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Hong Kong couples who want to live out their
fantasies can do so at Hong Kong Disneyland - for a hefty price.
Starting today, couples can book Chinese banquet-style wedding receptions with a
Mickey Mouse touch at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel from HK$11,457 a table,
Hong Kong Disneyland executives announced Tuesday.
More than 1,000 inquiries, most coming from couples in the territory, have
already been received. Those on the waiting list will have priority.
``We are targeting Hong Kong couples mostly, but later we could consider
bringing in couples from the mainland and Southeast Asia,'' said Roy Hardy,
vice president of the theme park's marketing and sales.
The hefty price tag comprises a food charge of HK$8,888 for a 12-person table,
beverages and a 10 percent service charge, which is on a par with banquet rates
at the luxury Peninsula Hotel and pricier when compared with other top hotels
in the territory.
The cheapest banquet packages at the Island Shangri-la Hotel, for example, come
at HK$7,388 per table exclusive of beverages and service charge, while the
Mandarin Oriental charges HK$6,688 for the same.
The most expensive banquet package Disneyland offers is a steep HK$15,857 per
table, inclusive of beverages, service charge and six tickets to the theme
park.
The menus feature traditional Chinese banquet delicacies such as roast suckling
pig, shark's fin soup and sliced abalone.
Other than the basics, packages come with multi-tiered wedding cakes,
Disney-themed background music and a one night's stay at the Disneyland Hotel.
Appearances by Mickey and friends are charged separately.
``These packages are unique to Hong Kong because they blend Chinese and Western
culture,'' said Don Robinson, Hong Kong Disneyland group managing director.
He said the prices are competitive and are no different from price ranges at
other Disney parks.
Disneyland could not provide a minimum overall charge estimate for their wedding
services nor when the first fairytale weddings could take place, only saying
that its smallest function room can hold 10 tables and its biggest Cinderella
ballroom can hold a maximum of 50 tables.
``We cannot provide a minimum cost because we will customize the experience with
individual couples,'' Hardy said.
He said weddings cannot be held on September 12, the park's opening day, but
services should be available on weekends and most weekdays.
Responding to whether Disneyland would work with outside wedding planners in
anticipation of amendments to the Marriage Ordinance, which will lift
restrictions on the time and place for celebrating marriages, Robinson said the
theme park would respond to the law changes.
``The price is pretty expensive, on par with five-star hotels and close to rates
at six-star hotels,'' said wedding planner Au Wai-fong.
``But we've received quite a few inquiries, including some from the mainland
and Korea.''
Isis Chan, who is planning for a wedding, said the packages are too pricey ``No
one has been there yet and it's hard to tell if it's worth the price.''
.sylvia.hui@singtaonewscorp.com
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