I barely know a kid who doesn't have any idea what Disney is. Most of us grow up in fascination of Mickey Mouse and the Princesses. We cannot deny the fact that we've always had this childhood thirst to go to Disneyland, especially on our first time of travel. Even adults still fancy about it, too. I do.
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| Cinderella castle along the Main Street grounds. All photos in this post are taken from my Disneyland visit last January. Plunge in! :) |
What's nice for you to know
Hong Kong Disneyland is the most frequented Disney theme park in the world in 2010. In its opening year in 2005, it gathered 5.2 million tourists and visitors-- and still continues to expand until today. It's a joint company by The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
It is divided into seven main themed areas: Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, and Toy Story Land.
The last time I went there in January, my eyes circled and pulsations swelled as I see life-size Disney characters come to life, colorful scenes on TV that I only once imagined become a reality, and all other fun feature presentations and rides the park has, frantic me the pleasant way. Given my druthers, I'd like to think that every person who visits Disneyland has an automatic license to be "very" descriptive with her words. I am proof that it catches up any age. All the adjectives I can ever come up with are justified. No wonder why many other tourists and travelers go and see it too.
What you need to know
The problem for some people traveling to Hong Kong is when they cannot compromise a visit to Disneyland, but their schedule is limited.
In case you are someone who faces the same struggle, a quick fix I can tell you is to know if going there is really one important part of your itinerary, which you cannot sacrifice. You have to know that it is always at least a 1-day event with usual park hours from 10AM to 8- 9PM. Meaning that you have to take an amount of decisiveness on whether to prioritize it among the other places in your itinerary. Or save it for another trip,but can you?
There are several stage shows and activities that happens all over the park in one day. Some schedules unfortunately overlap with the other schedules. And to be truthful about it, you cannot afford to see and do everything there in just one day. My job here, apparently, is to give you an idea on what important shows and activities you could do to make at least your 1-day admission as worthy as possible.
:: Traveler's Note: It is best to schedule your Disneyland visit on a weekday. Tourists, travelers, and locals hoard more frequently on weekends. You definitely would not want to end up taking lengthy queues the whole time. ::
General 1-day admission ticket (aged 12- 64) costs HK$450 or around Php2475, and HK$320 or Php1760 for child ticket (aged 3- 11). Guide maps and schedules are available for free upon entrance to the park. But I suggest to check them in advance so you can plan ahead.
:: Traveler's Note: To get to Disneyland Hong Kong, you can buy an MTR Airport Express ticket for a ride from the airport to Tsing Yi MTR Station. From Tsing Yi transfer train bound for Sunny Bay station. From Sunny Bay station ride a Disney- themed train to Disneyland Resort Station, and voila!. ::
You need to get enough calories for the day's activities. There are available fast food around the park which cost around HK$10- 60 depending on the food- from foot-long burgers to grilled chicken. Bottled waters are also available for HK$20 or Php110. But there's also nothing wrong with bringing your own knick knacks to save time and, well, money.
Now here's what you should see and do
You might notice some of the time-frame suggested below with the preposition word at (e.g. at 3:30PM)- meaning that there are other activities you have to do in other parts of the park before that time.
Main Street USA
You'll see shops, food and book parlors, bakeries, and other quintessentially small-town American structural finds along the main street. It's Disneyland's version of old-day American Anaheim.
10AM- 10:30AM ~ Visit the City Hall for you to take a picture of miniature Walt Disney characters.
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| The modestly beautiful Belle in a French village plus Mickey Mouse and company and The Incredibles You'll get to see a lot more! |
Main Street chandelier with a Chinese embellishment
10:30AM- 10:45AM ~ Roam around Main Street USA by riding the Main Street Vehicles. You may, however, have to set extra time for contingencies as operating hours are also subject to traffic condition at the Main Street. But it's a must-try.
10:30AM- 10:45AM ~ Roam around Main Street USA by riding the Main Street Vehicles. You may, however, have to set extra time for contingencies as operating hours are also subject to traffic condition at the Main Street. But it's a must-try.
