, located next to the larger Yak & Yeti table-service facility.
As with other Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney's Animal Kingdom has other locations and carts that offer snacks and beverages.
OperationsMuch concern was brought to the animals' well-being when the park originally opened. The park typically closes earlier than other parks in the Walt Disney World Resort. Another notable difference from other Disney parks is that Animal Kingdom does not have a fireworks show in consideration to the animals.
Pizzafari, also on Discovery Island, near Camp Minnie-Mickey;
Restaurantosaurus, in DinoLand USA; and,
Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café, located next to the larger Yak & Yeti table-service facility.
As with other Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney's Animal Kingdom has other locations and carts that offer snacks and beverages.
OperationsMuch concern was brought to the animals' well-being when the park originally opened. The park typically closes earlier than other parks in the Walt Disney World Resort. Another notable difference from other Disney parks is that Animal Kingdom does not have a fireworks show in consideration to the animals.Selasa, 02 Desember 2008
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres (546,000 m²) in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s. The third park built at the resort, it opened on May 1, 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios.
In 2007, the park hosted approximately 9.51 million guests, ranking it the fourth-most visited amusement park in the United States, and seventh-most visited in the world
Park development
The idea that led to Disney’s Hollywood Studios began at its sister park, Epcot. A team of Imagineers had been given an assignment to create two new pavilions for the park's Future World section. The fruits of the brainstorming sessions were the Wonders of Life pavilion and the Great Movie Ride pavilion. The second of the two was to have sat between the Land pavilion and the Journey Into Imagination pavilion, and was to look like a soundstage backdrop, with a movie theater-style entrance in the middle. The actual attraction is very similar to the plans for the equivalent at Epcot, only it should be surrounded by a brand new theme park which extended the showbiz, Hollywood and entertainment theme.
In 2007, the park hosted approximately 9.51 million guests, ranking it the fourth-most visited amusement park in the United States, and seventh-most visited in the world
Park development
The idea that led to Disney’s Hollywood Studios began at its sister park, Epcot. A team of Imagineers had been given an assignment to create two new pavilions for the park's Future World section. The fruits of the brainstorming sessions were the Wonders of Life pavilion and the Great Movie Ride pavilion. The second of the two was to have sat between the Land pavilion and the Journey Into Imagination pavilion, and was to look like a soundstage backdrop, with a movie theater-style entrance in the middle. The actual attraction is very similar to the plans for the equivalent at Epcot, only it should be surrounded by a brand new theme park which extended the showbiz, Hollywood and entertainment theme.
AttractionsThe park consists of six themed areas. Unlike the other Walt Disney World parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios does not have a defined layout; it is more a mass of streets and buildings that blend into each other, much like a real motion picture studio would. The layout of the park, however, did have an interesting design characteristic. If you look at an older version of a park map and turn it upside down (or look at an old aerial photo oriented due north), you will see a Hidden Mickey in the overall layout of the park. Recent construction and changes to the park have eliminated much of this image.
Hollywood BoulevardHollywood Boulevard serves as the park's main entrance and is lined with venues selling Disney merchandise. Parades such as the Pixar Block Party Bash travel down Hollywood Boulevard on their route through the park, and live street entertainment can be found here throughout the day.
The Great Movie Ride, a dark ride paying homage to several classic films, including Casablanca and The Wizard of Oz is located at the end of Hollywood Boulevard inside of a replica of the famous Hollywood icon, Grauman's Chinese Theater.
A.T.A.S. Hall of Fame Plaza, which features busts of past and present icons of the television era, such as Oprah Winfrey and Walt Disney.
The American Idol Experience, inspired by the popular television series American Idol, is an interactive stage show to be constructed in the former Superstar Television theatre, which will open in January 2009.
Echo LakeAction on the set of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!Echo Lake is the park's small oval-shaped lagoon. Surrounding it are numerous attractions and services, some in structures designed to mimic the "California Crazy" form of architecture from Hollywood's Golden Age.
Star Tours, a motion simulator ride set in the Star Wars universe.
Jedi Training Academy, a live-action stage show where children are selected to become padawan learners and receive "lightsaber training" from a Jedi master. This show originally was a special event during the annual Star Wars Weekends, but it has since been added to the park's daily entertainment schedule.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, a live-action performance showing how movie stunts are done. The show re-enacts various scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Sounds Dangerous!, a 3-D audio presentation featuring comedian Drew Carey.
Streets of AmericaOriginally the New York Street backlot set that was part of the park's original Backlot Studio Tour, the section was later opened to pedestrian traffic. More recently, additional architectural treatments were added to create street sets resembling San Francisco and Chicago.
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D, a 3-D movie experience featuring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and other Muppet characters.
Studio Backlot Tour, showing how movie special effects are created. Guests see a movie scene set on the Special Effects Water Tank filmed using volunteers from the audience and various special effects. The audience sees this final sequence edited all together in an action sequence called Harbor Attack. Guests board trams and are taken through Catastrophe Canyon, to see fire and water effects, and are driven past large-scale movie props.
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D, a 3-D movie experience featuring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and other Muppet characters.
Studio Backlot Tour, showing how movie special effects are created. Guests see a movie scene set on the Special Effects Water Tank filmed using volunteers from the audience and various special effects. The audience sees this final sequence edited all together in an action sequence called Harbor Attack. Guests board trams and are taken through Catastrophe Canyon, to see fire and water effects, and are driven past large-scale movie props.
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, a behind-the-scenes look at how vehicle action sequences are created for films, adapted from a similar show at Walt Disney Studios Park.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, an oversized playground based on the movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, an oversized playground based on the movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
Animation Courtyard
This section of the park originally was the starting point for the tours of the park's active production studios. Its entrance is marked by a square "studio arch," much like a real Hollywood studio lot entrance might be marked. In the spring of 2008, Animation Courtyard was expanded to include portions of the former Mickey Avenue section of the park.
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream, a museum-like walkthrough attraction that explores the life of Walt Disney and his legacy through photos, models, rare artifacts and a short biographical film narrated by Julie Andrews as well as archival audio of Walt himself.
Journey Into Narnia, a walk-through interactive attraction featuring props from the movie series. The attraction currently contains elements from the series' second film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
The American Film Institute Showcase, a rotating exhibit of movie props and memorabilia.
Voyage of The Little Mermaid, a live performance using puppets, lasers, movies, human actors, and water (mist) to re-create the animated Little Mermaid movie, in a condensed form.
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage!, a live performance featuring puppet characters from the Playhouse Disney block of programming on The Disney Channel. Currently, this show features characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, and Little Einsteins.
The Magic of Disney Animation, an attraction that examines the development process of an animated character. It also includes interactive games and exhibits, along with meet-and-greet areas for the Disney and Pixar characters.
