Hong Kong Disneyland had launched a recruitment drive, with more than 1,000 people vying for 500 positions at the theme park, newspapers reported Sunday.

The park started auditions Saturday to fill about 200 slots for dancers, while auditions for actors, singers and musicians were to be held in November and January, the Sing Tao Daily reported.

The Apple Daily newspaper quoted a Hong Kong Disneyland official as saying the park would hire a total of 500 performers and had received more than 1,000 applications.

The theme park is a joint venture for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and The Walt Disney Co. The government has said the Disneyland would boost tourism and employment.

Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies