Hong Kong Disneyland Prepares for September 12 Grand Opening

Nearly 30,000 visitors crowded into Hong Kong Disneyland on Sunday for a charity trial run, putting the theme park to its first major test ahead of its official opening on Sept. 12. The park has said 30,000 is the maximum number of visitors it can accommodate in a day.

Television news showed long queues of people both outside and inside the park despite rainy weather. Throngs of visitors were shown pouring out of special Disney trains to the park, which recorded 20,000 passengers by noon. Car parking spaces outside the park were also full by noon.

Proceeds from the day´s ticket sales, which tabbed $1.25 million, will be donated to the Hong Kong Community Chest, Hong Kong Disneyland spokeswoman Esther Wong said.

The park, a joint venture between the Hong Kong government and The Walt Disney Co., predicts it will draw about 3.6 million tourists to Hong Kong within a year and up to 7.4 million annually after 15 years.