Pixar PlaceThe park's newest section includes many of the original soundstages used when the park hosted actual production facilities. Today, Pixar Place resembles the Emeryville, California campus of Pixar Animation Studios.
Toy Story Midway Mania!, an interactive attraction inspired by classic carnival midway games and featuring popular Pixar characters.
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard was the first expansion to Disney's Hollywood Studios, opening in July 1994.
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, a stage show featuring highlights of the film.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, an indoor roller coaster in the dark with three inversions and a high-speed launch.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a thrill ride that drops guests in an elevator in a randomized set of four sequences each involving multiple high-speed drops and ascents. In addition, special effects including scents, lighting and sound enhance the experience.
Fantasmic!, a nighttime show with characters and fireworks held in the adjacent Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.
Sunset Boulevard was the first expansion to Disney's Hollywood Studios, opening in July 1994.
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, a stage show featuring highlights of the film.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, an indoor roller coaster in the dark with three inversions and a high-speed launch.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a thrill ride that drops guests in an elevator in a randomized set of four sequences each involving multiple high-speed drops and ascents. In addition, special effects including scents, lighting and sound enhance the experience.
Fantasmic!, a nighttime show with characters and fireworks held in the adjacent Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.
Live EntertainmentDisney's Hollywood Studios has featured numerous forms of in-park entertainment throughout its history. During its early years, the park featured the "Star Today" program, with a daily celebrity guest. The celebrity would often be featured in a motorcade along Hollywood Boulevard, or would take part in a handprint ceremony at the Great Movie Ride's entrance, or even participate in an interview session.Today, guests are treated to a wide array of characters and performers, many of which make their only Walt Disney World appearances at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Similarly, characters from new Disney and Pixar animated features will make their Walt Disney World debuts at the park, such as those from Meet the Robinsons and Pixar's Ratatouille.
Like the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios also runs daily parades down Hollywood Boulevard. The "Pixar Block Party Bash" parade features Pixar film characters performing in a street party along Hollywood Boulevard and near Echo Lake. Several times each day, the "High School Musical 2 : School's Out!" show will travel Hollywood Boulevard before performing a live street show in front of the Sorcerer's Hat.
Annual EventsDisney's Hollywood Studios hosts a number of events during the year that often draw thousands of fans to the park.
ESPN The Weekend (late winter) features commentators from the Disney-owned cable sports channels as well as sports celebrities.
Imperial Stormtroopers parade near the Sorcerer's Hat during Star Wars Weekends.Star Wars Weekends (June) bring Star Wars fans and celebrities together for special park events. Running Fridays-Sundays throughout June, they feature the 501st Legion (a worldwide Star Wars costuming group) parading through the park in Stormtrooper costumes, two (or more) Star Wars actors appearing each weekend for photos and autographs, Jedi Lightsaber Training classes for kids, and other activities.
Night of Joy (September), a two-night after-hours celebration of contemporary Christian music, will move to Disney's Hollywood Studios from the nearby Magic Kingdom for its 26th annual visit in 2008. The next scheduled event is September 5-6, 2008.
ABC Super Soap Weekend (November) pays tribute to the legions of fans of soap operas from ABC. Guests can meet stars from All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital. The next scheduled event is November 15-16, 2008.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (November-January) take over the Streets of America during the holiday season. The display features over five million Christmas lights on more than 350 miles (560 km) of wire.
MGM litigationDisney was contractually prohibited from using the Disney-MGM Studios name in certain marketing contexts like the free Walt Disney World vacation-planning kit; in those instances the park was called The Disney Studios.
Walt Disney Studios Park
Disney's Hollywood Studios has a sister park at the Disneyland Resort Paris called Walt Disney Studios Park.
The two parks share the same basic theme (the entertainment industry) and have provided attractions to each other. The French park debuted with a Backlot Tour that included a version of Catastrophe Canyon, and a re-themed version of Florida's Rock N Roller Coaster. For the Happiest Celebration on Earth in 2005, a state-side version of Walt Disney Studios' popular auto stunt show was built at the Florida park, now known as Lights! Motors! Action!.
Disney's Hollywood Studios has a sister park at the Disneyland Resort Paris called Walt Disney Studios Park.
The two parks share the same basic theme (the entertainment industry) and have provided attractions to each other. The French park debuted with a Backlot Tour that included a version of Catastrophe Canyon, and a re-themed version of Florida's Rock N Roller Coaster. For the Happiest Celebration on Earth in 2005, a state-side version of Walt Disney Studios' popular auto stunt show was built at the Florida park, now known as Lights! Motors! Action!.
Sabtu, 29 November 2008
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. The park is dedicated to international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was named EPCOT Center until 1994.
In 2007 Epcot hosted approximately 10.93 million guests, ranking it the third-most visited theme park in the United States, and sixth-most visited in the world.
History
The name Epcot derives from the acronym EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow), a utopian city of the future planned by Walt Disney.
Walt Disney's original vision of EPCOT was for a model community, home to twenty thousand residents, which would be a test bed for city planning and organization. The community was to have been built in the shape of a circle, with businesses and commercial areas at its center, community buildings and schools and recreational complexes around it, and residential neighborhoods along the perimeter.
Transportation would have been provided by monorails and PeopleMovers (like the one in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland). Automobile traffic would be kept underground, leaving pedestrians safe above-ground.
In 2007 Epcot hosted approximately 10.93 million guests, ranking it the third-most visited theme park in the United States, and sixth-most visited in the world.
History
The name Epcot derives from the acronym EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow), a utopian city of the future planned by Walt Disney.
Walt Disney's original vision of EPCOT was for a model community, home to twenty thousand residents, which would be a test bed for city planning and organization. The community was to have been built in the shape of a circle, with businesses and commercial areas at its center, community buildings and schools and recreational complexes around it, and residential neighborhoods along the perimeter.
Transportation would have been provided by monorails and PeopleMovers (like the one in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland). Automobile traffic would be kept underground, leaving pedestrians safe above-ground.
The original model of this original vision of EPCOT can still be seen by passengers riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority attraction in the Magic Kingdom park; when the PeopleMover enters the showhouse for Stitch's Great Escape, the model is visible on the left (when facing forward) behind glass. This vision was not realized. Walt Disney was not able to obtain funding and permission to start work on his Florida property until he agreed to build the Magic Kingdom first. Disney passed away before the Magic Kingdom opened.
After Disney's death, The Walt Disney Company later decided that it did not want to be in the business of running a town. However, the idea of EPCOT was instrumental in prompting the state of Florida to create the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) and the Cities of Bay Lake and Reedy Creek (soon renamed Lake Buena Vista), a legislative mechanism which allows the Walt Disney Company to exercise governmental powers over Walt Disney World.
