News: Hong Kong Disneyland expands popularity

Posted at 5:57 PM EDT (2157 GMT)

Sep. 23rd, 2004 -- Today Hong Kong Disneyland reached a "significant milestone" with the capping of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Confetti, fireworks, and Disney character accompanied the capping ceremony as the park, under construction since January of 2003, reached the 60% completion mark. Hong Kong Disneyland is expected to open as early as October of 2005, although opening could be delayed until the start of 2006.

But the celebrations in Hong Kong also brought to greater prominence Disney's effort to ensure the popularity of the park with the Chinese youth. The company has taken the unprecedented step of entering into a partnership with the Communist Youth League in order to make China's 60 million young people more familiar with Disney.

Through the Youth League, Disney organizes popular activities, such as drawing classes and storytelling sessions. In October, Disney will also bring two NBA teams to play in China.

For more information on the capping ceremony, see The Times Daily. For more on Disney's work with China's youth, see The Standard.