This is the second post on our 4D3N Hong Kong trip that was highlighted by the visit to Hong Kong Disneyland. Here is an almost complete guide to the magical land that is surely a must-visit place if you’re heading to Hong Kong, be it with kids, or just for the kids in you.
Here’s the almost complete guide to the magical kingdom through my eyes 😀
Magical Train to Hong Kong Disneyland
Firstly, to get there.
From Hong Kong island, take the train from Central to Sunny Bay station, then hop onto the Magical train that takes you all the way to Disneyland straight up.
The train ride should last a little over 30 minutes, we purchased the 3 day unlimited pass with return trips to the airport that costs 300 HKD. Value for money as the airport trips cost 160 HKD both ways already.
the beautiful Disneyland Hotel
We spent 2 nights at South Pacific Hotel on Hong Kong island, and while that was a pretty good hotel in a nice location with plenty of good street foods (read my account of Street Food in Hong Kong), Disneyland Hotel is in another class on its own. The building was impressive, and really without a doubt, put one in the whole Disney mood.
Snow white and the Disneyland Hotel courtyard
Snow White was having a photo session with the kids at the lobby while we were checking in. The courtyard at the hotel is just as impressive as the interior and the room we were in. Check out the green maze that’s made out of plants, and I thought these stuff only exists in storybooks.
Hong Kong Disneyland entrance
After having an excellent lunch at the Crystal Lotus restaurant within the hotel (which I’ll blog about soon), we checked in our bags and headed straight to the park with out Disneyland tickets on hand.
There’re free shuttle bus service going around Disneyland park – Disneyland Hotel – Disney’s Hollywood Hotel every 15 minutes or so.
A few pictures at the beautiful fountain in front of the gate and then we’re in!
Main Street USA and upcoming Christmas decoration
First stop was Main Street USA. Which was, well, set up to look like a sort of cowboy town in US.
Here you find a lot of souvenir shops and a few restaurants, the Disney parade is usually conducted here too, but at our time of visit they were preparing for the upcoming Christmas decoration so parade was sorta on hold. The gingerbread town in the photo above wasn’t fully ready, but by now they should be. We will come back to Main Street a little later.
Tomorrowland and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster
Going pass the Sleeping Beauty’s castle and made a right turn, we arrived at Tomorrowland. The first attraction we went on was the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster.
The 3D (and super convincing) Buzz gave us the low down and instructions on what we should do, then off we go in the ride. It’s a sort of lasertag ride and you get to shoot targets and keep a score, I got 68800 – pretty impressive for a first timer, not to mention super auspicious too.
And the fun had just begun.
the awesome Space Mountain Ride
Next we went on the most thrilling ride at HongKong Disneyland – the Space Mountain.
This is a roller coaster that’s in almost total darkness. I don’t know how high we went, but it was pretty high, and insanely fast too. The ride was so fun we ended up doing it twice more on the next day. This is definitely a ride not to be missed if you are a thrill seeker. I tried to take a video but I guess the super low light condition didn’t help.
the many adventure of Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo’s flying circus
Next stop was the Fantasyland, and after the thrill and spills at Space Mountain, we decided to have something that is easier on the stomach. We went on the Dumbo’s flying circus. This ride goes pretty high and provides a good bird eye’s view on the whole Fantasyland.
The many adventure of Winnie the Pooh is another ride that I enjoyed a lot. It was like reading a life size animated flip out storybook by sitting on a cart. Pretty cool even for an adult, the kids must love this to bits.
the Golden Mickeys award show
We then head to the Golden Mickeys award show. The broadway style show lasted some 40 minutes and it was a lot of fun, I am left wondering how the actors could do this day in and day out, the performance must have taken a lot of energy, and they have to do a number of shows every day.
Tarzen’s Treehouse and Jungle River Cruise
By the time the show ended, it was starting to get dark already. We went onto the next destination – Adventureland.
The Jungle River Cruise came in 3 languages – Mandarin, Cantonese, and English with a pretty heavy Hong Kong accent. It was an adventurous cruise around the waterway that had a lot of wild animals, head hunters, booby traps, and fire caves. This while the funny narrator cum boatman tried to made us laugh, scared, and slightly wet at the same time.
After that we hop on the raft that takes us to the Tarzen’s Treehouse. The trail going up and eventually down from the treehouse also presents Tarzen’s story as you go, a pretty relaxing attraction. At the top of the treehouse, the entirely Adventureland comes into view.
the fireworks at Sleeping Beauty’s castle
The announcement for the fireworks came as we were still at Adventureland, so we quickly made our way back to Mainstreet USA where a huge crowd has already built up in front of the Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
Then there was the fireworks. Fireworks must be one of the most amusing things ever invented, no matter how many times I look at them, I’m still amazed. The backdrop made it that much more beautiful too.
Mainstreet USA at night, and the trail to Disneyland Hotel
The park came to a close after the fireworks, we worked our way out along with the crowd.