Because the idea of EPCOT was never implemented, the Disney Corporation remained almost the sole landowner in the district allowing it to maintain control of the RCID and the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista.
The theme park
The theme park originally was known as EPCOT Center to reflect the fact that the park was built to embody the ideals and values of EPCOT the city. In 1994, the name was changed to Epcot '94 and subsequently Epcot '95 a year later. By 1996, the park was known simply as Epcot, a non-acronym, mixed-case word.
The original plans for the park showed indecision over what the park's purpose was to be: some Imagineers wanted it to represent the cutting edge of technology, while others wanted it to showcase international cultures and customs. At one point a model of the futuristic park was pushed together against a model of the international park, and EPCOT Center was born—a theme park with the flavor of a World's Fair.
Opening day
The park had its debut on October 1, 1982, as part of the opening-day ceremony, dancers and band members performed We've Just Begun to Dream. During the finale, doves and many sets of balloons were released.
Performing groups representing countries from all over the world performed in World Showcase. Water gathered from major rivers across the globe was emptied into the park's lagoon from ceremonial containers to mark the opening.
Facts and figures
Total cost: $1.4 billion (estimated)
Construction time: three years (at the time the largest construction project on Earth)
Park size: 300 acres (more than twice the size of The Magic Kingdom)
Parking lot:
141 acres (including bus area)
11,211 vehicles (grass areas hold additional 500+ vehicles)
The pavement at Epcot was engineered by Disney and Kodak photography to be painted a specific custom color of pink that makes the grass look greener and pictures look brighter. In addition, the colored sidewalks give an overall cleaner look to the park.
Unlike the Magic Kingdom, Epcot only contains tunnels underneath the buildings that contain Innoventions East, the Electric Umbrella, MouseGear, Innoventions West, and the building housing Club Cool and Fountain View Ice Cream.
Park layout
The park consists of two sections: Future World and World Showcase. Both are patterned after the kinds of exhibits which were popular at World's Fairs in the first two-thirds of the 20th century, in particular the 1939 New York World's Fair. Epcot has become essentially a permanent display of the world's nations.
Future World pavilions
After Disney's death, The Walt Disney Company later decided that it did not want to be in the business of running a town. However, the idea of EPCOT was instrumental in prompting the state of Florida to create the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) and the Cities of Bay Lake and Reedy Creek (soon renamed Lake Buena Vista), a legislative mechanism which allows the Walt Disney Company to exercise governmental powers over Walt Disney World.
Because the idea of EPCOT was never implemented, the Disney Corporation remained almost the sole landowner in the district allowing it to maintain control of the RCID and the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista.
The theme park
The theme park originally was known as EPCOT Center to reflect the fact that the park was built to embody the ideals and values of EPCOT the city. In 1994, the name was changed to Epcot '94 and subsequently Epcot '95 a year later. By 1996, the park was known simply as Epcot, a non-acronym, mixed-case word.The original plans for the park showed indecision over what the park's purpose was to be: some Imagineers wanted it to represent the cutting edge of technology, while others wanted it to showcase international cultures and customs. At one point a model of the futuristic park was pushed together against a model of the international park, and EPCOT Center was born—a theme park with the flavor of a World's Fair.
Opening day
The park had its debut on October 1, 1982, as part of the opening-day ceremony, dancers and band members performed We've Just Begun to Dream. During the finale, doves and many sets of balloons were released.
Performing groups representing countries from all over the world performed in World Showcase. Water gathered from major rivers across the globe was emptied into the park's lagoon from ceremonial containers to mark the opening.
Facts and figures
Total cost: $1.4 billion (estimated)
Construction time: three years (at the time the largest construction project on Earth)
Park size: 300 acres (more than twice the size of The Magic Kingdom)
Parking lot:
141 acres (including bus area)
11,211 vehicles (grass areas hold additional 500+ vehicles)
The pavement at Epcot was engineered by Disney and Kodak photography to be painted a specific custom color of pink that makes the grass look greener and pictures look brighter. In addition, the colored sidewalks give an overall cleaner look to the park.
Unlike the Magic Kingdom, Epcot only contains tunnels underneath the buildings that contain Innoventions East, the Electric Umbrella, MouseGear, Innoventions West, and the building housing Club Cool and Fountain View Ice Cream.
Park layout
The park consists of two sections: Future World and World Showcase. Both are patterned after the kinds of exhibits which were popular at World's Fairs in the first two-thirds of the 20th century, in particular the 1939 New York World's Fair. Epcot has become essentially a permanent display of the world's nations.
Future World pavilions
Future World consists of a variety of pavilions that explore innovative aspects and applications of technology. Originally, each pavilion featured a unique circular logo which was featured on park signage and the attractions themselves. The logos, including that of Epcot itself, have been phased out over recent years, but some remnants still remain scattered throughout the park.
-Spaceship Earth
-Innoventions
-Universe of Energy
-Mission: SPACE
-Test Track
-The Seas with Nemo and Friends
-The Land
-Imagination!
Each Future World pavilion was initially sponsored by a corporation who helped fund its construction and maintenance in return for the corporation's logos appearing prominently throughout the pavilion. Each pavilion contains a posh "VIP area" for its sponsor with offices, lounges, and reception areas hidden away from regular park guests.
World Showcase
World Showcase contains pavilions representing eleven countries—click on the links below for more information about each. In clockwise order, the pavilions are:
-Mexico
-Norway (added in 1988)
-China
-Germany
-Italy
-The American Adventure
-Japan
-Morocco (added in 1984)
-France
-United Kingdom
-Canada
To cut costs, Disney now usually opens World Showcase two hours after park opening and closes certain Future World rides and attractions at 7:00 PM. However over the years as new rides are built, the newer more popular attractions like Test Track, Soarin', Mission Space, and most recently The Seas with Nemo and Friends, as well as the iconic Spaceship Earth, have been remaining open from park open through to park close.
Unlike the Magic Kingdom, which does not serve alcohol, many stores and restaurants in the World Showcase do serve or sell alcoholic beverages from their respective countries, and beer is sold at refreshment stands throughout the park.
World Showcase Lagoon
World Showcase Lagoon is a man-made lake located in the World Showcase pavilion. It has a perimeter of 1.2 miles.
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
This thirteen-minute fireworks show takes place in the World Showcase Lagoon every night at the park's closing time (usually 9:00 PM). The show features Fireworks, lasers, fire and water fountains timed to a musical score over the World Showcase Lagoon. A large rotating globe with curved LED screens is the centerpiece of the show and is used to project images of people and places. The current version premiered as part of the park's Millennium Celebration in 1999.
-Spaceship Earth
-Innoventions
-Universe of Energy
-Mission: SPACE
-Test Track
-The Seas with Nemo and Friends
-The Land
-Imagination!
