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September, 2005

  1. Welcome to Orlando!

    September 26, 2005 by Leanne

    An incredible sense of relief overcame me when the flight attendant said those beautiful three words “Welcome to Orlando”. The trip to China was an amazing experience – one which has definitely changed my life, but there’s nothing like coming home.
    These pictures are from my last two days in Hong Kong. .

    This is the wonderful plane that brought us home on the last leg – from San Francisco to Orlando. It couldn’t have been a more beautiful plane!
    This is one of the Gold Coast restaurants where we had one of our last meals, and – our first date. (ah shucks!)

    The “Ladies Market” in Mong Kok – where everything is dirt cheap.

    This is the Star Ferry that connects Kowloon to Hong Kong Island.

    The famous Kowloon Clock Tower.

    The unforgettable “962″ bus. This was our main mode of transportation from the apartments to downtown Hong Kong. On most nights it was standing room only – for an hour ride home.

    Isn’t she adorable? A Hong Kong resident dressed up as a little princess. This was taken on the Disney MTR as I headed home from HKDL for the last time.

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  2. Good-Byes Continue

    September 17, 2005 by Leanne

    On Saturday, September 17 – the group that has been together for months splits up into many different directions. Some of us stay in Hong Kong a few more days, others are heading straight home, while quite a few others are taking advantage of being in South Asia and are heading to exotic places like Phuket, Bangkok, Vietnam, Cambodia, and New Zealand.
    So the past few nights we’ve been together in smaller groups saying our good-byes – which in some cases may be forever. It’s been fun and tiring at the same time.

    John Verity and Don Robinson saying thanks to everyone.

    Leslie Kay, Tonya and Mary Haupt.

    A blurry Miguel, Steven, Ken, and Angie

    Our lovely assistants: Rowena, Floni, and Kerry.

    And Tom Vazzana – happy as a camper.

    On Friday night, Victoria Peak seemed to be the place to share the final night with everyone. Our big party ran into another Task Force group also there having dinner.

    This is The Lookout restaurant at The Peak where we had dinner.

    Jacquee, Arneau, and Steven

    TC and I

    It wasn’t a full moon yet, but pretty close. It was beautiful.

    To get a great photo of the night lights, you need a tripod. This photo overlooks Hong Kong Island and the harbor.

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  3. Walking Away…

    September 16, 2005 by Leanne

    Angie and I left the park together – what may be for the last time.

    Still more photos to come of the after-life.

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  4. The beginning of the end…

    by Leanne

    Tuesday morning – the “day after” was filled with all kinds of emotions – with most of us feeling a very “weird” vibe. It was best described like the day after college graduation and everyone is packing up to head home, or on vacation – all while reliving the highs and lows of the past three days, and the past four months. Friday is the last day in the office for most of the Task Force. There are some that have assignments all the way through November.

    These are some photos taken on the two days after the Grand Opening, as we packed up the office, said good-bye to our new friends from all over the world, and let off some stress.

    Steven Clark, Nydia Lopez, and Lisa Haines

    The Publicity Print Team (with an added bonus of Ken Langdon)

    Me, Steven Clark, and Sara King

    Gary and his pineapple – friends forever! He’ll miss his pineapple when he heads back to the States.

    Miguel and Sara – I hope they don’t react this way every time they run into each other at Walt Disney World!

    Steve Kawamura (WDI), me, and Marilyn Waters (WDI)

    Rick and Sara – she’s hidden inbetween the mice.

    Dave Thompson (WDI) holding on to the beloved Media Guide.

    Mike and Sara – happy to be done!

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  5. The Grand Opening!

    September 13, 2005 by Leanne

    Monday, September 12, we made history.
    Hong Kong Disneyland is officially open.
    It is so hard to believe the day has come and gone. The Grand Opening Ceremony was so spectacular. As Miguel said in his custom live shots – it was the best of classic Disney delivered in true Asian style. The lion dancers up high on stilts were breath-taking. Hundreds of children up on stage singing “Its a small world”. And short speeches! It was a day to remember forever.

    The ribbon has been cut – the park is open!

    The Chinese Leader arrives on stage.

    Umbrellas went up to shield the audience from the sun and heat.

    Look closely – you’ll see Derek Peterson right in the middle.

    Amazing lion dancers up on stilts for the opening number.

    Lion dancers leave the stage.

