Largest themed area in expansion plan, Grizzly Gulch, debuts at Hong Kong Disneyland on July 14, 2012

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort continues to grow, with Grizzly Gulch, the largest themed area in its expansion plan, opening on July 14, 2012. Based on an original story created exclusively for Hong Kong Disneyland, Grizzly Gulch will provide Guests with an unexpected runaway adventure. The unique multidirectional terrain-style coaster Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars takes Guests on a holistic adventure as it crisscrosses the entire themed area. In preparing to tell the rich story of Grizzly Gulch, the Resort has been working even harder, inside and outside the Park, putting their imagination into action to create an immersive Wild West experience for Guests.

"Hong Kong Disneyland is continually evolving and expanding. Last year, the opening of Toy Story Land successfully broadened the age range of Guests the Park appeals to. This summer, the Park will achieve yet another milestone with the opening of Grizzly Gulch," said Andrew Kam, Managing Director, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. "Our Imagineers and Cast Members have truly put their imagination into action. Guests will be introduced to the unique multidirectional terrain-coaster Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, which hurtles through the entire themed area, and seven other must-visit Wild West attractions. In addition, the long-awaited themed area Mystic Point is also set to open in 2013, allowing Hong Kong Disneyland to attract even more young, fun-seeking Guests."

A unique and innovative runaway adventure

Grizzly Gulch’s brand-new, storytelling-driven multidirectional terrain coaster, Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, which has a capacity of 24 persons per ride, will take Guests on a runaway adventure. The three major highlights of the ride are: the mine cars will dash forward, race backwards for one-third of the journey and make rapid turns due to the mischief of the resident grizzly bears; the terrain-style coaster will run through the entire themed area, including Big Grizzly Mountain, the town and Geyser Gulch; with multiple mine cars crisscrossing throughout Grizzly Gulch simultaneously, Guests will be able to see up to three mine cars dashing across the themed area at the same time.

Seven must-visit Wild West attractions in the themed area

The immersive Wild West setting of Grizzly Gulch transports Guests to a quintessential, bustling western Gold Rush township. There, Guests should be sure to visit all seven Wild West attractions for a complete experience. The seven must-visit Wild West attractions comprise: the "Must play" Geyser Gulch area, where Guests of all ages are sure to have a blast with the numerous water-based activities and sudden eruptions of the colorful Mother Geyser; the "Must see" Grizzly Gulch Welcome Wagon Show; the "Must take" Wild West photo opportunities which abound throughout the town; the "Must touch" big lucky gold nugget; the "Must greet" Disney friends – Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale – dressed in their new outfits, and Koda and Kenai, Disney’s grizzly bears; the "Must buy" Grizzly Gulch-inspired gifts from Bear Necessities; and the "Must eat" hearty fare such as crispy battered fish fillets or shrimps and chips at the Lucky Nugget Saloon.

Getting ready to put imagination into action, inside and outside the Park

Huge efforts have been made both inside and outside the Park to encourage Cast Members, industry partners and Guests to put their imagination in action and become immersed in the story of Grizzly Gulch. To help Cast Members familiarize themselves with the new story, three months of effort have been put into producing a CGI video for Grizzly Gulch. This video was broadcast in various locations in the workplace and on the intranet. A specially-made Grizzly Gulch board game was also designed and shared via internal "RACE" recreational activities to strengthen Cast Members’ knowledge of Grizzly Gulch in an engaging and fun manner.

For the first time, Hong Kong Disneyland has organized a series of webinars for trade partners to learn about the story and product offerings of Grizzly Gulch. These sessions, together with trade briefings and travel trade preview days, will deliver first hand information about Grizzly Gulch to over 5,000 travel trade partners from close to 20 markets across Mainland China and Asia.

Hot social media viral videos to kick off the promotional campaign

With Grizzly Gulch entering its one-month countdown period, the Park is offering opportunities to Guests to learn more about the story behind this Gold Rush town even before they experience in person. The first promotional push is a funny social media viral video campaign introducing three highlights of Grizzly Gulch, featuring travel guru Tony Hung and viral video expert Ming Jai. From June 14 to 28, 2012, Guests who correctly answer a question after watching the videos on Hong Kong Disneyland’s Facebook page or www.hkdisneyland.com/GrizzlyGulch/video/ have a chance of winning a number of fantastic Grizzly Gulch-themed souvenirs or, by also submitting a short advertising tagline for Grizzly Gulch, a complimentary "one-night stay at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel for two."