“Did you know Sunny Bay Station wasn’t always Sunny Bay?” I ask. The station’s name is a clever invention. The original name was Yam O meaning Cloudy Bay. Its original name held negative connotations. The MTR wisely changed it. Sunny Bay Station now evokes a brighter image. It perfectly complements the nearby Disneyland Resort.
Sunny Bay Station serves as a vital transportation hub. It’s the gateway to Hong Kong Disneyland. It also connects to the Tung Chung line. The Airport Express even whizzes through. It doesn’t stop here though. This station is designed to be bright and airy. This is a departure from many other MTR stations.
Sunny Bay Station opened in 2005. This was in preparation for Disneyland’s opening. Initially it was used by Disneyland staff. Two months later it opened to the public. The station features innovative automatic platform gates. These are unique to Sunny Bay Station. They are shorter than the platform screen doors in other MTR stations.
Sunny Bay Station itself is situated in Yam O on reclaimed land. The area surrounding it is largely uninhabited. The station’s primary exit leads to a transport interchange. This interchange serves residents of Discovery Bay. It also provides convenient access to buses traveling to Zhuhai and Macau. The station’s architecture is noteworthy. It’s not air-conditioned. It uses its open design to keep the temperature comfortable. The architectural firm Aedas designed this station. They also designed the Disneyland Resort Line.
So next time you visit Sunny Bay Station remember its story. It’s a story of clever naming and strategic planning. It’s also a testament to the magic of Hong Kong’s transportation network. It’s a journey from Cloudy Bay to Sunny Bay. It’s a perfect example of how a name can transform a place.