Hong Kong Disneyland's Tech Tricks behind the Show

The uniqueness of Hong Kong Disneyland is in the technology of its rides, according to Walt Disney creative development vice president Tom Morris. He thinks that Hong Kong Disneyland is not comparatively small but it benefits a lot from new technology. Space Mountain is the safest, fastest and smoothest rollercoaster ride anywhere, Morris said, with the latest sound and visual effects. Hong Kong Disneyland boasts the most sophisticated computer-aided system compared with Walt Disney's five other theme parks. Step into the indoor rollercoaster and you'll hear the sound is so clear. Space Mountain is however not the most exciting rollercoaster in the territory - but it is second to some of the heart- stopping attractions at rival Ocean Park. Complicated technology, however, leads to more breakdowns. Reports say that the most tech-savvy rides - Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear and Winnie the Pooh - are having frequent "incidents". Space Mountain still had problems during its last dry run Sunday morning. Other attractions rely on more tried-and-tested technology. In the three- dimensional animated film attraction, Mickey's PhilharMagic, characters including the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and the Lion King leap into the audience with the aid of 3-D "opera glasses"; worn by patrons - which were popular for a time in the late 1950s. And when a baked cake appears on the screen, the audience also smells it. Shots of the ocean are accompanied by sprays of water. The effects are generated by special boxes installed in front of the seats, senior Disney show writer Dave Fisher said.

But,of course, you don't think about the technology when you are enjoying the experience. The main feature of Hong Kong Disneyland is its park design. The trees are unique to a Disney park and are from Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia.

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