Each Future World pavilion was initially sponsored by a corporation who helped fund its construction and maintenance in return for the corporation's logos appearing prominently throughout the pavilion. Each pavilion contains a posh "VIP area" for its sponsor with offices, lounges, and reception areas hidden away from regular park guests.
World Showcase
World Showcase contains pavilions representing eleven countries—click on the links below for more information about each. In clockwise order, the pavilions are:
-Mexico
-Norway (added in 1988)
-China
-Germany
-Italy
-The American Adventure
-Japan
-Morocco (added in 1984)
-France
-United Kingdom
-Canada
To cut costs, Disney now usually opens World Showcase two hours after park opening and closes certain Future World rides and attractions at 7:00 PM. However over the years as new rides are built, the newer more popular attractions like Test Track, Soarin', Mission Space, and most recently The Seas with Nemo and Friends, as well as the iconic Spaceship Earth, have been remaining open from park open through to park close.
Unlike the Magic Kingdom, which does not serve alcohol, many stores and restaurants in the World Showcase do serve or sell alcoholic beverages from their respective countries, and beer is sold at refreshment stands throughout the park.
World Showcase Lagoon
World Showcase Lagoon is a man-made lake located in the World Showcase pavilion. It has a perimeter of 1.2 miles.
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
This thirteen-minute fireworks show takes place in the World Showcase Lagoon every night at the park's closing time (usually 9:00 PM). The show features Fireworks, lasers, fire and water fountains timed to a musical score over the World Showcase Lagoon. A large rotating globe with curved LED screens is the centerpiece of the show and is used to project images of people and places. The current version premiered as part of the park's Millennium Celebration in 1999. The show tells the story of Earth and is divided into three movements titled "Chaos," "Order," and "Meaning." The music has an African tribal sound to it, to emphasize the idea of humanity as a single unified tribe on this planet; the lagoon is surrounded by nineteen large torches signifying the first 19 centuries of the common era, and the show culminates in the globe opening like a lotus blossom to reveal a twentieth torch, representing the now-completed 20th century.
Annual eventsEpcot hosts a number of special events during the year that have proven very popular with guests.
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, inaugurated in 1994, brings out the real color of Epcot in specially-themed floral displays throughout the park, many including topiary sculptures of Disney characters. Guests can meet gardening experts and learn new ideas they can use in their own home gardens. The 16th annual event is scheduled for March 18–May 31, 2009.
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival debuted in 1996. The festival draws amateur and professional gourmets to the park to sample delicacies from all around the world, including nations that do not have a permanent presence in World Showcase. Celebrity chefs are often on-hand to host the events. The 13th annual edition of the festival is scheduled for September 26–November 9, 2008.
Holidays Around the World is Epcot's annual holiday celebration. The World Showcase pavilions feature storytellers describing their nation's holiday traditions, and a nightly "Candlelight Processional" features a mass choir and a celebrity guest narrating the story of Christmas. During "Holidays Around the World," Illuminations: Reflections of Earth features a special extended ending. The next edition of the celebration is scheduled for November 28–December 30, 2008.
Annual eventsEpcot hosts a number of special events during the year that have proven very popular with guests.
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, inaugurated in 1994, brings out the real color of Epcot in specially-themed floral displays throughout the park, many including topiary sculptures of Disney characters. Guests can meet gardening experts and learn new ideas they can use in their own home gardens. The 16th annual event is scheduled for March 18–May 31, 2009.
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival debuted in 1996. The festival draws amateur and professional gourmets to the park to sample delicacies from all around the world, including nations that do not have a permanent presence in World Showcase. Celebrity chefs are often on-hand to host the events. The 13th annual edition of the festival is scheduled for September 26–November 9, 2008.
Holidays Around the World is Epcot's annual holiday celebration. The World Showcase pavilions feature storytellers describing their nation's holiday traditions, and a nightly "Candlelight Processional" features a mass choir and a celebrity guest narrating the story of Christmas. During "Holidays Around the World," Illuminations: Reflections of Earth features a special extended ending. The next edition of the celebration is scheduled for November 28–December 30, 2008.
Kamis, 27 November 2008
Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. The first park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1971. The park saw an estimated 17 million visitors in 2007, making it the most visited theme park in the world.
Designed and built by WED Enterprises (now known as Walt Disney Imagineering), the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California.
History
The Walt Disney Company began construction on the Magic Kingdom and the entire Resort in 1967 after the death of Walt Disney; however, Walt was very involved in planning The Florida Project in the years prior to his death. The park itself was initially built similar to the existing Disneyland in California, however the Magic Kingdom was built in a larger area.
Opening
The Magic Kingdom opened as the first part of Walt Disney's planned Florida Project on October 1, 1971. It was the only theme park on the resort at the time and opened concurrently with two hotels on the property: Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Resort. The park opened with twenty-three attractions, three unique to the park and twenty copies of attractions at Disneyland. The Walt Disney Company promised to increase the attractions with more attractions similar to Disneyland and other unique attractions. The attractions were split into six themed lands, five copies of those at Disneyland and the unique Liberty Square which was planned for Disneyland, but never built.
Naming confusions
Because of the similarity to Disneyland, there was some confusion on the name of the park. "The Magic Kingdom" was used as an unofficial nickname for Disneyland before the Walt Disney World Resort was built, however the official nickname of Disneyland is "The Happiest Place On Earth." The Magic Kingdom's nickname is the similar "The Most Magical Place On Earth." Despite the confusion, the park's tickets have always borne the official name of "The Magic Kingdom." In 1994, in order to differentiate it from Disneyland, the park was officially renamed to "Magic Kingdom Park."
Transportation and Ticket Center
The layout of the resort placed the Magic Kingdom more than a mile away from its parking lot, on the opposite side of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon. Upon arriving at the park, guests are taken by the parking lot trams to the Transportation and Ticket Center. This facility, as its name implies, sells tickets to the parks and provides transportation connections throughout the resort complex. It also has a small gift shop, the Magic Kingdom's pet-boarding kennel, and the central Lost-and-Found facility for all four theme parks.
To reach the Magic Kingdom, visiting guests can choose between the monorails and the Staten Island-style ferryboats. The three ferries are clad in different trim colors and are named for past Disney executives: the General Joe Potter (blue), the Richard F. Irvine (red) and the Admiral Joe Fowler (green).
Epcot is accessible by a spur monorail line that was added upon that park's opening in 1982. Buses take guests to the other major destinations within the resort, including Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Lands of the Magic Kingdom
The park map lists forty-eight attractions in seven themed "lands."
