Hong Kong (香港) - Hong Kong Disneyland (香港迪士尼乐园)

The highlight of this Hong Kong trip has to be this magical kingdom of Hong Kong Disneyland. The second Disneyland theme park in Asia, we spent the whole second day inside the amusement park, which quite frankly, was still not enough to fully enjoy yourself. One day is just too short for Disneyland and the one in Hong Kong is said to be the smallest of all 5 existing Disneyland parks. Imagine that!

We were all heading to Hong Kong Disneyland

After breakfast, we took the Mass Transit Rail (MTR) to Sunny Bay station to change to Disneyland Resort Line, taking us directly to the theme park. It took about 45 minutes from city centre to Disneyland, so if you want to maximize your time inside the wonderland, you need to allocate extra time for the transportation and be there right when it opens.

The whole train just shouted Disney

My companions were in deep slumber and unable to wake up early for the day even though I had already reminded them time and time again. Coupled with the dim sum breakfast, by the time we reached Disneyland, it was already 11 a.m. Luckily, there wasn't much of a queue and we redeemed our tickets bought online at a discounted rate. Bags will be checked but the securities would close an eye if they found sandwiches and breads in it.

Water fountain greeted us

I have Woody for ticket!

Once you stepped your feet into the compound, it will never be the same again. Your childhood began to flash before your eyes as the enchanting world of Disney surrounded you. This is especially true if grew up together with Mickey and his gangs as well as those everlasting Disney classics like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and so on. Your inner child just took over and there will always be a grin pasted on your face.

I was that giddy kid as I walked along Main Street, U.S.A., the entrance of the park. Marching band was playing classic Disney tunes on the street while the buildings, inspired by the one in America, were crowded with people looking for souvenirs. Famous characters were scattered across the whole park, appearing at appointed slots, while people were queuing up for photo-taking sessions. It was pure magic.

Marching band performing classic Disney songs

The trouble with spending just one day in Disneyland is that you have to choose between taking photos with your cartoon idols or going for the carnival rides. You can strike for a perfect balance between those twos but at the end of the day, you would wonder whether if those rides not taken were good or that you regretted not taking pictures with Mickey for carousel. That was our dilemma.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at background

Initially opened with just 4 main features - Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland and Adventureland - Hong Kong Disneyland has since expanded with 3 additional parks, Toy Story Land, Mystic Point and Grizzly Gulch. These new features means more fun rides for us.

Futuristic feature at Tomorrowland

Me with Buzz Lightyear

If you cannot go for all of them, then choose wisely. I strongly recommend the following rides; Stitch Encounter, The Golden Mickeys at Disney's Storybook Theatre, Mickey's PhilharMagic, RC Racer, Big Grizzly Mountain Runway Mine Cars and Space Mountain.

The Golden Mickeys

Toy Story Land

The first threes are interactive performances which I find enjoyable. Stitch Encounter and Mickey's PhilharMagic will make your laugh while The Golden Mickeys gives you goosebumps as you relive your childhood memories. The remaining threes will give you a rush of adrenaline though it is not too thrilling a ride that kids cannot board it. These suggestions are based on my own opinion. If these are not your types, fret not for there are still many more rides that you will like.

Mickey during Flights of Fantasy Parade

Disney princesses

Another main attraction of Hong Kong Disneyland has to be Flights of Fantasy Parade, an everyday feature in Main Street. Disney characters will march out in colourful floating cars with performers demonstrating wonderful acts together. As this is Hong Kong Disneyland, Cantonese is used most of the time so it might be a bit weird seeing Mickey speaks in this Chinese dialect. However, the energy from them was just too infectious and you will soon forget that little detail and danced along.

Firework show to end the day

At the end of the day, remember to grab a good spot overlooking Sleeping Beauty Castle for at precisely 8 p.m., fireworks show will begin. It was definitely a wonderful way to end a magical day in Disneyland.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Disney characters appear at a certain place at a specific time. So, if you want to have your pictures taken with them, you have a better chance if you look beforehand their scheduled appearances. Performance shows like Stitch Encounter, The Golden Mickeys, and so on also have scheduled show time and limited seats so if you want to watch these shows, you should queue up at least 20 minutes earlier. Stitch Encounter has quite a number of shows in different languages (English, Cantonese and Mandarin), so make sure you go for the show in your preferred languages. For more information, go to Hong Kong Disneyland website.