How to do Disneyland Hong Kong in 1 Day

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.

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.

Hong Kong Disneyland Park Map view

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.

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.

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

Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and Woody play with the crowd

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 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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Autopia and the UFO zone

Driving past the alien landscape

Hong Kong Disneyland railroad

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!"

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.

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!

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

Traveling Hong Kong the Eat, Pray, Love Way

How else do you do a Hong Kong travel? To for a fact be mentioned that American writer Elizabeth Gilbert authored a bestselling "chick-lit" in 2006. It sold a million copies, translated into 40 languages, and turned into a big hit travel-romance movie. Apparently, it is a travel bible to many country drifters.

It's gratifying how we all can take a trip to places as fascinating as those in the book without having to spend largely for tickets and hotels for a taste of Muhgal architecture and feel- good mantras, or for a dominion inhabited by Roman-numeral boys. :)

Hong Kong is a pretty good choice. While an eat, pray, love kind of adventure can be done in many other countries, a Hong Kong travel can be far less expensive and doable compared to those in the west side of the globe.

Options are abundant. But if there's a way to do it remarkably, it can be specified into 3 unforgettable should-do's:

Eat

Dai pai dong is a Hong Kong style open- air food stall. It's a term usually used to refer roadside food stalls with foldable tables and chairs and no air conditioning. Although it literally means as "restaurants with big license" denoting the size of license bigger than the other licensed street vendors. 

Dai pai dong food stall

Legally, the term can only refer to the 28 stalls with "big licenses" -- those in Causeway Bay Central, Sham Shui Po, Wan Chai, Tai Hang, and Tai O. Although food stalls of the same kind are scattered widely around the country.

It characteristically has an untidy atmosphere. But to experience a pure Hong Kong dining together with pure Hong Kong locals is a sure bet. It's not everyday that you get to eat those dai pai dong congees and yuanyuang the way Gilbert has given up a love-handle-free potbelly for a daily sellout with gelatos and linguine pastas in 4 long months in Italy.

Yuanyuang drink

Most dai pai dongs offer authentic Cantonese food. English is hardly spoken so a little more of hand pointing will serve as your tongue.

Pray

For an experience of a Chinese solitude, try the ancient and fluid movements of tai chi in a peaceful side of the city, say, in a park or at the waterfront facing the Victoria Harbour. 

Tai Chi in Hong Kong Clock Tower

Tai chi movements are said to balance the body's internal yin and yang, for the mind, soul, and body. There are tourists and locals who do this outdoors under the morning light. Even Andrew Zimmern did it, too in a Bizarre Foods Episode! 

Love

Love is a widespread phenomenon and odds are that Hong Kong established activities that can foster this. 

Less expensive than a Harbour Cruise is a late-afternoon Duk Ling ride for only HKD100. It is a Chinese sailing junk that sails the harbour, holding out a 360-degree view of the captivating skyline. It sails regularly three times a week for about 2.5 to 4 hours. 

Duk Ling Cruise, Victoria Harbour

Duk Ling is to Hong Kong as much as Taj Mahal is to India. And the most romantic thing, if at all,  is riding in one of the red- sail sampans, the ones that look like an iconic bat wings in red colors flashing against the scenery of the modern skyline. 

Plan it or wing it, the important thing is to make the most of the experience. Because it's one thing to "know" how to do these things, but it's another thing to "live them up".

We may not always be able to visit every part of the country in a travel, but sometimes less is more, especially when you know how to do just that. It's the reason why I always want to travel the eat pray love way-- minus the divorce and the erratic affairs. Teehee!

Now let's cross over to the sides of Hong Kong. Attraversiamo!

References:

wikipedia (dot) org

discoverhongkong (dot) com

Photo Credits:

google (dot) com (slash) images- 1st photo

commons (dot) wikimedia (dot) org- 1st photo 

scoopweb (dot) com- 2nd photo

theredheadriter (dot) com- 3rd photo

businesstravellerasia (dot) com- 4th & 5th photos

3 Things Guidebooks Don't Tell Budget Travelers About Hong Kong

Life in Hong Kong starts at 10 AM. That's when the streets get busy, and people start loading up sidewalks and escalators.

busy Hong Kong street

They live fast paced. That is, you have to always keep right in roadways and escalators. And keep up with few minutes of standing in these public places on end.  Or you'll get impinged. But that's Hong Kong.

Travelers hoard to where it's public and familiar, and to where it's economical. And most of these travelers want to get the cheapest deal, often. Even I, too, dream of returning home from Hong Kong full of markdowns every time especially on bargain clothes and keepsakes. 

You're paying too much for their budget finds

But how cheap can we go? Chinese are skillful salespeople and even the best hagglers don't always get the lowest price. Because here's a fact: you can find exact items being sold in Hong Kong's budget markets in your own hometown at probably the same, or even cheaper price. 

The only difference about the price of these jades, ceramics, jewelries, and keepsakes sold in Hong Kong and in your hometown is the currency. Do a little math and the amount is hardly disproportional. Trust me.

Shop in Hong Kong without expecting too much that you're getting the rarest and best-est items. And while you can still negotiate the cost as much as you can, remember that the difference isn't much.

Every penny counts

Newspapers in Hong Kong are free, but not the plastic bags in most groceries and convenient stores. It's either you hug your purchased items in your arms or buy something to contain them in. In case you're not the type who minds spending coins.

Hong Kong public vehicles on the other hand don't give loose change on fares. You might want to care for your petty cash, anyway, so you can give an exact amount and avoid spending the needless extra.

The cheapest airport transfers are not from the Chinese

Just when you think the middle eastern folks are simply hoaxing at your "very tourist orientation" about Hong Kong, it's the airport shuttles and taxis which you should try to avoid.

The Pakistanis, Indians, and Arabs offer relatively inexpensive airport transfer service. They are usually stationed outside the buildings of hostels (e.g. Chung King & Mirador Mansions).

Consider paying about HK$112 airport transfer by these middles eastern folks (for a group of 4, that's roughly HK$28 each) compared to the HK$90 single journey from Kowloon to airport, or the HK$100 single journey from Hong Kong Island to airport.

These middle eastern folks make sure you're well-accommodated. Besides, it feels as if you own the car. You know, comfort and privacy.

The next time you're in Hong Kong you know that opportunities to spend wisely are abundant. That is if you know where and how to spend your cash. 

Photo Credits:
sassyhongkong (dot) com- 2nd photo
spafinder (dot) com- 3rd photo
quintavaledmaria (dot) wordpress (dot) com- 4th photo