The Walt Disney World Railroad runs along the perimeter of the park and makes stops at Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, and Mickey's Toontown Fair.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Instead of being a replica of a small midwestern American town, Main Street at Walt Disney World features some stylistic influences from around the country, such as New England and Missouri. This is most noticeable in the "four corners" area in the middle of Main Street where each of the four corner buildings represents a different architectural style. There is also no Opera House as there is at Disneyland; instead there is the Exposition Hall. Main Street is lined with shops selling merchandise and food. City Hall contains the Guest Relations lobby where cast members provide information and assistance. A real working barber shop gives haircuts for a fee. The Emporium carries a wide variety of Disney souvenirs such as plush toys, collectible pins, and Mickey-ear hats. Tony’s Town Square and the Plaza Restaurant are sit-down restaurants. Casey's Corner is at the end of Main Street and sells traditional American ballpark fare including hot dogs & fries.
Designed and built by WED Enterprises (now known as Walt Disney Imagineering), the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California.
History
The Walt Disney Company began construction on the Magic Kingdom and the entire Resort in 1967 after the death of Walt Disney; however, Walt was very involved in planning The Florida Project in the years prior to his death. The park itself was initially built similar to the existing Disneyland in California, however the Magic Kingdom was built in a larger area.
Opening
The Magic Kingdom opened as the first part of Walt Disney's planned Florida Project on October 1, 1971. It was the only theme park on the resort at the time and opened concurrently with two hotels on the property: Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Resort. The park opened with twenty-three attractions, three unique to the park and twenty copies of attractions at Disneyland. The Walt Disney Company promised to increase the attractions with more attractions similar to Disneyland and other unique attractions. The attractions were split into six themed lands, five copies of those at Disneyland and the unique Liberty Square which was planned for Disneyland, but never built.
Naming confusions
Because of the similarity to Disneyland, there was some confusion on the name of the park. "The Magic Kingdom" was used as an unofficial nickname for Disneyland before the Walt Disney World Resort was built, however the official nickname of Disneyland is "The Happiest Place On Earth." The Magic Kingdom's nickname is the similar "The Most Magical Place On Earth." Despite the confusion, the park's tickets have always borne the official name of "The Magic Kingdom." In 1994, in order to differentiate it from Disneyland, the park was officially renamed to "Magic Kingdom Park."
Transportation and Ticket Center
The layout of the resort placed the Magic Kingdom more than a mile away from its parking lot, on the opposite side of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon. Upon arriving at the park, guests are taken by the parking lot trams to the Transportation and Ticket Center. This facility, as its name implies, sells tickets to the parks and provides transportation connections throughout the resort complex. It also has a small gift shop, the Magic Kingdom's pet-boarding kennel, and the central Lost-and-Found facility for all four theme parks.
To reach the Magic Kingdom, visiting guests can choose between the monorails and the Staten Island-style ferryboats. The three ferries are clad in different trim colors and are named for past Disney executives: the General Joe Potter (blue), the Richard F. Irvine (red) and the Admiral Joe Fowler (green).
Epcot is accessible by a spur monorail line that was added upon that park's opening in 1982. Buses take guests to the other major destinations within the resort, including Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Lands of the Magic Kingdom
The park map lists forty-eight attractions in seven themed "lands."
The Walt Disney World Railroad runs along the perimeter of the park and makes stops at Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, and Mickey's Toontown Fair.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Instead of being a replica of a small midwestern American town, Main Street at Walt Disney World features some stylistic influences from around the country, such as New England and Missouri. This is most noticeable in the "four corners" area in the middle of Main Street where each of the four corner buildings represents a different architectural style. There is also no Opera House as there is at Disneyland; instead there is the Exposition Hall. Main Street is lined with shops selling merchandise and food. City Hall contains the Guest Relations lobby where cast members provide information and assistance. A real working barber shop gives haircuts for a fee. The Emporium carries a wide variety of Disney souvenirs such as plush toys, collectible pins, and Mickey-ear hats. Tony’s Town Square and the Plaza Restaurant are sit-down restaurants. Casey's Corner is at the end of Main Street and sells traditional American ballpark fare including hot dogs & fries.
In the distance beyond the end of Main Street stands Cinderella Castle. Though only 189 feet (55m) tall, it benefits from a technique known as forced perspective.
The park contains two additional tributes: the Partners statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in front of Cinderella Castle and the Sharing the Magic statue of Roy O. Disney sitting with Minnie Mouse in the Town Square section of Main Street, U.S.A.
The park contains two additional tributes: the Partners statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in front of Cinderella Castle and the Sharing the Magic statue of Roy O. Disney sitting with Minnie Mouse in the Town Square section of Main Street, U.S.A.
Adventureland
Adventureland represents the mystery of exploring foreign lands. It is themed to resemble the remote jungles in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and the South Pacific, with an extension resembling a Caribbean town square. It contains classic rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise.
Frontierland
Frontierland is where guests can relive the Wild West -- from cowboys and Indians, to exploring the mysteries of the Rivers of America. Frontierland contains classic attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tom Sawyer Island, Splash Mountain, and the Country Bear Jamboree.
Liberty Square
This area of the park is based on an American Revolutionary town. The Magic Kingdom's Rivers of America hosts the Liberty Belle riverboat. Liberty Square is home to the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is themed in a medieval-faire/carnival style. Attractions include "it's a small world", Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's PhilarMagic, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, and Mad Tea Party.
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is themed to be an intergalactic convention center. Classic attractions include Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Speedway.
Mickey's Toontown FairAn expansion of the land created as Mickey's Birthdayland, and later Mickey's Starland, this area is home to attractions such as Mickey's Country House, Minnie's Country House, Goofy's Barnstormer, and Donald's Boat.
Rabu, 26 November 2008
Selasa, 25 November 2008
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited and largest recreational resort in the world, containing four theme parks, two water parks, twenty-three themed hotels, and numerous shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation venues. Owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts segment of The Walt Disney Company, it is located southwest of Orlando, Florida.
It opened on October 1, 1971, with the Magic Kingdom theme park, and has since added Epcot (on October 1, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (on May 1, 1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (on April 22, 1998).
History and development
In 1959, Walt Disney Productions, under the leadership of Walt Disney, began looking for land for a second resort to supplement Disneyland, which had opened in Anaheim, California in 1955. Market surveys revealed that only 2% of Disneyland's visitors came from east of the Mississippi River, where 75% of the population of the United States lived. Additionally, Walt Disney disliked the businesses that had sprung up around Disneyland and wanted control of a much larger area of land for the new project.
Walt Disney first flew over the Orlando site (one of many) on November 22, 1963. He first flew over and appealed to the Sanford, Florida city council to allow him to build Disney World in Sanford, but his appeal was declined. He saw the well-developed network of roads, including Interstate 4 and Florida's Turnpike, with McCoy Air Force Base (later Orlando International Airport) to the east, and immediately fell in love with the site. Walt Disney focused most of his attention on the "Florida Project", both before and after his participation at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair, but he died on December 15, 1966, five years before his vision was realized.
To avoid a burst of land speculation, Disney used various dummy corporations and cooperative individuals to acquire 27,400 acres (110 km ²) of land.
After most of the land had been bought, a press conference soon was organized for November 15. At the presentation, Walt Disney explained the plans for the site, including EPCOT, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, which was to be a futuristic city. Plans for EPCOT would drastically change after Disney's death. EPCOT became EPCOT Center, the resort's second theme park, which opened in 1982.
The resort has a small aircraft runway located east of the Magic Kingdom parking lot. When the resort opened in 1971, Shawnee Airlines began regular passenger service from Orlando's McCoy Air Force Base (now Orlando International Airport) directly to Disney World's STOLport (Short Take Off and Landing) on a daily basis, with flights lasting only a few minutes. Today, the runway mostly is used as a staging area for buses and no longer is in service for aircraft.
Golf and recreation
Disney's property includes five golf courses. The four 18-hole golf courses are the Magnolia, the Palm, Lake Buena Vista and Osprey Ridge. There is also a nine-hole walking course called Oak Trail, designed for young golfers. Additionally, there are two themed miniature golf complexes, each with two courses, Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland.
Catch-and-release fishing excursions are offered daily on the resort's lakes. A Florida fishing license is not required because it occurs on private property. Cane-pole fishing is offered from the docks at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney's Port Orleans Resort.
Employment
When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, the site employed about 5,500 "cast members". Today it employs more than 63,000, spending more than $1.1 billion on payroll and $478 million on benefits each year. The largest single-site employer in the United States, Walt Disney World Resort has more than 3,000 job classifications.
The resort also sponsors and operates the Walt Disney World College Program, an internship program that has American college students live on site and work for the resort, providing much of the theme park and resort "front line" cast members. There is also the Walt Disney World International College Program, an internship program that has college students from all over the world.
Maintenance
In a March 30, 2004, article in The Orlando Sentinel, then-Walt Disney World president Al Weiss gave some insight into how the parks are maintained:
It opened on October 1, 1971, with the Magic Kingdom theme park, and has since added Epcot (on October 1, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (on May 1, 1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (on April 22, 1998).
History and development
In 1959, Walt Disney Productions, under the leadership of Walt Disney, began looking for land for a second resort to supplement Disneyland, which had opened in Anaheim, California in 1955. Market surveys revealed that only 2% of Disneyland's visitors came from east of the Mississippi River, where 75% of the population of the United States lived. Additionally, Walt Disney disliked the businesses that had sprung up around Disneyland and wanted control of a much larger area of land for the new project.
Walt Disney first flew over the Orlando site (one of many) on November 22, 1963. He first flew over and appealed to the Sanford, Florida city council to allow him to build Disney World in Sanford, but his appeal was declined. He saw the well-developed network of roads, including Interstate 4 and Florida's Turnpike, with McCoy Air Force Base (later Orlando International Airport) to the east, and immediately fell in love with the site. Walt Disney focused most of his attention on the "Florida Project", both before and after his participation at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair, but he died on December 15, 1966, five years before his vision was realized.To avoid a burst of land speculation, Disney used various dummy corporations and cooperative individuals to acquire 27,400 acres (110 km ²) of land.
After most of the land had been bought, a press conference soon was organized for November 15. At the presentation, Walt Disney explained the plans for the site, including EPCOT, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, which was to be a futuristic city. Plans for EPCOT would drastically change after Disney's death. EPCOT became EPCOT Center, the resort's second theme park, which opened in 1982.
Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966, before his vision was realized. His brother and business partner, Roy O. Disney , postponed his retirement to oversee construction of the resort's first phase. On February 2, 1967, Roy O. Disney held a press conference at the Park Theatres in Winter Park, Florida. The role of EPCOT was emphasized in the film that was played, the last one recorded by Walt Disney before his death. After the film, it was explained that for Walt Disney World to succeed, a special district would have to be formed: the Reedy Creek Improvement District with two cities inside it, the City of Bay Lake and the City of Reedy Creek (now the City of Lake Buena Vista).
The district soon began construction of drainage canals, and Disney built the first roads and the Magic Kingdom. Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort, and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground were also completed in time for the park's opening on October 1, 1971. The Palm and Magnolia golf courses near the Magic Kingdom had opened a few weeks before.
Roy O. Disney died on December 20, 1971, barely three months after the property opened.
Disney subsequently opened EPCOT Center in 1982, a theme park adapted from Walt Disney's vision for a "community of tomorrow". The park permanently adopted the name Epcot in 1996. In 1989, the resort added Disney-MGM Studios, a theme park inspired by show business, whose name was changed to Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008. The resort's fourth theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom, opened in 1998.
Location
Despite marketing claims and popular misconceptions, the Florida resort is not located in Orlando. The entire property is outside Orlando's city limits. The majority of the resort property sits within southwestern Orange County, with the remainder in adjacent Osceola County to the south; the three All-Star Resorts and Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex are the only facilities located in Osceola County. Most of the resort's land and all of the public areas are located in the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Orlando.
The 25,000 acre (101 km²) site is accessible from Central Florida's Interstate 4 via Exits 62B (World Drive), 64B (US 192 West), 65B (Osceola Parkway West), 67B (SR 536 West), and 68 (SR 535 North), and Exit 8 on State Road 429 (Florida), the Western Expressway.
At its peak, the resort occupied approximately 30,000 acres (120 km2), about the size of San Francisco, or twice the size of Manhattan.
Theme parks
Walt Disney World Resort features four theme parks. Each park is represented by an iconic structure:
-Magic Kingdom - Cinderella Castle
-Epcot - Spaceship Earth
-Disney's Hollywood Studios - The Sorcerer's Hat
-Disney's Animal Kingdom - The Tree of Life
Other attractions
-Typhoon Lagoon
-Blizzard Beach
-Disney's Wedding Pavilion
-Disney's BoardWalk
-Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
-Walt Disney World Speedway / Richard Petty Driving Experience
-Downtown Disney
The district soon began construction of drainage canals, and Disney built the first roads and the Magic Kingdom. Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort, and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground were also completed in time for the park's opening on October 1, 1971. The Palm and Magnolia golf courses near the Magic Kingdom had opened a few weeks before.
Roy O. Disney died on December 20, 1971, barely three months after the property opened.
Disney subsequently opened EPCOT Center in 1982, a theme park adapted from Walt Disney's vision for a "community of tomorrow". The park permanently adopted the name Epcot in 1996. In 1989, the resort added Disney-MGM Studios, a theme park inspired by show business, whose name was changed to Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008. The resort's fourth theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom, opened in 1998.Location
Despite marketing claims and popular misconceptions, the Florida resort is not located in Orlando. The entire property is outside Orlando's city limits. The majority of the resort property sits within southwestern Orange County, with the remainder in adjacent Osceola County to the south; the three All-Star Resorts and Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex are the only facilities located in Osceola County. Most of the resort's land and all of the public areas are located in the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Orlando.
