Philippine president visits Hong Kong Disneyland

The Philippine president began the weekend hobnobbing with leaders from all over the Pacific Rim. She ended the weekend with Mickey Mouse.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo stopped at Hong Kong Disneyland on Sunday for a private visit with her family after attending the annual two-day Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea.

Arroyo and her entourage tried out the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride and the Jungle River Cruise. They also saw shows like Mickey's PhilharMagic, featuring 3-D versions of Disney cartoon characters, and "Festival of the Lion King," a Broadway-style musical.

She chatted with Filipino visitors at the park, which opened two months ago.

Arroyo arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday evening, just hours after the APEC forum ended, and she was set to return home on Monday, her office said.

She visited Disneyland with her husband, Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, sons and grandchildren. The Arroyos were given VIP treatment and didn't have to wait in the notoriously long lines at the rides.

Last week, Arroyo was reunited with her corruption-tainted husband, who has been living in voluntary exile for the past three months. He has been accused of influence-peddling and receiving illegal gambling kickbacks.

Mike Arroyo faces no charges and has denied taking gambling payoffs. The accusations are the subject of a continuing congressional inquiry.

Hong Kong Disneyland is the Walt Disney Co.'s 11th theme park. It features two resort hotels on a bay surrounded by mountains on Lantau, one of Hong Kong's several islands, AP reported. V.A.