Fantasy, frills and a pink fox: Playing dress up at Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong CNN —

There are a lot of princesses at Hong Kong Disneyland, but not the ones you think. Instead of your Cinderellas, Elsas and Annas in their royal best, it’s a fuzzy pink fox that’s inspiring the princess-esque outfits of Disney-goers in their teens and 20s.

LinaBell is the latest addition to a line of plush toys called “Duffy and Friends,” created by Disney for the Asian market. She has never made it onto the big screen, but she and her furry companions have resonated with fans in the region, becoming one of the company’s best-selling franchises in the city’s theme park. Young women in particular are drawing inspiration from the pastel-colored characters, creating coquettish looks.

“LinaBell is my favorite,” said Liang Xiaoyu who was visiting from the Chinese city of Guangzhou. The 18-year-old was dressed in a pink-trimmed white frock, her hair in two loose ponytails, and was carrying a LinaBell backpack and keychain.

Hair carefully coiffed, and in full makeup Liang Xiaoyu, 18, is dressed for a day out at Hong Kong Disneyland. She was on her way to meet a friend. Liang has paid attention to detail, donning ballerina-like tights and baby pink Mary Janes. Around her neck is a pearl and ribbon necklace with a crystal heart setting.

Others spotted during a rainy June day channeled CookieAnn (a yellow dog who loves to bake), by wearing dog ear headbands as well as ShellieMay and Duffy, the line’s two bears.

Dressing up is popular at Disney theme parks across the world — not just for kids, but for adults as well. Known as “Disneybounding,” the phenomenon sees visitors circumvent rules on wearing full Disney costumes (some masks, for instance, are bannedto avoid any confusion with the parks’ own costumed