The 25,000 acre (101 km²) site is accessible from Central Florida's Interstate 4 via Exits 62B (World Drive), 64B (US 192 West), 65B (Osceola Parkway West), 67B (SR 536 West), and 68 (SR 535 North), and Exit 8 on State Road 429 (Florida), the Western Expressway.
At its peak, the resort occupied approximately 30,000 acres (120 km2), about the size of San Francisco, or twice the size of Manhattan.
Theme parks
Walt Disney World Resort features four theme parks. Each park is represented by an iconic structure:
-Magic Kingdom - Cinderella Castle
-Epcot - Spaceship Earth
-Disney's Hollywood Studios - The Sorcerer's Hat
-Disney's Animal Kingdom - The Tree of Life
Other attractions
-Typhoon Lagoon
-Blizzard Beach
-Disney's Wedding Pavilion
-Disney's BoardWalk
-Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
-Walt Disney World Speedway / Richard Petty Driving Experience
-Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney consists of three sections, Marketplace, Pleasure Island, and West Side, that contain many shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. They include the DisneyQuest indoor arcade, a House of Blues restaurant and nightclub, a Planet Hollywood restaurant and a Cirque du Soleil theater and original production, La Nouba.
The resort has a small aircraft runway located east of the Magic Kingdom parking lot. When the resort opened in 1971, Shawnee Airlines began regular passenger service from Orlando's McCoy Air Force Base (now Orlando International Airport) directly to Disney World's STOLport (Short Take Off and Landing) on a daily basis, with flights lasting only a few minutes. Today, the runway mostly is used as a staging area for buses and no longer is in service for aircraft.Golf and recreation
Disney's property includes five golf courses. The four 18-hole golf courses are the Magnolia, the Palm, Lake Buena Vista and Osprey Ridge. There is also a nine-hole walking course called Oak Trail, designed for young golfers. Additionally, there are two themed miniature golf complexes, each with two courses, Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland.
Catch-and-release fishing excursions are offered daily on the resort's lakes. A Florida fishing license is not required because it occurs on private property. Cane-pole fishing is offered from the docks at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney's Port Orleans Resort.
Resorts and hotels
On-site Disney resorts
There are 32 resorts and hotels located on the Walt Disney World property. Of those, 22 are owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company. The Disney resorts are classified into five categories: Deluxe, Deluxe Villa, Moderate, Value, and Campground. The other hotels are owned by private, non-Disney hospitality companies such as Starwood (Westin and Sheraton), Holiday Inn, Best Western, and Hilton.
Guests arriving at Orlando International Airport can be transported to their Disney resort from the airport using Disney's Magical Express service, and have their bags picked up and transported for them through a contract with BAGS Incorporated. Guests board custom motor coaches, watch a video about the Walt Disney World Resort, and their luggage is later delivered directly to their rooms.
Value Resorts
-Disney's Pop Century Resort
-Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
-Disney's All-Star Music Resort
-Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Moderate Resorts
-Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
-Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
-Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
-Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside
Deluxe Resorts
-Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
-Disney's Beach Club Resort
-Disney's BoardWalk Inn
-Disney's Contemporary Resort
-Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
-Disney's Polynesian Resort
-Disney's Wilderness Lodge
-Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Cabins and Campgrounds
-Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Deluxe Villas
-Disney's Old Key West Resort
-Disney's BoardWalk Villas
-The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
-Disney's Beach Club Villas
-Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
-Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
Future resorts on Disney property
Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa: 60 new single-family villas built in place of the original Treehouses, located near Downtown Disney and the Lake Buena Vista golf course, scheduled to open in the summer of 2009.
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort: Permits were filed with the South Florida Water Management District in November 2006 for the construction of a 16-story tower containing approximately 300 Disney Vacation Club units. The property will open in the fall of 2009.
Four Seasons: On March 1, 2007, Disney announced plans to convert its Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge golf courses into a new 900-acre (3.6 km2) luxury resort that will include a Four Seasons hotel, an 18-hole championship golf course, plus single- and multi-family vacation homes and fractional ownership vacation homes. The hotel is estimated to open in 2010.
On-site non-Disney hotels
-Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel
-Doubletree Guest Suite Resort
-Regal Sun Resort
-Hilton, located in the Walt Disney World Resort
-Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort
-Royal Plaza
-Shades of Green (owned and operated by the United States Department of Defense and used for vacationing active and retired military personnel, their families, and DOD civilians only)
-Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa
-Walt Disney World Dolphin (operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide)
-Walt Disney World Swan (operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide)
Attendance
The May 2008 issue of trade magazine Park World reported the following attendance estimates for 2007 compiled by Economic Research Associates in partnership with TEA (formerly the Themed Entertainment Association):
Magic Kingdom, 17 million visits (No. 1 worldwide)
Epcot, 10.9 million visits (No. 6)
Disney's Hollywood Studios, 9.51 million visits (No. 7)
Disney's Animal Kingdom, 9.49 million visits (No. 8)
On-site Disney resorts
There are 32 resorts and hotels located on the Walt Disney World property. Of those, 22 are owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company. The Disney resorts are classified into five categories: Deluxe, Deluxe Villa, Moderate, Value, and Campground. The other hotels are owned by private, non-Disney hospitality companies such as Starwood (Westin and Sheraton), Holiday Inn, Best Western, and Hilton.
Guests arriving at Orlando International Airport can be transported to their Disney resort from the airport using Disney's Magical Express service, and have their bags picked up and transported for them through a contract with BAGS Incorporated. Guests board custom motor coaches, watch a video about the Walt Disney World Resort, and their luggage is later delivered directly to their rooms.
Value Resorts
-Disney's Pop Century Resort
-Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
-Disney's All-Star Music Resort
-Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Moderate Resorts
-Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
-Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
-Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
-Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside
Deluxe Resorts
-Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
-Disney's Beach Club Resort
-Disney's BoardWalk Inn
-Disney's Contemporary Resort
-Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
-Disney's Polynesian Resort
-Disney's Wilderness Lodge
-Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Cabins and Campgrounds
-Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Deluxe Villas
-Disney's Old Key West Resort
-Disney's BoardWalk Villas
-The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
-Disney's Beach Club Villas
-Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
-Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
Future resorts on Disney property
Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa: 60 new single-family villas built in place of the original Treehouses, located near Downtown Disney and the Lake Buena Vista golf course, scheduled to open in the summer of 2009.
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort: Permits were filed with the South Florida Water Management District in November 2006 for the construction of a 16-story tower containing approximately 300 Disney Vacation Club units. The property will open in the fall of 2009.