Instead of queueing up for the shuttle bus, we decided to take the pretty long walk back to Disneyland Hotel. That turned out to be a good decision. The walkway from Disneyland to the hotels is actually a beautiful garden that had, among the nicely manicured plants, a stunning fountain too. The weather was very pleasant at 20+ Celsius.
We then had dinner at Chef Mickey’s restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood hotel, which I shall write about soon.
and a couple pictures with Diasy Duck
We had 2 days worth of Disneyland Park’s passes, so there was no wasting. After breakfast and a couple pictures with Daisy Duck, we went off to the Park again.
Autopia, and Haze in the train going around Disneyland Hong Kong
Our first stop was the Autopia, it was sort of a go-kart on track that showcases the future with electric car. This is an attraction that would amuse kids more than adults, but kinda fun nonetheless.
We then hop on the train that goes around the entire park. There’re a surprise on the ride, but I shall not spoil it for you.
Street performers and Merlin speaking Cantonese!
We then went on the Space Mountain ride twice more.
There are also quite a lot of street performances around the park, like these two guys above, and also Merlin who speaks Cantonese. Never a dull moment.
Sleeping Beauty Castle, Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Just prior to lunch, we attended Mickey’s PhilharMagic show, a 3D (with glasses) that features not only 3D visuals, but also wind, water, and smell too. That was an interesting experience, I was so glad we didn’t miss it.
After lunch at the Tahiti Terrace, it was time to go back to the hotel to get our bags and make our way back to the airport.
Hong Kong Disneyland certainly didn’t disappoint. You need at least a full day (we did it in 2 half days) to get everything out of it, it’ll be a somewhat tiring day but you’ll surely leave with a smile.
OMG. Stitch is eating Haze’s head. LOL.
J the chocoholic: hahahaha
It’s just like fairy tales huh?? Journey to a magical kingdom with the loved one completed the story 😉 You are the Prince while Haze the Princess…
Leo: me? Prince? that’s the best compliment I’ve heard in my life. kkekekek thanks
Looks more impressive than I’d thought. I guess it’s getting better now that more rides are up and running. Me, I think the main reason I’d want to go to HK Disneyland is the price – so much cheaper than L.A.
Suertes: yeap, definitely suits the asian economic model more than the other disney parks. 😀
nice, thanks for sharing… although i would love to visit japan’s disney… hey how come u can take tons of leave going to many places one?
connie: i get 20 off days a year, a pretty good company I work at 😀
oooh, jeles-nya i
Connie: 😀
I first went in 2007 and it was quite meh because it was still new and undeveloped. Guess it must be better now.
Tan Yee Hou: yeah it’s very nais now, lotsa rides and everything’s just dreamy and magical 😀
wah when i wanna go to HK Disneyland, I’ll use your guide!
eiling: woohoo i rock! hehehe
Wah, macam yes. Nice guide!!!! 😛
yeeingng: thanks thanks *bow*
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almost complete guide? LOL
Myhorng: ya la place is too big lol
feel like a kid again! HKDL rocks!
Kampungboycitygal: yaa no doubt, missing it already
Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderfully delicious new year ahead!
babe_kl: merry xmas to you too! 😀
lu bodah kh…
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. Disneyland Hong Kong is part of my travel plans next year and I will come back here for more details. Have a great 2011 and many years ahead. =)
Wilson: merry xmas to you too! 😀
Happy Christmas! Do they still have large crowds there?
JD: merry xmas! the crowd at HKDL isn’t as much as those in Tokyo, we didn’t have to wait too long for rides, which was nice. 😀
it would be nice!last 2007 i have 2 weeks stays in tsim sha tsui,i didnt enjoy disney because they have a great typhoon…but i believe this time will be the nicest time with my boyfriend!
Rosa: good luck to you and have a blast k! 😀
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HONG KONG DINEYLAND…. ????? hmmm.. kapan ya, saya bisa mengunjunginya… maklum saya ornag tidak mampu,barang kali ada orang yang baik hati mau mengajak saya jalan2 ke hongkong disneyland dengan senang hati saya mau…
widi puspo: nicee 😀
wow… how to get that awesome deal… hkd300 for 3 day pass + airport trip tooo????
faith: I got it from the airport 😀
KY, did you get the airlines ticket and hotel package for the trip ? any recommendation for the place to get the booking ?
Ivan: i didn’t, we went ourselves, I think cathay pacific usually have some combo deals tho
🙄 some more tips please? were planing to go this coming May and have 2 kids, still trying to look for some combo or tour package with hotel accommodations….pls help..
thanks much..
Carol: ahh, you better check with local travel agents in that case.
Planning on visiting HK Disneyland on 15th Dec. (I live in Macau) Only going for one day but I’ll try my best to visit all attractions 😀 [I’ve heard it’s possible as the Park is not too big] I’ll arrive in the morning at the opening time, any suggestions as to which attractions I should visit first before the park gets super full? Thanks:)
Alexandra: Space mountain is the one I’d not miss!
Looks like fun. I’m wondering how it compares to Disneyland and Disney World in the states?