Ocean Park will be transformed into a dazzling kaleidoscopic world with a galore of festive activities when Ocean Park Christmas Sensation starts on 12 December. A world-class ice skating team will present the Kaleidoscope Ice Spectacular at Applause Pavilion, an extravaganza on ice featuring cutting-edge projection mapping technology. Produced by Olympic skater Willy Bietak and choreographed by multiple international awards winner Sarah Kawahara, the show is presented by a team of international ice skaters performing elegant ice skating and stunning aerial acts to offer a feast for the eyes during the holiday season. Waterfront Plaza will also boast Hong Kong’s tallest outdoor Christmas tree soaring 70 feet high, a variety of kaleidoscope-themed seasonal attractions and House of Illusions, offering guests an abundance of photo spots with loved ones.
Leo Kung, Chairman of Ocean Park, said, “Ocean Park is always looking for breakthroughs to create unforgettable memories for our guests. ‘Kaleidoscope’ is Greek in origin and means something like ‘a beautiful spectacle’, making it a perfect theme for us to deliver guests beautiful memories filled with edu-taining experiences. To make it more convenient to enjoy all the shows and activities, we are introducing the new Ocean FasTrack. For only HKD$150, guests can choose five attractions and rides from a list for priority access, thereby minimising queuing time to maximise the fun.”
Kaleidoscope Ice Spectacular will be staged at Applause Pavilion from 12 December 2015 to 21 February 2016, with four to five shows a day for an audience of nearly 1,000 per show (from 4 January to 5 February 2016, presentations are available on Saturdays and Sundays only). The show is produced by Willy Bietak, a two-time Olympic competitor and nine-time Austrian Figure Skating Pair Champion, and choreographed by Sarah Kawahara, an Emmy award-winning figure skater and the choreographer of the 2002 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. A cast of over 20 world-class ice skaters will perform elegant spins, jumps and somersaults against stunning LED and hypnotic projection-mapped background images and music, immersing the audience in a world of kaleidoscopic beauty. Ocean Park also engaged a veteran team in production and special effects. The lighting and video designs are created by Tom Cluff, winner of the prestigious THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement in themed entertainment while the aerial effects are provided by Flying by Foy, the world’s leading theatrical flying service best known for their work in Phantom of the Opera and other blockbuster shows.
During Christmas Sensation, a galore of seasonal decorations and fun activities will fill the Park with a festive ambience for enjoyment with friends and family. The Waterfront Plaza is set to become a photo hotspot with the Hong Kong’s tallest outdoor Christmas tree at 70 feet high. At 5:45pm every evening, the Twinkling Christmas Tree Ceremony will light up the night as carollers from local schools and organizations perform Christmas songs, warming the hearts of everyone for the holidays.
Next to the gigantic Christmas tree, Santa will appear along with elves at Santa’s Kaleidoscope Cottage in Waterfront Plaza to offer seasonal greetings and take photos with guests. Featuring a large mirror installation to create playful optical illusions, the House of Illusions is a must-visit attraction for a group of friends to make hilarious poses to be captured on photos. During the Christmas period, the face painting stall will help our guests get into the holiday spirit by painting Christmas trees and reindeers. Kid’s Kaleidoscope Workshop at Whiskers Harbour is the best place for kids to unleash their creativity by making their own kaleidoscope, which they can take home as a memento of fun times at Ocean Park. Up at the Summit Plaza, guests can take in exciting unicycle shows up-close at The Merry Cirque.
Also during the Christmas period, Ocean Park is offering a series of limited-time “Get Closer to the Animals” programmes, including Christmas Nighttime in the Ocean’s Depths, perfect for the whole family. Guests will first enjoy delectable delicacies at Neptune’s Restaurant and decorate a Christmas Lollipop Cake before camping inside the Grand Aquarium to learn about ocean conservation and spend the night for a glimpse of the mysterious world of the sea bed during nighttime. Participants can also complete a special mission by taking photos of mysterious animal ambassadors with a smart phone and a kaleidoscope to win an exclusive gift. Catering to romantic couples is Penguin Encounter – Christmas Special, which enables participants to visit the back-of-house area for penguins and learn about penguins’ characteristics and other fun facts. The participating couples can also take photos with the penguins against a Christmas-themed backdrop.
Besides the spectacular shows and activities, Ocean Park is offering various gift vouchers, all perfect as Christmas presents for loved one. Available for order at the Park’s official website are vouchers for SmartFun annual pass, “Get Closer to the Animals” programmes and VIP premium tour. The Park will arrange for delivery of the gift voucher, which can be accompanied by a greeting card with a personal Christmas greeting for the recipient. From now till 24 December, all gift vouchers are available at a discount of up to 20%.
