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(11 December 2012, Hong Kong) Ocean Park puts its world-class creativity on display again today by hosting Hong Kong’s first-ever “Santa Cosplay Competition”. Engaging Park guests and professional judges to select the best Santa look, the event has brought anticipation for this year’s Christmas Sensation to a fever pitch. Running from 15 December 2012 to 1 January 2013, Christmas Sensation will present never-before-seen “Santa Styles”, with three Santa Clauses from Finland, Holland and the USA joining eight Santa Clauses themed on Ocean Park’s iconic attractions to share seasonal joy with guests. At Rise of the Guardians: Little Heroes Guild, guests can battle alongside heroes from DreamWorks Animation’s latest blockbuster Rise of the Guardians to help defend the planet. With kids learning to become Santa Clauses at Santa's Secret Workshop and the entire family enjoying live Christmas carols performed by different choirs from the community in the nightly Tree Lighting Ceremony for a 40-foot tall Christmas tree, this year’s Christmas Sensation is set to offer a one-of-a-kind seasonal experience.
Mr. Tom Mehrmann, Chief Executive of Ocean Park, said “As Hong Kong People’s Park and a world-class entertainment destination, we embody Hong Kong’s spirit of creativity and offer new attractions and presentations for different seasonal celebrations. At today’s unprecedented Santa Cosplay Competition, we share the Christmas spirit with our guests by presenting different never-before-seen Santa styles to them. We have gathered 11 Santa Clauses – our highest number ever – including three star Santa Clauses from Holland, Finland and the USA respectively, and eight Santa Clauses with looks inspired by our different themed attractions, to share the Christmas joy. Together with all the new attractions that have opened, celebrating Christmas at Ocean Park will never be the same again.”
Today’s Santa Cosplay Competition offered local Cosplay fans an unprecedented opportunity to spread seasonal cheers in Ocean Park by creating new looks for Christmas’ iconic figures. Participants were judged on the creativity of their looks. They also had to canvas for votes at designated time and locations as every Park guest has been given a ballot paper to vote for their favourite characters. The results were decided based on scores given by the judges and the guests. The winner received HK$5,000 while other distinguished participants received daytime tickets to Ocean Park to recognize their effort.
With the HK$5.55 billion Master Redevelopment Plan (MRP) already concluded, guests visiting the newly opened Aqua City, the Rainforest, Polar Adventure and other new themed areas may also look forward to encountering eight Santa Clauses themed on the Park’s new iconic attractions and playing QR games with them as they roam around the Park. One Santa Clause will dive into the Grand Aquarium to greet guests with the fishes; while another Santa Clause, dressed in a camouflage Santa suit, will join rainforest animal ambassadors at the Rainforest. Whiskers Harbour, Polar Adventure and Old Hong Kong will also feature their own uniquely styled Santa Clauses. Guests who have installed the Ocean Park Mobile App on their smartphones can scan the QR Code on each Santa Clause to receive more pleasant surprises.
Three globetrotting Santa Clauses – from Finland, Holland and the USA respectively – have taken up residence in Santa’s Christmas Cottage during Christmas Sensation to bring a Western seasonal ambience to Hong Kong. They will offer greetings to guests in their native tongue and listen to their Christmas wishes. In addition, characters from DreamWorks Animation’s latest blockbuster Rise of the Guardians will appear in Rise of the Guardians: Little Heroes Guild to enlist guests in defending the planet through interactive games featuring augmented reality, kinetic, eye-tracking, and multi-touch technologies.
Every child’s most anticipated moment is the arrival of Santa Clause with a gift-filled Christmas stocking. This year, they can visit Santa’s Secret Workshop to lighten Santa Claus’ workload by helping little elves sort different gifts and stuff stockings. Participating children will receive a certificate in recognition of their completion of the workshop. Also, not to be missed, is a 40-foot Christmas tree at the Waterfront Plaza, where a nightly Tree Lighting Ceremony, carolling and performances of Christmas Musical Adventure will be held. All the thematic decorations and different street performances make for a truly festive atmosphere and countless photo opportunities.
In addition to enjoying the various presentations, guests who spend HK$99 or above (in one single receipt) on food or souvenirs during their visit can enter the Grand Christmas Double-Draw, with prizes worth a total of HK$1,000,000. Not only can guests take part in Daily Lucky Draws for fantastic prizes, they can also enter the Ultimate Lucky Draw for a business class holiday package to Sydney and Cairns for 4 persons worth up to HK$100,000!
Furthermore, from now until 31 January 2013, for every purchase of two regular priced SmartFun Adult Annual Passes (Gold or Silver), guests can receive a 50% discount on one SmartFun Child Annual Pass*. Annual pass holders have unlimited admission to Ocean Park throughout the year, and can enjoy priority seating at Park theatres as well as receive park-wide discounts!
With Christmas Sensation offering so many festive surprises, Ocean Park is set to be the hottest destination in Hong Kong during this holiday season.
* The purchase of SmartFun Annual Passes must be made within a single transaction. Offer not applicable to renewals of SmartFun Annual Passes, and cannot be used in conjunction with other promotional offers.
