(19 Dec 1999) English/Nat
London's Millennium Dome opened its doors to visitors for the first time on Sunday.
Ten thousand people filed into the attraction in a so-called rehearsal day ahead of its official opening by the Queen on New Year's Eve.
London's New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) on Sunday opened the doors of the 758 (m) million pound Millennium Dome.
More than 10-thousand people - friends and family of workers as well as local residents - were given a preview of the dome's attractions.
Organisers called a "rehearsal" ahead of the official opening by the Queen on New Year's Eve.
Members of the public invited to Sunday's preview saw most of the Dome's 14 zones with a few as yet unfinished.
As well as giving people the chance to get their first impressions of what a day at the Dome will be like, N-M-E-C was also keen to have a big crowd present so that its 2-thousand, 500 staff could get used to hosting visitors around the giant site at Greenwich, south London.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well I hope they'll feel they've had an entertaining day out, that they've seen some things they haven't seen before and that they've had a bit of a unique experience that'll be a memory they have for the rest of their lives."
SUPER CAPTION: Clair Sampson, Head of Production, New Millennium Experience Company
On Tuesday, the dome will host another 10-thousand-plus visitors in a second preview day.
The highlight then is expected to be a full rehearsal of the spectacular show that will take place at least three times a day in the central area of the building.
Some of Sunday's visitors were impressed with their Dome experience.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It's the fact that it's so big that'll stick in my mind definitely. It's a full day out and it's entertainment beyond belief. I'll be back again."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop, Dome visitors
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Fantastic day. I'd definitely recommend it to people. It's been really fun, loads of competitions, loads of games to play. Very interactive. I thought it was a very good day out."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop, Dome visitors
While most attractions were open and working on Sunday, one - the interior of the giant sculpture of two
gently-cuddling figures which dominates the Body zone - is still being worked on and will not be seen until the opening night.
The Dome will open to the admission-paying public at noon on New Year's Day and will be open every day of the year 2000.
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