Ocean Park Launches Polar Adventure

Hong Kong theme park Ocean Park has launched Asia's first themed attraction integrating immersive presentations of Arctic and Antarctic animals along with a family rollercoaster ride.
Offering a total of nine individual attractions, Polar Adventure is also Asia's newest attraction dedicated to raising awareness of the impact of global climate change on polar wildlife and habitats. Without having to criss-cross both ends of the world, the public can encounter at South Pole Spectacular three different species of penguins and at North Pole Encounter Pacific walruses, spotted seals, northern sea lions, snowy owls and arctic foxes on every single visit to Ocean Park.
Both pavilions offer a uniquely open exhibit space as the animal ambassadors are not separated from the guests with floor-to-ceiling partitions. Adding to the sense of realism, the pavilions feature interior lighting specifically adjusted to mimic the seasonal conditions in the Polar Regions, with regular displays of stunning auroras during their respective winter period.
The entire family can also enjoy Arctic Blast, a snow sled-inspired roller coaster, and dine at Tuxedos Restaurant for a panoramic view of the penguin pool area.
Polar Adventure is the final themed area to open under Ocean Park's six-year HK$5.55 billion Master Redevelopment Plan (MRP), which has already transformed Hong Kong's people's park into a leading world-class family travel destination.
The previously launched new themed areas helped Ocean Park attract a record high of 7.1 million guests for the fiscal year that ended 30th June 2012.
The attraction was opened this week by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Chief Executive the Honourable Leung Chun-ying along with Ocean Park Chairman by Dr. Allan Zeman, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCFHK) Chair Judy Chen and OPCFHK Conservation Ambassador Andy Lau.
Speaking at the launch Leung explained "by empowering the Hong Kong public and millions of tourists with important conservation messages about the impact of global climate change, Polar Adventure will be a critical public education resource that helps support the HKSAR government's efforts to foster a greener and more carbon-caring Hong Kong.
"As a father of three, I am also proud that Hong Kong can offer this and future generations of young people a fun way to connect with these remote but ecologically significant regions of the planet."
Dr. Zeman added "with the launch of Polar Adventure, we have fully realised the New Ocean Park experience envisioned in our six-year Master Redevelopment Plan on time, on budget and at the expected quality level. On every visit to Ocean Park, people of all ages can now connect with nature from the sea floor to the sea shore, through the canopy of the rainforest to both ends of the world. At Polar Adventure, guests can encounter a variety of unique polar species up-close and from different perspectives in settings that realistically simulate the unique sights and sounds of both Polar Regions. Our immersive presentation will enable the public to better appreciate how the devastating effects of global climate change, from disrupted oceanic circulation to raised sea levels, can impact Hong Kong and the entire world."
Located high up in the Summit area on Brick Hill, Polar Adventure is comprised of North Pole Encounter, South Pole Spectacular and the Arctic Blast roller coaster ride. The two-storey, North Pole Encounter features an expansive main exhibit area with separate pools for Pacific walruses, spotted seals and northern sea lions. The first floor of the attraction features an innovative open design with bridges that enable guests to view all three arctic marine mammals from above the water level within the same exhibit space. Guests will have an opportunity to observe these marine mammals' underwater behaviour upon entering the ground level, which is presented