    The entire cast of characters flood the stage for the finale.

    Good Morning America getting ready for their live shot.

    Good Morning America with Mickey – live at 8:00pm HK

    Sleeping Beauty Castle at night before the fireworks show.

    Post-fireworks crowds depart the park.

    And finally, Asian Mickey poses with me!

    Behind the scenes:
    I had numerous jobs that day, as did everyone. I started off the morning responsible for the HK and China government media entourage as they captured video of both the ceremony and of the private tour of the park by their Leader and our execs. My blood pressure was slightly up for awhile on that job.
    Then after the gates opened and the government left, I turned my attention back to the wonderful crew from Good Morning America that was here. We went live from several locations in the park from 7pm – 9pm (HK time).

    At 10:15pm, my day officially ended.
    It was a sweltering day at the park – and because of the grandeur of the day, we were all required to wear suits for the day (or at least until 1:00pm). So I was in a suit, outside with no air-conditioning from 6:45am until 1:30pm. We were all completely drenched (yes, in sweat) when we got back to the office. After peeling off our suits, we just collapsed at our desks for awhile. Then we noticed all of our suits walking to the cleaners on their own because they were so grimy.

    Coming up next: The office aftermath

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  6. Days Leading up to the Grand Opening

    September 12, 2005 by Leanne

    What a time it has been! I’ll try to post these photos in order, but no guarantees. It is so hard to believe the time has come.

    These shots are from the Sunday night Castle Concert starring Asian celebrities singing classic Disney songs – ending with the premiere of Disney in the Stars fireworks show.

    (Starting in the center of the photo): Jacquee, Kim, Arneau, Darla and Angie watch the concert.

    Miguel’s shirt shows how HOT and HUMID the outdoor concert was.

    Good Morning America interviewing Michael Eisner at the Mickey Floral.

    Remember the photo back in June of 100 days to go?

    I made it all the way!!

    Betty Law and Miguel (sorry it’s a little blurry)

    Geoff and Loren at the Logistics Briefing.

    The two slackers of the press event!

    Miguel delivering the Logisitcs Briefing to the media.

    Nilsa – who saved me from a long bus wait gave me a personal ride home!

    Media getting ready at the Red Carpet walk for the Hollywood Hotel party

    Fans await the celebrity arrivals.

    TC Knoch explaining how the Red Carpet works…

    Here’s where the pictures are a little out of order – these were taken after the Sunday night concert at 10:00pm. We let our hair down for an hour!

    Above: Miguel, Irene Chan, and Angie

    Me and Sara King

    Brett and Jason

    Gary, getting himself in trouble with Dw.

    Me, Greg Albrecht

    Miguel and I at the castle stage.

    More exciting Grand Opening photos to share later this afternoon.

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  7. Ready for Action…

    September 4, 2005 by Leanne

    It’s about time I got off my lazy butt, recharged my camera batteries and started to entertain you a little better than in the past few weeks.
    These photos were all taken today, Sunday, Sept. 4. Today was Community Chest Day at the Park. The local charity agency (similar to our United Way) received a check from Hong Kong Disneyland. A small group of media was on hand for the ceremony. I was with a US national show who were in the park all day shooting stories for next week.


    The morning started off hilarious. An “unnamed” male publicist, remembered a little too late that he wore striped boxers under his white pants.

    Lisa Haines and Greg Albrecht discussing matters.

    Mickey making his grand appearance.

    The guests love the character meet and greets!

    These are just some of the unique Mickey gifts they have at the Emporium.

    On a rainy day, the store can get a tad bit crowded.

    Disney on Parade coming down Main Street.

    Crowds enjoying the show.

    My news crew catching footage of the parade from the train station.

    Post-parade crowds.

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  8. Around the Office

    September 1, 2005 by Leanne

    I wanted to be sure to capture some photos of the special people who have made a difference in our lives here in Hong Kong. I took the camera to the office today and just had some fun with everyone for a little while. We needed a breather like this.
    Are we some shady characters, or what?

    Meet Floni Tam – our fabulous assistant. She works miracles for us!

    Kerry, me and Ada
    Kerry and Ada are two assistants who we just adore!

    This is “sad” Gary. Sad because on my last update I failed to give him the due photo credit he deserved for sharing the first two pictures with me. Hey Gary – Thanks!

    And this is just a great shot of the sun setting in Tuen Mun (taken from my living room window).

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