According to a company spokeswoman, Walt Disney officials consulted feng shui experts before building Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney tilted the park several degrees and set up "no fire zones" in kitchens, to maintain a balance of the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth throughout the park.

Feng Shui is the belief that harmonious energy and better fortune can be obtained through the correct positioning of furniture and other objects.

The park's facing water with a mountainous back drop and its Sept. 12 opening date were also suggested by feng shui specialists.

HK Disneyland spokeswoman Esther Wong said, "It's cultural considerations. All the food and language in the park must follow the habits and tastes of our consumers and future guests."

The attempt to cater to local tastes ran Disney into some trouble recently. The park had plans to serve the Chinese delicacy, shark fin soup. Needless to say, said plans were dropped after environmentalists protested the park would be contributing to the extinction of sharks.

Hong Kong Disneyland is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong government, with local taxpayers swallowing most of the construction costs.