11AM- 12PM ~ Take one full hour of plunge at the Main Street Corner Cafe. It's a restaurant that serves premium American menu. One thing to complete your old-day American experience, back to Walter Disney's times. Besides your stomach might already start grumbling by that time.
at 3:30PM ~ Flights of Fantasy Parade. Arrive early at the Main Street grounds to find a good spot ,as people fill up the best spaces first.
Performers wave party pops and flags
Minature Soldiers no more!
The sweetest bear you could ever be friends with
The hunny girl, spotted!
The Lion King cast!
Aloha! from Disney's Lilo and Stitch
Mickey Mouse clubhouse on parade
The Disney jungle strolling the Main Street
Tink's blowing her wishes while playful kids surround
Spotted by the paparazzi's, Disney Princesses greeting at the Main Street
Disney Princesses from left to right: Princess Aurora/ Briar Rose of Sleeping Beauty, Belle of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Snow Shite
The modestly beautiful and bookworm Princess in France- Belle.
Fantasyland
The Lion King cast!
Aloha! from Disney's Lilo and Stitch
Mickey Mouse clubhouse on parade
The Disney jungle strolling the Main Street
Tink's blowing her wishes while playful kids surround
Spotted by the paparazzi's, Disney Princesses greeting at the Main Street
Disney Princesses from left to right: Princess Aurora/ Briar Rose of Sleeping Beauty, Belle of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Snow Shite
The modestly beautiful and bookworm Princess in France- Belle.
Fantasyland
The word fantasyland speaks for itself. You immerse into a place where imagination almost becomes real. Most of the Disney characters are here.
12PM- 12:30PM ~ After feasting on authentic American menus at the Main Street, take a short visit to the Fantasy Gardens to take photos with even one Disney Princess and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse members. Lucky if you perfectly spot the mouse there!
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| Disney's Goofy and Rapunzel |
12:45- 1:45PM (Tue, Wed, Thu) ~ Watch "The Golden Mickeys". It's a Broadway-kind of musical celebration of Disney films, and characters at the Disney's Storybook Theater. Famous Disney characters like Mulan, Ariel of Little Mermaid, Mickey Mouse and friends, and others make their appearances. But schedule it at 5PM- 6:15PM if your Disneyland visit falls on a Monday or Friday.
at 4:30- 5PM ~ Walk through a magical portal to the Sleeping Beauty Castle. It's integrated with a computer- controlled strobe light system that creates a sparkling effect on the castle. Don't you think you might just get totally spaced-out when you see it gleam?
:: Traveler's Note: Check park schedules online ahead of time so you can schedule your visit at a time that most of these must-see's are not closed for maintenance. ::
Adventureland
It's a more exotic world outlined after the pre-civilization days. You'll encounter a funny skipper taking you on safari, tikis, jungle drum, gushing waters and artificial sounds of feathered and jungle creatures echoing in a primeval forest.
2PM- 3:00PM ~ Watch "Festival of the Lion King" right after watching "The Golden Mickeys" in Fantasyland for you to see yet another Broadway- style show. It's a 30-minute musical presentation at the Theater in the Wild of colorful pageant of music and dance depicting the story of Simba. Actors act and sing as good as the ones in the US. I had goosebumps when I watched it.
Simba of The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride
by 3:00PM ~ Head out straight to the Main Street grounds for the Flight of Fantasy Parade.
The Broadway act
Simba of The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride
by 3:00PM ~ Head out straight to the Main Street grounds for the Flight of Fantasy Parade.
at 6PM- 6:15PM ~ Cross the river by raft towards Tarzan Island and take a look inside Tarzan's treehouse. It won't take much of your time to cross the river. Promise!
Meet Kala, the adopted mother of Tarzan
And of course, the jungle man himself, Tarzan
6:15PM- 6:30PM ~ Take with you your intrepid skipper to a Jungle River Cruise. Most tourists try it at daytime, but I suggest you take this journey on cocktail hours or when the sun sets-- it'll be more exciting and mysterious. You'll see artificial hippos, elephants, and crocs open their mouth and many other unexpected adventures.
