Galactic voyage to celebrate Ocean Park's 80th anniversary

French classic character Le Petit Prince will make its galactic voyage to Ocean Park to celebrate its 80th anniversary in Hong Kong during the festival season starting tomorrow.

Visitors can access to the Le Petit Prince 80th Anniversary Galactic Voyage special event - along with other Christmas activities in the park - for HK$388 per adult and HK$233 per child.

In this special event, visitors will be "instantly whisked away on a thrilling expedition" and see the footsteps of the little prince once they enter Ocean Park, with decorations leading visitors to a new attraction area - the Le Petit Prince's Starry Universe at the park's Waterfront Plaza - the park said.

"You will find yourself in a dreamlike universe adorned with a vast expanse of twinkling stars and swirling, electrifying clouds that dance upon the ceiling - evoking a sense of cosmic allure, as if you are stepping into the very pages of the book and embarking on a celestial voyage alongside the intrepid Le Petit Prince," it said.

Visitors can also "explore" all the planets the little prince visited during this journey at a celestial chamber, with a big model of the Earth rotating on the floor in the center of the room, the park said.

They can also marvel at a 3.5-meter-tall giant kaleidoscope in the area and a five-meter-tall Le Petit Prince Star Statue at the park's summit, said the park.

"Showcasing artistry patterns, vibrant hues and intricate swirls that shift before your eyes, it transports you to a realm where dreams and reality intertwine in a breath-taking dance."

Chairman of Ocean Park Paulo Pong Kin-yee said he is confident many visitors will visit the park during Christmas.

"Although many Hongkongers will travel overseas [during the holiday], we will still receive a large number of non-local tourists," he said.

Pong also said the number of tourists from the mainland and Southeast Asia has resumed to 80 percent of prepandemic levels.

With the recovery of the local tourism business and an increasing number of inbound flights, the park will see an influx of customers during Christmas and the New Year, Pong said.

He added the opening hours of the park will be extended by half an hour to 7.30pm during the festive season.

Visitors may also experience various other Christmas activities, including performances featuring choirs, orchestral music and live bands, as well as join the Christmas Shining Bright Party where they can receive blessings from Santa Claus and his elves.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com