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Alexander Mak

After two years of construction, Hong Kong Disneyland opened its gates to the public on September 12, 2005, bringing a touch of magic to Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island.
Although it is the smallest worldwide, as the first and only Disney park in Greater China until Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016, the prime location and local cultural elements still make the Hong Kong park a beloved attraction for tourists and residents alike.
Here’s a look back at opening day – and the lead-up to it.















Hong Kong’s Mandatory Provident Fund launches in 2000 – from the SCMP archive

Princess Diana admits adultery in blow to monarchy in 1995 – from the SCMP archive

In pictures: when textiles drove the golden age of ‘Made in Hong Kong’

Hong Kong discontinues trial all-night tram service in 1990 – from the SCMP archive

From our archives

In pictures: when Disneyland opened in Hong Kong – the first park in Greater China

Mickey and Minnie Mouse perform on stage with other characters in front of the castle of Sleeping Beauty at the official opening of Hong Kong Disneyland on September 12, 2005. Photo: SCMP Archives

Minnie and Mickey Mouse with a rendering of the planned Hong Kong Disneyland, in Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island, in 1999. Photo: SCMP Archives

Hong Kong Disneyland under construction in 2004. Photo: SCMP Archives

Cantopop singer, actor and Disneyland spokesman Jacky Cheung (centre) attends the Hong Kong Disneyland castle topping ceremony on September 23, 2004. Photo: SCMP Archives

A wet start to the park rehearsal day for cast members and their families at Hong Kong Disneyland, in August 16, 2005. Photo: SCMP Archives

A parade along Main Street USA during Media Enjoyment Day on September 6, 2005. Photo: SCMP Archives

Attending the official opening of Hong Kong Disneyland, on September 12, 2005, are (from left) Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen; Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China Zeng Qinghong; Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner; and Walt Disney Company president and CEO-elect Robert Iger. Photo: SCMP Archives

The park’s first visitor, Michael Kuzma, 36, an IT consultant from the United States, shows his excitement near the ticket counter on the opening day of Hong Kong Disneyland. Photo: SCMP Archives

A family from Shanghai walk with cast members on opening day. Photo: SCMP Archives

Visitors queue to ride the Orbitron in the park’s Tomorrowland area during opening day. Photo: SCMP Archives

A child poses for a photo in a spacesuit on opening day. Photo: SCMP Archives

A dancer performs as an action figure from the film Toy Story on Hong Kong Disneyland’s opening day. Photo: SCMP Archives

A musician waves to the camera as he performs at the official opening of Hong Kong Disneyland. Photo: SCMP Archives

Fireworks over the Sleeping Beauty Castle on Hong Kong Disneyland’s opening night. Photo: SCMP Archives

In pictures: when Hong Kong was the centre of toy manufacturing

Doll heads are sorted at the Kader factory in 1973. Photo: SCMP Archives

A young woman assembling toys at Elm Tool and Machinery’s factory in Quarry Bay in 1967. Photo: SCMP Archives

A worker at Kader’s toy factory in Hong Kong in 1971. The company was founded in 1948. Photo: SCMP Archives

Workers in a toy factory in 1972. Photo: SCMP Archives

Prince Charles (third right) tries a remote-controlled toy car at Sun Chung Precision Metal Factory in San Po Kong in 1979. Photo: SCMP Archives

Paul Kwan, joint managing director of toymaker Playmates Holdings, with the company’s biggest hit, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys, in 1989. Photo: SCMP Archives

Hong Kong jeweller removes Mickey Mouse collection amid Disney trademark lawsuit

The Walt Disney Company has taken a Hong Kong online jewellery shop to court for infringing its trade mark right, accusing it of misleading consumers to believe its Mickey Mouse-themed products are sold under an official partnership.  Photo: handout

The company says it believed it had lawfully used the 1928 version of the character, which entered the US public domain in 2024. Photo: Getty Images

In pictures: in streets or salons, Hong Kong barbers make the cut

A street barber serves Western customers in Central, in 1994. Photo: SCMP Archives

A young boy gets a trim at a Hong Kong barber shop in 1976. Photo: SCMP Archives

A traditional Hong Kong barber shop in 1976. Photo: SCMP Archives

A barber sets up shop on a Hong Kong pavement in 1977. Photo: SCMP Archives

A street barber and his client on Nam Long Shan Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, in 1986. Photo: SCMP Archives

A stylist takes part in a hairdressing demonstration organised by salon chain Vidal Sassoon in 1979. Photo: SCMP Archives

Celebrity Hong Kong hairstylist Kim Robinson works on a model in 1980. Photo: SCMP Archives

A barber gets to work outdoors in Nga Tsin Wai village in San Po Kong, Kowloon, in 1995. Photo: Martin Chan

A barber shaves a client outside the Tin Hau Temple on Temple Street, in Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong, in 2003. Photo: Robert Ng

Customers chat with hairdresser Lee Kwok-shun at the Shanghai New Men Wah Hair-dressing Company, an old Shanghai-style traditional barber’s on Hong Kong’s Wellington Street. The establishment closed in 2008. Photo: Felix Wong

Study at Disneyland? Student trend in Shanghai catches on in Hong Kong

Vixie Zhao, a postgraduate student, has an annual Disneyland pass. Photo: May Tse

Vixie Zhao says she is not distracted by the loud music. Photo: May Tse

Students can take a break and hop on one of the many rides. Photo: May Tse

In pictures: the underworld’s gates open for Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong

People burning paper offerings and incense on the street to appease the spirits during the Hungry Ghosts Festival in Hong Kong, in 1986. Photo: SCMP Archives

Worshippers burn offerings on a street to appease the spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival in 1972. Photo: SCMP Archives

Hung Hom residents observe the Hungry Ghost Festival in 1987. Photo: SCMP Archives

A paper effigy towers over locals in Hung Hom during the Hungry Ghost Festival in 1987. The Chinese believe that spirits not consoled by ancestral worship may claim living substitutes unless they are pacified by food. Photo: SCMP Archives

Women mark the Hungry Ghost Festival in Aberdeen in 1987. Photo: SCMP Archives

A bamboo theatre set up during the 1988 Hungry Ghost Festival. Photo: SCMP Archives

A Chinese opera performance during the Yulan Festival in 1989. Photo: SCMP Archives

Paper offerings are burnt during the Hungry Ghost Festival in 1995. Photo: SCMP Archives

A woman receives a sack of rice from the organiser of the Ngau Tau Kok Hungry Ghost Festival in 1998. Giving out free “lucky” rice is also a traditional custom for the festival. Photo: SCMP Archives

Chiu Chow opera performers at King George V Memorial Park in Kowloon during the 2004 Hungry Ghost Festival. Photo: SCMP Archives

Offerings to “hungry ghosts” are burnt in a Yau Tong playground in 2006. Photo: SCMP Archives

Hungry Ghost Festival decorations on Hong Ning Road, in Kwun Tong, in 2008. Photo: SCMP Archives

PostMag

Culture

Jacky Cheung goofed around with Mickey Mouse at the park’s castle topping ceremony, and fans queued for the Orbitron ride on opening day on September 12, 2005


Jacky Cheung goofed around with Mickey Mouse at the park’s castle topping ceremony, and fans queued for the Orbitron ride on opening day on September 12, 2005.