Meet Kala, the adopted mother of Tarzan
And of course, the jungle man himself, Tarzan
6:15PM- 6:30PM ~ Take with you your intrepid skipper to a Jungle River Cruise. Most tourists try it at daytime, but I suggest you take this journey on cocktail hours or when the sun sets-- it'll be more exciting and mysterious. You'll see artificial hippos, elephants, and crocs open their mouth and many other unexpected adventures.
6:30PM- 7:30PM ~ Take your dinner at the Tahitian Terrace. Or maybe eat your own knick knack at the Main Street plaza where other tourists also eat and wait for the Disney fireworks.
:: Traveler's Note: Did you know that Hong Kong Disneyland's Adventureland is the largest Adventureland of all the Magic Kingdom parks around the world? ::
Grizzly Gulch
:: Traveler's Note: Did you know that Hong Kong Disneyland's Adventureland is the largest Adventureland of all the Magic Kingdom parks around the world? ::
Grizzly Gulch
A western cowboy atmosphere in the neck of the woods.
4PM- 4:15PM ~ Try the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars after the parade in Main Street. It's a thrill ride. Either you'll come to terms with your fears, or simply roam around Geyser Gulch if you get seriously sick.
Tomorrowland
It's more of space and alien invasion here- anything futuristic you can imagine.
Tomorrowland
It's more of space and alien invasion here- anything futuristic you can imagine.
4:15PM- 4:30PM ~ Drive along electric cars. Lengthy queues are mostly unavoidable, you might consider having contingency plans again. Maybe ride the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad. It's an excursion-style train that will tour you around the whole Disneyland park, featuring a stop in Fantasyland.
You'll find larger-than-life Toy Sory characters. It's like when the toys go alive when Andy's not watching them in the movie. "You got a friend in there!"
at 5PM ~ After seeing the Sleeping Beauty Castle, if your Disney visit schedule does not fall within a Monday or a Friday, you can meet and greet favorite toys from the Toy Story movies at the Bright Blue Barrel for an equally fun alternative. 6PM is for more time back to Adventureland.
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| Autopia and the UFO zone |
Driving past the alien landscape
Hong Kong Disneyland railroad
Toy Story Land
Toy Story Land
You'll find larger-than-life Toy Sory characters. It's like when the toys go alive when Andy's not watching them in the movie. "You got a friend in there!"
Sleeping Beauty Castle/ Cinderella Castle
8:00PM ~ Watch the "Disney in the Stars" at Main Street USA grounds. Pyrotechnic shows of lights and fireworks fill up the sky while Disney music is played. It's like the main event!
Here's a video of the fireworks which I embedded from youtube. I just thought it's worth watching over and over, and everyone is invited to take joy in.
My bottom lids were almost filled with joyful tears at 2:47. The sweetest pleasure is to realize that you can get lost in splendid thoughts, no matter what your age, as you watch it.
These are of course ideas which you can follow or tweak according to what you like best. But to say that everything you'll see is postcardesque is something I will surely swear by.
I'm featuring the Disney Hotels come my next visit. Don't miss that out, too!
Here's a video of the fireworks which I embedded from youtube. I just thought it's worth watching over and over, and everyone is invited to take joy in.
My bottom lids were almost filled with joyful tears at 2:47. The sweetest pleasure is to realize that you can get lost in splendid thoughts, no matter what your age, as you watch it.
These are of course ideas which you can follow or tweak according to what you like best. But to say that everything you'll see is postcardesque is something I will surely swear by.
I'm featuring the Disney Hotels come my next visit. Don't miss that out, too!
References:
wikipedia (dot) org
disneylandreport (dot) com
corporate (dot) disney (dot) go (dot) com
Photo/ Video Credits:
the golden mickey's- starnow (dot) co (dot) uk
sleeping beauty castle- disneyparks (dot) disney (dot) go (dot) com
grizzly gluch- towertimes (dot) co (dot) uk
toy story land- magizalmousesschoolhouse (dot) com
BL Koh- youtube (dot) com
Photo/ Video Credits:
the golden mickey's- starnow (dot) co (dot) uk
sleeping beauty castle- disneyparks (dot) disney (dot) go (dot) com
grizzly gluch- towertimes (dot) co (dot) uk
toy story land- magizalmousesschoolhouse (dot) com
BL Koh- youtube (dot) com
