Ocean Park's newest =
major=20
attraction and funicular transport =
system - part=20
of a HK$5.55bn (=A3432.8m, 485.8m euro, =
US$716m)=20
Master Redevelopment Project (MRP) - has =
opened=20
to visitors.=20
Running between the park's Waterfront =
and=20
Summit areas, Ocean Express is claimed =
to be the=20
world's first and only themed funicular =
system=20
with an immersive show and running =
inside a=20
theme park tunnel. At 1,300m in length, =
the new=20
ride - with cars designed to resemble a=20
submersible vehicle - offers visitors =
the option=20
of a three minute express journey as =
against a=20
12-minute scenic cable car trip between =
the two=20
points.
Ocean Park is now one of the first =
parks to=20
operate two different ropeway systems=20
side-by-side - two aerial cable car =
systems and=20
a tunnel funicular system.
The fleet was activated after being=20
christened by Ocean Park chairman, Dr. =
Allan=20
Zeman at the Ocean Express Grand Opening =
Ceremony media event held at the park's=20
Waterfront Plaza.
The event also saw Dr. Zeman =
announcing that=20
an increase in admission charges will =
now not=20
take effect until 9 October, rather than =
5=20
October as previously planned. This =
follows an=20
extension by the mainland Chinese =
authorities of=20
the 'golden week' holiday to eight days, =
a move=20
which the park believes will generate =
more=20
tourism traffic to Hong Kong.
In a further development, Ocean =
Park's=20
lowland and headland areas have gained =
new=20
identities. The area beyond the Main =
Entrance=20
gate, formerly The Lowland, is now =
called The=20
Waterfront, while the area formerly =
known as The=20
Headland is now The Summit.
Ocean Express is the second flagship =
project=20
this year to open under the park's MRP =
after the=20
launch of Amazing Asian Animals this =
April.=20
Between now and 2012, more new MRP =
attraction=20
areas will be opened, to include Aqua =
City in=20
the Waterfront area, and The Rainforest, =
Thrill=20
Mountain and Polar Adventure at the =
Summit.=20
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