Four Seasons: On March 1, 2007, Disney announced plans to convert its Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge golf courses into a new 900-acre (3.6 km2) luxury resort that will include a Four Seasons hotel, an 18-hole championship golf course, plus single- and multi-family vacation homes and fractional ownership vacation homes. The hotel is estimated to open in 2010.
On-site non-Disney hotels
-Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel
-Doubletree Guest Suite Resort
-Regal Sun Resort
-Hilton, located in the Walt Disney World Resort
-Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort
-Royal Plaza
-Shades of Green (owned and operated by the United States Department of Defense and used for vacationing active and retired military personnel, their families, and DOD civilians only)
-Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa
-Walt Disney World Dolphin (operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide)
-Walt Disney World Swan (operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide)
Attendance
The May 2008 issue of trade magazine Park World reported the following attendance estimates for 2007 compiled by Economic Research Associates in partnership with TEA (formerly the Themed Entertainment Association):
Magic Kingdom, 17 million visits (No. 1 worldwide)
Epcot, 10.9 million visits (No. 6)
Disney's Hollywood Studios, 9.51 million visits (No. 7)
Disney's Animal Kingdom, 9.49 million visits (No. 8)
Employment
When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, the site employed about 5,500 "cast members". Today it employs more than 63,000, spending more than $1.1 billion on payroll and $478 million on benefits each year. The largest single-site employer in the United States, Walt Disney World Resort has more than 3,000 job classifications.The resort also sponsors and operates the Walt Disney World College Program, an internship program that has American college students live on site and work for the resort, providing much of the theme park and resort "front line" cast members. There is also the Walt Disney World International College Program, an internship program that has college students from all over the world.
Maintenance
In a March 30, 2004, article in The Orlando Sentinel, then-Walt Disney World president Al Weiss gave some insight into how the parks are maintained:
-More than 5,000 cast members are dedicated to maintenance and engineering, including 750 horticulturists and 600 painters.
-Disney spends more than $100 million every year on maintenance at the Magic Kingdom. In 2003, $6 million was spent on renovating its Crystal Palace restaurant. 90% of guests say that the upkeep and cleanliness of the Magic Kingdom are excellent or very good.
-The streets in the parks are steam cleaned every night.
-There are cast members permanently assigned to painting the antique carousel horses; they use genuine gold leaf.
-There is a tree farm on site so that when a mature tree needs to be replaced, a thirty-year-old tree will be available to replace it.
-The resort features a Automated Vacuum Collection system for waste disposal.
Transportation
A fleet of Disney-operated buses on property, branded Disney Transport, is available for guests at no charge. In 2007, Disney Transport started a guest services upgrade to the buses. SatellGPS systems controlling new public address systems on the buses give safety information, park tips and other general announcements, with music. They are not to be confused with the Disney Cruise Line and Disney's Magical Express buses which are operated by Mears Transportation.
The Walt Disney World Monorail System also provides transportation at Walt Disney World. A fleet of 12 monorail trains operates on three routes that interconnect at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) adjacent to the Magic Kingdom's parking lot. One line provides an express non-stop link from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom, whilst a second line provides a link from the TTC to Epcot. The third line links the TTC and the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian resorts.
Development Timeline
1965 Walt Disney announces Florida Project
1967 Construction begins
1971 Magic Kingdom
Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Polynesian Resort
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
1972 Disney's Village Resort
1973 Disney's Golf Resort
1974 Discovery Island
1975 Disney's Village Resort
Walt Disney Village Marketplace
1976 Disney's River Country
1980 Walt Disney World Conference Center
Disney's Village Resort - Club Lake Villas
1982 Epcot
1988 Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
1989 Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Pleasure Island
1990 Disney's Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts
Walt Disney World Swan
Walt Disney World Dolphin
1991 Disney's Port Orleans Resort
Disney Vacation Club
1992 Disney's Dixie Landings Resort
Bonnet Creek Golf Club
1994 Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
1995 Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's Blizzard Beach
Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding Pavilion
Walt Disney World Speedway
1996 Disney Institute
Disney's BoardWalk Inn and BoardWalk Villas
1997 Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
Downtown Disney West Side
1998 Disney's Animal Kingdom
DisneyQuest
1999 Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
2001 Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
2002 Disney's Beach Club Villas
2003 Disney's Pop Century Resort
2004 Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
2007 Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
-Disney spends more than $100 million every year on maintenance at the Magic Kingdom. In 2003, $6 million was spent on renovating its Crystal Palace restaurant. 90% of guests say that the upkeep and cleanliness of the Magic Kingdom are excellent or very good.
-The streets in the parks are steam cleaned every night.
-There are cast members permanently assigned to painting the antique carousel horses; they use genuine gold leaf.
-There is a tree farm on site so that when a mature tree needs to be replaced, a thirty-year-old tree will be available to replace it.
-The resort features a Automated Vacuum Collection system for waste disposal.
Transportation
A fleet of Disney-operated buses on property, branded Disney Transport, is available for guests at no charge. In 2007, Disney Transport started a guest services upgrade to the buses. SatellGPS systems controlling new public address systems on the buses give safety information, park tips and other general announcements, with music. They are not to be confused with the Disney Cruise Line and Disney's Magical Express buses which are operated by Mears Transportation.
The Walt Disney World Monorail System also provides transportation at Walt Disney World. A fleet of 12 monorail trains operates on three routes that interconnect at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) adjacent to the Magic Kingdom's parking lot. One line provides an express non-stop link from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom, whilst a second line provides a link from the TTC to Epcot. The third line links the TTC and the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian resorts.
Development Timeline
1965 Walt Disney announces Florida Project
1967 Construction begins
1971 Magic Kingdom
Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Polynesian Resort
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
1972 Disney's Village Resort
1973 Disney's Golf Resort
1974 Discovery Island
1975 Disney's Village Resort
Walt Disney Village Marketplace
1976 Disney's River Country
1980 Walt Disney World Conference Center
Disney's Village Resort - Club Lake Villas
1982 Epcot
1988 Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
1989 Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Pleasure Island
1990 Disney's Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts
Walt Disney World Swan
Walt Disney World Dolphin
1991 Disney's Port Orleans Resort
Disney Vacation Club
1992 Disney's Dixie Landings Resort
Bonnet Creek Golf Club
1994 Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
1995 Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's Blizzard Beach
Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding Pavilion
Walt Disney World Speedway
1996 Disney Institute
Disney's BoardWalk Inn and BoardWalk Villas
1997 Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
Downtown Disney West Side
1998 Disney's Animal Kingdom
DisneyQuest
1999 Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
2001 Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
2002 Disney's Beach Club Villas
2003 Disney's Pop Century Resort
2004 Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
2007 Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas